Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sensitivity'

English Word: sensitivity

Key Russian Translations:

• чувствительность [t͡ɕʊ vstʲɪ tʲɪ lʲ nɔsʲ tʲ] - [Formal, commonly used in scientific, emotional, and everyday contexts]
• чуткость [t͡ɕʊ tskəsʲ tʲ] - [Informal, emphasizes emotional or intuitive sensitivity]

Frequency: Medium (This word appears regularly in literature, conversations, and technical discussions, but not as frequently as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual nuances, though core meanings are straightforward for learners beyond A2.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

чувствительность: [t͡ɕʊ vstʲɪ tʲɪ lʲ nɔsʲ tʲ] (Note on чувствительность: The initial "ч" is a voiceless palatal affricate, similar to "ch" in "church," but softer. Stress falls on the fourth syllable, which is common in Russian abstract nouns.)

чуткость: [t͡ɕʊ tskəsʲ tʲ] (Note on чуткость: Pronunciation is straightforward, but the "тск" cluster can be challenging for beginners due to its rapid consonant sequence.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The quality of being sensitive to physical stimuli or emotions

Translation(s) & Context:

• чувствительность - Used in formal contexts like psychology or technology, e.g., sensitivity in sensors or emotional responses.
• чуткость - Used in informal or literary contexts to denote subtle emotional awareness.

Usage Examples:

• Её чувствительность к свету делает её идеальной для ночной съёмки.

  Her sensitivity to light makes her ideal for night shooting.

• В этой культуре ценится чуткость к чужим чувствам.

  In this culture, sensitivity to others' feelings is highly valued.

• Чувствительность прибора позволяет обнаруживать даже минимальные изменения.

  The sensitivity of the device allows for detecting even minimal changes.

• Его чуткость к деталям помогла раскрыть проблему.

  His sensitivity to details helped uncover the issue.

• Развитие чувствительности к окружающей среде важно для экологии.

  Developing sensitivity to the environment is crucial for ecology.

Sensitivity in a technical or scientific context (e.g., device performance)

Translation(s) & Context:

• чувствительность - Primarily used in scientific or engineering discussions, focusing on measurement accuracy.

Usage Examples:

• Чувствительность микрофона регулируется для лучшего качества записи.

  The sensitivity of the microphone is adjusted for better recording quality.

• В медицине чувствительность теста определяет его эффективность.

  In medicine, the sensitivity of a test determines its effectiveness.

• Электронные датчики имеют высокую чувствительность к температурам.

  Electronic sensors have high sensitivity to temperatures.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are feminine nouns. "Чувствительность" follows the third declension pattern, which is typical for abstract nouns in Russian. It is invariable in the nominative singular but changes in other cases. "Чуткость" also follows a standard feminine pattern with regular inflections.

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • чуткость (similar to чувствительность but with a softer, more intuitive connotation)
  • нежность (gentleness, used when sensitivity implies tenderness)
  • восприимчивость (receptivity, especially in contexts of perception)
• Antonyms:
  • нечувствительность (insensitivity)
  • грубость (roughness or crudeness, implying lack of sensitivity)

Related Phrases:

• Высокая чувствительность - High sensitivity (e.g., in technology; refers to enhanced responsiveness.)
• Чувствительность к критике - Sensitivity to criticism (used in personal development contexts.)
• Эмоциональная чуткость - Emotional sensitivity (implies intuitive understanding in relationships.)
• Повысить чувствительность - To increase sensitivity (common in scientific or self-improvement phrases.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "чувствительность" directly corresponds to the English "sensitivity" in most formal contexts, such as science or emotions, but it may not capture the full nuance of interpersonal sensitivity without additional context. Use "чуткость" for more informal or poetic expressions. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as both are feminine nouns. For example, when choosing between translations, opt for "чувствительность" in technical writing and "чуткость" in everyday conversations to match the appropriate register.

Common Errors:

• Mistaking "чувствительность" for "чувство" (feeling): Learners might say "Я имею чувство к свету" instead of "У меня высокая чувствительность к свету." Correct: The latter specifies the quality, while "чувство" means a basic emotion.
• Overusing in informal speech: Non-native speakers often use "чувствительность" formally when "чуткость" is more natural, e.g., saying "Он имеет чувствительность" instead of "Он очень чуткий." Explanation: "Чуткость" as an adjective form fits better in casual contexts.
• Incorrect declension: Forgetting case changes, like using nominative in all forms, e.g., "без чувствительность" instead of "без чувствительности." Correct: Always decline according to the sentence structure for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, sensitivity (чувствительность or чуткость) is often linked to emotional depth and interpersonal harmony, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works. It reflects the value placed on intuition and empathy in Slavic traditions, where being "чуткий" can signify moral virtue rather than weakness, contrasting with some Western views.

Related Concepts:

• эмоциональность (emotionality)
• восприятие (perception)
• адаптация (adaptation)