Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sure'

English Word: sure

Key Russian Translations:

• уверен /uˈvʲerʲɪn/ - [Formal, Adjective]
• конечно /kɐˈnʲet͡ɕnə/ - [Informal, Adverb]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations and formal contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; straightforward for beginners, but requires basic understanding of adjective and adverb forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

уверен: /uˈvʲerʲɪn/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'в' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative)

конечно: /kɐˈnʲet͡ɕnə/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative)

Note on уверен: Be cautious with the soft sign (ь) which affects the preceding consonant's pronunciation, making it softer and more palatalized.

Note on конечно: This word often has a rising intonation in casual speech, especially in affirmative responses.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: As an adjective, meaning certain or confident.

Translation(s) & Context:

• уверен - Used in formal contexts to express confidence or certainty, such as in statements or opinions.

Usage Examples:

• Я уверен, что это правильный ответ.

  I am sure that this is the correct answer.

• Он всегда уверен в своих решениях.

  He is always sure about his decisions.

• Мы уверены, что погода будет хорошей.

  We are sure that the weather will be good.

• Дети уверены в своих силах.

  The children are sure of their abilities.

Meaning 2: As an adverb, meaning certainly or of course.

Translation(s) & Context:

• конечно - Used in informal contexts for agreement or emphasis, such as in responses or affirmations.

Usage Examples:

• Конечно, я приду на вечеринку!

  Sure, I'll come to the party!

• Конечно, это не проблема.

  Sure, that's not a problem.

• Конечно, мы можем встретиться завтра.

  Sure, we can meet tomorrow.

• Конечно, я согласен с тобой.

  Sure, I agree with you.

• Конечно, это звучит интересно.

  Sure, that sounds interesting.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For уверен (an adjective), it follows the standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which vary by gender, number, and case. It is irregular in some forms due to its root.

For конечно (an adverb), it is invariable and does not change form in any context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for уверен:
  • уверенный (similar, but more emphatic in some contexts)
  • полностью убежденный (fully convinced, used for stronger certainty)
• Synonyms for конечно:
  • разумеется (of course, more formal)
  • конечно же (of course, with added emphasis)
• Antonyms for уверен:
  • неуверенный (uncertain)
  • сомневающийся (doubting)
• Antonyms for конечно:
  • нет (no)
  • вряд ли (unlikely)

Related Phrases:

• Конечно, да - Of course, yes (Used for enthusiastic agreement in casual conversations).
• Я уверен в успехе - I am sure about success (Common in motivational or professional contexts).
• Уверенный шаг - A sure step (Idiomatic for confident action, often in literature).

Usage Notes:

"Уверен" directly corresponds to the adjective form of "sure" in English, emphasizing confidence, and should be used with nouns in Russian sentences. "Конечно" aligns with the adverbial use, like "sure" in responses, and is ideal for informal settings. Choose "уверен" for formal writing or statements of fact, and "конечно" for everyday dialogue. Note the gender agreement for adjectives like "уверен" in Russian grammar.

• Always decline "уверен" based on the noun it modifies to avoid grammatical errors.
• In questions, "конечно" can soften responses, similar to "sure" in English casual speech.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse "уверен" by not declining it properly, e.g., saying "Я уверен в решение" instead of "Я уверен в решении" (correct: in the decision, with genitive case). Another error is overusing "конечно" in formal contexts, where "разумеется" might be more appropriate. Correct example: Instead of "Я уверен это" (wrong), use "Я уверен в этом" to include the preposition and case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions like "конечно" reflect a direct and affirmative communication style, often used to build rapport in social interactions. However, "уверен" can carry a sense of personal conviction, which aligns with Russian values of resolve and determination, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works where characters express inner certainty.

Related Concepts:

• уверенность
• сомнение
• положительный ответ