Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wholly'

English Word: wholly

Key Russian Translations:

• полностью [pɐl.nəsʲ.tʲɪ] - [Formal]
• целиком [t͡sɨ.lʲɪ.kəm] - [Informal]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly used in written and spoken Russian, but not as ubiquitous as basic adverbs like "очень").

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; learners need to understand adverbial expressions and context-specific usage, which builds on basic vocabulary from A2 level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

полностью: [pɐl.nəsʲ.tʲɪ]

Note on полностью: The stress falls on the second syllable ("-но-"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants. Pronounce it with a clear "sʲ" sound.

Audio: []

целиком: [t͡sɨ.lʲɪ.kəm]

Note on целиком: The initial "ц" is a voiceless alveolar affricate, similar to "ts" in "bits," but ensure the "ы" vowel is not confused with "i" in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Completely or entirely (Referring to something done in full or without exception)

Translation(s) & Context:

• полностью - Used in formal contexts, such as legal documents, academic writing, or professional discussions, to emphasize total completion.
• целиком - Applied in informal everyday conversations, like casual storytelling or personal opinions, to convey wholeness in a more relaxed manner.

Usage Examples:

• Я полностью согласен с вашим предложением. (I wholly agree with your proposal.)

  I completely agree with your proposal. (This example shows formal agreement in a business setting.)

• Он купил целиком весь дом, включая мебель. (He wholly bought the entire house, including the furniture.)

  He bought the whole house entirely, including the furniture. (Illustrates possession in an informal narrative.)

• Эта задача была выполнена полностью без ошибок. (This task was wholly completed without any mistakes.)

  This task was entirely completed without any errors. (Demonstrates achievement in a professional context.)

• Мы съели целиком пирог за ужином. (We wholly ate the entire pie at dinner.)

  We ate the whole pie entirely at dinner. (Shows consumption in everyday informal speech.)

• Проект был реализован полностью в срок. (The project was wholly implemented on time.)

  The project was entirely implemented on time. (Highlights timely completion in a formal report.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "полностью" and "целиком" are adverbs in Russian, which typically do not inflect for case, number, gender, or tense. They remain unchanged regardless of the sentence structure. For example:

Note: As adverbs, they are invariant, which makes them easier for learners compared to inflected parts of speech like nouns or verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: полностью, целиком, совсем (Note: "совсем" often implies "absolutely" and is used in emphatic contexts, while "полностью" is more neutral.)
• Antonyms: частично (This means "partially" and is used when something is not done in full.)

Related Phrases:

• полностью согласен - Completely agree (Used in debates or agreements to show total concurrence.)
• целиком и полностью - Wholly and completely (An emphatic phrase for absolute totality, often in formal speeches.)
• взять целиком - To take entirely (Common in contexts like purchasing or adopting ideas.)

Usage Notes:

"Полностью" aligns closely with the formal English sense of "wholly," making it ideal for precise, professional translations, while "целиком" is more conversational and can sometimes imply a physical wholeness. English speakers should note that Russian adverbs like these often require context to avoid ambiguity— for instance, use "полностью" in written reports but "целиком" in daily chats. Grammatically, they can modify verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses without changing form, but be cautious of word order in complex sentences to maintain clarity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "полностью" with "полный" (an adjective meaning "full"). Incorrect: "Я полный согласен" (wrongly using the adjective). Correct: "Я полностью согласен." Explanation: "Полный" is an adjective that inflects (e.g., полная, полное), whereas "полностью" is an invariant adverb.

• Error: Overusing "целиком" in formal contexts. Incorrect: "Документ был принят целиком в совете" (sounds too casual). Correct: "Документ был принят полностью в совете." Explanation: Stick to "полностью" for official settings to match the appropriate register.

Cultural Notes:

While "wholly" and its Russian equivalents don't carry strong cultural connotations, phrases like "целиком и полностью" can reflect Russian emphasis on completeness in expressions of commitment, such as in literature or political rhetoric, where full dedication is valued in cultural narratives.

Related Concepts:

• абсолютно
• вовсе
• полный