Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sparingly'

English Word: sparingly

Key Russian Translations:

• экономно [jɪkɐˈnomnə] - [Formal, used in contexts involving resource management or restraint]
• в малом количестве [v ˈmaləm kɐlʲɪt͡ɕɪstvʲe] - [Informal, literal phrase for 'in small amounts', often in everyday conversation]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in discussions about economy, conservation, or moderation in Russian media and literature)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of adverbs and context, but straightforward for learners with basic grammar knowledge. For 'экономно', it's B1; for 'в малом количестве', it might be A2 due to its phrase structure.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

экономно: [jɪkɐˈnomnə]

в малом количестве: [v ˈmaləm kɐlʲɪt͡ɕɪstvʲe]

Note on экономно: The stress falls on the third syllable ('nom'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'n' sound; pronounce it with a clear Russian 'o' as in 'not'. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: In a restrained or economical manner (referring to using something carefully to avoid waste)

Translation(s) & Context:

• экономно - Used in formal or practical contexts, such as financial advice or environmental discussions, to emphasize conservation.
• в малом количестве - Applied in informal settings, like daily routines, to describe limited quantities without implying strict economy.

Usage Examples:

• Он использует воду экономно, чтобы сохранить ресурсы.

  He uses water sparingly to conserve resources.

• В малом количестве добавьте соли в блюдо, чтобы оно не было слишком соленым.

  Add salt sparingly to the dish so it doesn't become too salty.

• Экономно тратьте деньги на ненужные покупки.

  Spend money sparingly on unnecessary purchases.

• В малом количестве она пьет кофе, избегая бессонницы.

  She drinks coffee sparingly to avoid insomnia.

• Экономно расходуйте время, фокусируясь на приоритетах.

  Use your time sparingly by focusing on priorities.

Meaning 2: Infrequently or with restraint in frequency (e.g., using something rarely)

Translation(s) & Context:

• экономно - In contexts of rarity, such as habits or occurrences, to stress moderation.
• редко (rarely) [ˈrʲɛdkə] - Sometimes interchangeable in informal speech for emphasis on infrequency.

Usage Examples:

• Она экономно посещает вечеринки, предпочитая тихий отдых.

  She attends parties sparingly, preferring quiet relaxation.

• Редко или в малом количестве ешьте сладкое, чтобы поддерживать здоровье.

  Eat sweets sparingly to maintain health.

• Экономно употребляйте это слово в официальных документах.

  Use this word sparingly in official documents.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'экономно' and 'в малом количестве' are adverbs, which typically do not inflect in Russian based on gender, number, or case. However, 'экономно' is derived from the adjective 'экономный' (economical), and its form remains invariant across contexts.

For 'в малом количестве', as a prepositional phrase, the components can inflect:

Note: 'Экономно' has no variations, making it simple for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бережно (gently, carefully) - Implies protection and care, often in emotional contexts.
  • осторожно (cautiously) - Used for situations requiring prudence, with a focus on avoiding risk.
• Antonyms:
  • расточиво (wastefully) - Highlights excessive use without restraint.
  • обильно (abundantly) - Suggests plentiful or generous application.

Related Phrases:

• экономно тратить - (To spend sparingly) - A common phrase in financial advice, emphasizing budget management.
• в малом количестве использовать - (To use in small amounts) - Often in health or cooking contexts to indicate moderation.
• экономно расходовать ресурсы - (To consume resources sparingly) - Used in environmental discussions for sustainable practices.

Usage Notes:

'Экономно' directly corresponds to 'sparingly' in formal English contexts, such as economics or resource management, and should be paired with verbs like 'тратить' (to spend) or 'использовать' (to use). In informal speech, 'в малом количестве' is preferred for everyday scenarios to sound more natural. Be mindful of context: 'экономно' implies efficiency, while 'в малом количестве' focuses on quantity. For learners, choose 'экономно' in written Russian to match the adverbial nuance of 'sparingly', and avoid overusing it in casual conversations where synonyms might fit better.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'экономный' (the adjective form) instead of 'экономно' as an adverb. For example, learners might say 'Он экономный' meaning 'He is sparing', but this doesn't convey the adverbial sense. Correct: 'Он действует экономно' (He acts sparingly). Explanation: 'Экономный' describes nouns, while 'экономно' modifies verbs.

• Mistake: Confusing with 'редко' (rarely), leading to incorrect translations like 'Редко используйте воду' for 'Use water sparingly'. Correct: 'Экономно используйте воду'. Explanation: 'Редко' emphasizes frequency, not economy, so it changes the meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'экономно' reflect a historical emphasis on resourcefulness, stemming from periods of scarcity in Soviet times. It often appears in proverbs like 'Не в деньгах счастье, а в их экономном использовании' (Happiness is not in money, but in using it sparingly), highlighting values of frugality and practicality in everyday life.

Related Concepts:

• экономия
• сбережения
• бережливость