Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'surfeit'

English Word: surfeit

Key Russian Translations:

• избыток [ˈizbɨtək] - [Formal, Noun]
• переизбыток [pʲɪrʲɪˈizbɨtək] - [Formal, Noun, Used in contexts of surplus or excess in economics or resources]
• пресыщение [prʲɪˈsɨʂːenʲɪje] - [Formal, Noun, Often for overindulgence or satiety]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are commonly used in formal writing, business, and everyday discussions about excess, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for most translations, as it involves understanding noun declensions and contexts of excess; for advanced users, избыток might be A2 if simplified, but generally requires intermediate grasp of Russian grammar.

Pronunciation (Russian):

избыток: [ˈizbɨtək] - The stress is on the first syllable; note the soft 'b' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian palatalization.

переизбыток: [pʲɪrʲɪˈizbɨtək] - Stress on the third syllable; pay attention to the prefix 'пере-', which adds a sense of "over-" and affects pronunciation fluidity.

пресыщение: [prʲɪˈsɨʂːenʲɪje] - Stress on the second syllable; the 'щ' sound is a challenge, similar to the English 'sh' but more fricative.

Note on избыток: In fast speech, the 'ы' vowel might sound closer to a short 'i', but it's distinct in formal contexts.

Note on переизбыток: This word often has a drawn-out pronunciation in emphatic speech to highlight excess.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: An excessive amount of something (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• избыток - Used in formal or neutral contexts, such as describing surplus in resources, food, or emotions.
• переизбыток - Applied in economic or practical scenarios, like market oversupply, to emphasize extremity.

Usage Examples:

• В магазине был избыток фруктов из-за хорошего урожая.

  In the store, there was a surfeit of fruits due to the good harvest.

• Переизбыток информации в интернете может привести к путанице.

  A surfeit of information on the internet can lead to confusion.

• Избыток сладкого в рационе вреден для здоровья.

  A surfeit of sweets in the diet is harmful to health.

• В этом году наблюдался переизбыток туристов в популярных местах.

  This year, there was a surfeit of tourists in popular spots.

Meaning 2: To feed or supply to excess (Verb-related noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пресыщение - Used in contexts of overindulgence, like eating or experiencing something to the point of boredom or discomfort.

Usage Examples:

• Пресыщение роскошью часто приводит к потере интереса.

  Surfeit of luxury often leads to a loss of interest.

• После пресыщения едой он чувствовал себя плохо.

  After a surfeit of food, he felt unwell.

• Пресыщение вниманием может быть так же утомительным, как и его отсутствие.

  A surfeit of attention can be as tiring as its absence.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily nouns, which in Russian undergo declension based on case, number, and gender. избыток and переизбыток are masculine nouns, while пресыщение is a neuter noun. They follow standard patterns for Russian nouns.

Note: These words do not change in plural as frequently as other nouns, and their inflections are regular for their genders.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • излишек (izlishyek) - Similar to surplus, but often used in financial contexts.
  • профицит (profitset) - Emphasizes abundance, especially in economics; slight nuance of positive excess.
  • переполнение (perepolneniye) - For overflow or filling beyond capacity.
• Antonyms:
  • недостаток (nedostatok) - Directly opposite, meaning shortage or deficiency.
  • дефицит (defitsit) - Used for scarcity, especially in markets or resources.

Related Phrases:

• Избыток предложения - (Surfeit of supply; common in economic discussions, referring to market oversupply.)
• Пресыщение властью - (Surfeit of power; implies overindulgence in authority, often with negative connotations.)
• Переизбыток информации - (Information surfeit; used in contexts of information overload in digital age.)

Usage Notes:

Surfeit corresponds closely to избыток in neutral or formal Russian, but choose переизбыток for more emphatic excess, such as in business or resource management. These words are typically used in written or formal spoken Russian; in casual speech, simpler terms like "много" (a lot) might replace them. Be mindful of gender and case agreements—e.g., избыток requires masculine declensions. When selecting among translations, use пресыщение for contexts involving personal overindulgence, as it carries a psychological nuance not present in the others.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using избыток in the wrong case, e.g., saying "избыток информации" in genitive as "избыток информации" instead of correctly inflecting in a sentence like "Я страдаю от избытка информации" (I suffer from a surfeit of information). Correct: Ensure proper declension, e.g., genitive "избытка".
• Mistake: Confusing with similar words like "излишний" (excessive as an adjective), leading to incorrect usage in noun contexts. Correct: Use избыток as a noun; for example, say "избыток" not "излишний избыток".
• Mistake: Overusing in informal settings; English learners might translate surfeit literally without considering register. Correct: In casual talk, opt for "слишком много" (too much) instead of formal terms.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like избыток often relate to historical contexts of scarcity versus abundance, such as during Soviet-era shortages followed by post-Soviet surpluses. Words like пресыщение might evoke literary themes in Russian classics, where excess leads to moral or emotional decline, as seen in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, highlighting a cultural emphasis on moderation.

Related Concepts:

• дефицит
• профицит
• переполнение