Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'narrower'

English Word: narrower

Key Russian Translations:

• узкий /ˈʊzkʲɪj/ - [Adjective, used in various contexts; can be formal or informal depending on sentence structure]
• уже /ˈʊʐɨ/ - [Adverbial form, used for comparison; Informal, often in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in descriptive language, especially in contexts like geography, design, or comparisons)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and comparisons; for 'узкий', it's B1, while 'уже' might be A2 for basic forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

узкий: /ˈʊzkʲɪj/

уже: /ˈʊʐɨ/

Note on узкий: The stress falls on the first syllable; palatalization of 'к' can be tricky for English speakers, making it sound like /kʲ/.

Note on уже: Pronunciation varies slightly in fast speech; ensure the 'ж' is soft and rolled.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Comparative form of 'narrow', indicating something is less wide or more restricted than another object or concept.

Translation(s) & Context:

• узкий - Used in physical descriptions, such as roads or paths; Context: Formal or neutral, e.g., in technical or literary writing.
• уже - Used in comparative sentences to emphasize reduction in width; Context: Informal, everyday comparisons, like in casual conversation.

Usage Examples:

• Эта дорога уже, чем предыдущая. (Eta doroga uzhe, chem predydushchaya.)

  This road is narrower than the previous one. (Shows comparative use in describing physical spaces.)

• В новом дизайне мост стал узким и элегантным. (V novom dizaine most stal uzkim i elegantnym.)

  In the new design, the bridge became narrower and elegant. (Illustrates adjective use in architectural contexts.)

• Узкая тропинка вела через лес, делая путь более опасным. (Uzkaya tropinka vela cherez les, delaya put' bolee opasnym.)

  The narrow path led through the forest, making the journey more dangerous. (Demonstrates use in narrative or descriptive storytelling.)

• Его взгляд стал уже, выражая подозрение. (Yego vzglyad stal uzhe, vyrazhaya podozreniye.)

  His gaze became narrower, expressing suspicion. (Shows metaphorical use in emotional or psychological contexts.)

• После ремонта улица стала уже, но удобнее для пешеходов. (Posle remonta ulitsa stala uzhe, no udobnee dlya peshekhodov.)

  After the repair, the street became narrower but more convenient for pedestrians. (Highlights practical, real-world applications.)

Meaning: Figurative sense, implying restriction or limitation in scope, ideas, or opportunities.

Translation(s) & Context:

• узкий - In abstract contexts, like mindset or options; Context: Formal, e.g., in philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его узкий взгляд на мир ограничивает возможности. (Yego uzkiy vzglyad na mir ogranichivaet vozmozhnosti.)

  His narrow view of the world limits opportunities. (Example of figurative use in personal development.)

• Узкий спектр услуг не удовлетворяет клиентов. (Uzkiy spektr uslug ne udovletvoryaet klientov.)

  The narrow range of services does not satisfy clients. (Business context, showing limitation.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'узкий' is an adjective and follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which are regular but depend on gender, number, and case. 'уже' is an adverb and typically does not inflect.

For 'уже', as an adverb, it remains unchanged in most contexts, but can vary in comparative constructions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тесный (tesnyy) - Often implies tightness rather than width, used in confined spaces.
  • сжатый (szhatyy) - Suggests compression, more formal in technical contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • широкий (shirokiy) - Wide, expansive; commonly used in opposition.
  • просторный (prostorniy) - Spacious, especially for areas or rooms.

Related Phrases:

• узкий путь (uzkiy put') - Narrow path; Meaning: A restricted route, often literal or metaphorical in literature.
• уже пространство (uzhe prostranstvo) - Narrower space; Meaning: Refers to reduced areas in design or urban planning.
• узкая специализация (uzkaya spetsializatsiya) - Narrow specialization; Meaning: Focused expertise in a field, common in professional contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'узкий' directly corresponds to the English 'narrow' as an adjective, but when translating 'narrower', use 'уже' for comparisons to match English structure. Be mindful of gender agreement; for example, 'narrower street' would use feminine forms like 'узкую улицу'. In formal writing, prefer 'узкий' for descriptions, while 'уже' suits casual speech. When multiple translations exist, choose based on context: 'узкий' for static descriptions and 'уже' for dynamic comparisons.

• Grammar tip: Always decline 'узкий' according to the noun it modifies to avoid errors.
• Cultural tip: Russian often uses these words in discussions of urban environments, where narrow streets (e.g., in historic cities like Moscow) evoke a sense of tradition.

Common Errors:

English learners often forget to decline 'узкий' properly, e.g., saying 'узкий дом' for 'narrow house' but incorrectly using 'узкий' in other cases like genitive ('узкий дома' instead of 'узкого дома'). Correct usage: Always match the case, as in 'в узком доме' (in the narrow house). Another error is confusing 'узкий' with 'тесный'; the latter implies crowding, not just narrowness—e.g., incorrect: "узкий комната" for a crowded room; correct: "тесная комната".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'узкий' often appear in descriptions of traditional architecture, such as the narrow alleys in old Russian towns or the Moscow Kremlin, symbolizing historical constraints and intimacy. This can carry connotations of resilience or limitation in literature, reflecting themes in works by authors like Tolstoy.

Related Concepts:

• широкий (shirokiy)
• тесный (tesnyy)
• просторный (prostorniy)