Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'silence'

English Word: silence

Key Russian Translations:

• тишина [ˈtʲiʂɨnə] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday contexts for quietness or absence of sound]
• молчание [mɐlʲˈt͡ɕanʲɪje] - [Formal, often implies deliberate silence or abstaining from speech]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are encountered regularly in literature, conversations, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding noun inflections and contexts, which can be challenging for learners beyond beginners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тишина: [ˈtʲiʂɨnə]

Note on тишина: The 'ш' sound is similar to the 'sh' in English "she," but ensure a soft 'т' at the beginning. This word has a stressed first syllable.

молчание: [mɐlʲˈt͡ɕanʲɪje]

Note on молчание: The 'ч' is a palatalized 'ch' sound, like in "church," and the word ends with a soft 'e' sound. Pay attention to the stress on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The state of being silent or quiet (absence of noise or sound).

Translation(s) & Context:

• тишина - Used in informal settings, such as describing a peaceful environment or momentary quiet.
• молчание - Applied in more formal or emotional contexts, like intentional silence in conversations or debates.

Usage Examples:

• В комнате стояла тишина, прерываемая только тиканьем часов.

  In the room, there was silence, broken only by the ticking of the clock.

• После его слов наступила тишина, которая длилась несколько минут.

  After his words, silence fell that lasted for several minutes.

• Молчание в аудитории указывало на глубокое размышление слушателей.

  The silence in the audience indicated deep reflection from the listeners.

• Он сохранил тишину, чтобы не разбудить спящего ребёнка.

  He maintained silence to not wake the sleeping child.

2. The act of refraining from speaking (deliberate silence).

Translation(s) & Context:

• молчание - Preferred in contexts involving communication, such as in arguments or thoughtful pauses.
• тишина - Less common for this meaning but can be used metaphorically for quiet reflection.

Usage Examples:

• Его молчание в ответ на обвинения говорило больше, чем слова.

  His silence in response to the accusations spoke more than words.

• Молчание во время переговоров иногда является тактикой.

  Silence during negotiations is sometimes a tactic.

• Тишина в библиотеке помогает сосредоточиться на чтении.

  The silence in the library helps focus on reading (here, implying a voluntary quiet environment).

• Её молчание о прошлом событии вызвало недоразумения.

  Her silence about the past event caused misunderstandings.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Тишина" is a feminine noun (3rd declension), and "молчание" is a neuter noun (2nd declension). Russian nouns change based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table for their inflections:

Note: Both words are typically used in singular form. They do not have irregular inflections but follow standard patterns, making them straightforward once basic declensions are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: тишь (tish', more poetic for deep quiet), безмолвие (bezmolvie, implying absolute stillness) - "Тишь" is often used in literary contexts for a softer, more serene silence.
• Antonyms: шум (shum, noise), грохот (grohot, loud racket) - "Шум" is the most common everyday opposite.

Related Phrases:

• Мёртвая тишина - Dead silence; used to describe an eerie or absolute quietness in tense situations.
• Нарушить молчание - To break the silence; implies ending a period of deliberate quiet in conversations.
• Тишина ночи - The silence of the night; a common phrase in poetry or descriptions of peaceful evenings.

Usage Notes:

Use "тишина" for general, environmental silence (e.g., in nature or rooms), as it aligns closely with the English "silence" in casual contexts. "Молчание" is better for interpersonal or intentional silence, such as in debates, and carries a more formal tone. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these words often require appropriate case endings based on sentence structure. For English learners, choose "тишина" for everyday scenarios and "молчание" for formal writing or speech to avoid overgeneralization.

Common Errors:

• Confusing inflections: Learners often use the nominative form everywhere, e.g., saying "в тишина" instead of "в тишине" (correct: in the silence). Error: "Я наслаждался тишина." Correct: "Я наслаждался тишиной." Explanation: The instrumental case is needed here to indicate the means of enjoyment.
• Mixing translations: Using "тишина" in formal contexts, like "молчание аудитории" when "тишина аудитории" might suffice, but it's imprecise. Error: "Его тишина была тактикой." Correct: "Его молчание было тактикой." Explanation: "Тишина" implies environmental quiet, not deliberate action.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, silence (especially "молчание") often symbolizes deep thought, respect, or even stoicism, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works. For instance, in Russian Orthodox traditions, moments of silence during services emphasize introspection, contrasting with more expressive Western norms.

Related Concepts:

• Шум (noise)
• Безмолвие (utter stillness)
• Тишайший (the quietest, as an adjective form)