Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'more'

English Word: more

Key Russian Translations:

• больше (IPA: ˈbolʲʂə) - [Informal, Comparative form]
• более (IPA: bɐˈlʲɛ) - [Formal, used in written or official contexts]

Frequency: High (commonly used in everyday conversation and writing)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level, straightforward for beginners but requires basic understanding of Russian comparatives)

Pronunciation (Russian):

больше: ˈbolʲʂə (The 'ш' sound is a soft, palatalized 'sh', similar to the 'sh' in 'she' but with a slight 'y' glide.)

Note on больше: This word has a stressed 'o' sound, which can vary slightly in fast speech; be careful with the palatalization.

более: bɐˈlʲɛ (The stress is on the second syllable, and the 'е' is pronounced like 'ye' in 'yes'.)

Note on более: In formal speech, the pronunciation may emphasize the final vowel for clarity.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Greater in quantity, size, degree, or extent (e.g., comparative form of 'much' or 'many')

Translation(s) & Context:

• больше - Used in informal contexts for everyday comparisons, such as describing amounts or sizes.
• более - Preferred in formal writing or precise contexts, like academic or professional discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я хочу больше яблок. (Ya khochu bol'she yablok.)

  I want more apples. (This example shows 'больше' in a simple declarative sentence for quantity.)

• Ему нужно больше времени для завершения проекта. (Yemu nuzhno bol'she vremeni dlya zaversheniya proyekta.)

  He needs more time to complete the project. (Illustrates 'больше' with abstract nouns in a practical context.)

• В этом году более 100 студентов поступили в университет. (V etom godu bol'she 100 studentov postupili v universitet.)

  This year, more than 100 students enrolled in the university. (Here, 'более' is used for formal numerical comparisons.)

• Она зарабатывает больше, чем ее коллега. (Ona zarabatyvayet bol'she, chem yeyo kollega.)

  She earns more than her colleague. (Demonstrates 'больше' in a comparative structure.)

• Более детальный анализ требуется для этого отчета. (Bol'she detальный analiz trebuetsya dlya etogo otchyota.)

  A more detailed analysis is required for this report. (Shows 'более' in a formal, professional setting.)

Meaning 2: Additional or extra (e.g., in the sense of 'further' or 'again')

Translation(s) & Context:

• больше - Informal for requesting extras, like in shopping or daily requests.

Usage Examples:

• Дайте мне больше сахара, пожалуйста. (Dayte mne bol'she sakhar, pozhaluysta.)

  Give me more sugar, please. (This highlights 'больше' in a polite request.)

• Больше не повторяй эту ошибку. (Bol'she ne povtoryay etu oshibku.)

  Don't repeat that mistake again. (Uses 'больше' to mean 'no more' in imperative form.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'больше' and 'более' are adverbs and do not inflect for gender, number, or case, as they function as invariable comparatives in Russian. However, they can be used with nouns that change form.

For example, if used with a noun like 'время' (time), the noun itself inflects:

Note: 'Более' follows the same pattern and remains uninflected.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • большее (bol'sheye) - More formal variant, often used as an adjective.
  • дополнительно (dopolnitel'no) - Means 'additionally' or 'extra', with a slight nuance of supplementation.
• Antonyms:
  • меньше (men'she) - Less, opposite in quantity.
  • мало (malo) - Little or few, implying scarcity.

Related Phrases:

• больше не (bol'she ne) - No more; not anymore. (Used to indicate cessation.)
• еще больше (yeschyo bol'she) - Even more. (Emphasizes increase in degree.)
• больше всего (bol'she vsego) - Most of all; above all. (Indicates priority or superlative.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'больше' is the go-to informal translation for 'more' in comparative contexts, while 'более' is reserved for formal or written language to maintain precision. English speakers should note that Russian comparatives don't always require a direct equivalent; for example, 'more' as in 'additional' can simply use 'больше' in requests. Be cautious with word order: adjectives or nouns typically follow the comparative adverb. When choosing between translations, opt for 'более' in academic or official scenarios to avoid sounding too casual.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'больше' in formal writing where 'более' is expected, e.g., saying "больше информации" instead of "более информации". Correct: "Более информации" for formality. Explanation: This can make the text seem less professional; always assess the context.

• Error: Confusing 'больше' with 'большой' (big), leading to misuse like "больше дом" meaning "more house" instead of "большой дом" for "big house". Correct: Use 'больше' only for comparisons of quantity. Explanation: 'Большой' is an adjective for size, while 'больше' is for degree or amount.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions involving 'больше' often reflect the value placed on abundance and hospitality. For instance, offering 'больше еды' (more food) to guests is a common gesture of warmth, stemming from traditional customs where generosity is highly regarded in social interactions.

Related Concepts:

• много (much/many)
• достаточно (enough)
• сравнение (comparison)