Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sensibility'

English Word: sensibility

Key Russian Translations:

• чувствительность [t͡ɕʊ vstʲ vʲ ɪ tʲ ɛ lʲ nɔ sʲ tʲ] - [Formal, used in general contexts]
• восприимчивость [vɐ spʲ rʲ i ɪ mʲ t͡ɕ i vɔ sʲ tʲ] - [Formal, often in psychological or sensory contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, psychology, and everyday discussions about emotions).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract nouns and their inflections, but accessible with basic Russian grammar knowledge).

Pronunciation (Russian):

чувствительность: [t͡ɕʊ vstʲ vʲ ɪ tʲ ɛ lʲ nɔ sʲ tʲ]

Note on чувствительность: The initial 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'ch' in 'church', and the stress falls on the third syllable. Be mindful of the soft sign 'ь' which softens the preceding consonant.

восприимчивость: [vɐ spʲ rʲ i ɪ mʲ t͡ɕ i vɔ sʲ tʲ]

Note on восприимчивость: Pronounce the 'щ' as a voiceless postalveolar fricative (like 'sh' in 'sheep' but more prolonged), with stress on the fourth syllable. Common for words with roots in perception.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The ability to appreciate and respond to complex emotional or aesthetic influences (e.g., sensitivity in art or feelings).

Translation(s) & Context:

• чувствительность - Used in formal contexts like literature or psychology to describe emotional depth.
• восприимчивость - Applied in sensory or intellectual contexts, such as how one perceives art or emotions.

Usage Examples:

• Её чувствительность к красоте природы всегда вдохновляла её на творчество.

  Her sensibility to the beauty of nature always inspired her creativity.

• Восприимчивость к чужим эмоциям помогает в профессии психолога.

  Sensibility to others' emotions is helpful in a psychologist's profession.

• Эта книга развивает чувствительность читателя к социальным проблемам.

  This book develops the reader's sensibility to social issues.

• Его восприимчивость к музыке сделала его отличным композитором.

  His sensibility to music made him an excellent composer.

Meaning 2: Sensitivity to external stimuli or physical sensations (e.g., in a medical or sensory context).

Translation(s) & Context:

• чувствительность - Often used in medical or everyday contexts for physical sensitivity, like to pain or temperature.
• восприимчивость - More about receptivity to external influences, such as in environmental or health discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Чувствительность кожи к холоду может вызвать раздражение.

  Sensibility of the skin to cold can cause irritation.

• Его восприимчивость к аллергенам требует осторожности.

  His sensibility to allergens requires caution.

• Повышенная чувствительность к свету часто встречается у мигреников.

  Increased sensibility to light is common among migraine sufferers.

• Восприимчивость к шуму в городе влияет на качество сна.

  Sensibility to noise in the city affects sleep quality.

• Развитие чувствительности к запахам полезно для сомелье.

  Developing sensibility to smells is useful for sommeliers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are feminine nouns in Russian and follow standard patterns for third-declension nouns. They are invariable in form for gender but change according to case and number.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections but require attention to the soft sign ('ь') in certain cases, which affects pronunciation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • чувствительность - чуткость (more poetic, emphasizing delicacy)
  • чувствительность - отзывчивость (focuses on responsiveness in social contexts)
  • восприимчивость - воспринимаемость (less common, used in technical senses)
• Antonyms:
  • чувствительность - бесчувственность (insensitivity)
  • восприимчивость - невосприимчивость (unresponsiveness)

Related Phrases:

• Повышенная чувствительность - Increased sensibility (e.g., in medical contexts, meaning heightened sensitivity).
• Эмоциональная восприимчивость - Emotional sensibility (used to describe openness to feelings).
• Чувствительность к деталям - Sensibility to details (common in professional settings like design or analysis).

Usage Notes:

Choose 'чувствительность' for general emotional or physical sensibility, as it closely mirrors the English word's nuance in contexts like art or health. 'Восприимчивость' is better for intellectual or sensory receptivity, often in formal writing. Both are neutral in tone but lean formal; avoid in casual speech. Grammatically, they must agree in case with surrounding words, e.g., use genitive for possession: "чувствительности к искусству" (sensibility to art). English learners should note that Russian often pairs these with adjectives for specificity, like "высокая чувствительность" (high sensibility).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'чувствительность' interchangeably with 'восприимчивость' without context, e.g., saying "Его чувствительность к свету" when meaning emotional awareness (should be 'восприимчивость').

  Correct: "Его восприимчивость к эмоциям" instead. Explanation: These words have overlapping meanings but differ in connotation; 'чувствительность' is more about innate sensitivity, while 'восприимчивость' implies active reception.

• Error: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., using nominative in a prepositional phrase: "О восприимчивость" instead of "О восприимчивости".

  Correct: "О восприимчивости к изменениям". Explanation: Russian requires precise case agreement, which English speakers often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, sensibility (e.g., 'чувствительность') is often linked to the literary tradition of the 19th century, as seen in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, where emotional depth is a key theme. This reflects a cultural emphasis on introspection and moral sensitivity, contrasting with more stoic Western portrayals.

Related Concepts:

• эмоциональность (emotionality)
• интуиция (intuition)
• чуткость (delicacy or responsiveness)