Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ragged'

English Word: ragged

Key Russian Translations:

• рваный [rvaˈnɨj] - [Formal, often used for physical objects like clothing]
• неровный [nʲɪˈrovnɨj] - [Informal, used for uneven surfaces or edges]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday descriptions of objects or in literature, but not as frequent as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

рваный: [rvaˈnɨj]

неровный: [nʲɪˈrovnɨj]

Note on рваный: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the 'ы' sound, which is a distinct Russian vowel not found in English.

Note on неровный: The 'нʲ' is a palatalized 'n', which may be challenging for English speakers; it sounds softer than a standard 'n'.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Torn or frayed, especially referring to clothing or fabric

Translation(s) & Context:

• рваный - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as describing damaged items in everyday life or literature.

Usage Examples:

• Его рубашка была рваной после падения. (His shirt was ragged after the fall.)

  Translation: His shirt was ragged after the fall. (This example shows the adjective in a simple descriptive sentence.)

• Дети носили рваные джинсы, чтобы выглядеть стильно. (The kids wore ragged jeans to look stylish.)

  Translation: The kids wore ragged jeans to look stylish. (Illustrates informal, modern usage in youth culture.)

• Рваная ткань требовала ремонта. (The ragged fabric needed repairing.)

  Translation: The ragged fabric needed repairing. (Demonstrates the word in a practical, everyday context.)

Meaning 2: Uneven, jagged, or irregular in shape or edge

Translation(s) & Context:

• неровный - Used in informal contexts, such as describing surfaces, edges, or abstract irregularities.

Usage Examples:

• Край скалы был неровным и опасным. (The edge of the cliff was ragged and dangerous.)

  Translation: The edge of the cliff was ragged and dangerous. (This highlights the word in a natural or outdoor description.)

• Её волосы были неровными после неудачной стрижки. (Her hair was ragged after the bad haircut.)

  Translation: Her hair was ragged after the bad haircut. (Shows usage in personal appearance contexts.)

• Неровная дорога заставляла машину трястись. (The ragged road made the car shake.)

  Translation: The ragged road made the car shake. (Illustrates the word in a transportation or travel scenario.)

• Неровный ритм музыки придавал ей уникальность. (The ragged rhythm of the music gave it uniqueness.)

  Translation: The ragged rhythm of the music gave it uniqueness. (Demonstrates metaphorical or artistic usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "рваный" and "неровный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but they can be irregular in certain forms.

For "рваный" (meaning "ragged" as in torn):

For "неровный" (meaning "ragged" as in uneven): It follows a similar pattern and is generally regular.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form usage in some contexts, but full declension is standard in modern Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • рваный: изорванный (izorvannyi) - More emphatic for completely torn items.
  • неровный: шероховатый (sherokhovatyi) - For rough or bumpy surfaces.
• Antonyms:
  • рваный: целый (tselyi) - Meaning whole or intact.
  • неровный: ровный (rovnyi) - Meaning smooth or even.

Related Phrases:

• Рваная одежда (Rvanaya odezhda) - Meaning "ragged clothing"; used in contexts of poverty or fashion.
• Неровная поверхность (Nerovnaya poverkhnost') - Meaning "ragged surface"; common in descriptions of terrain or materials.
• Рваный ритм (Rvanii ritm) - Meaning "ragged rhythm"; refers to irregular patterns in music or speech.

Usage Notes:

• "Рваный" directly corresponds to the physical sense of "ragged" in English, like torn fabric, and is preferred in formal writing or descriptions. "Неровный" is better for abstract or surface-related unevenness.
• Always decline these adjectives according to the noun they modify to maintain grammatical agreement in gender, number, and case.
• In informal speech, "рваный" might carry a connotation of neglect, so use it carefully in sensitive contexts.
• When choosing between translations, opt for "рваный" if the focus is on damage, and "неровный" for irregularity without destruction.

Common Errors:

• Error: Forgetting to decline the adjective, e.g., saying "рваный дом" instead of "рваного дома" in genitive case. Correct: Use the proper form like "рваного дома" (of the ragged house). Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement, which English speakers often overlook.
• Error: Using "рваный" for non-physical contexts, e.g., "рваный план" when "неровный план" is more appropriate. Correct: Say "неровный план" for an uneven plan. Explanation: Misapplying the word can lead to confusion in meaning; check the context first.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "рваный" often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Dostoevsky) to symbolize poverty or hardship, reflecting historical themes of struggle in Russian society. This adds a layer of emotional depth beyond the literal meaning.

Related Concepts:

• изорванный (torn apart)
• шероховатый (rough)
• рваный край (ragged edge)