Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'steady'

English Word: steady

Key Russian Translations:

• стабильный [staˈbʲilʲnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Used in contexts describing stability or consistency]
• постоянный [pɐsˈtojənɨj] - [Adjective, Informal, Used for ongoing or unchanging states]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday and professional discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective forms and contexts, with some translations varying by nuance).

Pronunciation (Russian):

стабильный: [staˈbʲilʲnɨj]

Note on стабильный: The stress is on the third syllable; the soft sign (ʲ) indicates a palatalized 'l', which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronounce it with a clear 'y' sound at the end.

постоянный: [pɐsˈtojənɨj]

Note on постоянный: The 'o' in the first syllable is reduced to a schwa-like sound in casual speech; be mindful of the stress on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Firm, not shaking or moving (e.g., physical stability)

Translation(s) & Context:

• стабильный - Used in contexts involving physical steadiness, such as in engineering or daily life (e.g., a steady hand).

Usage Examples:

• Мой друг держит руку стабильной во время рисования. (My friend keeps his hand steady while drawing.)

  Translation: My friend keeps his hand steady while drawing. This example shows the adjective in a physical context.

• Ветер был сильным, но корабль оставался стабильным. (The wind was strong, but the ship remained steady.)

  Translation: The wind was strong, but the ship remained steady. Here, it demonstrates stability in adverse conditions.

• Она практиковала йогу, чтобы сделать свои позы стабильными. (She practiced yoga to make her poses steady.)

  Translation: She practiced yoga to make her poses steady. This illustrates use in health and fitness contexts.

• Инженеры обеспечили, чтобы мост был стабильным против землетрясений. (Engineers ensured that the bridge was steady against earthquakes.)

  Translation: Engineers ensured that the bridge was steady against earthquakes. Example highlights technical applications.

Meaning 2: Consistent or unchanging (e.g., emotional or financial stability)

Translation(s) & Context:

• постоянный - Used for emotional or long-term consistency, such as in relationships or finances.
• стабильный - Applied in professional contexts like job security.

Usage Examples:

• Его доход стабильный, что позволяет планировать будущее. (His income is steady, which allows for future planning.)

  Translation: His income is steady, which allows for future planning. This shows financial usage.

• В отношениях важно иметь постоянный диалог. (In relationships, it's important to have a steady dialogue.)

  Translation: In relationships, it's important to have a steady dialogue. Example focuses on emotional consistency.

• Компания поддерживает стабильный рост на рынке. (The company maintains steady growth in the market.)

  Translation: The company maintains steady growth in the market. This demonstrates business contexts.

• Её настроение было постоянным, несмотря на трудности. (Her mood was steady despite the difficulties.)

  Translation: Her mood was steady despite the difficulties. Illustrates personal resilience.

• Постоянный дождь сделал поездку сложной. (The steady rain made the trip difficult.)

  Translation: The steady rain made the trip difficult. Shows use in weather descriptions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'стабильный' and 'постоянный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, with some irregularities in certain forms.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections but must agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • устойчивый (more physical stability; similar to 'stable')
  • неизменный (unchanging; with a nuance of permanence)
• Antonyms:
  • нестабильный (unsteady or unstable)
  • переменный (variable or fluctuating)

Related Phrases:

• стабильный курс валюты - A steady exchange rate; refers to consistent financial values without fluctuations.
• постоянный доход - Steady income; implies reliable and ongoing earnings.
• держать курс стабильным - To keep on a steady course; used in navigation or metaphorical contexts for maintaining direction.

Usage Notes:

'Стабильный' is often the best match for 'steady' in contexts of physical or emotional stability, while 'постоянный' emphasizes longevity or repetition. In formal writing, prefer 'стабильный' for scientific or technical discussions. Be cautious with gender agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender (e.g., 'стабильный дом' for a masculine noun). When choosing between translations, consider the context: use 'постоянный' for habitual actions and 'стабильный' for states of equilibrium.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'стабильный' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "стабильный женщина" instead of "стабильная женщина" (for a feminine noun).

  Correct: стабильная женщина. Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they describe; this is a common mistake for English speakers who don't inflect adjectives.

• Error: Confusing 'постоянный' with 'вечный' (eternal), leading to overstatement, e.g., using it for something temporarily steady.

  Correct: Use 'стабильный' for temporary steadiness. Explanation: 'Постоянный' implies a more permanent state, which can misrepresent the English 'steady' if not contextualized properly.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'стабильный' often tie into historical contexts of economic uncertainty, such as during the Soviet era or modern reforms. For instance, 'стабильный' might evoke ideas of reliability in a society valuing endurance through change, making it a key term in discussions about national stability.

Related Concepts:

• устойчивость (sustainability or resilience)
• баланс (balance)
• ритм (rhythm, often implying a steady pace)