Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'quantity'

English Word: quantity

Key Russian Translations:

• количество [kə.lɪ'ʧɪstvə] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian, especially in academic, scientific, and commercial contexts, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "дом" (house).)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR standards; learners at this level should grasp basic noun inflections, though the word's irregularities may require additional practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

количество: [kə.lɪ'ʧɪstvə]

Note on количество: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ʧɪ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft "л" sound. Pronounce it with a clear "k" at the start and a palatalized "t" in the middle.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The amount or number of something (general measurement)

Translation(s) & Context:

• количество - Used in formal contexts like mathematics, science, or shopping to refer to the measurable amount of items or substances (e.g., in recipes or inventory).

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В рецепте указано точное количество ингредиентов.

  English: In the recipe, the exact quantity of ingredients is specified.

• Русский: Магазин предлагает скидку на любое количество товаров.

  English: The store offers a discount on any quantity of goods.

• Русский: Учёные измерили количество осадков за прошлый месяц.

  English: Scientists measured the quantity of precipitation last month.

• Русский: В контракте должно быть указано количество поставляемого товара.

  English: The quantity of goods to be supplied must be specified in the contract.

2. A specific unit or measure (in contexts like physics or economics)

Translation(s) & Context:

• количество - Applied in technical or professional settings to denote a quantifiable unit, such as in physics for mass or in economics for supply (e.g., distinguishing from quality).

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Физики изучают количество энергии в системе.

  English: Physicists study the quantity of energy in the system.

• Русский: Экономисты анализируют количество производимых товаров.

  English: Economists analyze the quantity of goods produced.

• Русский: В отчёте указано общее количество транзакций.

  English: The report states the total quantity of transactions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Количество" is a neuter noun in the third declension group in Russian. It follows a regular pattern for most cases but has some irregularities in plural forms. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word is invariant in some contexts (e.g., in plural, it may remain unchanged in informal speech), but always adjust based on case requirements in standard Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • объем (ob"yem) - More specific to volume or bulk, often used in physical contexts.
  • численность (chislennost') - Emphasizes numerical count, especially for groups or populations.
• Antonyms:
  • качество (kachestvo) - Refers to quality rather than quantity, highlighting a contrast in evaluation.
  • мало (malo) - Not a direct antonym, but used to indicate "little" or "few" in quantity contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Большое количество - A common phrase meaning "a large quantity" or "a lot," used in everyday shopping or descriptions.
• Точное количество - Means "exact quantity," often in scientific or contractual contexts.
• Неограниченное количество - Translates to "unlimited quantity," frequently used in offers or legal terms.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "количество" directly corresponds to the English "quantity" in most formal and technical uses, but it's important to note its neuter gender and required case inflections based on sentence structure. For example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "без" (without). When choosing between translations, prefer "количество" for countable or measurable items, but opt for "объем" if emphasizing space or capacity. It's neutral in tone and suitable for both written and spoken Russian, though in informal speech, speakers might simplify phrases for clarity.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "количество" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Я купил количество яблок" instead of "Я купил количество яблок" (correct as is, but often learners forget genitive in phrases like "много количества").
  Correct: "Я купил большое количество яблок." (Explanation: Always inflect for case; here, genitive is needed after adjectives like "большое".)
• Mistake: Confusing with "качество" (quality), leading to sentences like "Это хорошее количество" when meaning "This is good quality."
  Correct: "Это хорошее качество" for quality. (Explanation: These are antonymous concepts; ensure context matches.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions around "количество" often tie into historical contexts like Soviet-era planning, where precise quantities of goods were emphasized in centralized economies. This can add a layer of connotation in modern usage, implying efficiency or bureaucracy in contexts like shopping or resource management.

Related Concepts:

• меря (mer'a) - Measurement or unit.
• число (chislo) - Number or figure.
• объём (ob"yem) - Volume, as a related quantitative concept.