Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tedium'

English Word: tedium

Key Russian Translations:

• скука /ˈsku.kə/ - [Informal, Everyday use]
• однообразие /ɐdnə.ɐˈbra.zʲijə/ - [Formal, Often in written or academic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in daily conversations and literature, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - Suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge; "скука" is straightforward, while "однообразие" may require understanding of more complex nouns.

Pronunciation (Russian):

скука: /ˈsku.kə/

однообразие: /ɐdnə.ɐˈbra.zʲijə/

Note on скука: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the 'у' sound, which is a short 'oo' like in "book." Variations in casual speech may soften the final 'a'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state of being tedious; boredom or monotony in daily life or activities.

Translation(s) & Context:

• скука - Used in informal settings to describe everyday boredom, such as in conversations about routine tasks.
• однообразие - Applied in more formal or descriptive contexts, like discussing repetitive work or lack of variety in experiences.

Usage Examples:

• Его работа полна скуки, и он часто мечтает о переменах.

  His job is full of tedium, and he often dreams of changes.

• После долгого дня однообразия в офисе, она предпочитает активный отдых.

  After a day full of tedium in the office, she prefers active leisure.

• Скука вечера в деревне заставила нас искать развлечения в старых историях.

  The tedium of the evening in the village made us seek entertainment in old stories.

• Однообразие ежедневных поездок в метро стало невыносимым для москвичей.

  The tedium of daily commutes on the metro has become unbearable for Muscovites.

• Чтобы избежать скуки, он добавил в рутину новые хобби.

  To avoid tedium, he added new hobbies to his routine.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "скука" and "однообразие" are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard feminine declension patterns. "Скука" is a third-declension noun and inflects regularly, while "однообразие" is a neuter noun in some contexts but typically treated as feminine in usage. Below is a table outlining key inflections:

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but must agree with adjectives and verbs in case and number. "Однообразие" has a more complex stem and is less commonly pluralized.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тоска (toska) - Similar to deep boredom, often with an emotional undertone; used in literary contexts.
  • монотонность (monotonnost') - Emphasizes repetitive dullness, more neutral than скука.
• Antonyms:
  • интерес (interest) - Direct opposite, implying engagement or excitement.
  • разнообразие (raznoobraziye) - Suggests variety, contrasting with monotony.

Related Phrases:

• скучная жизнь - A boring life; used to describe a monotonous existence without excitement.
• однообразие дней - The tedium of days; refers to repetitive daily routines in a formal sense.
• падать в скуку - To fall into boredom; an idiomatic expression for becoming overwhelmed by tedium.

Usage Notes:

• While "tedium" directly translates to "скука" in informal contexts, "однообразие" is better for emphasizing repetition, similar to "monotony" in English. Choose based on context: use "скука" for emotional boredom and "однообразие" in descriptive or professional settings.
• These words are often paired with verbs like "чувствовать" (to feel) or adjectives for emphasis, e.g., "большая скука" (great tedium).
• Grammar note: As feminine nouns, they require feminine agreement in sentences, which can be tricky for English speakers unused to gender in nouns.
• In spoken Russian, "скука" is more versatile and appears in everyday dialogue, while "однообразие" is reserved for writing or formal speech.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "скука" with "тоска": Learners might use "тоска" interchangeably, but "тоска" implies a deeper, more melancholic boredom. Error example: Saying "Я чувствую тоску от работы" (I feel tedium from work) when "скуку" is more accurate for simple boredom. Correct: "Я чувствую скуку от работы."
• Improper declension: English speakers often forget case changes, e.g., using nominative "скука" in genitive contexts. Error: "Из-за скука" (Because of tedium). Correct: "Из-за скуки." This can make sentences grammatically incorrect.
• Overusing in plural: "Скука" is rarely pluralized incorrectly; error might be saying "скукас" instead of "скуки" for plural, leading to confusion.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "скука" often appears in literature, such as in the works of Chekhov or Tolstoy, where it symbolizes the existential boredom of provincial life. This reflects a broader cultural theme of introspection and dissatisfaction with routine, contrasting with the more dynamic pace of Western life as portrayed in media.

Related Concepts:

• монотонность
• тоска
• рутина