Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'monotonous'

English Word: monotonous

Key Russian Translations:

• монотонный /mɐnɐˈtonnɨj/ - [Formal; used for describing repetitive sounds, rhythms, or tasks]
• однообразный /ɐdnɐɐˈbraznɨj/ - [Informal; emphasizes lack of variety in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, formal descriptions, and everyday conversations about routines, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "хороший").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and nuanced vocabulary, based on CEFR standards. For 'монотонный', it's slightly more advanced due to its formal tone; 'однообразный' is similar at B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

монотонный: /mɐnɐˈtonnɨj/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'о' is pronounced as a short 'a' sound, common in Russian.)

однообразный: /ɐdnɐɐˈbraznɨj/ (Stress on the fourth syllable; note the soft 'з' sound, which can be tricky for learners.)

Note on монотонный: This word has a subtle emphasis on the 'н' sound, which might vary slightly in fast speech; be careful with the vowel reductions in unstressed syllables, as is typical in Russian phonetics.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Lacking in variety and interest; tedious due to repetition (e.g., describing a voice, task, or routine).

Translation(s) & Context:

• монотонный - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as literature or scientific discussions, to highlight repetitive patterns without emotional variation.
• однообразный - Applied in informal settings, like casual conversations, to express boredom from monotony in daily life.

Usage Examples:

• Его речь была монотонной, что сделало лекцию скучной для аудитории.

  His speech was monotonous, which made the lecture boring for the audience.

• Работа на конвейере часто бывает однообразной и утомительной.

  Work on the assembly line is often monotonous and tiring.

• Монотонный шум дождя помог мне заснуть глубже.

  The monotonous sound of the rain helped me fall into a deeper sleep.

• В однообразном ритме городской жизни люди иногда забывают о разнообразии.

  In the monotonous rhythm of city life, people sometimes forget about variety.

• Музыка в фильме была намеренно монотонной, чтобы создать напряжение.

  The music in the film was deliberately monotonous to build tension.

Meaning 2: Characterized by a single tone or pitch (e.g., in music or sound).

Translation(s) & Context:

• монотонный - Specifically used in artistic or technical contexts, such as music theory or audio descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Монотонный гул машины раздавался в тишине ночи.

  The monotonous hum of the machine echoed in the silence of the night.

• В этой мелодии преобладает монотонный ритм, что придает ей гипнотический эффект.

  In this melody, a monotonous rhythm prevails, giving it a hypnotic effect.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'монотонный' and 'однообразный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns for hard-stem adjectives. Below is a table for 'монотонный' (as an example; 'однообразный' follows similar rules).

Note: These are regular inflections. 'Однообразный' inflects similarly, with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • однообразный (similar to 'monotonous' but with a broader connotation of uniformity)
  • скучный (more emotional, implying boredom rather than repetition)
• Antonyms:
  • разнообразный (varied, opposite in the context of lacking repetition)
  • живой (lively, contrasting with the dullness of monotony)

Related Phrases:

• монотонная речь - A speech or voice that is unchanging and dull (used in contexts like public speaking or descriptions of boredom).
• однообразный ритм - A repetitive rhythm, often in music or daily routines (implies a lack of excitement in patterns).
• монотонный звук - A single-tone sound, such as a drone (common in technical or environmental descriptions).

Usage Notes:

'Монотонный' is a more precise translation for 'monotonous' when emphasizing repetition in sound or rhythm, making it ideal for formal or technical English contexts. In contrast, 'однообразный' better captures everyday tedium and is suitable for informal use. Always consider the gender, number, and case of the noun it modifies in Russian sentences. For example, use 'монотонный' with masculine nouns in the nominative case. When choosing between translations, opt for 'монотонный' in artistic or scientific discussions, and 'однообразный' in casual conversations to avoid sounding overly formal.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'монотонный' with 'скучный' and using it interchangeably. For instance, a learner might say "Это скучное задание" when meaning "This is a monotonous task," but 'скучный' implies boredom more than repetition.

  Correct: "Это монотонное задание" (This is a monotonous task). Explanation: 'Монотонный' focuses on the repetitive nature, while 'скучный' adds an emotional layer of disinterest.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "монотонный дом" instead of "монотонная работа" for feminine nouns.

  Correct: Match the adjective to the noun's gender and case, as in "монотонная работа." Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with their nouns, which is a common pitfall for English speakers used to invariant adjectives.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'монотонный' often appear in literature and poetry to describe the repetitive aspects of daily life, such as in works by authors like Chekhov, where monotony symbolizes the drudgery of provincial existence. This reflects a broader cultural theme in Russian arts of contrasting mundane repetition with deeper existential meaning, helping users appreciate how such vocabulary conveys subtle emotional undercurrents in storytelling.

Related Concepts:

• скука (boredom)
• ритм (rhythm)
• однотонность (uniformity)