Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rarer'

English Word: rarer

Key Russian Translations:

• редкий [ˈrʲedkʲɪj] - [Adjective, used for rarity in general contexts]
• редко [ˈrʲedkə] - [Adverb, indicating infrequency]

Frequency: Medium - The word and its forms are commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in descriptive or narrative contexts, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "big" or "small."

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should grasp the basic forms, though understanding nuances in usage may require B2 or higher.

Pronunciation (Russian):

редкий: [ˈrʲedkʲɪj]

редко: [ˈrʲedkə]

Note on редкий: The initial "р" is a rolled 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: Audio playback placeholder for редкий (Insert actual audio link here)

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Comparative form of "rare," indicating something that is not common or occurs infrequently.

Translation(s) & Context:

• редкий - Used in formal or descriptive contexts to describe something scarce, e.g., in scientific or everyday discussions.
• редко - Used as an adverb in informal speech to mean "seldom" or "infrequently."

Usage Examples:

• Этот камень встречается реже, чем другие минералы. (This stone occurs rarer than other minerals.)

  English: This stone is found rarer than other minerals.

• В этом регионе редкий вид птиц гнездится реже, чем в соседних. (In this region, a rare bird species nests rarer than in neighboring areas.)

  English: In this region, a rare bird species nests rarer than in neighboring areas.

• Редко бывает, чтобы такие события происходили чаще. (It is rarer for such events to happen more frequently.)

  English: It is rarer for such events to happen more frequently.

• В коллекции реже встречаются предметы, которые ценятся выше. (In the collection, items that are valued higher are rarer.)

  English: In the collection, items that are valued higher are rarer.

• Редкий талант проявляется реже, чем обычные способности. (A rare talent manifests rarer than ordinary abilities.)

  English: A rare talent manifests rarer than ordinary abilities.

Secondary Meaning: In a metaphorical sense, implying uniqueness or scarcity in quality.

Translation(s) & Context:

• редкий - In literary or poetic contexts to emphasize exceptional rarity.

Usage Examples:

• Его редкий юмор делает его реже посещаемым гостем. (His rare humor makes him a rarer guest.)

  English: His rare humor makes him a rarer guest.

• Редкий случай, когда редкий гость приходит чаще. (A rare case where a rare guest comes more often, implying irony.)

  English: A rare case where a rare guest comes more often.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "редкий" (adjective), it follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which are regular but depend on gender, number, and case. It does not have irregular forms.

For "редко" (adverb), it is invariable and does not change form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нечасто (rarely) - More neutral, used for infrequent actions.
  • немногочисленный (scarce) - For countable items, with a slight emphasis on quantity.
• Antonyms:
  • часто (often)
  • распространённый (common)

Related Phrases:

• редкий случай (rare case) - Refers to an uncommon occurrence, often used in storytelling.
• редко встречается (occurs rarely) - A phrase for describing infrequent events or phenomena.
• редкий талант (rare talent) - Implies exceptional ability, with cultural connotations of uniqueness.

Usage Notes:

"Rarer" as the comparative of "rare" corresponds most closely to forms like "редче" in Russian, but we've used "редкий" for base comparisons. Be mindful of context: in formal writing, use full declensions; in spoken language, adverbs like "редко" are more flexible. When choosing between translations, opt for "редкий" for adjectives and "редко" for adverbs to match English structure accurately.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "редкий" as an adverb, e.g., saying "Я редкий хожу" instead of "Я редко хожу" (I go rarely).
  Correct: "редко" is the proper adverb form. Explanation: English speakers often confuse adjectives and adverbs; ensure the word matches the grammatical role.
• Mistake: Incorrect declension, e.g., saying "редкий дом" in genitive as "редкий" instead of "редкого дома."
  Correct: Follow the table above for proper case endings to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "редкий" often carry a sense of value or mystery, as in folklore where rare items or events symbolize something precious or otherworldly. This reflects a broader appreciation for rarity in Russian literature, such as in works by Pushkin, where uncommon occurrences drive the narrative.

Related Concepts:

• уникальный (unique)
• необычный (unusual)
• редкость (rarity)