Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'narrowly'

English Word: narrowly

Key Russian Translations:

• узко [ˈuzkə] - [Adverb, used in spatial or focused contexts, such as describing something tight or limited]
• едва [ˈjɛdvə] - [Adverb, used for 'barely' or 'by a narrow margin', often in outcomes or close situations]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in descriptive or narrative contexts, but not as frequent as basic adverbs.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adverbial usage and context, as per CEFR. For 'узко', it's straightforward for spatial descriptions; for 'едва', it may vary based on idiomatic expressions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

узко: [ˈuzkə]

Note on узко: The stress is on the first syllable; pronounce the 'o' as a schwa sound, which can be tricky for English speakers used to clearer vowel distinctions.

едва: [ˈjɛdvə]

Note on едва: The initial 'e' is soft and palatalized; it sounds similar to 'ye' in 'yes', and the word is often used in rapid speech, so practice with native audio for fluency.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

First meaning: In a narrow manner (spatial or focused)

Translation(s) & Context:

• узко - Used in contexts describing physical narrowness or a restricted focus, such as in descriptions of paths, thoughts, or perspectives.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Дорога была узко проложена между горами. (The road was narrowly laid between the mountains.)

  English: The road was narrowly laid between the mountains. (This example shows spatial usage in a geographical context.)

• Русский: Он смотрит на проблему узко, игнорируя общий контекст. (He looks at the problem narrowly, ignoring the broader context.)

  English: He looks at the problem narrowly, ignoring the broader context. (Illustrates metaphorical use in intellectual discussions.)

• Русский: Вход в пещеру был узко оформлен, чтобы отпугивать посетителей. (The entrance to the cave was narrowly designed to deter visitors.)

  English: The entrance to the cave was narrowly designed to deter visitors. (Demonstrates architectural or design contexts.)

• Русский: Её взгляд был узко сосредоточен на цели. (Her gaze was narrowly focused on the goal.)

  English: Her gaze was narrowly focused on the goal. (Shows usage in emotional or visual contexts.)

Second meaning: Barely or by a small margin

Translation(s) & Context:

• едва - Used in situations involving close outcomes, such as escaping danger or winning by a slim margin, emphasizing precariousness.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Он едва избежал аварии, проехав узко мимо грузовика. (He narrowly escaped the accident by driving past the truck.)

  English: He narrowly escaped the accident by driving past the truck. (Combines with spatial meaning for dynamic scenarios.)

• Русский: Команда выиграла едва, с разницей в один гол. (The team won narrowly, with a difference of just one goal.)

  English: The team won narrowly, with a difference of just one goal. (Common in sports or competitive contexts.)

• Русский: Едва не опоздала на поезд, благодаря узкому расписанию. (She narrowly missed the train due to the tight schedule.)

  English: She narrowly missed the train due to the tight schedule. (Highlights timing and urgency.)

• Русский: В переговорах они едва достигли соглашения. (In negotiations, they narrowly reached an agreement.)

  English: In negotiations, they narrowly reached an agreement. (Used in formal or diplomatic settings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'узко' and 'едва' are adverbs in Russian, which generally do not inflect for case, number, or gender like nouns or adjectives. However, they can vary slightly in form based on context:

• For 'узко': It is an adverb derived from the adjective 'узкий' (narrow). It remains invariant in most uses, meaning it doesn't change form. In comparative contexts, you might use 'узче' (narrower), but this is not directly inflected from 'узко'.
• For 'едва': This is an invariant adverb; it does not change form regardless of the subject or tense. It is used with verbs in various aspects, such as perfective or imperfective, without alteration.

If the word is used in derived forms, such as in phrases, no further inflection occurs, making it relatively simple for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • узко: тесно (tesno) - Implies tightness or closeness, often interchangeable in spatial contexts.
  • едва: с трудом (s trudom) - Suggests difficulty or effort, used when emphasizing struggle.
• Antonyms:
  • узко: широко (shiroko) - Means 'widely' or 'broadly', contrasting with narrow focus.
  • едва: легко (legko) - Means 'easily', opposing the idea of a narrow or barely achieved outcome.

Related Phrases:

• узко мыслить - (To think narrowly) - Refers to having a limited perspective, often in intellectual discussions.
• едва не - (Narrowly not) - Used to describe something that almost happened, e.g., in near-miss situations.
• узкий просвет - (Narrow opening) - A common phrase for describing confined spaces, like in architecture or nature.

Usage Notes:

'Узко' directly corresponds to the spatial sense of 'narrowly' in English, making it ideal for descriptions of physical or metaphorical tightness. 'Едва' aligns more with the 'barely' nuance, so choose based on context: use 'узко' for width-related scenarios and 'едва' for outcomes. Both are neutral in formality but can appear in informal speech; be cautious with grammar, as they often precede verbs. For learners, 'узко' might be preferred in everyday conversations, while 'едва' is useful in narratives to convey suspense.

• In formal writing, pair these with appropriate verb aspects (e.g., perfective for completed actions).
• When multiple translations exist, select based on the dominant meaning to avoid confusion.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'узко' with 'узкий': Learners might mistakenly use the adjective 'узкий' (narrow) instead of the adverb 'узко'. Error: "Он узкий прошел" (incorrect). Correct: "Он узко прошел" – Explanation: Adverbs modify verbs directly without agreement.
• Overusing 'едва' in non-outcome contexts: A common mistake is applying 'едва' to spatial descriptions. Error: "Дорога едва" (incorrect for narrow road). Correct: "Дорога узко" – Explanation: 'Едва' is for nearness in results, not physical attributes.
• Neglecting word order: In Russian, 'едва' typically precedes the verb, but English speakers might place it incorrectly. Error: "Избежать едва" (awkward). Correct: "Едва избежать" – Explanation: Standard word order enhances natural flow.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'узко' can metaphorically reflect the historical context of Russia's vast landscapes contrasted with confined urban spaces, such as in literature by authors like Tolstoy, where narrow paths symbolize life's restrictions. 'Едва' often appears in folk tales to emphasize resilience in close escapes, highlighting the cultural value of perseverance against odds.

Related Concepts:

• широко
• тесно
• едва ли