Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'solitary'

English Word: solitary

Key Russian Translations:

• одиночный (/ɐˈdʲinət͡ɕɪj/) - [Formal, used for physical isolation or singularity]
• одинокий (/ɐdʲɪˈnokʲɪj/) - [Informal, used for emotional loneliness or solitude]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday language, especially in literature and conversations about personal experiences, but not as frequent as basic adjectives).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions and contextual nuances; for 'одиночный', it's straightforward, but 'одинокий' may vary slightly in emotional contexts).

Pronunciation (Russian):

одиночный: /ɐˈdʲinət͡ɕɪj/

Note on одиночный: The stress is on the third syllable; be mindful of the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in fast speech may soften the ending.

Audio: []

одинокий: /ɐdʲɪˈnokʲɪj/

Note on одинокий: Stress on the second syllable; the 'кʲ' is palatalized, and this word often carries an emotional tone, so pronunciation can vary slightly in poetic contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Alone or isolated, referring to physical separation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• одиночный - Used in formal contexts like describing a single item or event, e.g., in scientific or military discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он живёт в одиночной комнате в общежитии.

  He lives in a solitary room in the dormitory.

• Эта птица предпочитает одиночный образ жизни.

  This bird prefers a solitary way of life.

• В тюрьме он был помещён в одиночную камеру.

  In prison, he was placed in a solitary cell.

• Одиночный полёт вертолёта был отменён из-за погоды.

  The solitary helicopter flight was canceled due to the weather.

Meaning 2: Emotionally alone or lonely, referring to psychological state.

Translation(s) & Context:

• одинокий - Used in informal or literary contexts to express feelings of isolation or sadness.

Usage Examples:

• Она чувствует себя одинокой в большом городе.

  She feels solitary in the big city.

• Его одинокий вечер прошёл в размышлениях о прошлом.

  His solitary evening was spent reflecting on the past.

• Дети иногда бывают одинокими, даже в компании друзей.

  Children can sometimes feel solitary, even among friends.

• Одинокий путник бродил по лесу, ища покоя.

  The solitary traveler wandered through the forest, seeking peace.

• В старости многие люди становятся одинокими.

  In old age, many people become solitary.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'одиночный' and 'одинокий' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with nouns.

Note: These are regular first-declension adjectives, so they follow standard rules without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • изолированный (isolated, more formal)
  • самостоятельный (independent, with a nuance of self-reliance)
  • уединённый (secluded, often implying peaceful solitude)
• Antonyms:
  • социальный (social)
  • коллективный (collective)
  • общительный (sociable)

Related Phrases:

• Одиночный номер - A single room (e.g., in a hotel; literal translation and common usage in travel contexts).
• Одинокий волк - Lone wolf (idiomatic, referring to someone who operates independently, often with a connotation of being anti-social).
• Жить в одиночестве - To live in solitude (a phrase emphasizing voluntary isolation for reflection or peace).

Usage Notes:

'Solitary' in English can correspond to 'одиночный' for physical or literal isolation and 'одинокий' for emotional states. Choose 'одиночный' in formal writing or technical contexts, such as science or law, where precision is key. 'Одинокий' is better for personal or literary descriptions. Be aware of grammatical agreement: always decline the adjective to match the noun's gender, number, and case. In spoken Russian, these words can carry emotional weight, so context matters to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'одиночный' interchangeably with 'одинокий' without considering context. Incorrect: Он был одиночный в толпе (implies physical isolation incorrectly). Correct: Он был одинокий в толпе (implies emotional loneliness). Explanation: 'Одиночный' is for tangible separation, while 'одинокий' is for feelings; mixing them can confuse the intended meaning.
• Error: Forgetting to decline the adjective. Incorrect: В одиночный дом (if the noun is feminine). Correct: В одиночную дом (should be 'одиночную' for feminine). Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement, which English speakers often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'одинокий' often evoke themes from literature, such as in the works of Tolstoy or Chekhov, where solitude is portrayed as a path to self-discovery or melancholy. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for introspection, contrasting with more communal Western ideals, and can add depth to expressions of personal isolation in art and daily life.

Related Concepts:

• изоляция
• уединение
• самоизоляция