Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rarely'

English Word: rarely

Key Russian Translations:

• редко [ˈrʲedkə] - [Informal, Adverbial use in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly used in both spoken and written Russian to express infrequency, but it's not as frequent as basic adverbs like "очень".)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward for English speakers learning basic adverbs, as it directly corresponds to similar English concepts without complex grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

редко: [ˈrʲedkə]

Note on редко: The stress is on the first syllable ([ˈrʲedkə]), and the 'р' is rolled. Pay attention to the soft 'рʲ' sound, which can be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Not often or seldom.

Translation(s) & Context:

• редко - Used in casual conversations, narratives, or descriptions to indicate something happens infrequently; suitable for both formal and informal settings, but more common in everyday speech.

Usage Examples:

• Он редко ходит в кино по выходным.

  He rarely goes to the movies on weekends. (This example shows the adverb in a simple sentence about personal habits.)

• В этом городе редко бывает хорошая погода зимой.

  In this city, good weather rarely occurs in winter. (Illustrates use in descriptions of weather or environmental contexts.)

• Она редко отвечает на звонки после 10 вечера.

  She rarely answers calls after 10 PM. (Demonstrates the word in contexts involving routines or restrictions.)

• Редко случается, чтобы все планы сбылись идеально.

  It's rarely the case that all plans work out perfectly. (Shows usage in more abstract or philosophical discussions.)

• В музее редко проводят экскурсии по будням.

  Tours are rarely held at the museum on weekdays. (Highlights the word in contexts related to schedules or events.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Редко is an adverb in Russian and does not undergo inflection for gender, number, case, or tense. It remains unchanged in all contexts, making it simple to use. For example:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: нечасто (nechasto) - Less formal, emphasizes irregularity; редко (same as primary, but can be interchanged); seldomly equivalents like изредка (izredka) - For even rarer occurrences.
• Antonyms: часто (chasto) - Used for frequent actions; регулярно (regulyarno) - For regular, scheduled events.

Related Phrases:

• Редко встречается - Rarely encountered; used to describe something uncommon in nature or society.
• Редко бывает - It rarely happens; often in expressions of probability or surprise.
• Редко кому удается - It's rarely that someone succeeds; implies rarity in achievements.

Usage Notes:

This translation corresponds directly to the English "rarely" as an adverb of frequency. In Russian, "редко" is placed before the verb in a sentence (e.g., "Редко ест" means "Eats rarely"), similar to English word order. Be mindful of context: it's neutral and works in both formal writing and informal speech, but avoid overusing it in poetic or literary contexts where more nuanced adverbs might be preferred. When choosing between synonyms like "нечасто," opt for "редко" for general infrequency.

Common Errors:

• Common Error: Misplacing the adverb in the sentence, e.g., saying "Ходит редко он" instead of "Он редко ходит." Correct Usage: In Russian, adverbs like "редко" typically precede the verb for natural flow. Explanation: This error stems from direct word-for-word translation from English, which disrupts sentence rhythm.

• Common Error: Confusing with adjectives, e.g., using "редкий" (rare as an adjective) when meaning "rarely." Correct Usage: "Редкий" means "rare" (e.g., "редкий случай" - rare case), while "редко" is for frequency. Explanation: Learners often mix parts of speech, leading to grammatical inaccuracies.

Cultural Notes:

While "редко" itself doesn't carry strong cultural connotations, it often appears in Russian expressions about life's unpredictability, reflecting a cultural emphasis on resilience in the face of infrequent positive events. For instance, in Russian folklore or modern media, phrases like "редко, но метко" (rarely, but accurately) highlight the value of precision over frequency, which ties into broader themes of efficiency in Russian culture.

Related Concepts:

• часто
• иногда
• никогда