Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'verbosity'

English Word: verbosity

Key Russian Translations:

• многословие [mənɐˈslovʲɪjə] - [Formal, Literary]
• болтливость [bɐlʲtʲlʲɪˈvosʲtʲ] - [Informal, Everyday Speech]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in discussions about language, literature, and communication, but not as common as everyday terms.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and Russian noun inflections, with variations in formality making it challenging for learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

многословие: [mənɐˈslovʲɪjə]

Note on многословие: The stress falls on the third syllable ("slo-"), which is common in Russian abstract nouns. Be mindful of the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

болтливость: [bɐlʲtʲlʲɪˈvosʲtʲ]

Note on болтливость: Pronounce with a soft 'т' and 'л', and stress on the third syllable. This word has a more casual tone, often used in spoken language.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The quality of using more words than necessary; excessive wordiness in speech or writing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• многословие - Used in formal or literary contexts, such as academic discussions or critiques of writing style.
• болтливость - Applied in informal settings, like casual conversations about someone's talkative nature.

Usage Examples:

• Его многословие в докладе утомило аудиторию. (His verbosity in the report tired the audience.)

  English Translation: His verbosity in the report tired the audience.

• Болтливость этого политика часто приводит к недоразумениям. (The verbosity of this politician often leads to misunderstandings.)

  English Translation: The verbosity of this politician often leads to misunderstandings.

• В литературе многословие может быть как преимуществом, так и недостатком. (In literature, verbosity can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.)

  English Translation: In literature, verbosity can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.

• Её болтливость на вечеринке сделала её душой компании. (Her verbosity at the party made her the life of the gathering.)

  English Translation: Her verbosity at the party made her the life of the gathering.

• Многословие в официальных документах иногда маскирует отсутствие содержания. (Verbosity in official documents sometimes masks a lack of substance.)

  English Translation: Verbosity in official documents sometimes masks a lack of substance.

Secondary Meaning: A tendency towards loquaciousness or talkativeness in interpersonal communication.

Translation(s) & Context:

• болтливость - Common in everyday contexts, especially when describing social interactions.
• многословие - Less common here, but used in more analytical discussions, such as psychology or rhetoric.

Usage Examples:

• Его болтливость раздражает коллег на работе. (His verbosity annoys his colleagues at work.)

  English Translation: His verbosity annoys his colleagues at work.

• Многословие в переговорах может ослабить позицию. (Verbosity in negotiations can weaken one's position.)

  English Translation: Verbosity in negotiations can weaken one's position.

• Болтливость ребёнка часто бывает милой, но иногда утомительной. (A child's verbosity is often endearing but sometimes tiring.)

  English Translation: A child's verbosity is often endearing but sometimes tiring.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "многословие" and "болтливость" are abstract feminine nouns in Russian, following standard noun inflection patterns. They decline based on case, number, and gender. As feminine nouns ending in -ие or -ость, they are typically third-declension nouns with regular inflections.

These nouns do not have plural forms in most contexts, as they refer to abstract qualities. Inflections are regular, but learners should note the soft endings that affect pronunciation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • разговорчивость (razgovorchivost') - More neutral, often implies sociability without negative connotation.
  • словесность (slovesnost') - Formal, emphasizing literary or rhetorical excess.
• Antonyms:
  • краткость (kratost') - Brevity or conciseness.
  • молчуность (molchunst') - Taciturnity or silence.

Related Phrases:

• Излишнее многословие - Excessive verbosity; used to criticize unnecessary elaboration in speech.
• Болтливость без меры - Verbosity without measure; implies uncontrolled talkativeness in social settings.
• Многословие в прессе - Verbosity in the press; refers to wordy journalism or media content.

Usage Notes:

"Многословие" is a more formal equivalent to "verbosity" and is often used in written or academic contexts, while "болтливость" leans informal and conversational. English speakers should note that Russian distinguishes between these based on tone; choose "многословие" for critiques of writing and "болтливость" for personal interactions. Be aware of grammatical gender (feminine) and case requirements in sentences. When translating, consider the context to avoid overgeneralization, as "verbosity" can sometimes carry a neutral or positive connotation in English, but these Russian terms often imply negativity.

• In formal writing, pair with verbs like "вызывать" (to cause) for emphasis.
• In spoken language, "болтливость" works well with adjectives like "бесконечная" (endless).

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing "многословие" with "болтливость" and using the formal term in casual speech, which can sound overly stiff. For example:

• Incorrect: "Его многословие на вечеринке было забавным." (This mixes formal and informal contexts.)
• Correct: "Его болтливость на вечеринке была забавной." (Better for casual settings.)
• Explanation: Learners often overlook the nuance in formality, leading to unnatural phrasing. Always match the term to the register of the sentence.

Another error is improper inflection, such as using the nominative form in all cases: Incorrect: "Я устал от болтливость" (should be genitive: "от болтливости").

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, verbosity is often viewed through the lens of literary traditions, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy, where elaborate descriptions are celebrated. However, in everyday life, it can be seen as a flaw, reflecting the cultural value placed on directness and efficiency in communication, especially in professional or bureaucratic contexts.

Related Concepts:

• риторика (ritorika)
• красноречие (krasnorechie)
• монолог (monolog)