Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'throng'

English Word: throng

Key Russian Translations:

• толпа [ˈtoɫpə] - [Informal, often used for a disorderly or dense crowd]
• масса [ˈmasə] - [Formal, emphasizing a large, amorphous group]
• множество [ˈmnəʐɨstvə] - [Neutral, for a multitude or throng in a more abstract sense]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "дом" for house).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and contexts, as per CEFR standards. For "толпа", it's B1; for "масса", it might edge toward B2 due to its formal connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

толпа: [ˈtoɫpə]

масса: [ˈmasə]

множество: [ˈmnəʐɨstvə]

Note on толпа: The "л" sound is a dark L, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds deeper than in English. Pronounce with stress on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A large, dense crowd of people, often implying movement or noise.

Translation(s) & Context:

• толпа - Used in informal, everyday contexts, such as describing crowds in urban settings or events.
• масса - Applied in formal or literary contexts, like historical descriptions or scientific discussions of groups.
• множество - Neutral and versatile, often in abstract or quantitative contexts, such as in philosophy or statistics.

Usage Examples:

• На улицах Москвы собралась огромная толпа протестующих.

  In the streets of Moscow, a huge throng of protesters gathered.

• В концертном зале образовалась масса людей, ожидающих начала шоу.

  A throng of people formed in the concert hall, waiting for the show to begin.

• После матча на стадионе было множество болельщиков, заполнивших площадь.

  After the match, a throng of fans filled the square at the stadium.

• Толпа хлынула в метро во время вечернего пика.

  The throng surged into the subway during the evening rush hour.

• Множество туристов превратилось в настоящую массу на Красной площади.

  A multitude of tourists turned into a real throng on Red Square.

Figurative or extended meaning: A overwhelming or chaotic assembly, not always literal.

Translation(s) & Context:

• толпа - In metaphorical use, for emotional or social chaos, e.g., in poetry or discussions.
• масса - For impersonal, large-scale groups in societal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В интернете толпа комментариев часто скрывает конструктивный диалог.

  On the internet, a throng of comments often hides constructive dialogue.

• Масса идей в его голове образовала хаотичную толпу мыслей.

  A throng of ideas in his head formed a chaotic mass of thoughts.

• Множество проблем в стране ощущается как непрерывная толпа вызовов.

  A multitude of problems in the country feels like an unending throng of challenges.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Толпа" is a feminine noun of the first declension, which follows regular patterns. "Масса" is also feminine but can be invariable in some contexts. "Множество" is neuter and follows standard neuter declensions. Below is a table for "толпа" as an example; others have similar but distinct patterns.

For "масса", it is often used in singular and doesn't inflect as variably in everyday speech. "Множество" follows neuter patterns but is less commonly inflected in plural forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • множество (more neutral, for a large number without implying disorder)
  • масса (emphasizes density or bulk, often in formal contexts)
  • орда (implies a wild or barbarian crowd, with historical connotations)
• Antonyms:
  • одиночество (solitude, for isolation)
  • малое число (small number, for scarcity)

Related Phrases:

• в толпе - In the crowd (used for describing being amidst a throng, e.g., in social or urban settings).
• толпа народа - A crowd of people (a common phrase to intensify the sense of a large gathering).
• масса людей - A mass of people (formal, often in reports or descriptions of events).
• множество собравшихся - A multitude of those gathered (abstract, for formal or literary use).

Usage Notes:

"Throng" corresponds most directly to "толпа" in informal Russian, but choose "масса" for more formal or written contexts to avoid sounding colloquial. Be mindful of the cultural nuance: Russian speakers often use these words to convey not just size but also chaos or emotional intensity, unlike the more neutral English "throng." Grammatically, always decline the noun based on its case in a sentence, e.g., "в толпе" for locative contexts. When multiple translations are available, opt for "множество" in abstract discussions to sound more precise.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "толпа" in formal writing without proper context, which can make it sound too casual. Correct: Replace with "масса" for formality. Example of error: "В конференции была толпа." (Incorrectly informal). Correct: "В конференции была масса участников." (More appropriate).

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., saying "с толпа" instead of "с толпой." Explanation: Russian requires genitive or instrumental cases in prepositional phrases; English speakers often overlook this due to less inflection in English.

• Error: Confusing "толпа" with "толпа людей" as redundant; in Russian, it's natural to specify for clarity. Correct: Use "толпа" alone if context is clear, but add descriptors for precision.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "толпа" often carry connotations of historical events, such as crowds in revolutions (e.g., the 1917 Russian Revolution) or modern protests. This reflects a societal emphasis on collective action, where a "throng" might symbolize unity or chaos, differing from individualistic Western views.

Related Concepts:

• демонстрация (demonstration)
• митинг (rally)
• народ (people, in a collective sense)