Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'uneven'

English Word: uneven

Key Russian Translations:

• неровный [nʲɪˈrovnɨj] - [Informal, used for physical surfaces or qualities that are not smooth]
• неравный [nʲɪˈravnɨj] - [Formal, used in comparative contexts like inequality]
• неравномерный [nʲɪˈravnəmʲɪrnɨj] - [Formal, used for irregular distribution or patterns]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in descriptive contexts, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "big" or "small").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should grasp basic adjective usage, though full declension requires familiarity with Russian grammar. For 'неровный', it's B1; for more formal ones like 'неравномерный', it might edge toward B2 due to nuanced contexts.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неровный: [nʲɪˈrovnɨj]

неравный: [nʲɪˈravnɨj]

неравномерный: [nʲɪˈravnəmʲɪrnɨj]

Note on неровный: The stress falls on the second syllable ('ro'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'нʲ' sound; practice with native audio to master the palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Not flat or smooth (e.g., referring to physical surfaces)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неровный - Used in everyday descriptions of terrain or objects, such as roads or fabrics, in informal or neutral contexts.
• неравномерный - Applied in more technical or formal settings, like describing uneven textures in manufacturing.

Usage Examples:

• Дорога была неровной, и мы тряслись в машине весь путь.

  The road was uneven, and we shook in the car the whole way.

• Эта ткань имеет неровную поверхность, что делает её идеальной для зимней одежды.

  This fabric has an uneven surface, which makes it ideal for winter clothing.

• Из-за неровного пола в комнате трудно расставить мебель ровно.

  Due to the uneven floor in the room, it's hard to arrange the furniture evenly.

• Неравномерная текстура стены придаёт дому уникальный вид.

  The uneven texture of the wall gives the house a unique appearance.

Not equal or uniform (e.g., referring to distribution, performance, or comparison)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неравный - Common in social or abstract contexts, like unequal opportunities, often in formal writing or discussions.
• неравномерный - Used for patterns or rhythms that lack consistency, such as in sports or data analysis.

Usage Examples:

• В этой стране неравное распределение богатства вызывает социальные проблемы.

  In this country, the uneven distribution of wealth causes social issues.

• Его выступление было неравномерным: начало сильное, а конец слабый.

  His performance was uneven: strong at the beginning but weak at the end.

• Неравные шансы на образование беспокоят многих родителей.

  Uneven opportunities for education worry many parents.

• Неравномерный рост экономики сказывается на рынке труда.

  The uneven growth of the economy affects the job market.

• В неравномерном ритме музыки чувствуется напряжение.

  In the uneven rhythm of the music, tension is felt.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations ('неровный', 'неравный', 'неравномерный') are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with nouns and can be regular or irregular in their endings. These are regular adjectives, declining according to the standard paradigm.

For 'неравный' and 'неравномерный', the inflections are identical in structure. These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward once the basic rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • неровен (less formal variant of неровный)
  • неоднородный (for uneven in terms of composition; implies heterogeneity)
  • асимметричный (asymmetrical, with a focus on imbalance)
• Antonyms:
  • ровный (even, smooth)
  • равный (equal)
  • равномерный (uniform)

Note: 'неоднородный' as a synonym might carry a more scientific connotation, suitable for technical contexts.

Related Phrases:

• неровная дорога - An uneven road; used to describe challenging travel conditions.
• неравное положение - Uneven position; refers to inequality in social or competitive scenarios.
• неравномерный рост - Uneven growth; common in economic discussions.
• неровный ритм - Uneven rhythm; often used in music or heartbeat contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Uneven' in English often corresponds to 'неровный' for physical descriptions and 'неравный' for abstract inequalities, but choose based on context—'неровный' is more everyday, while 'неравномерный' suits formal or technical language. Always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, as Russian requires this for grammatical accuracy. For example, use 'неровная' with feminine nouns. When translating, avoid direct equivalents; 'uneven' might not always fit perfectly, so consider nuances like emotional vs. physical unevenness.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'неровный' in formal contexts where 'неравный' is more appropriate, e.g., saying "неровный доход" instead of "неравномерный доход" for uneven income. Correct: 'Неравномерный доход' reflects irregularity better. Explanation: Beginners often overlook formality levels, leading to mismatched tone.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the adjective, e.g., saying "в неровный дом" instead of "в неровном доме" (in an uneven house). Correct: Always match case, as in "в неровном доме". Explanation: English speakers might treat adjectives as invariable, but in Russian, this disrupts sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'неровный' can evoke imagery of Russia's vast, uneven landscapes, such as the rugged terrains in Siberia or the Caucasus, symbolizing resilience and the challenges of daily life. This ties into broader themes in Russian literature, like in Tolstoy's works, where uneven paths metaphorically represent life's unpredictability.

Related Concepts:

• ровный
• асимметрия
• неоднородность
• баланс