Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'narrow'

English Word: narrow

Key Russian Translations:

• узкий [ˈʊzkʲɪj] - [Formal, commonly used for physical dimensions or metaphorical limitations]
• ограниченный [ɐgraniˈt͡ɕɛnnɨj] - [Informal, used in abstract or contextual senses like scope or options]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear regularly in everyday Russian conversation, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; straightforward for beginners, but understanding inflections may require intermediate practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

узкий: [ˈʊzkʲɪj] (The stress is on the first syllable; the "кʲ" sound is palatalized, which is common in Russian adjectives.)

Note on узкий: Be mindful of the palatalized 'к' which can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds softer, like a 'k' followed by a 'y'. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

ограниченный: [ɐgraniˈt͡ɕɛnnɨj] (Stress on the third syllable; the 'т͡ɕ' is a soft 'ch' sound, similar to 'church' in English.)

Note on ограниченный: The ending '-енный' often indicates a passive participle, affecting pronunciation in connected speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not wide or broad in physical dimensions

Translation(s) & Context:

• узкий - Used in descriptions of objects, paths, or spaces, often in everyday or literal contexts (e.g., describing a road or a hallway).

Usage Examples:

• Эта улица очень узкая, поэтому машины ездят медленно.

  This street is very narrow, so cars drive slowly.

• В узком коридоре трудно разминуться с другими людьми.

  In the narrow corridor, it's hard to pass by other people.

• Узкий мост может выдержать только лёгкий транспорт.

  The narrow bridge can only handle light traffic.

• Из-за узкого прохода мы задержались в пути.

  Because of the narrow passage, we were delayed on our way.

Meaning 2: Limited in extent, scope, or range (metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ограниченный - Applied to abstract concepts like knowledge, options, or perspectives, often in formal or professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Его знания в этой области довольно ограничены.

  His knowledge in this area is quite narrow (or limited).

• Ограниченный бюджет не позволяет нам расширить проект.

  The narrow (or limited) budget doesn't allow us to expand the project.

• В узком смысле слова, это не подходит под определение.

  In the narrow sense of the word, this doesn't fit the definition.

• Её взгляд на мир слишком ограниченный из-за недостатка опыта.

  Her view of the world is too narrow due to lack of experience.

• Ограниченные возможности заставляют нас искать альтернативы.

  Narrow (or limited) options force us to look for alternatives.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For adjectives like "узкий", Russian adjectives inflect based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension pattern for hard-stem adjectives. "Ограниченный" is a past passive participle and inflects similarly but with slight variations.

For узкий:

For ограниченный: It inflects similarly as an adjective but is invariant in some fixed phrases. It does not change in short form contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тесный (tesnyy) - Similar to narrow but implies tightness or confinement; often used interchangeably in physical contexts.
  • сжатый (szhatyy) - Conveys a sense of compression; more formal and less common.
• Antonyms:
  • широкий (shirokiy)
  • просторный (prostornyy)

Related Phrases:

• узкий круг (uzkiy krug) - A narrow circle (e.g., a small group of close friends or associates; implies exclusivity).
• ограниченные ресурсы (ogranichennye resursy) - Limited resources (common in business or economic discussions; highlights constraints).
• в узком смысле (v uzkom smysle) - In the narrow sense (used in academic or precise language to specify a literal interpretation).

Usage Notes:

"Узкий" directly corresponds to the physical meaning of "narrow" in English and is versatile in daily use, while "ограниченный" aligns more with abstract limitations. Choose "узкий" for tangible descriptions and "ограниченный" for conceptual ones. Note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English. In formal writing, prefer "ограниченный" for emphasis on restrictions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "узкий" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "узкий дом" when it should be "узкий дом" (correct), but forgetting gender agreement like "узкая река" for a feminine noun.

  Correct: Узкая река течет быстро. (The narrow river flows quickly.)

  Explanation: English speakers often overlook case and gender, leading to grammatical errors; always check the noun's properties.

• Error: Confusing "узкий" with "ограниченный" in abstract contexts, e.g., using "узкий возможности" instead of "ограниченные возможности".

  Correct: Ограниченные возможности не помешали ему преуспеть. (Narrow opportunities didn't stop him from succeeding.)

  Explanation: "Узкий" is for physical narrowness, not limitations; misuse can make the sentence sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "узкий круг" often reflect the value placed on close-knit communities or elite circles, stemming from historical contexts like Soviet-era social structures. This can imply exclusivity or caution in social interactions, highlighting how language mirrors cultural attitudes toward privacy and trust.

Related Concepts:

• широкий
• пространство
• ограничение