Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'quite'

English Word: quite

Key Russian Translations:

• довольно [ˈdovolnə] - [Informal, used for 'to some extent']
• весьма [ˈvʲesʲma] - [Formal, used in more polished or written contexts]
• совсем [sɐˈvʲem] - [Informal, used for 'completely' or emphasis]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversation and writing, but not as ubiquitous as basic adverbs like "very").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; learners at this level can grasp its nuances with practice, though distinguishing between translations may require B2 for full mastery).

Pronunciation (Russian):

довольно: [ˈdovolnə]

Note on довольно: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 'l' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. A common variant in fast speech might soften the vowels.

весьма: [ˈvʲesʲma]

Note on весьма: Pronounce the initial 'v' with a palatalized 'y' sound; this word maintains a formal tone and is less likely to vary in pronunciation.

совсем: [sɐˈvʲem]

Note on совсем: Stress on the second syllable; the 'v' is palatalized, and it can sometimes be elided in rapid speech to [sɐˈvʲemʲ].

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To a certain degree or extent (e.g., fairly or somewhat)

Translation(s) & Context:

• довольно - Used in informal contexts to mean 'quite' as in 'to some extent', often in everyday descriptions.
• весьма - Applied in formal or literary contexts for a similar meaning, emphasizing moderation.

Usage Examples:

• Довольно интересный фильм. (Dovelʹno interesnyj filʹm.)

  Quite an interesting film. (This example shows 'довольно' modifying an adjective in a casual review.)

• Весьма полезная информация. (Vesʹma poleznaja informacija.)

  Quite useful information. (Here, 'весьма' is used in a more formal setting, like a professional report.)

• Это довольно сложно объяснить. (Eto dovolʹno slozhno objasnitʹ.)

  This is quite difficult to explain. (Demonstrates 'довольно' with an adjective in a conversational context.)

• Весьма приятный сюрприз. (Vesʹma prijatnyj sjurpriz.)

  Quite a pleasant surprise. (Illustrates 'весьма' in positive, formal expressions.)

Meaning 2: Completely or entirely (less common, but possible in British English)

Translation(s) & Context:

• совсем - Used for emphasis, meaning 'quite' as in 'absolutely', in informal spoken language.

Usage Examples:

• Это совсем не то, что я ожидал. (Eto soveem ne to, chto ja ozhidal.)

  This is quite not what I expected. (Equivalent to 'not at all', showing negation with 'совсем'.)

• Совсем готов к поездке. (Soveem gotov k poezdke.)

  Quite ready for the trip. (Means 'completely ready', in everyday planning.)

• Он совсем забыл о встрече. (On soveem zabyt o vstreče.)

  He quite forgot about the meeting. (Emphasizes total forgetfulness.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most key translations like 'довольно', 'весьма', and 'совсем' are adverbs and do not undergo inflection in Russian. They remain unchanged regardless of gender, number, case, or tense. This invariability is typical for many Russian adverbs, making them straightforward for learners.

For completeness, if used in phrases, they might interact with inflected words, but the adverbs themselves are invariable. No table is necessary due to lack of changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • довольно-таки (slightly more emphatic than 'довольно')
  • вполне (often interchangeable with 'весьма' in formal contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • не совсем (not quite, implying incompleteness)
  • вовсе не (not at all, opposite of complete emphasis)

Related Phrases:

• Довольно хорошо - Quite well (used to describe moderate proficiency or state).
• Весьма интересно - Quite interesting (in formal discussions or literature).
• Совсем не так - Quite not like that (to express strong disagreement or correction).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'quite' often corresponds to 'довольно' for everyday use, but choose 'весьма' for more formal or written contexts to maintain a polished tone. 'Совсем' is best for emphasizing completeness, which aligns with British English usage of 'quite'. Be mindful of word order; adverbs like these typically precede the adjective or verb they modify. When deciding between translations, consider the intensity: 'довольно' suggests moderation, while 'совсем' implies totality. This helps in matching the subtle nuances of English 'quite'.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'довольно' with 'совсем': Learners might overuse 'совсем' to mean 'quite' in the sense of 'fairly', leading to phrases like "Совсем хороший" for "Quite good" (incorrect, as it means "Completely good"). Correct usage: "Довольно хороший". Explanation: 'Совсем' intensifies to totality, so reserve it for full emphasis.

• Misplacing the adverb: In English, 'quite' can be flexible, but in Russian, placing 'довольно' after the adjective (e.g., "Хороший довольно") sounds unnatural. Correct: "Довольно хороший". This error stems from direct word-for-word translation.

Cultural Notes:

While 'quite' itself doesn't carry strong cultural connotations, the use of adverbs like 'весьма' in Russian often reflects a cultural emphasis on formality and precision in communication, especially in professional or literary settings. This mirrors Russia's tradition of valuing eloquent expression in education and media.

Related Concepts:

• очень (very)
• немного (a little)
• полностью (completely)