Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'trouble'

English Word: trouble

Key Russian Translations:

• проблема [prɐˈblʲemə] - [Informal, Common in everyday contexts]
• трудность [ˈtrudnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Used in educational or professional settings]
• беспокойство [bʲɪspɐˈkojstvə] - [Emotional context, such as worry or distress]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are commonly encountered in daily conversations, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Suitable for learners with a basic grasp of Russian grammar; however, for 'трудность', it may lean towards B2 due to its formal connotations and inflection patterns.

Pronunciation (Russian):

проблема: [prɐˈblʲemə]

Note on проблема: The stress falls on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers used to harder consonants.

трудность: [ˈtrudnəsʲtʲ]

Note on трудность: The initial 'т' is unaspirated, and the ending 'сть' softens; variations in regional accents may alter vowel length.

беспокойство: [bʲɪspɐˈkojstvə]

Note on беспокойство: This word has a flowing rhythm; the 'ой' diphthong can be pronounced more like 'oy' in English "boy," but with a softer Russian inflection.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A difficult situation or problem

Translation(s) & Context:

• проблема - Used in casual, everyday contexts, such as personal or technical issues.
• трудность - Applied in more formal or abstract scenarios, like challenges in work or studies.

Usage Examples:

• У меня возникла проблема с компьютером, и я не могу его включить.

  I have a trouble with the computer, and I can't turn it on. (This example shows 'проблема' in a practical, everyday context.)

• Эта задача представляет собой настоящую трудность для новичков.

  This task presents a real trouble for beginners. (Here, 'трудность' is used in an educational or professional setting to emphasize challenge.)

• Из-за финансовых проблем мы отложили поездку.

  Due to financial trouble, we postponed the trip. (Illustrates 'проблема' in a financial context with plural implications.)

• Преодоление трудностей в жизни помогает развиваться.

  Overcoming troubles in life helps one to grow. (Demonstrates 'трудность' in a motivational, abstract usage.)

Meaning 2: Worry or distress

Translation(s) & Context:

• беспокойство - Typically used for emotional or mental trouble, such as anxiety in social interactions.

Usage Examples:

• Его беспокойство по поводу экзамена не дает ему спать.

  His trouble about the exam is keeping him from sleeping. (This shows 'беспокойство' in an emotional, personal context.)

• Беспокойство из-за погоды испортило наше путешествие.

  Trouble due to the weather ruined our trip. (Example of 'беспокойство' in a situational, external worry.)

• Она выразила беспокойство о здоровье ребенка.

  She expressed trouble about the child's health. (Highlights 'беспокойство' in a familial or caring context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most key translations are feminine nouns, which follow standard Russian declension patterns. 'Проблема' and 'трудность' are first-declension feminine nouns, while 'беспокойство' is a neuter noun. They exhibit regular inflections based on case, number, and gender.

Note: These are regular patterns; no irregular forms for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • затруднение (zatudnenie) - Similar to 'трудность', but often implies a temporary obstacle; used in problem-solving contexts.
  • сложность (slozhnost') - Overlaps with 'трудность', but emphasizes complexity rather than mere trouble.
  • тревога (trevoga) - A synonym for 'беспокойство', focusing on anxiety.
• Antonyms:
  • лёгкость (lyogkost') - Ease or simplicity, contrasting with difficulties.
  • успех (uspekh) - Success, opposing problems or troubles.

Related Phrases:

• Встать в проблему - To get into trouble; often used idiomatically to describe entering a difficult situation.
• Преодолевать трудности - To overcome troubles; a common motivational phrase in personal development contexts.
• Вызвать беспокойство - To cause trouble or worry; typically in emotional or social scenarios.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'проблема' is the most direct equivalent to 'trouble' in informal settings, while 'трудность' is preferred for formal or abstract uses. Be cautious with context: 'беспокойство' carries an emotional nuance not always present in English 'trouble'. When choosing between translations, consider the sentence's tone—opt for 'проблема' in daily conversations and 'трудность' in professional ones. Grammatically, these nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words.

• English users often overlook case changes; always adjust for the sentence structure.
• In spoken Russian, 'проблема' might be shortened in casual speech, but maintain full forms in writing.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'проблема' with 'трудность': Learners might use 'проблема' in formal contexts where 'трудность' is more appropriate, e.g., Incorrect: "Эта проблема в работе." Correct: "Эта трудность в работе." Explanation: 'Трудность' better conveys a professional challenge, while 'проблема' sounds too casual.
• Overusing 'беспокойство' for non-emotional troubles: For example, Incorrect: "У меня беспокойство с машиной." Correct: "У меня проблема с машиной." Explanation: 'Беспокойство' implies worry, not a mechanical issue, leading to miscommunication.
• Ignoring inflections: Incorrect: "Я решу проблема." Correct: "Я решу проблему." Explanation: Russian requires the accusative case for direct objects, which English speakers might forget.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'трудность' often reflect the historical emphasis on perseverance through adversity, as seen in literature (e.g., Tolstoy's works). 'Проблема' is commonly used in modern contexts to discuss everyday struggles, mirroring Russia's pragmatic approach to challenges in daily life, such as economic hardships.

Related Concepts:

• кризис (krizis) - Crisis
• конфликт (konflikt) - Conflict
• препятствие (prepyatstvie) - Obstacle