Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sizeable'

English Word: sizeable

Key Russian Translations:

• Значительный [IPA: znɐˈʂɨtʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, used for describing something of considerable size or importance]
• Весомый [IPA: vʲɪˈsomɨj] - [Informal, often implies weight or substance in addition to size]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in written and formal spoken Russian, but not as everyday as basic size descriptors)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding adjective inflections; for 'Значительный', it's straightforward with regular patterns, while 'Весомый' follows similar rules)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Значительный: [znɐˈʂɨtʲɪlʲnɨj]

Весомый: [vʲɪˈsomɨj]

Note on Значительный: The stress falls on the third syllable; be cautious with the 'ш' sound, which is a soft, retroflex fricative. Variations in casual speech may soften the ending.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Main meaning: Fairly large in size or amount, often implying significance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Значительный - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as business or academic discussions, to emphasize scale without exaggeration.
• Весомый - Applied in informal or everyday situations, particularly when size relates to weight or impact, like in personal opinions.

Usage Examples:

• У нас есть значительный запас еды на зиму.

  We have a sizeable stock of food for the winter.

• Эта компания сделала весомый вклад в экономику региона.

  This company made a sizeable contribution to the region's economy.

• Значительный рост населения привел к проблемам с жильем.

  The sizeable growth in population has led to housing issues.

• Весомый аргумент убедил меня изменить решение.

  A sizeable argument convinced me to change my decision.

• В проекте учтены значительные изменения климата.

  The project accounts for sizeable changes in climate.

Secondary meaning: Substantial in value or influence (less common, metaphorical use).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Значительный - In metaphorical contexts, such as politics or finance, to denote importance rather than physical size.

Usage Examples:

• Его значительный опыт в управлении сделал его идеальным кандидатом.

  His sizeable experience in management made him the ideal candidate.

• Весомый голос в дискуссии принадлежит экспертам.

  The sizeable voice in the discussion belongs to the experts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Значительный' and 'Весомый' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. They follow the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form but are regular in long form as shown. If used predicatively, they may simplify in casual speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Существенный (sushchestvennyy) - Similar to 'sizeable' but with a stronger emphasis on essence or importance.
  • Большой (bol'shoy) - More general, meaning 'large', but less formal than 'значительный'.
• Antonyms:
  • Небольшой (nebol'shoy) - Meaning 'small' or 'modest'.
  • Маленький (malen'kiy) - A more diminutive form, implying 'tiny'.

Related Phrases:

• Значительный вклад - A sizeable contribution (used in contexts like donations or efforts).
• Весомый аргумент - A sizeable argument (implying a compelling point in debates).
• Значительная сумма - A sizeable sum (referring to money or quantities).

Usage Notes:

'Sizeable' corresponds closely to 'значительный' in formal English-Russian translation, especially when emphasizing scale in professional or academic settings. Choose 'весомый' for more informal or weight-related contexts. Be mindful of Russian adjective agreement: always match gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. For example, use 'значительная' for feminine nouns. This word is versatile but avoid overusing it in casual conversation where simpler terms like 'большой' suffice.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'значительный' without proper inflection, e.g., saying 'значительный дом' for a feminine noun like 'квартира' (apartment), which should be 'значительная квартира'.

  Correct: Ensure agreement, as in 'значительная квартира'. Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with their nouns, unlike in English where 'sizeable' remains unchanged.

• Error: Confusing 'значительный' with 'большой', leading to misuse in formal texts.

  Correct: Use 'значительный' for nuanced emphasis on significance; for simple size, 'большой' is better. Example: Incorrect: "Большой запас" in a formal report; Correct: "Значительный запас" if implying importance.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'значительный' often carry a sense of gravitas, reflecting the language's emphasis on precision and hierarchy. For instance, in historical or literary contexts, it might evoke the scale of Russia's vast landscapes, but it doesn't have unique cultural idioms tied to it.

Related Concepts:

• Большой
• Существенный
• Масштабный (masshstabnyy)