Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'resemblance'

English Word: resemblance

Key Russian Translations:

• Сходство /ˈsxoːdstvə/ - [Formal, Noun]
• Похожесть /pɐˈxɔʐəstʲ/ - [Informal, Noun]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations, literature, and academic contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and abstract concepts, but not overly complex for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Сходство: /ˈsxoːdstvə/ (The 'kh' sound is a guttural fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch')

Похожесть: /pɐˈxɔʐəstʲ/ (Note on Похожесть: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'zh' sound is soft, like the 's' in 'measure')

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The state of resembling someone or something; similarity in appearance or character

Translation(s) & Context:

• Сходство - Used in formal contexts, such as scientific or philosophical discussions, to denote a deeper, more abstract similarity.
• Похожесть - Applied in informal settings, like everyday conversations, to describe superficial resemblances.

Usage Examples:

• Внешнее сходство между братьями удивляет всех. (The external resemblance between the brothers surprises everyone.)

  English Translation: The external resemblance between the brothers surprises everyone.

• Эта картина имеет поразительную похожесть с реальной жизнью. (This painting has a striking resemblance to real life.)

  English Translation: This painting has a striking resemblance to real life.

• Сходство их характеров делает их идеальными друзьями. (The resemblance in their characters makes them ideal friends.)

  English Translation: The resemblance in their characters makes them ideal friends.

• Похожесть домов в этом районе придает ему уютный вид. (The resemblance of the houses in this neighborhood gives it a cozy look.)

  English Translation: The resemblance of the houses in this neighborhood gives it a cozy look.

• Несмотря на сходство, эти два растения имеют разные свойства. (Despite the resemblance, these two plants have different properties.)

  English Translation: Despite the resemblance, these two plants have different properties.

2. A point or instance of similarity

Translation(s) & Context:

• Сходство - In contexts involving comparisons, such as in essays or analyses.
• Похожесть - In casual observations, like describing family traits.

Usage Examples:

• Одно из сходств между этими теориями - их происхождение. (One of the resemblances between these theories is their origin.)

  English Translation: One of the resemblances between these theories is their origin.

• Похожесть в их вкусах к музыке укрепляет их дружбу. (The resemblance in their tastes for music strengthens their friendship.)

  English Translation: The resemblance in their tastes for music strengthens their friendship.

• Сходство языка и культуры делает общение проще. (The resemblance in language and culture makes communication easier.)

  English Translation: The resemblance in language and culture makes communication easier.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Сходство" and "Похожесть" are neuter nouns in Russian, which follow standard third-declension patterns. They are inflected based on case, number, and gender, but as neuter nouns, they have specific endings.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Аналогичность (Analogy or similarity, often used in technical contexts)
  • Подобие (Similarity, with a connotation of likeness in form)
• Antonyms:
  • Различие (Difference)
  • Несходство (Dissimilarity)

Related Phrases:

• Иметь сходство с чем-то - To have a resemblance to something (Used to compare objects or ideas in detail).
• Визуальная похожесть - Visual resemblance (Common in art or photography contexts).
• Сходство характеров - Resemblance in characters (Often in psychological or relational discussions).

Usage Notes:

• "Сходство" is preferred in formal or written Russian for emphasizing deeper similarities, while "Похожесть" is more casual and focuses on surface-level resemblances. English users should choose based on context to match the appropriate register.
• Both words require proper declension according to the sentence's grammatical case; for example, use the genitive form after prepositions like "между" (between).
• In translations, "resemblance" might not always map directly; consider nuances like whether the similarity is physical or abstract.

Common Errors:

• Confusing declensions: Learners often use the nominative form in all cases, e.g., saying "Я вижу сходство" instead of "Я вижу сходство" (correct), but err in genitive as "сходство" instead of "сходства". Correct usage: "Различия в сходстве" (Differences in resemblance).
• Mixing with English structures: English speakers might forget to decline the noun, leading to ungrammatical sentences like "Иметь похожесть с" instead of "Иметь похожесть с чем-то". Explanation: Always ensure the noun agrees with the case required by the verb or preposition.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "сходство" often appear in literature and philosophy, such as in Tolstoy's works, where resemblances between characters highlight universal human traits. This reflects a cultural emphasis on interconnectedness and shared experiences in Slavic traditions.

Related Concepts:

• Аналогия (Analogy)
• Сравнение (Comparison)
• Идентичность (Identity)