Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tough'

English Word: tough

Key Russian Translations:

• трудный [ˈtrudnɨj] - [Formal, often used in educational or challenging contexts]
• крепкий [ˈkrʲepkʲij] - [Informal, emphasizing physical or emotional resilience]
• жёсткий [ˈʐʲɵstkʲij] - [Formal, typically for materials or strict behavior]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in conversations about challenges or strength)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for 'трудный' and 'крепкий'; C1 for 'жёсткий' due to nuanced contexts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

трудный: [ˈtrudnɨj]

крепкий: [ˈkrʲepkʲij]

жёсткий: [ˈʐʲɵstkʲij]

Note on трудный: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Difficult or challenging

Translation(s) & Context:

• трудный - Used in academic, professional, or personal contexts to describe something hard to achieve or understand, e.g., a tough exam.

Usage Examples:

• Эта задача была очень трудной для новичков.

  This task was very tough for beginners.

• Трудный путь к успеху требует упорства.

  The tough path to success requires persistence.

• В университете у нас были трудные экзамены по математике.

  At university, we had tough exams in mathematics.

• Она справилась с трудным проектом за неделю.

  She handled the tough project in just a week.

Meaning 2: Strong or resilient

Translation(s) & Context:

• крепкий - Informal contexts, like describing physical strength or emotional endurance, e.g., a tough person.

Usage Examples:

• Его крепкий характер помог ему пережить трудные времена.

  His tough character helped him survive tough times.

• Крепкий мужчина смог поднять тяжёлый груз.

  The tough man was able to lift the heavy load.

• В этой семье все крепкие и выносливые.

  In this family, everyone is tough and resilient.

• Крепкий дух – ключ к преодолению препятствий.

  A tough spirit is the key to overcoming obstacles.

Meaning 3: Hard or rigid (e.g., materials)

Translation(s) & Context:

• жёсткий - Formal or technical contexts, such as describing tough leather or strict rules.

Usage Examples:

• Эта жёсткая ткань не рвётся легко.

  This tough fabric doesn't tear easily.

• Жёсткие правила компании делают её успешной.

  The tough rules of the company make it successful.

• В жару жёсткая кожа обуви защищает ноги.

  In the heat, the tough leather of the shoes protects the feet.

• Жёсткий подход к дисциплине важен в армии.

  A tough approach to discipline is important in the army.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations ('трудный', 'крепкий', 'жёсткий') are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. They follow the standard first-declension adjective pattern, with some irregularities in certain forms.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular forms but must agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • трудный: сложный (slozhnyy) - More neutral, for complex situations.
  • крепкий: стойкий (stoikiy) - Emphasizes endurance.
  • жёсткий: твёрдый (tvёrdyy) - For physical hardness, with slight differences in connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • трудный: лёгкий (lʲɵgkʲij)
  • крепкий: слабый (slabyy)
  • жёсткий: мягкий (mʲaxkʲij)

Related Phrases:

• Трудный выбор - A tough choice; used when deciding between difficult options.
• Крепкий сон - A tough (sound) sleep; refers to deep, restorative rest.
• Жёсткие меры - Tough measures; often in contexts of strict policies or enforcement.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'tough' can correspond to different Russian words based on context: use 'трудный' for intellectual or emotional challenges, 'крепкий' for physical resilience in informal settings, and 'жёсткий' for rigidity or strictness. Be mindful of formality—'трудный' is versatile but leans formal, while 'крепкий' is more colloquial. Grammatically, these adjectives must agree with the nouns they describe, which is a key difference from English. When choosing among translations, consider the nuance: 'жёсткий' might imply harshness, so it's not always a direct synonym.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse 'трудный' by translating it directly as 'hard' in all contexts, leading to errors like saying "трудный день" for a physically demanding day when 'тяжёлый' (tyazhyolyy) might be better. Correct usage: Use 'трудный' for mental challenges, not physical ones.
• Confusing inflections: Forgetting to change 'крепкий' to 'крепкая' for feminine nouns, e.g., saying "крепкий женщина" instead of "крепкая женщина". Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender; always check the noun's gender first.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'крепкий' often carry connotations of stoicism and endurance, reflecting historical influences from events like World War II, where resilience was highly valued. 'Трудный' might evoke the Soviet era's emphasis on overcoming hardships, helping users understand the deeper cultural appreciation for perseverance in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• Сложность (slozhnost') - Complexity
• Выносливость (vynoslivost') - Endurance
• Жестокость (zhestokost') - Cruelty (related to 'жёсткий' in some contexts)