Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'multitude'

English Word: multitude

Key Russian Translations:

• Множество [mʲɪˈnoʒʲɪstvə] - [Neutral, Formal]
• Толпа [ˈtolpə] - [Informal, Used for crowds of people]
• Масса [ˈmasə] - [Neutral, Often for large quantities or groups]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in descriptive or literary contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding noun declensions and contextual usage; for 'Толпа', it may be A2 for beginners due to simpler forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Множество: [mʲɪˈnoʒʲɪstvə]

Note on Множество: The stress falls on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Толпа: [ˈtolpə]

Note on Толпа: The initial 'т' is unaspirated; this word has a soft 'л' sound, common in Russian but absent in English.

Масса: [ˈmasə]

Note on Масса: Pronunciation is straightforward, but note the soft 'с' in some regional variants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A large number of people or things (abstract quantity).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Множество - Used in formal, academic, or neutral contexts to describe a vast amount, such as in statistics or philosophy.
• Масса - Applied in everyday or scientific contexts for large groups or masses, often implying density or volume.

Usage Examples:

• В парке было множество людей, наслаждающихся солнечным днём.

  In the park, there was a multitude of people enjoying the sunny day.

• Множество книг на полках библиотеки впечатляет своими разнообразными темами.

  The multitude of books on the library shelves is impressive with their diverse topics.

• Эта теория охватывает множество аспектов человеческой психологии.

  This theory covers a multitude of aspects of human psychology.

• Множество проблем в обществе требует немедленного решения.

  A multitude of problems in society requires immediate resolution.

Meaning 2: A crowd or throng of people (more literal, dynamic sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Толпа - Used in informal, everyday situations for physical crowds, such as at events or protests.

Usage Examples:

• На концерте собралась огромная толпа фанатов, ждущих выступления.

  At the concert, a huge multitude of fans gathered, waiting for the performance.

• Толпа на улицах города праздновала Новый год с фейерверками.

  The multitude on the city streets celebrated New Year's with fireworks.

• В толпе протестующих было множество голосов, требующих перемен.

  In the multitude of protesters, there were many voices demanding change.

• Толпа быстро рассеялась, когда начался дождь.

  The multitude quickly dispersed when the rain started.

• Толпа зрителей аплодировала, увидев финальный трюк.

  The multitude of spectators applauded upon seeing the final trick.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These words are primarily nouns and follow standard Russian declension patterns. 'Множество' is a neuter noun, while 'Толпа' and 'Масса' are feminine nouns. They exhibit regular inflections based on case, number, and gender.

Note: These are singular forms. For plural, 'Множество' becomes 'Множества' in nominative, and similar patterns apply, but 'Толпа' and 'Масса' can be irregular in plural usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Много (Many, more general)
  • Куча (Heap, informal for piles)
  • Орда (Horde, for large, chaotic groups; implies disorder)
• Antonyms:
  • Мало (Few)
  • Немного (A little)

Note: 'Много' is a common synonym but less emphatic than 'Множество'; use it for simpler contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Большое множество - A great multitude; used to emphasize scale in formal descriptions.
• Толпа народа - A crowd of people; common in everyday speech for gatherings.
• Масса информации - A mass of information; often in contexts like data overload.
• Множество вариантов - A multitude of options; useful in decision-making scenarios.

Usage Notes:

'Множество' is the most direct translation for 'multitude' in abstract senses and is preferred in formal writing, while 'Толпа' fits informal, physical crowds. Be mindful of context: 'Масса' can imply weight or density, so it's ideal for scientific or metaphorical uses. English learners should note that Russian nouns require case agreement, e.g., use genitive for possession. When choosing between translations, opt for 'Множество' in neutral settings and 'Толпа' for social events to ensure natural flow.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Множество' interchangeably with 'Толпа' without considering context. For example, saying "Толпа книг" (incorrect for a multitude of books) instead of "Множество книг".

  Correct: 'Множество книг' means "a multitude of books". Explanation: 'Толпа' is specifically for people, leading to awkward phrasing if misapplied.

• Error: Forgetting declensions, e.g., saying "В множество" instead of "В множестве" in prepositional case.

  Correct: "В множестве" (in a multitude). Explanation: Russian requires case changes based on sentence structure, which English lacks.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'Толпа' often carry connotations from historical events, such as crowds during revolutions (e.g., the 1917 Russian Revolution), symbolizing collective action or chaos. 'Множество' is more neutral and appears in literature like Tolstoy's works to describe vast societal elements, reflecting Russia's emphasis on community and scale in storytelling.

Related Concepts:

• Группа (Group)
• Стая (Flock or herd)
• Орда (Horde)
• Коллектив (Collective)