Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'utility'

English Word: utility

Key Russian Translations:

• Полезность [pɐˈlʲeznəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, used in contexts like economics or philosophy]
• Утилита [ʊˈtʲilʲɪtə] - [Informal, often in technical or computing contexts, e.g., software utility]
• Коммунальные услуги [kəmʊˈnalʲnɨjə ʊˈslʊɡʲɪ] - [Formal, Plural, referring to public services like water or electricity]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in professional, academic, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 Intermediate (Requires understanding of noun declensions and formal language; for 'Полезность', it's B1; for 'Утилита', it's A2 Beginner in tech contexts; for 'Коммунальные услуги', it's B2 due to plural forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Полезность: [pɐˈlʲeznəsʲtʲ]

Note on Полезность: The stress falls on the second syllable ('lʲez'). Be careful with the palatalized 'lʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Утилита: [ʊˈtʲilʲɪtə]

Note on Утилита: The initial 'У' is pronounced like the 'oo' in 'book', and the word often borrows from English in modern usage.

Коммунальные услуги: [kəmʊˈnalʲnɨjə ʊˈslʊɡʲɪ]

Note on Коммунальные услуги: This is a compound phrase; stress varies, but focus on the plural ending for correct inflection.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Usefulness or practicality (e.g., in economics, philosophy, or everyday efficiency)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Полезность - Used in formal or academic contexts to discuss the value or benefit of something.
• Утилита - Informal, especially in technology or daily tools, to refer to practical applications.

Usage Examples:

• Экономическая полезность этого товара очевидна для потребителей.

  The economic utility of this product is obvious to consumers.

• В повседневной жизни утилита простых инструментов часто недооценивается.

  In everyday life, the utility of simple tools is often underestimated.

• Полезность упражнений для здоровья невозможно переоценить.

  The utility of exercises for health cannot be overstated.

• Эта утилита помогает оптимизировать работу компьютера.

  This utility helps optimize computer performance.

• В кризисные времена полезность таких навыков возрастает.

  In times of crisis, the utility of such skills increases.

Meaning 2: Public services or utilities (e.g., water, electricity providers)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Коммунальные услуги - Used in formal or administrative contexts to refer to essential services.

Usage Examples:

• Коммунальные услуги в городе включают водоснабжение и электричество.

  Utility services in the city include water supply and electricity.

• Повышение тарифов на коммунальные услуги вызвало общественное недовольство.

  The increase in utility rates caused public dissatisfaction.

• Без надежных коммунальных услуг невозможно нормальное функционирование общества.

  Without reliable utility services, normal societal functioning is impossible.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Depending on the translation, these words follow standard Russian inflection patterns. 'Полезность' is a feminine noun in the third declension, which means it inflects for case and number. 'Утилита' is also feminine and inflects similarly, especially in technical contexts. 'Коммунальные услуги' is a plural noun phrase and inflects as a plural form.

These words do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward for learners at B1 level.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Выгода (advantage; similar to 'Полезность' but with a focus on gain)
  • Практичность (practicality; often interchangeable with 'Утилита' in everyday contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • Бесполезность (uselessness; direct opposite of 'Полезность')
  • Непрактичность (impracticality; opposite of 'Утилита')

Related Phrases:

• Полезная вещь - A useful thing; refers to an object with practical value.
• Утилита для оптимизации - Utility for optimization; common in software contexts.
• Коммунальные услуги и тарифы - Utility services and rates; used in discussions about public infrastructure.

Usage Notes:

When translating 'utility' to Russian, choose 'Полезность' for abstract concepts like economic value, as it aligns closely with formal English usage. 'Утилита' is best for technical or modern contexts, such as software tools, and may not fit philosophical discussions. 'Коммунальные услуги' is specific to public services, so use it when referring to infrastructure. Be mindful of context: Russian often requires the appropriate case for grammatical agreement, and these words are typically neutral in register but lean formal. For English learners, start with singular forms before tackling plurals like 'Коммунальные услуги'.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'Полезность' in plural without proper context, e.g., saying "Полезностиs" (incorrect mixing with English pluralization).
  Correct: Use the proper Russian plural, e.g., "Различные полезности" for "Various utilities." Explanation: Russian nouns decline based on case, not by adding an 's' like in English.
• Mistake: Confusing 'Утилита' with 'Уtility' in non-tech contexts, leading to awkward phrasing.
  Correct: Opt for 'Полезность' in general discussions, e.g., avoid "Утилита экономическая" and say "Экономическая полезность." Explanation: 'Утилита' is a loanword and may sound out of place outside tech.
• Mistake: Forgetting case agreement, e.g., using nominative in a genitive context.
  Correct: In a sentence like "Преимущества полезности" (Advantages of utility), ensure 'полезности' is in genitive. Explanation: This is a common error for beginners due to Russian's complex case system.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'Полезность' often tie into historical emphasis on practicality and efficiency, especially in Soviet-era economics where utility was measured in terms of societal benefit. 'Коммунальные услуги' reflects the state's role in providing essential services, a legacy from the USSR that still influences modern discussions on infrastructure and public welfare.

Related Concepts:

• Эффективность (efficiency)
• Преимущество (advantage)
• Инфраструктура (infrastructure)