Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rougher'

English Word: rougher

Key Russian Translations:

• грубее [ɡruˈbʲeje] - [Comparative form, used for surfaces, behavior, or textures]

Frequency: Medium (Common in descriptive language but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective comparisons)

Pronunciation (Russian):

грубее: [ɡruˈbʲeje]

Note on грубее: The stress falls on the second syllable ("bʲeje"). Pay attention to the palatalized 'b' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Comparative form of 'rough', meaning more uneven, harsh, or coarse in texture, behavior, or conditions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• грубее - Used in comparative sentences to describe something that is rougher than another, often in physical or metaphorical contexts, such as textures, manners, or environments (e.g., in formal or descriptive writing).

Usage Examples:

• Эта ткань грубее той, которую я купил вчера.

  This fabric is rougher than the one I bought yesterday.

• Его манеры грубее, чем у его брата.

  His manners are rougher than his brother's.

• Дорога в горах грубее, чем в долине.

  The road in the mountains is rougher than in the valley.

• Зимой воздух здесь грубее, из-за сильного ветра.

  In winter, the air here is rougher due to the strong wind.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Грубее" is the comparative form of the adjective "грубый" (rough). As an adjective in Russian, it follows standard adjectival inflections based on gender, number, and case. However, in its comparative form, it is less variable and often remains invariant in casual use, but can inflect when agreeing with nouns.

Note: In practice, comparative adjectives like "грубее" are often used without full inflection in modern Russian, especially in spoken language, but they must agree in writing.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: жестче (zhestche - harsher, especially for surfaces), суровее (surovee - sterner, more severe)
• Antonyms: мягче (myagche - softer), гладче (gladche - smoother)

Explanation: "Жестче" is often used interchangeably with "грубее" for physical textures, but "суровее" implies a more emotional or moral harshness.

Related Phrases:

• Грубая поверхность - A rough surface (refers to uneven textures in everyday contexts).
• Грубые манеры - Rough manners (used to describe rude behavior in social interactions).
• Грубее, чем ожидалось - Rougher than expected (a common phrase in descriptions of experiences or conditions).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "грубее" directly corresponds to the English comparative "rougher" and is formed by adding the suffix "-ee" to the base adjective "грубый". It is versatile but often used in formal or descriptive contexts rather than casual conversation. When choosing between translations, opt for "грубее" for physical roughness and "суровее" for emotional or moral aspects. Be mindful of gender and case agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match their nouns.

• Common in literature and technical descriptions.
• Avoid using it in highly formal settings where more precise terms might be preferred.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistakenly use "грубый" without the comparative suffix, saying "грубый больше" instead of "грубее" when meaning "rougher". Correct usage: Incorrect: "Эта ткань грубый больше." Correct: "Эта ткань грубее." Explanation: Russian comparatives require the proper suffix; directly translating English structures can lead to grammatical errors.

Another error is confusing it with "грустный" (sad), which sounds similar but has a different meaning. Always double-check pronunciation to avoid mix-ups.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "грубее" can carry connotations of resilience or hardship, often linked to rural or working-class experiences. For instance, describing something as "rougher" might evoke images of the vast, uneven Russian landscapes, symbolizing endurance in literature like that of Tolstoy or Chekhov.

Related Concepts:

• грубый (rough - base form)
• жесткий (harsh or rigid)
• неровный (uneven)