Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'readiness'

English Word: readiness

Key Russian Translations:

• готовность [ɡɐˈtovnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, often used in contexts involving preparation or willingness]
• готовность [ɡɐˈtovnəsʲtʲ] - [Informal, in everyday speech, e.g., personal readiness]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, literature, and everyday conversation, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and context, which may vary slightly between translations).

Pronunciation (Russian):

готовность: [ɡɐˈtovnəsʲtʲ]

Note on готовность: The stress falls on the second syllable ("tov"), and the final "tʲ" sound is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft "t" as in "cute".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The state of being prepared for something (e.g., mental, physical, or situational readiness).

Translation(s) & Context:

• готовность - Used in formal contexts like military, education, or daily life to denote preparedness; often implies a proactive state.

Usage Examples:

• В армии солдаты поддерживают постоянную готовность к бою.

  In the army, soldiers maintain constant readiness for combat.

• Её готовность помочь друзьям всегда удивляет окружающих.

  Her readiness to help friends always surprises those around her.

• Готовность к изменениям — ключ к успеху в современном мире.

  Readiness for change is the key to success in the modern world.

• После тренировки он чувствовал полную готовность к соревнованию.

  After training, he felt complete readiness for the competition.

• Готовность принять новые идеи делает компанию инновационной.

  Readiness to accept new ideas makes a company innovative.

2. Willingness or eagerness to do something (a more abstract sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• готовность - In informal or motivational contexts, emphasizing emotional or voluntary aspects; less common than the first meaning but applicable in personal development.

Usage Examples:

• Его готовность учиться новому языку вдохновляет всю семью.

  His readiness to learn a new language inspires the whole family.

• Готовность к компромиссу помогает в решении конфликтов.

  Readiness for compromise helps in resolving conflicts.

• В профессиональной среде ценится готовность к сверхурочной работе.

  In a professional environment, readiness for overtime work is highly valued.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Готовность" is a feminine noun (from the adjective "готовый" meaning "ready"). It follows the standard first-declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -ость, which means it inflects regularly by case and number. Below is a table of its declensions in the singular form (plural is less common but follows similar patterns).

Note: The word is invariant in plural forms for most cases, but in practice, it's rarely used in plural. For example, plural nominative: готовности (though uncommon).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • подготовленность [pədɡɐˈtovlənnəsʲtʲ] - Similar but implies more active preparation; used in educational or training contexts.
  • готовность к действию [ɡɐˈtovnəsʲtʲ k dʲeˈstʲvʲju] - Emphasizes action-oriented readiness, with subtle differences in nuance.
• Antonyms:
  • неготовность [nʲɪˈɡɐtovnəsʲtʲ] - Direct opposite, meaning unpreparedness.
  • бездействие [bʲɪzˈdʲeɪstvʲɪɪ] - Implies inaction or passivity, contrasting with proactive readiness.

Related Phrases:

• в состоянии готовности [v səstɐjɑnʲɪɪ ɡɐˈtovnəsʲtʲɪ] - In a state of readiness; used in military or emergency contexts to mean being on alert.
• быть в полной готовности [bɨtʲ v pɐlʲnəj ɡɐˈtovnəsʲtʲɪ] - To be in full readiness; common in motivational or professional settings.
• готовность духа [ɡɐˈtovnəsʲtʲ duxa] - Readiness of spirit; implies mental or emotional preparedness, often in philosophical discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Готовность" directly corresponds to "readiness" in English but often carries a more formal or structured connotation in Russian, especially in contexts like military, education, or psychology. Unlike English, where "readiness" can be abstract, Russian usage requires attention to case (e.g., genitive for possession: "готовности к чему-то"). Choose this word for formal writing; for informal speech, it might sound slightly elevated. If the context involves willingness, pair it with verbs like "иметь" (to have) for natural flow.

• Grammar tip: Always decline it based on its role in the sentence to avoid awkwardness.
• Selection guide: If the English "readiness" implies action, use "готовность"; for pure willingness, "желание" (desire) might be a better alternative in some cases.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse cases when using "готовность." For example, they might say "Я имею готовность" (incorrect, as it should be "Я имею готовность к..." to specify what the readiness is for). Correct usage: "Я имею готовность к экзамену" (I have readiness for the exam). Another error is confusing it with "готовый" (ready as an adjective), leading to phrases like "Я готовый" instead of "Я готов" for "I am ready." Always remember to decline nouns properly in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "готовность" often evokes themes of resilience and preparedness, rooted in historical contexts like World War II or the Soviet era, where collective readiness was emphasized. It symbolizes national strength and adaptability, making it a common motif in literature and media, such as in works by authors like Tolstoy, who portray characters' inner readiness as a moral virtue.

Related Concepts:

• подготовка [pədɡɐˈtovkə] - Preparation
• мобилизация [məbʲɪlʲɪˈzatsɨjə] - Mobilization
• адаптация [ɐdɐptɐˈtsɨjə] - Adaptation