Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'thorough'

English Word: thorough

Key Russian Translations:

• тщательный [tʂːɐˈtʲelʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• подробный [pɐˈdrobnɨj] - [Informal, Adjective, Used in descriptive contexts]
• основательный [ɐsnɐˈvatʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Emphasizing depth or completeness]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, professional, and everyday contexts, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "good").

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective inflections and nuanced word choice, varying by translation).

Pronunciation (Russian):

тщательный: [tʂːɐˈtʲelʲnɨj]

Note on тщательный: The initial "тщ" sound is a soft, palatalized "t" followed by "sh" ([tʂ]), which can be challenging for English speakers; stress on the third syllable.

подробный: [pɐˈdrobnɨj]

Note on подробный: The "о" in the second syllable is reduced to a schwa sound in casual speech, common in fast-paced conversations.

основательный: [ɐsnɐˈvatʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on основательный: Pay attention to the soft "тʲ" in the middle, which affects the flow; often used in more emphatic or formal pronunciations.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Complete and careful attention to detail (as in a thorough investigation).

Translation(s) & Context:

• тщательный - Used in formal contexts like research or quality checks, emphasizing meticulousness.
• подробный - Applied in everyday descriptions, such as detailed reports or explanations.
• основательный - Employed for deeper, more substantial completeness, often in educational or analytical settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он провел тщательный анализ данных перед принятием решения.

  He conducted a thorough analysis of the data before making a decision.

• Эта книга предоставляет подробный обзор истории России.

  This book provides a thorough overview of Russian history.

• Для основательного понимания темы нужно изучить все аспекты.

  For a thorough understanding of the topic, you need to study all aspects.

• Врач сделал тщательный осмотр пациента.

  The doctor performed a thorough examination of the patient.

• Подробный план поможет избежать ошибок в проекте.

  A thorough plan will help avoid mistakes in the project.

Secondary Meaning: Exhaustive or comprehensive coverage (e.g., a thorough cleaning).

Translation(s) & Context:

• тщательный - In contexts involving cleaning or preparation, stressing completeness.
• основательный - For more intensive actions, like a deep clean or study.

Usage Examples:

• Мы сделали тщательную уборку в квартире перед приездом гостей.

  We did a thorough cleaning of the apartment before the guests arrived.

• Основательное исследование этой проблемы займет несколько месяцев.

  A thorough investigation of this issue will take several months.

• Подробный отчет включает все аспекты проекта.

  The thorough report includes all aspects of the project.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations (тщательный, подробный, основательный) are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow the standard first-declension adjective pattern, with some irregularities in spelling.

Note: The same inflection pattern applies to подробный and основательный. These adjectives do not have irregular forms but must agree with the noun they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • аккуратный (akkuratnyy) - Precise, but often implies neatness.
  • детальный (detal'nyy) - Detailed, with a focus on specifics.
  • всесторонний (vsestoronniy) - Comprehensive, covering all sides.
• Antonyms:
  • поверхностный (poverkhnostnyy) - Superficial.
  • неполный (nepolnyy) - Incomplete.
  • скорый (skoryy) - Hasty or quick, lacking depth.

Related Phrases:

• тщательный подход - A thorough approach (Used in professional contexts to indicate methodical work).
• подробный анализ - Detailed analysis (Common in scientific or business discussions).
• основательный фундамент - Solid foundation (Metaphorical for building a strong base in learning or construction).

Usage Notes:

• тщательный is the closest match to "thorough" in formal English, often used in contexts requiring precision, but it's more common in written Russian than spoken.
• Choose подробный for everyday conversations about details, as it feels less formal and more accessible.
• Grammar note: These adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which is a key difference from English adjectives.
• In scenarios involving phone or official responses, use основательный to convey depth, e.g., in professional emails.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the adjective in the wrong case, e.g., saying "тщательный анализом" instead of "тщательным анализом" (genitive case required).
  Correct: "тщательным анализом" - Explanation: Russian adjectives inflect to match the noun's case; always check agreement to avoid sounding unnatural.
• Error: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using "аккуратный" when "тщательный" is needed for emphasis on completeness.
  Correct: Opt for "тщательный" in contexts of thoroughness; "аккуратный" implies tidiness more than depth.
• Error: Overusing in informal speech, which can make it sound overly formal.
  Correct: In casual talks, prefer "подробный" to keep the tone natural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like тщательный reflect a value for meticulousness and depth, often seen in education and literature. For instance, Russian literature frequently emphasizes thorough analysis, as in the works of Tolstoy, where characters engage in exhaustive self-reflection.

Related Concepts:

• анализ (analiz) - Analysis
• исследование (issledovanie) - Research
• подготовка (podgotovka) - Preparation