Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'trivial'

English Word: trivial

Key Russian Translations:

• тривиальный [trɪˈvʲalʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• незначительный [nʲɪznɐˈt͡ɕitʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Informal, Adjective, Used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in academic, technical, and casual discussions, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of adjective forms and nuances, suitable for learners with some familiarity with Russian grammar).

Pronunciation (Russian):

тривиальный: [trɪˈvʲalʲnɨj]

Note on тривиальный: The stress falls on the third syllable. The 'в' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalized 'л' sound.

незначительный: [nʲɪznɐˈt͡ɕitʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on незначительный: Pronounce the 'щ' as a soft, prolonged 'sh' sound; this word has a rolling rhythm that varies slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Unimportant or insignificant (referring to something of little value or consequence)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тривиальный - Used in formal or academic contexts, such as discussing minor details in mathematics or philosophy.
• незначительный - Applied in everyday informal situations, like describing a minor issue in conversation.

Usage Examples:

• Это тривиальный вопрос, который не требует глубокого анализа.

  This is a trivial question that doesn't require in-depth analysis.

• В повседневной жизни такие незначительные проблемы часто игнорируются.

  In everyday life, such trivial problems are often ignored.

• Не тратьте время на тривиальные детали; сосредоточьтесь на главном.

  Don't waste time on trivial details; focus on the main points.

• Его незначительный вклад в проект был быстро forgotten.

  His trivial contribution to the project was quickly forgotten.

• В науке тривиальные открытия иногда ведут к большим прорывам.

  In science, trivial discoveries sometimes lead to major breakthroughs.

Meaning 2: Commonplace or ordinary (referring to something lacking originality)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тривиальный - Often used in literary or critical contexts to describe clichéd ideas.
• незначительный - Less common here, but can imply something mundane in informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Этот сюжет слишком тривиальный для современного кино.

  This plot is too trivial for modern cinema.

• Необычные истории всегда лучше, чем тривиальные анекдоты.

  Unusual stories are always better than trivial anecdotes.

• Её тривиальный стиль письма не впечатлил критиков.

  Her trivial writing style didn't impress the critics.

• В этой книге все персонажи кажутся незначительными и шаблонными.

  In this book, all the characters seem trivial and stereotypical.

• Тривиальный дизайн интерьера не добавляет шарма дому.

  The trivial interior design doesn't add charm to the house.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "тривиальный" and "незначительный" are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives follow a standard adjectival declension pattern, but they can be irregular in some cases. Below is a table for "тривиальный" as an example; "незначительный" follows similar rules.

For "незначительный", the inflections are similar but may vary slightly in pronunciation. These adjectives do not change in short form contexts and are invariable in comparative forms (e.g., тривиальнее).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • простой (prosty) - Simple, basic; often used for everyday items.
  • банальный (banalny) - Banal, clichéd; implies lack of originality.
  • обыденный (obydenny) - Mundane, routine; suitable for daily contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • значительный (znachitel'ny) - Significant, important.
  • сложный (slozhny) - Complex, intricate.
  • оригинальный (original'ny) - Original, unique.

Related Phrases:

• тривиальный факт - A trivial fact; refers to an unimportant piece of information.
• незначительная деталь - A trivial detail; used when something minor is overlooked.
• банальный сюжет - A trivial plot; common in literary criticism to describe unoriginal stories.

Usage Notes:

"Trivial" in English often corresponds to "тривиальный" in Russian for formal or academic contexts, emphasizing something unimportant or obvious. However, "незначительный" is preferred in informal speech for everyday matters. Be mindful of the adjective's agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. For example, use "тривиальный" with masculine nouns and "тривиальная" with feminine ones. When choosing between translations, opt for "тривиальный" in scientific or philosophical discussions, as it carries a more precise connotation, while "незначительный" suits casual conversations to avoid sounding overly formal.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "тривиальный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "тривиальный женщина" instead of "тривиальная женщина".
  Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "тривиальная проблема". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, making this a common grammar error for English speakers used to invariable adjectives.
• Mistake: Confusing "тривиальный" with "банальный", using them interchangeably.
  Correct: "Банальный" implies clichéd, while "тривиальный" means unimportant; e.g., avoid saying "банальный вопрос" when you mean "тривиальный вопрос". Explanation: These words have subtle differences that can alter the sentence's nuance.
• Mistake: Overusing in formal writing without context.
  Correct: Pair with appropriate phrases, like "очень тривиальный" for emphasis. Explanation: In Russian, context is key; without it, the word might sound abrupt.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "тривиальный" often appear in intellectual discussions, reflecting a historical emphasis on philosophy and literature from the 19th-century Russian Golden Age. It can carry a slightly negative connotation, suggesting something beneath serious consideration, which aligns with the Russian value of depth and complexity in ideas.

Related Concepts:

• банальный
• простой
• значимый