Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'thickness'

English Word: thickness

Key Russian Translations:

• толщина (/ˈtolʲʂɨnə/) - [Formal, Singular, Used in scientific or everyday contexts]
• гущина (/ˈguʂɨnə/) - [Informal, Plural forms possible, Often in culinary or material contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in technical, scientific, and everyday descriptions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic scientific terminology in Russian).

Pronunciation (Russian):

толщина: /ˈtolʲʂɨnə/ (The 'щ' sound is a soft, palatalized 'sh' sound, similar to the 'sh' in 'she' but softer; stress on the first syllable.)

Note on толщина: Be careful with the palatalized 'л' (lʲ), which is a softened 'l' sound. In some dialects, it may vary slightly.

гущина: /ˈguʂɨnə/ (The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative; stress on the first syllable.)

Note on гушчина: This word may have regional variations in pronunciation, especially in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The measurement or state of being thick, as in the dimension of an object from one side to the other.

Translation(s) & Context:

• толщина - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing materials or objects.
• гущина - Applied in informal settings, like food texture or density.

Usage Examples:

• Толщина этой доски составляет 5 сантиметров. (The thickness of this board is 5 centimeters.)

  Translation: The thickness of this board is 5 centimeters. (This example shows the word in a measurement context.)

• Гушчина теста должна быть равномерной, чтобы пирог получился вкусным. (The thickness of the dough should be even so that the pie turns out tasty.)

  Translation: The thickness of the dough should be even so that the pie turns out tasty. (Illustrates informal use in culinary scenarios.)

• Измерьте толщину стены перед ремонтом. (Measure the thickness of the wall before renovation.)

  Translation: Measure the thickness of the wall before renovation. (Demonstrates practical, everyday application.)

• Гушчина льда на реке опасно мала в это время года. (The thickness of the ice on the river is dangerously thin this season.)

  Translation: The thickness of the ice on the river is dangerously thin this season. (Shows use in environmental or safety contexts.)

• Толщина книги впечатляет; она содержит тысячи страниц. (The thickness of the book is impressive; it contains thousands of pages.)

  Translation: The thickness of the book is impressive; it contains thousands of pages. (Highlights metaphorical or descriptive usage.)

Meaning 2: Figurative sense, such as density or intensity in abstract concepts (e.g., thickness of fog or plot).

Translation(s) & Context:

• толщина - In metaphorical contexts, like describing atmospheric conditions.

Usage Examples:

• Толщина тумана сделала дорогу опасной. (The thickness of the fog made the road dangerous.)

  Translation: The thickness of the fog made the road dangerous. (Example of abstract, environmental usage.)

• В романе есть толщина сюжета, которая захватывает читателя. (The thickness of the plot in the novel captivates the reader.)

  Translation: The thickness of the plot in the novel captivates the reader. (Shows figurative application in literature.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard first-declension patterns with variations based on case, number, and gender. "Толщина" and "гущина" are regular nouns and inflect according to Russian grammatical rules.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • прочность (prochnost' - more about strength than exact thickness, used in engineering)
  • слойность (sloynost' - implies layered thickness)
• Antonyms:
  • тонкость (tonkost' - thinness)
  • худоба (khudoba - slimness or thinness in a figurative sense)

Related Phrases:

• Толщина льда (Thickness of ice) - Refers to the measurement of ice layers, often in safety contexts.
• Гушчина слоя (Thickness of a layer) - Used for describing material coatings or strata in geology.
• Измерять толщину (To measure thickness) - A common phrase in technical or DIY scenarios.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "толщина" is the most direct equivalent to "thickness" and is preferred in formal or precise contexts, such as science and engineering. "Гушчина" is more informal and often implies a sensory or tactile quality, like in cooking. When choosing between translations, consider the context: use "толщина" for measurements and "гущина" for descriptive, everyday language. Grammatically, both nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words, which is a key point for English speakers learning Russian declensions.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "толщина" with "толстота" (which means "fatness" or "obesity"), leading to misuse in physical descriptions. Correct usage: Use "толщина" for dimensions, not body weight. Example of error: *Толстота доски* (incorrect for "thickness of the board") vs. Correct: Толщина доски.
• Another common mistake is forgetting case endings, such as using the nominative form in all contexts. Example: *Измерить толщина* (error) vs. Correct: Измерить толщину (accusative case).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "толщина" are frequently used in contexts related to Russia's harsh winters, such as discussing the thickness of ice on rivers for safety during traditional activities like ice fishing. This reflects the practical importance of environmental awareness in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• ширина (width)
• длина (length)
• высота (height)