Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'myriad'

English Word: myriad

Key Russian Translations:

• мириады [mʲɪˈrʲiədɨ] - [Formal, Plural, Used in literary or scientific contexts to denote a vast, innumerable quantity]
• бесчисленный [bʲɪsˈt͡ɕɪs.lʲɪn.nɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used to describe something countless or immeasurable]
• множество [ˈmnoʐɨst.və] - [Informal, Noun, Applied in everyday contexts for a large but not necessarily infinite number]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, literature, and scientific discussions, but less frequent in casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "мириады" and "бесчисленный"; A2 (Beginner) for "множество", as it involves basic vocabulary and grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мириады: [mʲɪˈrʲiədɨ]

Note on мириады: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. It has a soft, rolling quality.

бесчисленный: [bʲɪsˈt͡ɕɪs.lʲɪn.nɨj]

Note on бесчисленный: The 'щ' sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'sh' in "she" but more sibilant; practice with native audio for accuracy.

множество: [ˈmnoʐɨst.və]

Note on множество: The 'zh' sound in "ж" is like the 's' in "measure"; it's a voiced fricative and remains consistent across forms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A countless or extremely great number (as a noun).

Translation(s) & Context:

• мириады - Used in formal, poetic, or scientific contexts to emphasize an overwhelming quantity, often in astronomy or literature.
• бесчисленный - Applied when describing something innumerable, such as stars or ideas, in descriptive or abstract writing.

Usage Examples:

• В ночном небе сияют мириады звезд, освещая путь путешественникам.

  In the night sky, myriads of stars shine, lighting the way for travelers.

• Ученые обнаружили бесчисленное множество галактик в отдаленном космосе.

  Scientists discovered a myriad of galaxies in the distant cosmos.

• Мириады насекомых заполнили сад, создавая живописный летний пейзаж.

  Myriads of insects filled the garden, creating a picturesque summer scene.

• Бесчисленное множество идей пришло ему в голову во время прогулки.

  A myriad of ideas came to his mind during the walk.

• В библиотеке хранится множество древних манускриптов, подобное мириадам тайн.

  The library holds a myriad of ancient manuscripts, like countless mysteries.

Meaning 2: Extremely numerous (as an adjective).

Translation(s) & Context:

• бесчисленный - Common in formal descriptions, emphasizing abundance without exact counting.
• множество - More versatile for everyday use, implying a large collection in practical scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Бесчисленные проблемы возникли из-за плохой погоды во время экспедиции.

  Myriad problems arose due to bad weather during the expedition.

• Множество цветов расцвело в парке, напоминая бесчисленное разнообразие природы.

  A myriad of flowers bloomed in the park, reminiscent of nature's endless variety.

• В его коллекции бесчисленные монеты из разных эпох.

  In his collection, there are myriad coins from various eras.

• Множество людей собралось на митинге, образуя мириады голосов за изменения.

  A myriad of people gathered at the rally, forming countless voices for change.

• Бесчисленные возможности открылись перед молодым изобретателем.

  Myriad opportunities opened up for the young inventor.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "мириады" (noun, plural form of "мириада", feminine): It follows the standard first declension for feminine nouns with irregularities in plural forms. It is typically used in plural and declines based on case.

For "бесчисленный" (adjective): It follows the standard adjectival declension, agreeing with the noun in gender, number, and case. It is invariant in short form but changes in long form.

For "множество" (neuter noun): It is indeclinable in plural forms and remains relatively stable, with no major irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • множество (more general for a large number, often interchangeable in informal contexts)
  • бесконечный (emphasizes endlessness, with subtle nuance of perpetuity)
  • огромный (focuses on size rather than count, used when quantity implies scale)
• Antonyms:
  • немного (indicates a small number, contrasting with abundance)
  • единственный (means unique or singular, opposite in terms of quantity)
  • ограниченный (suggests something limited or finite)

Related Phrases:

• мириады звезд - A common phrase meaning "myriads of stars," often used in poetic or astronomical contexts to describe the night sky.
• бесчисленное множество идей - Refers to "a myriad of ideas," highlighting creativity in problem-solving or innovation scenarios.
• множество возможностей - Means "a myriad of opportunities," frequently in motivational or business discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Myriad" corresponds closely to "мириады" in formal English-to-Russian translation, especially when emphasizing vastness, but "множество" is preferred in everyday speech for simplicity. Be mindful of context: use "бесчисленный" for adjectival forms and ensure agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. In Russian, these words often appear in literary or scientific texts, so they're less common in casual conversation. When choosing between translations, opt for "мириады" for poetic effect and "множество" for practicality.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "мириады" as a singular noun, e.g., "Эта мириада звезд" (incorrectly treating it as singular). Correct: "Это мириада звезд" should be "Эти мириады звезд" to maintain plural form. Explanation: "Мириады" is inherently plural, so English learners must adjust for Russian's grammatical requirements.

• Error: Failing to decline "бесчисленный" properly, e.g., saying "бесчисленный книга" instead of "бесчисленная книга" for feminine nouns. Correct: Always match the adjective's ending to the noun's gender and case. Explanation: This is a common mistake due to English's lack of declension, leading to grammatical errors in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as in works by Tolstoy or Pushkin, "мириады" often evokes a sense of the infinite universe, reflecting Russia's historical fascination with cosmology and vast landscapes. This word carries a romantic connotation, symbolizing the boundless potential of nature or human thought, which aligns with cultural themes of exploration and introspection in Russian art.

Related Concepts:

• звезды (stars)
• галактики (galaxies)
• возможности (opportunities)