Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prolix'

English Word: prolix

Key Russian Translations:

• Многословный /mnɐˈɡosləvnɨj/ - [Formal]
• Болтливый /bɐlʲˈtʲivɨj/ - [Informal]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; more prevalent in literary or academic contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian adjectives and nuanced vocabulary, but not advanced grammar structures.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Многословный: /mnɐˈɡosləvnɨj/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'o' is pronounced as a short 'a' sound, common in Russian.)

Болтливый: /bɐlʲˈtʲivɨj/ (Soft 'l' and 't' sounds; stress on the second syllable.)

Note on Многословный: This word may vary slightly in rapid speech, with the final 'ый' softening to /ɨj/ in informal contexts.

Note on Болтливый: Be cautious with the palatalized 'т' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Tending to use too many words; long-winded (Primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Многословный - Used in formal writing or discussions to describe someone who is excessively verbose in a professional setting, such as lectures or reports.
• Болтливый - Applied in informal, everyday contexts to describe chatty or rambling speech, like in casual conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Его речи всегда такие многословные, что слушатели быстро устают.

  His speeches are always so prolix that listeners quickly get tired.

• Эта книга написана в многословном стиле, что делает её трудной для чтения.

  This book is written in a prolix style, making it difficult to read.

• Мой друг болтливый и никогда не может кратко выразить свои мысли.

  My friend is prolix and never manages to express his thoughts concisely.

• В переговорах его многословные аргументы только запутывают ситуацию.

  In negotiations, his prolix arguments only complicate the situation.

• Она стала болтливой после нескольких стаканов чая, рассказывая бесконечные истории.

  She became prolix after a few cups of tea, telling endless stories.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both key translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Многословный" and "Болтливый" follow standard adjective patterns with some irregularities in certain forms.

These adjectives do not have suppletive forms and remain relatively stable, but always agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Красноречивый (more eloquent, but can imply verbosity; often used for persuasive speech)
  • Разговорчивый (chatty, similar to informal use)
• Antonyms:
  • Краткий (concise, direct opposite in formal contexts)
  • Лаконичный (laconic, emphasizing brevity)

Related Phrases:

• Многословная речь - A prolix speech; often used to criticize overly long presentations.
• Болтливый человек - A prolix person; refers to someone who talks excessively in social settings.
• Быть многословным в объяснениях - To be prolix in explanations; common in educational or professional contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Prolix" directly corresponds to "Многословный" in formal Russian, ideal for written or academic English-to-Russian translations, while "Болтливый" is better for informal, conversational equivalents. Always consider the context: use "Многословный" for intellectual discussions to avoid sounding casual. Grammatically, these adjectives must agree with the nouns they describe, which is a key difference from English. When choosing between translations, opt for "Болтливый" in everyday dialogue to match the word's playful connotation.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse "Многословный" by treating it as invariant, e.g., saying "многословный женщина" instead of "многословная женщина" (correct: the adjective must agree in gender). Error: Многословный женщина. Correct: Многословная женщина. Explanation: Russian adjectives change based on the noun's gender, so always check agreement.

• Confusing it with similar words like "Говорливый" (talkative but not necessarily prolix), leading to imprecise translations. Error: Using "Говорливый" for a formal context. Correct: "Многословный". Explanation: "Говорливый" implies sociability, not excessive length, so context matters.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being "prolix" like "многословный" is often viewed negatively in professional settings, reminiscent of 19th-century literary traditions where verbose writing was common in authors like Tolstoy. This can reflect a cultural appreciation for eloquence but also impatience with inefficiency in modern communication.

Related Concepts:

• Краткость
• Риторика
• Монолог