Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unlike'

English Word: unlike

Key Russian Translations:

• в отличие от [v ɐtˈlʲit͡ɕɪj ɐt] - [Formal, Prepositional phrase, Used in comparisons]
• не похожий [nʲe pɐˈxoʐɨj] - [Informal, Adjective, Used for describing differences in appearance or characteristics]
• отличный от [ɐtˈlʲit͡ɕnɨj ɐt] - [Formal, Adjective phrase, Emphasizing contrast]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and formal writing, but not as ubiquitous as basic prepositions.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should grasp the basic usage, though nuances in context and inflections may require practice. For "в отличие от", it's B1; for "не похожий", it could be A2 if focusing on simple adjectives.

Pronunciation (Russian):

в отличие от: [v ɐtˈlʲit͡ɕɪj ɐt] - The stress falls on the second syllable of "отличие" (o-tli-CHI-ye). This phrase is pronounced fluidly in connected speech.

Note on в отличие от: Be cautious with the soft sign (ь) in "отличие", which softens the preceding consonant and affects fluency for English speakers.

не похожий: [nʲe pɐˈxoʐɨj] - Stress on the second syllable of "похожий" (po-KHO-zhiy). The "zh" sound is like the "s" in "measure".

Note on не похожий: This adjective has palatalization in "похожий", which can be tricky; practice with native audio to master the soft "zh".

отличный от: [ɐtˈlʲit͡ɕnɨj ɐt] - Stress on the first syllable of "отличный" (OT-lich-nyy).

Note on отличный от: The "ch" in "отличный" is a hard palatal fricative, similar to "ch" in Scottish "loch".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: As a preposition, indicating difference or contrast (e.g., not like something)

Translation(s) & Context:

• в отличие от - Used in formal or written contexts to highlight contrasts, such as in essays or comparisons.
• отличный от - Applied in more descriptive or analytical contexts, often in scientific or philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В отличие от своего брата, он предпочитает тихие вечера дома. (V otlichii ot svoyego brata, on predpochtayet tikhie vechera doma.)

  Unlike his brother, he prefers quiet evenings at home.

• В отличие от европейских стран, Россия имеет обширные лесные территории. (V otlichii ot evropeyskikh stran, Rossiya imeet obshirnye lesnye territorii.)

  Unlike European countries, Russia has vast forested territories.

• Отличный от других, этот метод работает эффективно. (Otlichnyy ot drugikh, etot metod rabotaet effektivno.)

  Unlike the others, this method works effectively.

• В отличие от лета, зима в Москве очень холодная. (V otlichii ot leta, zima v Moskve ochen' kholodnaya.)

  Unlike summer, winter in Moscow is very cold.

Meaning 2: As an adjective, meaning not similar or different (e.g., not alike)

Translation(s) & Context:

• не похожий - Used in everyday, informal speech to describe physical or abstract differences.

Usage Examples:

• Эти два города не похожи друг на друга. (Eti dva goroda ne pokhozhiy drug na druga.)

  These two cities are unlike each other.

• Её стиль не похожий на модные тенденции. (Ey stil' ne pokhozhiy na modnye tendentsii.)

  Her style is unlike current fashion trends.

• Этот фрукт не похожий на яблоко по вкусу. (Etot frukt ne pokhozhiy na yabloko po vkusu.)

  This fruit is unlike an apple in taste.

• Не похожий на других, он всегда выделяется. (Ne pokhozhiy na drugikh, on vsegda vydelyayetsya.)

  Unlike the others, he always stands out.

• Его поведение не похожее на обычное. (Yego povedeniye ne pokhozheye na obychnoye.)

  His behavior is unlike the usual.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For adjectives like "не похожий" and "отличный", Russian adjectives inflect based on gender, number, and case. "В отличие от" is a fixed phrase and does not inflect.

For "не похожий" (adjective):

For "отличный" (as in "отличный от"), it follows standard adjective patterns: e.g., отличный (masc.), отличная (fem.), отличное (neuter), отличные (plural). It is a regular adjective with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • разный (raznyy) - Different, but more about variety.
  • иначе (inache) - Otherwise or differently, with a subtle nuance of alternative.
  • неодинаковый (neodnakovyy) - Not identical, emphasizing inequality.
• Antonyms:
  • похожий (pokhozhiy) - Similar.
  • одинаковый (odnakovyy) - Identical or the same.

Related Phrases:

• В отличие от всего остального - In contrast to everything else; used to emphasize uniqueness.
• Не похожий ни на что - Unlike anything else; common in creative or descriptive language.
• Отличный от нормы - Deviating from the norm; often in psychological or social contexts.

Usage Notes:

"В отличие от" is the most direct equivalent to the English "unlike" as a preposition and is preferred in formal writing for clear contrasts. For adjective forms like "не похожий", ensure agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case, which is a key Russian grammar rule. English speakers often confuse this with simple negation; choose "в отличие от" for comparative structures rather than just "не" (not). If multiple translations are available, opt for "в отличие от" in academic contexts and "не похожий" in casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "не похожий" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "не похожий дом" when it should be "не похожая дом" for a feminine noun. Correct: "не похожий дом" (if masculine). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with nouns, so always check gender and case.
• Error: Directly translating "unlike" as just "не" (not), e.g., "Не этот" instead of "В отличие от этого". Correct: "В отличие от этого". Explanation: This omits the comparative element, making the sentence incomplete or misleading.
• Error: Mispronouncing "отличие" by stressing the wrong syllable, leading to confusion with similar words. Explanation: Practice IPA to avoid altering the word's meaning in fast speech.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "в отличие от" are often used in literature and media to highlight Russia's unique historical and geographical differences from Western countries, such as in discussions of climate or social norms. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on contrast and identity, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy, who frequently employed such structures to draw parallels and differences in human experiences.

Related Concepts:

• сходный (skhodnyy) - Similar
• различие (razlichie) - Difference
• аналогичный (analogichnyy) - Analogous