Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'severely'

English Word: severely

Key Russian Translations:

• сильно [ˈsɪlʲnə] - [Adverb, Informal, Used for intensity in everyday contexts]
• строго [ˈstrɐɡə] - [Adverb, Formal, Used in official or disciplinary scenarios]

Frequency: Medium (Common in both spoken and written Russian, especially in descriptive or narrative contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adverb usage and context, but basic forms are straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сильно: [ˈsɪlʲnə]

Note on сильно: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in fast speech may soften the vowels.

строго: [ˈstrɐɡə]

Note on строго: Pronounce with a clear 'р' trill; the 'о' at the end is reduced in casual speech. This word maintains a formal tone.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

In the sense of to a severe degree (e.g., intensity or extremity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сильно - Used in informal contexts to describe high intensity, such as physical pain or emotional states; common in everyday conversation.
• строго - Applied in formal contexts for strictness or severity, like rules or punishments; often in professional or legal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он сильно пострадал в аварии и пролежал в больнице несколько недель.

  He was severely injured in the accident and spent several weeks in the hospital.

• Эта зима сильно заморозила сад, и все цветы погибли.

  This winter severely froze the garden, and all the flowers died.

• Судья строго наказал нарушителя за повторное преступление.

  The judge severely punished the offender for the repeated crime.

• Она сильно расстроилась из-за неудачи на экзамене.

  She was severely upset by the failure on the exam.

• В армии строго соблюдают дисциплину, чтобы избежать серьезных последствий.

  In the army, discipline is severely enforced to avoid serious consequences.

In the sense of harshly or sternly (e.g., criticism or enforcement)

Translation(s) & Context:

• строго - Preferred for formal or authoritative contexts, such as law or education; implies strictness without excess emotion.
• сильно - Less common here, but can be used informally for emphasis on harshness.

Usage Examples:

• Учитель строго отчитал ученика за опоздание на урок.

  The teacher severely reprimanded the student for being late to class.

• Родители сильно ругали детей за плохое поведение на публике.

  The parents severely scolded the children for their bad behavior in public.

• Начальник строго предупредил сотрудников о последствиях невыполнения плана.

  The boss severely warned the employees about the consequences of not meeting the plan.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "сильно" and "строго" are adverbs in Russian, which typically do not inflect for gender, number, or case. They remain unchanged in most contexts, making them relatively simple for learners. However, adverbs like these can vary slightly in usage based on the verb they modify.

For "сильно": It is invariant and does not change form. Example: сильно болит (severely hurts).

For "строго": Also invariant, but it can intensify verbs in different tenses without alteration. Example: строго контролировать (to severely control).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for сильно: интенсивно (intensively), жестоко (harshly in some contexts), мощно (powerfully)
• Synonyms for строго: сурово (sternly), жестко (harshly), бескомпромиссно (uncompromisingly) - Note: "сурово" often implies a more emotional or severe tone in interpersonal contexts.
• Antonyms for сильно: слабо (weakly), мягко (gently)
• Antonyms for строго: мягко (gently), терпимо (leniently)

Related Phrases:

• сильно болеть - A common phrase meaning "to be severely ill"; used in health contexts to describe intense symptoms.
• строго наказать - Means "to severely punish"; often in legal or disciplinary situations, emphasizing formal consequences.
• сильно переживать - Translates to "to be severely worried"; expresses deep emotional distress in personal conversations.
• строго контролировать - Refers to "to severely control"; applied in management or regulatory scenarios for strict oversight.

Usage Notes:

"Severely" in English often corresponds to "сильно" for intensity (e.g., physical or emotional degrees) and "строго" for strictness or harsh enforcement. Choose "сильно" in informal, everyday situations to convey extremity without formality, while "строго" is better for professional or authoritative contexts to imply discipline. Be mindful of word order in Russian sentences, as adverbs like these typically precede the verb they modify. For example, if the English sentence is passive, ensure the Russian structure reflects natural flow, such as using "быть" for states.

• Context matters: "Сильно" can overlap with "очень" (very), but it's more emphatic for severity.
• Grammar tip: These adverbs don't require agreement, making them easier to use, but pair them with appropriate verbs for accurate meaning.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "сильно" with "очень" (very), using it interchangeably, but "сильно" implies a greater degree of severity. For example, incorrect: "Он очень пострадал" (which is fine but less intense); correct: "Он сильно пострадал" for "He was severely injured." Another error is overusing "строго" in informal settings, which can sound overly formal—e.g., saying "Я строго устал" instead of "Я сильно устал" for "I am severely tired." Always consider the context to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "строго" often reflect the historical emphasis on discipline in education and military contexts, stemming from Soviet-era influences. For instance, "сильно" might be used in everyday expressions of resilience, highlighting the cultural value of enduring hardship without complaint.

Related Concepts:

• интенсивно
• сурово
• жестоко
• терпимо