Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tendency'

English Word: tendency

Key Russian Translations:

• тенденция [tʲɪnˈdʲɛnʦʲɪjə] - [Formal, used in analytical or scientific contexts]
• склонность [sklɐˈnonʲnəsʲtʲ] - [Informal, often in everyday or psychological discussions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in news, academic texts, and casual conversations, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and abstract concepts, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тенденция: [tʲɪnˈdʲɛnʦʲɪjə]

Note on тенденция: The stress falls on the third syllable; be cautious with the soft 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a palatalized 't' at the beginning.

склонность: [sklɐˈnonʲnəsʲtʲ]

Note on склонность: Stress on the second syllable; the 'л' is soft, and the word ends with a soft 'т', which might vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A general direction in which something is developing or changing (e.g., trends in society or behavior).

Translation(s) & Context:

• тенденция - Used in formal settings like reports, economics, or scientific discussions to describe observable patterns.
• склонность - Applied in informal or personal contexts, such as psychology or daily life, to indicate a natural inclination or predisposition.

Usage Examples:

• В современном мире наблюдается тенденция к цифровизации всех аспектов жизни.

  In the modern world, there is a tendency towards the digitalization of all aspects of life.

• У него есть склонность к риску, что часто приводит к неожиданным результатам.

  He has a tendency towards risk-taking, which often leads to unexpected results.

• Экономическая тенденция роста в стране сохраняется несмотря на глобальные вызовы.

  The economic tendency for growth in the country persists despite global challenges.

• Склонность к оптимизму помогает ей преодолевать трудности в работе.

  Her tendency towards optimism helps her overcome work difficulties.

• В науке тенденция к интердисциплинарным исследованиям становится все более заметной.

  In science, the tendency towards interdisciplinary research is becoming increasingly noticeable.

Meaning 2: An inclination or predisposition to behave in a certain way (e.g., personal habits or character traits).

Translation(s) & Context:

• склонность - Common in psychological or interpersonal contexts to describe innate tendencies.
• тенденция - Less common here, but used in formal analyses, such as in behavioral studies.

Usage Examples:

• Ее склонность к перфекционизму иногда мешает ей завершить проекты вовремя.

  Her tendency towards perfectionism sometimes prevents her from completing projects on time.

• В подростковом возрасте у многих есть склонность к экспериментам с внешним видом.

  In adolescence, many have a tendency towards experimenting with their appearance.

• Тенденция к консерватизму в его мышлении делает его устойчивым к изменениям.

  His tendency towards conservatism in thinking makes him resistant to change.

• Склонность к лидерству проявилась у него еще в школьные годы.

  His tendency towards leadership was evident even in his school years.

• Общая тенденция в обществе — это склонность к индивидуализму в повседневной жизни.

  The general tendency in society is a predisposition towards individualism in everyday life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "тенденция" and "склонность" are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow the standard feminine declension patterns. They are not irregular but do change based on case and number.

Note: These nouns do not change in gender but must agree with adjectives and verbs in case, number, and gender. For example, in plural forms, they can describe multiple tendencies.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тренд [trɛnd] - More modern, borrowed term for trends in popular culture.
  • наклонность [nɐˈklonnəsʲtʲ] - Similar to склонность, emphasizing a directional lean.
• Antonyms:
  • отсутствие тенденции [ɐtˈsusʲtvʲɪje tʲɪnˈdʲɛnʦʲɪjə] - Literally "absence of tendency," indicating no direction.
  • противоположность [prəʦɨˈpolʲnəsʲtʲ] - Opposition or reverse direction.

Note: Synonyms like "тренд" are often used in informal, youth-oriented contexts, while "наклонность" shares subtle differences in connotation with "склонность."

Related Phrases:

• Тенденция к росту - A tendency towards growth (used in economics to describe upward trends).
• Склонность к консерватизму - A tendency towards conservatism (common in political or social discussions).
• Общая тенденция общества - The general tendency of society (refers to societal shifts or patterns).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "тенденция" is the more precise equivalent for "tendency" in formal English contexts, such as business or science, while "склонность" better captures personal or behavioral inclinations. Be mindful of the noun's feminine gender, which affects agreement with adjectives (e.g., "положительная тенденция" for "positive tendency"). Use "тенденция" in written reports and "склонность" in conversational settings. When translating, choose based on context: if it's about data or trends, opt for "тенденция"; for character traits, use "склонность".

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "тенденция" with "тенденция к" and omitting the preposition when needed. For example, learners might say "Я вижу тенденция" instead of "Я вижу тенденцию к..." (I see a tendency towards...).

  Correct: "Я вижу тенденцию к улучшению." Explanation: Always include prepositions like "к" for directionality to maintain grammatical accuracy.

• Error: Incorrect declension, such as using the nominative form in all cases (e.g., "о тенденция" instead of "о тенденции").

  Correct: "О тенденции в экономике" (About the tendency in the economy). Explanation: Russian nouns must declinate based on case, so pay attention to context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "тенденция" often appear in discussions of historical or social changes, such as the Soviet-era emphasis on industrial trends. "Склонность" might relate to personal traits in literature, like in Dostoevsky's works, where character inclinations drive the plot, reflecting a cultural focus on introspection and psychology.

Related Concepts:

• тренд
• изменение
• поведение