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краткий Primary Russian translation

Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'succinct'

English Word: succinct

Key Russian Translations:

  • краткий [ˈkrat.kʲɪj] - [Formal, Adjective]
  • лаконичный [lə.kəˈnʲit͡ɕ.nɨj] - [Formal, Often used in literary contexts]
  • сжатый [ˈsʐa.tɨj] - [Informal, Plural forms may vary]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic and professional Russian writing, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections; 'краткий' is B2, while 'лаконичный' may be C1 due to its nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

краткий: [ˈkrat.kʲɪj]

лаконичный: [lə.kəˈnʲit͡ɕ.nɨj]

сжатый: [ˈsʐa.tɨj]

Note on краткий: The stress falls on the first syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'kʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Note on лаконичный: The 'ch' sound (as in 'church') is represented by 'ч', and the word has a soft ending that may vary in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Brief and to the point, without unnecessary details
Translation(s) & Context:
  • краткий - Used in formal writing, such as reports or summaries, to describe something concise.
  • лаконичный - Applied in literary or rhetorical contexts, emphasizing elegance in brevity.
  • сжатый - Informal contexts, like casual descriptions, often implying compression of information.
Usage Examples:
  • Его краткий отчёт был идеальным для встречи.

    His succinct report was perfect for the meeting.

  • Лаконичный стиль писателя привлекает читателей.

    The writer's succinct style attracts readers.

  • Сжатый вариант статьи подходит для быстрого чтения.

    The succinct version of the article is suitable for quick reading.

  • В краткой речи оратор затронул все ключевые точки.

    In his succinct speech, the speaker covered all key points.

Meaning 2: Expressed in few words, often implying efficiency
Translation(s) & Context:
  • краткий - In professional emails or instructions, to denote brevity without loss of clarity.
  • сжатый - In everyday dialogue, such as summarizing a story.
Usage Examples:
  • Краткий ответ на вопрос помог избежать путаницы.

    The succinct answer to the question helped avoid confusion.

  • Сжатый пересказ книги сделал её доступной для детей.

    The succinct retelling of the book made it accessible for children.

  • Её лаконичный комментарий в дискуссии был очень эффективным.

    Her succinct comment in the discussion was very effective.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. 'краткий' and 'лаконичный' follow standard adjective patterns, while 'сжатый' is less common and may vary slightly.

Form краткий (e.g., Masculine) лаконичный сжатый
Nominative Singular краткий лаконичный сжатый
Genitive Singular краткого лаконичного сжатого
Dative Singular краткому лаконичному сжатому
Accusative Singular краткий (animate) / краткий (inanimate) лаконичный сжатый
Instrumental Singular кратким лаконичным сжатым
Prepositional Singular кратком лаконичном сжатом
Nominative Plural краткие лаконичные сжатые

Note: These are regular inflections; 'сжатый' is invariant in some contexts if used as a past passive participle.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

  • Synonyms: лаконичный (more elegant, often literary), сжатый (implies compression)
  • Antonyms: подробный (detailed), пространный (verbose)

Related Phrases:

  • краткий обзор - A brief overview; used in presentations or summaries.
  • лаконичный ответ - A succinct response; common in debates or Q&A sessions.
  • сжатый текст - Compressed text; refers to condensed writing in editing contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Краткий' directly corresponds to 'succinct' in formal English-Russian translations, making it the safest choice for everyday use. However, 'лаконичный' adds a nuance of stylistic elegance, which might be preferred in creative writing. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these words often require agreement in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. For example, use 'краткий' for masculine nouns and 'краткая' for feminine ones. When choosing among translations, opt for 'сжатый' in technical or informal settings where brevity implies efficiency.

Common Errors:

  • Error: Using 'краткий' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "краткий женщина" instead of "краткая женщина".
    Correct: Ensure gender agreement; explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, so "краткая" for feminine nouns.
  • Error: Confusing 'лаконичный' with 'краткий' in casual speech, leading to overly formal language.
    Correct: Use 'краткий' for general contexts; explanation: 'Лаконичный' can sound pretentious in everyday talk, where 'краткий' is more neutral.
  • Error: Omitting case changes, e.g., using nominative in genitive contexts.
    Correct: In phrases like "без краткого отчёта" (without a succinct report), use genitive "краткого"; explanation: This is a common mistake for English speakers unfamiliar with Russian case systems.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, brevity in communication, as implied by 'краткий', is highly valued in professional and academic settings, reflecting the influence of Soviet-era efficiency in documentation. However, in literature, 'лаконичный' echoes the style of classic Russian authors like Chekhov, who used succinctness to convey deep emotion, highlighting Russia's appreciation for concise yet profound expression.

Related Concepts:

  • Ясный (clear)
  • Кратковременный (brief in duration)
  • Сущность (essence, often paired with succinct descriptions)