Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scanty'

English Word: scanty

Key Russian Translations:

• скудный [ˈskudnɨj] - [Formal; Adjective, often used in descriptive contexts]
• недостаточный [nʲɪdəstɐˈtoʧnɨj] - [Informal; Adjective, applied to quantities or resources]
• ограниченный [əgrɐˈniʧʲɪnɨj] - [Neutral; Adjective, implying limitations]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear regularly in everyday Russian, especially in discussions of resources or descriptions, but not as common as basic vocabulary like "большой" [big]).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should grasp these adjectives with practice, as they involve standard adjective inflections, but nuances in context may require advanced exposure).

Pronunciation (Russian):

скудный: [ˈskudnɨj]

Note on скудный: The stress falls on the first syllable, and the 'ы' sound is a distinct back vowel; be careful with the soft 'н' in some regional accents.

недостаточный: [nʲɪdəstɐˈtoʧnɨj]

Note on недостаточный: The 'щ' sound is palatalized; practice with native speakers to master the fluid pronunciation.

ограниченный: [əgrɐˈniʧʲɪnɨj]

Note on ограниченный: The 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative; common in compound words, so it may vary slightly in speed.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Insufficient in amount or quantity (e.g., sparse or meager)

Translation(s) & Context:

• скудный - Used in formal descriptions of limited resources, such as in economic or environmental contexts.
• недостаточный - Applied in everyday situations where something falls short, like in personal or informal discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В его отчете были скудные детали о проекте. (In his report, there were scanty details about the project.)

  English Translation: In his report, there were scanty details about the project.

• Из-за скудного урожая фермеры столкнулись с проблемами. (Due to the scanty harvest, the farmers faced problems.)

  English Translation: Due to the scanty harvest, the farmers faced problems.

• Недостаточный запас еды вызвал беспокойство в лагере. (The scanty food supply caused concern in the camp.)

  English Translation: The scanty food supply caused concern in the camp.

• Скудные финансовые ресурсы не позволили реализовать план. (The scanty financial resources did not allow the plan to be implemented.)

  English Translation: The scanty financial resources did not allow the plan to be implemented.

Meaning 2: Sparingly clad or revealing (e.g., in informal or literary contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ограниченный - Often used metaphorically for clothing or appearances, in neutral or slightly informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Ее платье было ограниченным, что привлекло внимание на вечеринке. (Her dress was scanty, which drew attention at the party.)

  English Translation: Her dress was scanty, which drew attention at the party.

• В жару люди носят ограниченную одежду для комфорта. (In the heat, people wear scanty clothing for comfort.)

  English Translation: In the heat, people wear scanty clothing for comfort.

• Ограниченный стиль в моде иногда считается провокационным. (The scanty style in fashion is sometimes considered provocative.)

  English Translation: The scanty style in fashion is sometimes considered provocative.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Below is a table for "скудный" as an example; similar patterns apply to others with minor variations.

For "недостаточный" and "ограниченный", follow the same first-declension adjective rules, with no irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бедный (poor, limited)
  • маловатый (somewhat small, in informal contexts)
  • скромный (modest, with a connotation of humility)
• Antonyms:
  • обильный (abundant)
  • богатый (rich, plentiful)
  • полный (full)

Note: "Скромный" as a synonym may imply a positive modesty, differing slightly from the neutral "скудный".

Related Phrases:

• скудные средства - Scanty means (refers to limited financial resources).
• недостаточный уровень - Scanty level (used for insufficient standards or quality).
• ограниченная видимость - Scanty visibility (common in weather or driving contexts).

Usage Notes:

"Scanty" corresponds closely to "скудный" in formal writing, such as academic or professional texts, where precision is key. In casual speech, "недостаточный" might be preferred for its straightforwardness. Be mindful of context: for example, use "ограниченный" when discussing constraints in time or space. Grammatically, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which is a common point of confusion for English speakers. When choosing among translations, opt for "скудный" if the emphasis is on scarcity in a poetic or descriptive sense.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "скудный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "скудный домы" instead of "скудные дома" for "scanty houses".
  Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "скудные дома". Explanation: Russian adjectives change based on the noun's case and number, unlike English adjectives.
• Error: Confusing "скудный" with "скучный" (boring), leading to misunderstandings.
  Correct: Use "скудный" for scarcity; "скучный" for dullness. Explanation: The words sound similar but have entirely different meanings, so context is crucial.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "скудный" often appear in literature and historical contexts to describe the hardships of rural life or economic struggles, such as in works by Tolstoy or in discussions of Soviet-era shortages. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on resilience in the face of scarcity, helping users appreciate the emotional weight behind the word.

Related Concepts:

• бедность (poverty)
• ресурсы (resources)
• экономия (economy)