Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'worthwhile'

English Word: worthwhile

Key Russian Translations:

• достойный [ˈdostojnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in contexts emphasizing value or worthiness]
• стоящий [ˈstojaʂʲij] - [Informal, Adjective, Used in everyday speech for something worth the effort]
• полезный [ˈpolʲeznɨj] - [Neutral, Adjective, Plural forms applicable, Used when focusing on utility]

Frequency: Medium (Common in written and spoken Russian, especially in educational, professional, and reflective contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level per CEFR; requires understanding of adjective inflections. For 'стоящий', also B1; for 'полезный', slightly easier at A2 due to regular patterns)

Pronunciation (Russian):

достойный: [ˈdostojnɨj]

Note on достойный: The stress falls on the second syllable ("dostOYnɨj"). Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) affecting the preceding consonant's pronunciation.

стоящий: [ˈstojaʂʲij]

Note on стоящий: The "щ" sound is a soft, palatalized "sh" ([ʂʲ]), which can be tricky for English speakers; it’s similar to the "sh" in "she" but softer.

полезный: [ˈpolʲeznɨj]

Note on полезный: The "лʲ" is a palatalized "l" sound, pronounced with the tongue closer to the palate, as in "million" in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Something that is worth the time, effort, or investment due to its value or benefits.

Translation(s) & Context:

• достойный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe activities or objects that merit attention, e.g., in philosophical discussions or evaluations.
• стоящий - Applied in informal, everyday situations, such as casual conversations about experiences or decisions.
• полезный - Employed when emphasizing practical utility, often in plural forms for multiple items or concepts.

Usage Examples:

• Это путешествие было достойным, потому что мы узнали много нового.

  This trip was worthwhile because we learned a lot of new things.

• Фильм оказался стоящим, несмотря на длительность.

  The film turned out to be worthwhile, despite its length.

• Инвестиции в образование всегда полезны для будущего.

  Investments in education are always worthwhile for the future.

• Её советы оказались достойными внимания в сложной ситуации.

  Her advice was worthwhile to consider in a difficult situation.

• Этот курс по языку был стоящим, так как улучшил мои навыки.

  This language course was worthwhile as it improved my skills.

Meaning: Worthwhile in terms of emotional or moral value, often implying long-term benefits.

Translation(s) & Context:

• достойный - In contexts involving personal growth or ethical decisions, e.g., in literature or self-reflection.
• полезный - When focusing on tangible outcomes, such as in business or daily life.

Usage Examples:

• Помогать друзьям в трудные времена — это достойное занятие.

  Helping friends in tough times is a worthwhile endeavor.

• Чтение книг делает жизнь полезной и обогащённой.

  Reading books makes life worthwhile and enriched.

• Его волонтёрская работа была стоящей, несмотря на усталость.

  His volunteer work was worthwhile, despite the fatigue.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard adjective patterns, with 'достойный' and 'стоящий' being first-conjugation adjectives, while 'полезный' is also regular but with palatalization.

These adjectives do not have irregular inflections but must agree with the noun they modify. For unchangeable forms in certain contexts (e.g., short form adjectives), 'достойный' can become 'достоин' in predicate use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ценный (valuable) - Often used interchangeably but emphasizes material worth.
  • выгодный (advantageous) - Highlights benefits in business contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • бесполезный (useless) - Direct opposite, implying no value.
  • невыгодный (unprofitable) - Used for situations without benefits.

Related Phrases:

• Достойный внимания (Worthy of attention) - A phrase used to highlight something that deserves notice in professional or academic settings.
• Стоящий усилий (Worth the effort) - Common in motivational contexts, emphasizing perseverance.
• Полезный совет (Useful advice) - Refers to practical guidance in everyday conversations.

Usage Notes:

'Достойный' is the most precise translation for 'worthwhile' in formal English-Russian correspondence, as it conveys moral or intrinsic value. Use 'стоящий' for informal, everyday scenarios to sound more natural in spoken Russian. 'Полезный' is ideal when focusing on practicality, but avoid it if the context is emotional. Remember that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English. When choosing among translations, consider the audience: formal for business, informal for friends.

• In questions, pair with verbs like "быть" (to be) for emphasis, e.g., "Это стояще?" (Is this worthwhile?).
• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; adapt based on context to ensure idiomatic use.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'достойный' with 'достойный' in its short form 'достоин', mistakenly using it as a verb. For example, incorrect: "Я достоин это сделать" (meaning "I am worthwhile to do this"), but the correct form should be "Это достойно сделать" (This is worthwhile to do). Another error is forgetting adjective agreement: incorrect usage like "достойный книга" (instead of "достойная книга" for feminine nouns). Always ensure the adjective matches the noun's gender and case to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'достойный' often carry a deeper connotation of personal honor and societal value, rooted in historical literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works). This reflects Russia's emphasis on moral integrity, so 'worthwhile' activities might be those that contribute to one's character or community, rather than just practical gains.

Related Concepts:

• ценный
• выгодный
• бесполезный