Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sturdy'

English Word: sturdy

Key Russian Translations:

• крепкий [ˈkrʲepkʲij] - [Informal, used for people or everyday objects]
• прочный [ˈproʧnɨj] - [Formal, used for materials or structures]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversation and literature, but not as frequent as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and contextual usage in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

крепкий: [ˈkrʲepkʲij]

Note on крепкий: The stress is on the first syllable; the "к" is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian adjectives. Be careful with the soft sign (ь) affecting pronunciation.

прочный: [ˈproʧnɨj]

Note on прочный: The "ч" is pronounced as a voiceless palatal fricative; this word may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Physically strong and not easily broken (e.g., referring to objects, structures, or people)

Translation(s) & Context:

• крепкий - Often used in informal contexts for everyday items or people, such as describing health or build.
• прочный - Preferred in formal or technical contexts, like engineering or describing durable materials.

Usage Examples:

• Этот стол крепкий и выдержит много веса. (This table is sturdy and can hold a lot of weight.)

  This table is sturdy and can hold a lot of weight.

• Она имеет крепкий характер, несмотря на трудности. (She has a sturdy character despite the difficulties.)

  She has a sturdy character despite the difficulties.

• Для строительства дома нужен прочный материал. (For building a house, you need sturdy material.)

  For building a house, you need sturdy material.

• Крепкий забор защитит сад от ветра. (The sturdy fence will protect the garden from the wind.)

  The sturdy fence will protect the garden from the wind.

• Прочный мост пересекает реку без проблем. (The sturdy bridge crosses the river without issues.)

  The sturdy bridge crosses the river without issues.

Meaning 2: Reliable or robust in a metaphorical sense (e.g., sturdy argument or plan)

Translation(s) & Context:

• крепкий - Used metaphorically in informal speech for ideas or plans that are solid.
• прочный - In formal contexts, for arguments or relationships that are enduring.

Usage Examples:

• Его аргументы были крепкими и убедительными. (His arguments were sturdy and convincing.)

  His arguments were sturdy and convincing.

• У них прочный брак, который выдержал испытания. (They have a sturdy marriage that has withstood tests.)

  They have a sturdy marriage that has withstood tests.

• Крепкий план поможет нам достичь цели. (A sturdy plan will help us reach our goal.)

  A sturdy plan will help us reach our goal.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "крепкий" and "прочный" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most words, but they can be irregular in some cases.

For "крепкий":

For "прочный":

It follows a similar inflection pattern to "крепкий" as a standard hard-stem adjective, with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • надежный (reliable, emphasizing trustworthiness)
  • твердый (hard and unyielding, with a slight difference in connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • хрупкий (fragile)
  • слабый (weak)

Related Phrases:

• крепкий как дуб - A phrase meaning "as sturdy as an oak," used to describe something very strong and reliable.
• прочный фундамент - Refers to a "sturdy foundation," often metaphorically for stability in life or structures.
• крепкий сон - Means "sound sleep," implying deep and restorative rest.

Usage Notes:

"Крепкий" is more versatile for everyday use and can apply to both physical and metaphorical contexts, while "прочный" is better suited for technical or formal descriptions. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which is a key difference from English. For example, use "крепкий" for masculine nouns and "крепкая" for feminine ones. When choosing between translations, opt for "крепкий" in casual conversation and "прочный" in professional settings like construction or engineering.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "крепкий" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "крепкий домa" instead of "крепкий дом" in nominative case.

  Correct: Ensure the adjective matches the noun's case; for genitive, it should be "крепкого дома." Explanation: Russian requires full agreement, unlike English, where adjectives don't change form.

• Error: Confusing "крепкий" with "прочный" in contexts where formality is needed, e.g., using "крепкий" in a business report.

  Correct: Use "прочный" for formal writing. Explanation: This can make the language sound too casual or imprecise in professional environments.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "крепкий" often carry connotations of resilience and endurance, reflecting historical values of strength in the face of adversity, such as during wars or harsh winters. For instance, phrases involving "крепкий" in folk tales emphasize moral fortitude, helping English learners appreciate the cultural depth beyond literal translation.

Related Concepts:

• стойкий (persistent)
• прочность (durability)
• крепость (fortress or strength)