Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wide'

English Word: wide

Key Russian Translations:

• широкий [ʃɪˈrɔkʲɪj] - [Adjective, used for describing physical width or broadness; Formal and Informal]
• широкая [ʃɪˈrɔkəjə] - [Feminine form of the adjective; Informal, Plural variations apply]
• широкое [ʃɪˈrɔkəj] - [Neuter form; Used in metaphorical contexts like wide scope; Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday descriptions of size, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like colors).

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level, as it involves basic adjective usage and simple declensions; variations like feminine and plural forms may increase to B1 for learners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

широкий: [ʃɪˈrɔkʲɪj] (The stress is on the second syllable; note the palatalized 'k' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.)

широкая: [ʃɪˈrɔkəjə] (Similar to the base form but with a softer ending vowel.)

широкое: [ʃɪˈrɔkəj] (Emphasize the 'o' sound for clarity.)

Note on широкий: The 'ш' sound is like the 'sh' in 'sheep', and the word often softens in casual speech; pay attention to vowel reductions in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Physical width or breadth (e.g., describing the size of an object)

Translation(s) & Context:

• широкий - Used for masculine nouns in contexts like describing roads, rivers, or clothing; common in everyday informal speech.
• широкая - Applied to feminine nouns, such as streets or fields; often in descriptive narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Этот мост очень широкий, поэтому по нему могут проехать несколько машин одновременно.

  This bridge is very wide, so several cars can drive on it at the same time.

• Её улыбка была широкой и искренней, освещая всю комнату.

  Her smile was wide and sincere, lighting up the entire room.

• В этом парке есть широкая аллея, идеальная для прогулок.

  In this park, there is a wide alley, perfect for walks.

• Широкий ремень помогает удерживать груз на месте.

  The wide belt helps keep the load in place.

Meaning 2: Broad in scope or extent (e.g., metaphorical use, like a wide range)

Translation(s) & Context:

• широкий - Used metaphorically for abstract concepts, such as a wide variety; Formal in professional or academic settings.
• широкое - For neuter contexts, like wide knowledge; Informal in discussions.

Usage Examples:

• У него широкий кругозор, охватывающий историю и науку.

  He has a wide horizon, encompassing history and science.

• Эта программа предлагает широкий спектр курсов для студентов.

  This program offers a wide range of courses for students.

• Широкое применение этой технологии видно в разных отраслях.

  The wide application of this technology is evident in various industries.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word 'широкий' is an adjective and follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which are regular but require attention to gender, number, and case. It does not have irregular forms.

For other forms like comparative (шире - wider), it remains regular.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: обширный (obshirnyy) - more formal, emphasizing vastness; просторный (prostorniy) - for spacious areas, with a connotation of openness.
• объемный (ob"yemniy) - used for bulk or volume, slight difference in implying three-dimensionality.
• Antonyms: узкий (uzkiy) - narrow, opposite in physical or metaphorical sense; тесный (tesniy) - cramped or tight, often for spaces.

Related Phrases:

• широкий спектр - A wide range (used in contexts like product selections or skills; refers to diversity in options).
• широкий круг - A wide circle (e.g., of acquaintances; implies a large social network).
• широкий выбор - Wide selection (common in shopping or decisions; emphasizes variety).

Usage Notes:

'Широкий' directly corresponds to 'wide' in English but must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, which is a key grammatical feature in Russian. Use it in formal contexts for precision, such as descriptions in literature or reports. For metaphorical uses, like a wide range, it's interchangeable with English but avoid overusing in casual speech where simpler words might suffice. When choosing between translations, opt for 'широкий' for physical descriptions and 'обширный' for abstract breadth to capture nuances.

• In questions or exclamations, it can emphasize surprise: e.g., "Какой широкий!" (How wide!)
• Be mindful of regional variations; in some dialects, pronunciation might soften further.

Common Errors:

• Error: Forgetting to decline the adjective, e.g., saying "большой широкий" instead of correctly matching cases like "большого широкого дома". Correct: Use "широкого" in genitive. Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with nouns, unlike English; this leads to incomplete sentences for learners.
• Error: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using "узкий" (narrow) mistakenly for "wide". Correct: Double-check context; provide "широкий" example in practice. Explanation: English speakers might mix up opposites due to similar sounds or contexts.
• Error: Incorrect stress in pronunciation, e.g., stressing the first syllable. Correct Pronunciation: [ʃɪˈrɔkʲɪj]. Explanation: This can alter meaning or make the word hard to understand; practice with native audio.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'широкий' often evoke the vastness of the Russian landscape, such as wide steppes or rivers, symbolizing freedom and expanse in literature (e.g., in Tolstoy's works). It can carry a positive connotation of openness, contrasting with the more confined urban life in modern Russia.

Related Concepts:

• длинный (long)
• высокий (high)
• просторный (spacious)