Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'many'

English Word: many

Key Russian Translations:

• много /ˈmnoɡə/ - [Informal, used for large quantities, especially with uncountable nouns or general emphasis]
• многие /ˈmnogʲije/ - [Formal, Plural, used specifically for countable nouns in plural form]

Frequency: High (This word and its translations are very commonly used in everyday Russian conversation and writing.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; straightforward for English speakers learning basic quantifiers, but "многие" requires understanding of Russian adjective declension.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

много: /ˈmnoɡə/

Note on много: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the 'г' sound, which is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in "go" but softer in some dialects.

многие: /ˈmnogʲije/

Note on многие: The 'й' (palatalized 'y') can be tricky; it's pronounced like the 'y' in "yes." Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A large number of (for countable nouns)

Translation(s) & Context:

• многие - Used in contexts where "many" refers to a plural countable quantity, such as people, objects, or ideas, often in formal or descriptive writing. For example, in sentences discussing groups or collections.

Usage Examples:

• Многие люди предпочитают жить в больших городах.

  Many people prefer to live in big cities.

• В музее выставлены многие картины известных художников.

  Many paintings by famous artists are exhibited in the museum.

• Многие студенты изучают русский язык онлайн.

  Many students study the Russian language online.

• Многие друзья помогли мне в трудную минуту.

  Many friends helped me in a difficult time.

• В этой стране многие традиции сохраняются веками.

  Many traditions in this country are preserved for centuries.

A lot of or great deal (for uncountable or general emphasis)

Translation(s) & Context:

• много - Used when "many" implies a large amount in a more general or informal sense, often with uncountable nouns, though it can apply to countable in casual speech.

Usage Examples:

• В России много снега зимой.

  There is a lot of snow in Russia in winter. (Here, "many" is adapted to emphasize quantity.)

• Много времени уходит на изучение русского языка.

  A lot of time goes into learning the Russian language.

• У него много идей для проекта.

  He has many ideas for the project.

• Много туристов посещает Москву каждое лето.

  Many tourists visit Moscow every summer.

• В интернете можно найти много информации о России.

  You can find a lot of information about Russia on the internet.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Много" is an indeclinable adverb and quantifier; it does not change form based on gender, number, or case. It remains the same in all contexts.

"Многие" is a plural adjective form of "много" and follows standard Russian adjective declension rules for plural nouns. It changes based on case and number. Below is a basic inflection table for "многие" in its nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, instrumental, and prepositional cases (plural only):

For example, in a sentence: "Я видел многих друзей" (I saw many friends) – here, "многих" is in the genitive case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • множество (mnózhestvo) - Emphasizes a multitude, often more formal.
  • многочисленный (mnogochislénnyy) - Used for describing large numbers in a collective sense, with slight nuance of being numerous.
• Antonyms:
  • мало (maló) - Few or little, opposite for quantity.
  • немного (némnogo) - A small amount, less emphatic than мало.

Related Phrases:

• Много лет (Many years) - A common phrase used in toasts or congratulations, equivalent to "many happy years."
• Много чего (A lot of stuff) - Informal expression for "a bunch of things," often in casual conversation.
• Многие из нас (Many of us) - Used in group contexts, similar to English idioms involving collectives.

Usage Notes:

English "many" typically corresponds to "многие" for countable plurals and "много" for general quantities. Choose "многие" when the noun is countable and plural, as it functions like an adjective and must agree in case. "Много" is more versatile and often used informally for emphasis. Be aware of Russian's lack of articles, which can make quantifiers like these feel more direct. In formal writing, prefer "многие" for precision, while "много" suits everyday speech. Grammar note: Always ensure agreement with the noun's case when using "многие."

Common Errors:

• Confusing "много" with "многие": English learners often use "много" for all contexts, e.g., incorrectly saying "Много люди" instead of "Многие люди." Correct usage: "Многие люди" for countable plurals, as "много" doesn't decline and can't directly modify nouns in the same way.
• Ignoring case agreement: For example, saying "Я видел многие друзья" (wrong) instead of "Я видел многих друзей" (correct, with genitive case). Explanation: Russian adjectives like "многие" must match the noun's case to maintain grammatical accuracy.
• Overusing in questions: Beginners might forget that in questions, "много" can become "сколько" for "how many," e.g., incorrectly using "Много у тебя друзей?" instead of "Сколько у тебя друзей?"

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions involving "many" like "много лет" (many years) are often used in celebrations, such as birthdays or anniversaries, reflecting a cultural emphasis on longevity and community. This ties into Russia's historical and literary traditions where abundance is celebrated, as seen in folk tales and proverbs.

Related Concepts:

• мало (few)
• некоторые (some)
• все (all)