Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'such'

English Word: such

Key Russian Translations:

• такой [tɐˈkoj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• подобный [pɐˈdobnɨj] - [Formal, Synonymous in some contexts, often used for comparisons]
• таков [tɐˈkov] - [Informal, Masculine form, Used in specific grammatical constructions]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday Russian speech and writing)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and their inflections, but basic forms are accessible to learners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

такой: [tɐˈkoj]

подобный: [pɐˈdobnɨj]

таков: [tɐˈkov]

Note on такой: The stress falls on the last syllable; be cautious with vowel reduction in casual speech, where [ɐ] may sound more centralized.

Note on подобный: The 'ы' sound ([ɨ]) can be tricky for English speakers; it's a back unrounded vowel, distinct from [i].

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Referring to a person, thing, or situation of a specified kind (e.g., "such a day" as in a particular type).

Translation(s) & Context:

• такой - Used in formal and everyday contexts to describe qualities, e.g., in descriptions or comparisons.
• подобный - Applied in more literary or comparative contexts, emphasizing similarity.

Usage Examples:

• В такой день мы всегда ходим в парк. (V takoj den' my vsegda chodim v park.)

  On such a day, we always go to the park. (This example shows 'such' as an adjective describing a specific type of day in a casual, descriptive context.)

• Подобный случай произошёл с моим другом. (Podobnyj sluchaj proizoshol s moim drugom.)

  Such a case happened to my friend. (Here, 'such' implies a similar or comparable event, highlighting a formal comparison.)

• Таков был его ответ на вопрос. (Takov byl ego otvet na vopros.)

  Such was his answer to the question. (This demonstrates 'such' in a narrative or emphatic structure, often in storytelling.)

• Я не ожидал такого поворота событий. (Ya ne ozhidal takogo povorota sobytij.)

  I didn't expect such a turn of events. (Illustrates 'such' in expressions of surprise or emphasis in conversational Russian.)

• Подобные люди редко встречаются в нашей среде. (Podobnye lyudi redko vstrechayutsya v nashej srede.)

  Such people are rarely found in our environment. (Shows 'such' in a broader, sociological context, emphasizing rarity.)

Meaning 2: Used for introducing examples (e.g., "such as").

Translation(s) & Context:

• такой - In phrases like "such as," often adapted to "например" in lists, but "такой" can imply in explanatory contexts.
• например - More direct equivalent for "such as" in enumerations.

Usage Examples:

• Фрукты, такие как яблоки и груши, полезны для здоровья. (Frukty, takie kak yabloki i grushi, polezny dlya zdorov'ya.)

  Fruits such as apples and pears are healthy. (This example uses 'such as' in a listing context, common in educational or descriptive writing.)

• Например, такие книги помогают в изучении языка. (Naprimyer, takie knigi pomogayut v izuchenii yazyka.)

  For example, such books help in language learning. (Demonstrates 'such' introducing an illustration in informal speech.)

• Подобные примеры можно найти в классической литературе. (Podobnye primery mozhno najti v klassicheskoj literature.)

  Such examples can be found in classical literature. (Shows 'such' in an academic or referential context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Такой" is an irregular adjective with specific patterns.

For "подобный," it follows regular adjective patterns: подобный (Masc.), подобная (Fem.), подобное (Neut.), подобные (Plur.). "Таков" is less inflected and often used in fixed expressions without full changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • подобный (similar, but more formal)
  • вроде (informal, meaning "like" or "such as")
  • такого рода (more descriptive, meaning "of such kind")
• Antonyms:
  • иной (different, opposite in the sense of "not such")
  • другой (other, contrasting with "such")

Related Phrases:

• Такой же - Such as this; used for comparisons (e.g., "exactly like this").
• Подобного рода - Of such a kind; formal phrase for categorizing.
• Например, такой - For example, such; common in explanatory contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Such" in English often corresponds to "такой" in Russian for adjectival uses, but choose based on context: use "подобный" for emphasis on similarity. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender and case agreements, which "such" lacks in English. In informal speech, "такой" can express exaggeration, like English "such a mess." Avoid direct translations in idiomatic phrases.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "такой" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "такой дом" when it should be "такого дома" in genitive case.

  Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "Я видел такой дом" (I saw such a house). Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case.

• Error: Confusing "такой" with "так" (meaning "so" or "thus"), e.g., translating "such a big house" as "так большой дом" instead of "такой большой дом."

  Correct: Use "такой" for "such" as a determiner. Explanation: "Так" is an adverb, not an adjective, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "такой" can carry emotional weight in storytelling or poetry, emphasizing uniqueness or irony, as seen in classic literature by authors like Pushkin. This reflects Russia's expressive language style, where adjectives like "такой" often heighten dramatic effect.

Related Concepts:

• вот такой
• подобный случай
• иной тип