Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'weighty'

English Word: weighty

Key Russian Translations:

• Весомый [vʲɪˈso.mɨj] - [Formal, often used in intellectual or professional contexts]
• Значительный [znʲɪˈka.tʲɪt.sən.nɨj] - [Formal, applicable to scale or importance]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in written Russian, such as in literature, journalism, and academic texts, but less so in everyday spoken language)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of abstract concepts and adjective inflections; for 'Весомый', it may be slightly easier, while 'Значительный' could edge toward B2 due to nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Весомый: [vʲɪˈso.mɨj]

Значительный: [znʲɪˈka.tʲɪt.sən.nɨj]

Note on Весомый: The stress is on the second syllable; be cautious with the soft 's' sound, which is common in Russian adjectives.

Note on Значительный: Pronunciation varies slightly in fast speech; the final 'ый' sound softens in informal contexts.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Important, significant, or influential (referring to ideas, arguments, or matters of substance)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Весомый - Used in formal discussions, debates, or writing to emphasize the weight or validity of an argument.
• Значительный - Applied in contexts involving scale, impact, or prominence, such as in historical or economic descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Его аргументы были очень весомыми в ходе дебатов.

  His arguments were very weighty during the debate.

• Эта книга содержит значительные исторические детали.

  This book contains weighty historical details.

• Весомый вклад ученого помог решить глобальную проблему.

  The scientist's weighty contribution helped solve a global issue.

• Значительный отчет был представлен на конференции.

  A weighty report was presented at the conference.

• Весомые доказательства убедили суд в его невиновности.

  Weighty evidence convinced the court of his innocence.

Meaning 2: Heavy in weight or burdensome (less common, but possible in literal contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Весомый - Rarely used for physical weight; more metaphorical, but can overlap in idiomatic expressions.

Usage Examples:

• Этот рюкзак слишком весомый для длительной прогулки.

  This backpack is too weighty for a long walk.

• Весомая ноша ответственности легла на его плечи.

  A weighty burden of responsibility fell on his shoulders.

• Значительный груз товаров был доставлен на склад.

  A weighty load of goods was delivered to the warehouse.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Весомый' and 'Значительный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

These adjectives are regular and do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners once basic adjective agreement is understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Важный (important; more general and everyday, with less emphasis on 'weight')
  • Существенный (substantial; similar to 'weighty' but often used for essential elements)
• Antonyms:
  • Несущественный (insignificant; directly opposes the idea of weight or importance)
  • Незначительный (negligible; highlights lack of significance)

Related Phrases:

• Весомый аргумент - A weighty argument; used in debates to mean a compelling point.
• Значительный вклад - A weighty contribution; refers to a substantial input in projects or discussions.
• Весомые последствия - Weighty consequences; implies serious outcomes of an action.

Usage Notes:

'Weighty' in English often carries a sense of gravity or importance, which aligns closely with 'Весомый' in Russian for abstract contexts, but 'Значительный' is preferred when emphasizing scale. Be mindful of formal settings; these words are rarely used in casual conversation. When choosing between translations, opt for 'Весомый' for persuasive or intellectual weight, and 'Значительный' for quantitative importance. Grammatically, always ensure adjective agreement with the noun in gender, number, and case to avoid errors.

Common Errors:

• Mistaking 'Весомый' for 'Тяжелый' (heavy in physical weight): Incorrect: "Тяжелый аргумент" (implies the argument is literally heavy). Correct: "Весомый аргумент" – This error stems from direct translation without considering context; always assess if the weight is metaphorical.
• Forgetting adjective inflections: Incorrect: "Весомый женщина" (should be "Весомая женщина" for feminine nouns). Correct: Ensure proper ending based on noun gender.
• Overusing in informal speech: Incorrect: Using 'Значительный' in casual talk, which sounds overly formal. Correct: Reserve for written or professional contexts to match natural Russian usage.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'Весомый' often appear in intellectual discourse, reflecting the value placed on deep, substantive arguments in literature and philosophy, such as in the works of Dostoevsky. This emphasizes Russia's tradition of valuing 'weighty' ideas in public and academic spheres, where eloquence and substance are highly regarded.

Related Concepts:

• Важный
• Существенный
• Критический