Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'profusion'

English Word: profusion

Key Russian Translations:

• изобилие /ɪzɐˈbʲilʲɪje/ - [Formal, Literary]
• обильность /ɐˈbʲilʲnəstʲ/ - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (The word is not everyday but appears in literary, descriptive, or formal contexts in Russian.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should grasp the concept, but mastering inflections may require practice.

Pronunciation (Russian):

изобилие: /ɪzɐˈbʲilʲɪje/

обильность: /ɐˈbʲilʲnəstʲ/

Note on изобилие: The stress is on the third syllable; the soft sign (ь) affects the preceding consonant, making it softer. Be cautious with the initial "и" sound, which is a short vowel.

Note on обильность: Pronunciation is straightforward, but the "ь" in the middle adds a palatalized quality to the "л".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A large quantity or abundance of something, often implying richness or excess.

Translation(s) & Context:

• изобилие - Used in formal, literary, or poetic contexts to describe an overwhelming amount, such as in nature or resources.
• обильность - Applied in more technical or scientific settings, like in biology or economics, to denote plentifulness without emotional connotation.

Usage Examples:

• В саду было изобилие цветов, которое ослепляло посетителей.

  There was a profusion of flowers in the garden that dazzled the visitors.

• После дождя мы наблюдали обильность грибов в лесу.

  After the rain, we observed a profusion of mushrooms in the forest.

• Её речь была полна изобилия метафор, делая её запоминающейся.

  Her speech was full of a profusion of metaphors, making it memorable.

• В магазине была обильность товаров, но цены были высокими.

  There was a profusion of goods in the store, but the prices were high.

• Изобилие снега в Сибири создаёт уникальный зимний пейзаж.

  The profusion of snow in Siberia creates a unique winter landscape.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "изобилие" and "обильность" are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. They are third-declension nouns and exhibit regular inflections based on case and number. Note that Russian nouns change based on grammatical case (nominative, genitive, etc.) and number (singular/plural).

These forms are regular, but learners should note that plural forms are less common for abstract concepts like these. If the noun is used in compounds or with adjectives, further agreements apply.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • множество (množestvo) - More neutral, used for a large number without implying richness.
  • богатство (bogatstvo) - Emphasizes wealth or opulence, often in material contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • недостаток (nedostatok) - Implies scarcity or lack.
  • дефицит (deficit) - Used in economic or resource contexts for shortage.

Related Phrases:

• в изобилии - In abundance; often used to describe plentiful resources, e.g., "Еда была в изобилии на празднике" (Food was in profusion at the party).
• обильность ресурсов - Profusion of resources; a phrase in scientific or economic discussions.
• изобилие идей - A profusion of ideas; common in creative or brainstorming contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Изобилие" best matches the poetic or emotional nuance of "profusion" in English, making it ideal for literary translations, while "обильность" is more factual and suits technical writing. Always consider the context: use "изобилие" for sensory or vivid descriptions and "обильность" for quantitative analysis. In Russian, these nouns require agreement with adjectives and must inflect based on case, which can differ from English's fixed word forms. When choosing between translations, opt for "изобилие" in formal essays or stories, but verify if a more precise synonym fits the tone.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "изобилие" in plural form incorrectly, e.g., saying "изобилия" when singular is needed. Correct: Stick to singular for abstract concepts unless specifying multiple instances. Example: Incorrect - "Я видел изобилия цветов" (Wrong: implies multiple profusions); Correct - "Я видел изобилие цветов" (I saw a profusion of flowers).

• Error: Confusing with similar words like "много" (many), which is an adverb and doesn't carry the same depth. Explanation: "Много" is simpler and doesn't inflect like a noun, so it can't replace "изобилие" in complex sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "изобилие" often evokes themes from literature, such as in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov, where it symbolizes the vastness of nature or the excesses of aristocratic life. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on its expansive landscapes and resources, contrasting with scarcity in other contexts, and can add a layer of nostalgia or irony in modern usage.

Related Concepts:

• богатство (wealth)
• щедрость (generosity)
• множество (multitude)