Synonyms are words that are different in sound and spelling, but have the same or very similar lexical meaning: bold - brave, dark - gloomy, sudden - unexpected, shallow - shallow, etc. The purpose of synonyms is to increase the expressiveness of speech, to relieve speech from monotony .
It cannot be argued that synonyms are completely identical in meaning: each synonym has a special connotation of meaning that distinguishes it from other synonyms: red – scarlet – crimson – crimson.
Synonyms of one word form synonymous pairs (b quickly - quickly) and synonymous series, where one word (the first) is dominant, i.e. has a more general meaning, it is neutral in stylistic coloring and is commonly used: fall, fall, flop, crash, fly, thunder etc.
Synonyms help show the difference in shades of meaning of a polysemantic word, because Each meaning of a polysemantic word is included in different synonymous series: fresh – fresh fish (unspoiled) // fresh bread (soft) // fresh newspaper (today’s) // fresh linen (clean) // fresh wind (cool) // fresh person (new).
In addition, synonyms are a sign of the richness of the language. They are used to highlight shades of meaning and to enhance the imagery and artistic expression of speech, etc.: How gray is it (the sea)? It is azure, turquoise, emerald, blue, cornflower blue. It is blue-blue. The bluest thing in the world (B. Zakhoder).
As a rule, synonyms are words of one part of speech, but there are also grammatical synonyms, for example, synonymy of the adverbial phrase and the subordinate part of the dictionary: When I passed by this house, I met him - As I passed by this house, I met him.
In order to select synonyms for words, you need to have a significant vocabulary - this is especially true for synonymous series. We can also use this method: imagine the characteristic or object for which we need to select synonyms, and build a chain through associations: hard times ( war, trouble, sadness, etc. .) – difficult, difficult, tragic, dangerous time // dashing racer ( speed, desire, etc. ) – brave, selfless, purposeful. However, the more you read and listen, the easier it will be for you to come up with a synonym for a word.
If you have any difficulties and the task needs to be done immediately, you can look up synonyms for the words online. Our tutor will answer your questions, give you ideas, help you determine the range of meanings of the word in question and create a synonymous series.
Good luck in learning Russian!
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Synonyms are words that are different in sound and spelling, but have the same or very similar lexical meaning: bold - brave, dark - gloomy, sudden - unexpected, shallow - shallow, etc. The purpose of synonyms is to increase the expressiveness of speech, to relieve speech from monotony .
It cannot be argued that synonyms are completely identical in meaning: each synonym has a special connotation of meaning that distinguishes it from other synonyms: red – scarlet – crimson – crimson.
Synonyms of one word form synonymous pairs (b quickly - quickly) and synonymous series, where one word (the first) is dominant, i.e. has a more general meaning, it is neutral in stylistic coloring and is commonly used: fall, fall, flop, crash, fly, thunder etc.
Synonyms help show the difference in shades of meaning of a polysemantic word, because Each meaning of a polysemantic word is included in different synonymous series: fresh – fresh fish (unspoiled) // fresh bread (soft) // fresh newspaper (today’s) // fresh linen (clean) // fresh wind (cool) // fresh person (new).
In addition, synonyms are a sign of the richness of the language. They are used to highlight shades of meaning and to enhance the imagery and artistic expression of speech, etc.: How gray is it (the sea)? It is azure, turquoise, emerald, blue, cornflower blue. It is blue-blue. The bluest thing in the world (B. Zakhoder).
As a rule, synonyms are words of one part of speech, but there are also grammatical synonyms, for example, synonymy of the adverbial phrase and the subordinate part of the dictionary: When I passed by this house, I met him - As I passed by this house, I met him.
In order to select synonyms for words, you need to have a significant vocabulary - this is especially true for synonymous series. We can also use this method: imagine the characteristic or object for which we need to select synonyms, and build a chain through associations: hard times ( war, trouble, sadness, etc. .) – difficult, difficult, tragic, dangerous time // dashing racer ( speed, desire, etc. ) – brave, selfless, purposeful. However, the more you read and listen, the easier it will be for you to come up with a synonym for a word.
If you have any difficulties and the task needs to be done immediately, you can look up synonyms for the words online. Our tutor will answer your questions, give you ideas, help you determine the range of meanings of the word in question and create a synonymous series.
Good luck in learning Russian!
website, when copying material in full or in part, a link to the source is required.
The Russian language offers truly inexhaustible possibilities for expressing a wide variety of thoughts, feelings and moods. In our native language there are many different means that allow us to convey the same concept in different ways, but, perhaps, synonyms occupy the central place here.
Synonyms are words that are different in spelling and sound, but similar in meaning. For example, for the word wonderful, you can construct the following synonymous series: excellent, exceptional, first-class, excellent, chic, cool, awesome, etc.
Already from the proposed series one can see that synonymous words are not identical to each other. For example, the words chic and exceptional express the attribute more strongly. And you shouldn’t use the adjectives cool and awesome (short for amazing) in official speech - these are colloquial forms. But if the author is writing a book for teenagers and doesn’t want his young readers to get bored on the very first pages, you can revive the language by using these words!
In most cases, synonymous words are NOT related (same root). But not always. For example, the words housing and housing have a common root and at the same time form a synonymous pair.
As a rule, synonyms belong to the same part of speech. However, borderline situations are possible. For example, the adjective rattling can be a synonym for the present participle rattling. This is understandable, because the participle combines the properties of both a verb and an adjective.
Why are synonyms needed?
Synonyms serve several functions. The first is the substitution function: the author can replace a word with a similar meaning and, thereby, introduce variety into the speech and avoid annoying repetitions.
But this is not the only reason why synonymous words may be needed. As we saw above, words that are similar in meaning can nevertheless express different shades of meaning, which means they allow us to convey a thought more accurately and clearly. This is a refinement function.
Here we can give an example from the works of the classics. For example, literary scholars, when studying the drafts of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, made an interesting observation. In the novel “Dubrovsky,” when describing the main character’s impression of a meeting with the hostile Troekurov, the author initially used the following words: “Noticing the evil smile of the enemy,” but then replaced two of them with synonyms: “... the poisonous smile of his enemy.” The correction made the statement more accurate.
Note. In the final version of the novel, the classic replayed everything again:
On the same day, Dubrovsky went to the city; Troekurov overtook him on the road. They looked at each other proudly, and Dubrovsky noticed an evil smile on his opponent’s face.
In Lermontov’s story “Maksim Maksimych,” when describing the portrait of Pechorin, the following synonymous substitution was made: “...His soiled (dirty) gloves seemed deliberately sewn to fit his small aristocratic hand...” Apparently, Mikhail Yuryevich considered the word dirty inappropriate in the context.
“He was of medium height; his slender, thin frame and broad shoulders proved a strong build, capable of withstanding all the difficulties of nomadic life and climate changes, not defeated by either the debauchery of metropolitan life or spiritual storms; his dusty velvet frock coat, fastened only with the two lower buttons , allowed me to see the dazzlingly clean linen, revealing the habits of a decent man; his soiled gloves seemed deliberately tailored to his small aristocratic hand, and when he took off one glove, I was surprised by the thinness of his pale fingers.
Synonyms can perform an expressive and stylistic function. Using substitute words, the author can maintain a particular style of the text and give certain words and expressions a brighter emotional connotation.
So, for example, in official documents it is better to do without the use of colloquial forms, but in a literary text you can add color and liveliness by choosing analogues with a bright emotional and expressive coloring.
Let's give an example from the story "Carlson, who lives on the roof, plays pranks again" by the famous children's writer Astrid Lindgren:
“I think this shouldn’t be done,” he mimicked the Kid.
- What do you think is possible? Is it better to throw down a bag of rotten eggs? Is this also one of your mom's weird fantasies?
Carlson took off again and again fell heavily on the floor just in front of the Kid.
- I can say that in general you and your mother are the strangest people in the world, but still I love you. - And Carlson patted the Kid on the cheek.
- throw down (throw sharply, with force)
- hit the floor (fall, making a dull sound)
- pat on the cheek (pat affectionately)
Loanwords and neologisms
Another, especially relevant today, use of synonyms will be the selection of native analogues for words borrowed from foreign languages:
Take a look at the following pairs:
- linguistics - linguistics, linguistics
- act - action
- defect - defect, breakdown
- experiment - experience
- immoral - immoral
- boyfriend - guy
- competition - competition
- correction - editing
- hobby - passion
- final - final
- reform - transformation
- businessman - entrepreneur
- goalkeeper - goalkeeper
As you can see, for most borrowed words you can choose your own synonyms. After all, speech oversaturated with neologisms does not make the narrator look good.
But there is also a downside. As you remember, synonyms are not identical to each other. And in some established phrases, the borrowed word will sound more natural.
So, for example, “transmission acceptance act” is an already established name for the document, although in some situations it is permissible to use the synonym “transmission acceptance protocol.” But here lies the catch: the word protocol is also borrowed.
Or take the phrase “speech defect”. This is an established term and there is no need to look for synonyms here.
But to say “in the second act of the play” will be just as appropriate as “in the second act of the play.” The difference will be minimal. With the only exception that the noun action is formed from the original Russian verb to do (Old Slavic delati). But the word act has Latin roots and came into the Russian language from the German language during the time of Peter the Great.
Interesting fact. The word shashlik has Turkic roots and is translated as “meat cooked on a spit.” But the word came to us only in the 17th century, and before that the dish was called differently - “spinned”.
How to choose synonyms
We have more or less figured out why we need synonymous words in a language. But how to choose the right substitute word or build a synonymous series?
If you have a fairly wide vocabulary, then choosing words with similar meanings will not be difficult. Just imagine the described object or phenomenon in your head and try to build a chain of associations.
Take, for example, the phrase dashing racer. Associations of speed, danger, recklessness, recklessness, and risk are immediately born. How can you characterize a person who likes to do reckless, risky things? As one of the options, the colloquial adjective crazy is suitable. Indeed, a crazy racer or a reckless driver would be perfect.
But you cannot say a careless driver - the meaning has completely changed. One of the phrases would be more suitable here: an inattentive driver or an absent-minded motorist.
But what to do if synonyms just don’t come to mind and you can’t find a good replacement for the word? In this case, you can use a dictionary of synonyms or a dictionary of associations. There you can always find non-obvious options, and sometimes even learn new words for yourself. Actually, using a dictionary of synonyms is a wonderful way to replenish your own vocabulary.
Excellent dictionaries of synonyms with easy search capabilities can be found here:.
Don't forget to bookmark them or repost the article so you don't lose them.
Bottom line
Time to take stock and summarize everything we have learned about synonyms.
Synonyms are words that are similar in meaning, but different in spelling and sound. They can convey different shades of meaning, or differ in stylistic coloring, or both.
Synonyms:
- may or may not be words with the same root (housing, dwelling);
- most often refer to one part of speech.
Synonyms allow:
- avoid monotony in the text and get rid of obsessive repetitions (substitution function);
- give the statement one or another shade and thereby more accurately convey the thought in speech or writing (clarification function);
- maintain a certain style of the text, give the statement a brighter color (expressive-stylistic function).
Do you remember we talked about the unjustified use of foreign words in speech? In a certain context, by choosing a synonym word, you can replace the borrowed word with “yours.”
And finally. Did you know that synonyms for the word synonym itself, according to V. I. Dahl’s “Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language”, will be: monowords, estates, identity words, monoglots, equivocals. True, now you are unlikely to find these names in textbooks - they have fallen out of use.
The Russian language is difficult for foreigners trying to learn it due to the abundance of words that can describe one subject with different connotations. In most languages, the number of words that describe an object is small. In the Russian language, dozens of word forms can be selected to characterize each object. These are synonymous words; examples of them can often be found in colloquial speech.
What are synonyms in Russian? These are words that in most cases relate to one part of speech, describe one object or action, and have different spellings. For example: trousers - trousers. These are words that characterize a wardrobe item with a certain cut, worn on a specific part of the body.
What do synonyms mean? They give the same object a subtle characteristic, highlighting specific features. In a certain context, synonymous words can replace each other if the overall meaning of what is said does not change.
In the sentence there are trousers hanging in the closet, the word “pants” can be replaced with “pants”. The meaning of what has been said will not change - THIS TYPE OF CLOTHING hangs in the closet.
In the sentence “The dress code obliges men to wear trousers indoors,” the words cannot be replaced, since trousers are a model of a specific cut made from a certain type of fabric and belong to the classic type of clothing.
Pants is a term that defines a simple cut model, in the context it implies concepts such as sports or pajama models. In the first case, the meaning of the sentence itself involves wearing the classical form, so the terms cannot replace each other.
What are synonymous words for? They expand vocabulary, allow you to describe objects from different sides, enrich your vocabulary and allow you to express yourself more clearly. Indispensable in literary texts: they provide ample opportunities for description and allow you to endow objects and states with individual, unique properties.
Pay attention! Synonyms do not always act as one word. Phraseological units are typical representatives.
The peculiarity of Russian speech is such that for a whole sentence you can choose one single synonym word, giving a brief and complete description.
For example: Out of the blue - unexpectedly. Goal like a falcon - poverty, misery.
Species
Synonymy in Russian speech arose due to the arrival of foreign words into the lexicon, the emergence of new terms and the general development of the lexicon. As Wikipedia says, these factors became the reason for the formation of 4 groups.
Absolute and semantic
Absolute terms have different sounds and spellings, but their semantic load is absolutely identical.
They arose due to the arrival of foreign words into speech. Today, there are few absolute synonyms. Example - alphabet - alphabet.
Semantic ones give an object a characteristic on several points. In the semantic group, there is a match only on one of the points: ball-sphere.
A ball is a round, three-dimensional object, hollow inside, with only a shell. A sphere is a round, three-dimensional object, without cavities. Outwardly, both objects look the same, but from a technical point of view, these are two completely different figures.
Stylistic
Speech has styles - artistic, business, journalistic and others. This means that certain words carry a specific meaning.
The same object can be described by words of different spelling and sound, which will give it a specific meaning. Representatives of the stylistic group are interchangeable depending on the context.
For example: a toddler is a child. Karapuz is a common definition. Applies to very young children. Causes affection, a gentle, caressing word.
Not acceptable for use in scientific or journalistic texts. Child is a general term applied to a person under the age of majority. Used in scientific, medical and journalistic texts. The term “toddler” no longer applies to a 10-year-old boy, unlike the concept “child”.
Contextual
Words that are different in meaning, sound and spelling, but describe the same object in a specific sentence. Separately, they are in no way connected with each other in meaning.
For example: Thief was elusive. This rat eluded the guards through back streets and narrow courtyards. Silhouette literally dissolved in the darkness of the streets, seeped through fences and fences.
Thief, rat and silhouette are contextual synonyms. All three words characterize the same object and belong to the same part of speech (in the proposed example it is a noun). Separately, each term has its own character and cannot be replaced.
A thief is a person who has stolen something. A rat is an animal. Silhouette is a description of a human figure.
Neutral
Words that are similar in meaning, describe the same object or action, but are different in spelling and give the object unique characteristics, form rows.
Run, rush, walk, accelerate - a number of synonyms that characterize the type of movement. The differences are in speed and movement.
The series contains neutral synonyms - words that do not give the object a pronounced characteristic, but simply describe its state without conveying additional meaning.
For example: laughter-laughter-giggle. A synonymous series of words that define human emotions and ways of their manifestation:
- Laughter is a neutral synonym for expressing emotions. Does not provide any additional semantic load;
- laughter - loud laughter caused by violent emotions, manifested by additional gestures. Can act as a reaction to a person's failure and be offensive in nature;
- giggle is a quiet laugh that a person tries (not always) to hide. It can act as a manifestation of ridicule of a person or occurs in situations where a person cannot laugh openly due to circumstances.
Search
How to determine synonymous words in Russian. As a rule, they refer to one part of speech in most cases: What to do? Walk, walk, march. Who? Woman, mother, brunette. Synonyms describe a certain property to varying degrees: color - color, coloring, palette; speed - quickly, instantly, urgently.
Examples of synonyms in Russian:
- Properties – features, individual qualities, signs, traits. “Slowly” – slowed down, like a turtle, like a snail.
- Designation – concept, definition, sign, mark, symbol. “Loud” - at the top of his voice, not restrained.
- Definition – formulation, precise description, finding, identification, assignment, measurement. “Beautiful” - sweet, charming, pretty. “Small” - tiny, small, microscopic, about the size of a fingernail.
Useful video
Conclusion
Not only in literary texts, but also in everyday life, the use of synonymous words allows you to decorate your speech, make your vocabulary rich, and give a clear description of what is happening in one succinct word. It's convenient, understandable and beautiful. Synonymy enriches Russian speech, making it multifaceted, beautiful, and rich.
