Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rough'

English Word: rough

Key Russian Translations:

• грубый /ˈɡrubɨj/ - [Informal, Adjective; often used for rough behavior or texture]
• неровный /nʲɪˈrovnɨj/ - [Formal; specifically for uneven surfaces or inconsistent quality]
• шероховатый /ʂɨrɐˈxovatɨj/ - [Neutral; typically for tactile roughness]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversation and literature, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions and contextual nuances; for "грубый", it might be A2 due to its straightforward use, while "неровный" could reach B2 for more abstract applications).

Pronunciation (Russian):

грубый: /ˈɡrubɨj/ (Stress on the first syllable; the 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in "go".)

неровный: /nʲɪˈrovnɨj/ (Palatalized 'н' sound; stress on the second syllable.)

шероховатый: /ʂɨrɐˈxovatɨj/ (The 'ш' is a voiceless postalveolar fricative; stress on the third syllable, with a soft 'т'.)

Note on грубый: Be cautious with the 'у' vowel, which can vary slightly in speed; it's often softened in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not smooth or even in texture or surface (e.g., physical roughness)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шероховатый - Used in descriptive contexts for materials or surfaces, such as in crafting or nature descriptions.
• неровный - Applied in formal or technical settings, like describing roads or data patterns.

Usage Examples:

• Русский текст: Дорога была шероховатой и трудной для езды. (The road was rough and difficult to drive on.)

  English Translation: The road was rough and difficult to drive on.

• Русский текст: Его кожа стала неровной после долгого пребывания на солнце. (His skin became rough after prolonged sun exposure.)

  English Translation: His skin became rough after prolonged sun exposure.

• Русский текст: Поверхность дерева была шероховатой, что придало ей естественный вид. (The surface of the wood was rough, giving it a natural look.)

  English Translation: The surface of the wood was rough, giving it a natural look.

• Русский текст: Из-за неровной почвы, фермеры столкнулись с проблемами. (Due to the rough soil, the farmers faced issues.)

  English Translation: Due to the rough soil, the farmers faced issues.

• Русский текст: Мы шли по шероховатой тропинке в горах. (We walked along the rough path in the mountains.)

  English Translation: We walked along the rough path in the mountains.

Meaning 2: Harsh, rude, or unrefined in manner (e.g., behavior or language)

Translation(s) & Context:

• грубый - Common in interpersonal contexts, implying rudeness or coarseness in speech or actions.

Usage Examples:

• Русский текст: Его грубый тон обидел собеседника. (His rough tone offended the interlocutor.)

  English Translation: His rough tone offended the interlocutor.

• Русский текст: Грубый юмор не всегда уместен в компании. (Rough humor isn't always appropriate in company.)

  English Translation: Rough humor isn't always appropriate in company.

• Русский текст: Она ответила грубым отказом на его предложение. (She responded with a rough refusal to his proposal.)

  English Translation: She responded with a rough refusal to his proposal.

• Русский текст: В грубой среде улиц, выживают только сильные. (In the rough environment of the streets, only the strong survive.)

  English Translation: In the rough environment of the streets, only the strong survive.

• Русский текст: Грубый ветер разметал листья по двору. (The rough wind scattered the leaves across the yard.)

  English Translation: The rough wind scattered the leaves across the yard.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adjectives, which in Russian undergo declension based on gender, number, and case. For example, "грубый" is a first-declension adjective and changes accordingly.

For "неровный" and "шероховатый", they follow similar patterns as standard adjectives and are not irregular. These words do not change in invariable contexts like in compound nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • грубый: жесткий (harsh, but more physical); суровый (severe, with a connotation of strictness)
  • неровный: неровкий (uneven, less formal variant)
  • шероховатый: шершавый (similar tactile sense, but slightly more abrasive)
• Antonyms:
  • грубый: мягкий (soft, gentle)
  • неровный: ровный (even, smooth)
  • шероховатый: гладкий (smooth, polished)

Related Phrases:

• Грубый голос - (A rough voice; refers to a hoarse or harsh speaking tone.)
• Неровная поверхность - (Rough surface; used in descriptions of terrain or materials.)
• Шероховатая ткань - (Rough fabric; common in clothing or textile contexts.)

Usage Notes:

"Rough" in English often corresponds to "грубый" in Russian for behavioral contexts, but be cautious as it can imply rudeness, which might not always align with English usage. For physical descriptions, "неровный" or "шероховатый" is preferred depending on formality—use "неровный" in professional or technical writing. Grammatically, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key difference from English. When choosing between translations, opt for "грубый" in everyday informal speech and "шероховатый" for sensory descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "грубый" to mean only physical roughness, without considering its strong connotation of rudeness. Correct: In Russian, pair it with context, e.g., "грубый материал" for physical, vs. "грубый человек" for behavioral. Example of error: Saying "грубый дорога" (incorrect declension); Correct: "грубая дорога" (feminine noun).
• Error: Failing to decline the adjective properly, e.g., using "грубый" with a feminine noun. Correct: Use "грубая" for feminine forms. This often confuses English learners due to English's lack of declension.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "грубый" can carry deeper connotations of Soviet-era stoicism or rural hardship, often romanticized in literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy). It's not just about physical roughness but can symbolize resilience in adverse conditions, reflecting historical themes of endurance in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• жесткий
• суровый
• неровкий