B2 noun 9分钟阅读

кратко

using few words, concise

At the A1 level, you can think of кратко as a simple instruction. It means 'not long' or 'fast'. You might hear a teacher say 'Скажи кратко' (Say it briefly) if they want a quick answer. It's a useful word to know when you don't have many words yet, because it gives you permission to keep your sentences simple. You can use it to describe how you want to talk: 'Я говорю по-русски кратко' (I speak Russian briefly). This is a good way to manage expectations when you are still learning. Even at this early stage, try to remember that it is an adverb, so it usually goes after the verb. It is a 'helper' word that helps you communicate that you are keeping things simple. You might also see it in very simple news headlines or on signs that summarize information. The key is to associate 'кратко' with the idea of 'less is more'.
At the A2 level, you can start using кратко to describe actions. You can say 'Он кратко рассказал о своей семье' (He told briefly about his family). This shows you understand that 'кратко' describes *how* someone is speaking. You can also use it to ask for information: 'Расскажите кратко о фильме' (Tell briefly about the movie). This is a very common social interaction. At this level, you should also be aware of the phrase 'кратко говоря' (briefly speaking). You can use it to finish a story. For example, 'Было холодно, шёл дождь... кратко говоря, мы остались дома'. This makes your Russian sound more connected and natural. You are moving beyond simple sentences and starting to use 'кратко' as a tool to organize your thoughts and your speech. It helps you avoid getting lost in complicated grammar by allowing you to summarize.
By B1, you should distinguish between кратко and 'коротко'. You should know that 'кратко' is for information and 'коротко' is for physical things. For example, 'краткое содержание книги' (brief summary of a book) vs. 'короткая юбка' (short skirt). You will see 'кратко' frequently in reading materials, especially in summaries or introductions. You can use it in your writing to structure your essays: 'В этой статье я кратко опишу...' (In this article, I will briefly describe...). This shows a higher level of academic competence. You should also be comfortable using 'кратко' as a predicate: 'Его выступление было кратко и убедительно' (His speech was brief and convincing). This level requires you to understand the stylistic choice—using 'кратко' makes you sound more professional and focused than using more colloquial expressions.
At the B2 level, кратко becomes a tool for professional and nuanced communication. You are expected to use it in business contexts, such as 'кратко изложить суть предложения' (briefly state the essence of the proposal). You should also understand the nuance of synonyms like 'лаконично' and 'вкратце'. A B2 learner knows that 'вкратце' is perfect for a quick recap of events, while 'кратко' describes the inherent quality of the communication style. You can use 'кратко' to critique or analyze: 'Автор слишком кратко осветил этот вопрос' (The author covered this issue too briefly). This shows you can evaluate the density of information. You should also be familiar with the famous quote 'Краткость — сестра таланта' and be able to use it in conversation to justify why you are being brief. Your use of 'кратко' should reflect an ability to synthesize information efficiently.
At the C1 level, you master the rhetorical power of кратко. You use it to control the pace of a conversation or a presentation. You might use it to transition between complex topics: 'Кратко остановимся на этом моменте и перейдем к следующему' (Let's briefly dwell on this point and move to the next). You understand the historical and literary weight of the word, recognizing it as a hallmark of the 'classical' Russian style. You can distinguish between 'кратко' as a functional adverb and its use in more poetic or philosophical contexts. Your vocabulary includes derivatives like 'краткосрочный' (short-term) or 'краткотрайный' (brief/fleeting). You can use 'кратко' to convey a specific tone—from the efficient professionalism of a CEO to the measured restraint of a scholar. You also recognize when 'кратко' is used ironically to describe something that was actually quite long.
For C2 learners, кратко is part of a deep stylistic repertoire. You understand its place in the history of the Russian language, from Old Church Slavonic roots to modern digital communication. You can analyze how authors like Chekhov or Bunin used brevity to create emotional resonance. You are comfortable using 'кратко' in highly specialized fields, such as law (краткое изложение дела) or science (краткий обзор литературы). You can navigate the subtle shifts in meaning when 'кратко' is used in different registers, and you can mimic those shifts in your own speech and writing. You might use the word to discuss the philosophy of language—how the drive to speak 'кратко' shapes our thought processes. At this level, 'кратко' is not just a vocabulary word; it's a stylistic principle that you can wield with precision and flair in any context.

кратко 30秒了解

  • Means 'briefly' or 'concisely' in Russian.
  • Used for communication, not physical length.
  • Formal and professional tone.
  • Common in the phrase 'кратко говоря' (in short).
The Russian word кратко is a high-frequency adverb and short-form neuter adjective that translates primarily as 'briefly' or 'concisely' in English. It is derived from the adjective 'краткий' (short, brief). In the landscape of Russian communication, brevity is not just a stylistic choice but a cultural virtue, famously encapsulated by Anton Chekhov's dictum that 'brevity is the sister of talent' (краткость — сестра таланта). When a Russian speaker uses 'кратко', they are signaling an intention to strip away superfluous details and focus on the essence of a matter. This is particularly relevant in professional environments, academic summaries, and news reporting.
Core Meaning
The act of expressing something using a minimal number of words while maintaining the core message.
Grammatical Role
Primarily functions as an adverb modifying verbs like 'говорить' (to speak) or 'писать' (to write), or as a predicate in impersonal sentences.
Historically, the root 'крат-' is connected to the concept of cutting or shortening, suggesting a deliberate pruning of language. In modern usage, you will encounter it in the phrase 'кратко говоря' (briefly speaking), which acts as a transition marker to summarize a long story. It is also common in technical documentation and executive summaries where 'кратко о главном' (briefly about the main points) serves as a standard heading.

Пожалуйста, изложите вашу просьбу кратко.

The word carries an air of efficiency. In a world of information overload, being able to speak 'кратко' is seen as a sign of intellectual mastery—the ability to synthesize complex data into digestible chunks. It is often contrasted with 'пространно' (lengthily) or 'многословно' (wordily). In literary analysis, 'кратко' describes the sparse, impactful prose of authors like Pushkin or Hemingway. For a learner, mastering 'кратко' involves understanding that it is more formal and precise than the colloquial 'короче'. While 'короче' is a filler word like 'anyway' or 'long story short', 'кратко' is a descriptive adverb that qualifies the method of delivery.
Etymological Context
Linked to Old Church Slavonic 'кратъкъ', sharing roots with 'короткий', but evolving to represent abstract brevity rather than physical shortness.
In summary, 'кратко' is your go-to word for anything involving conciseness in speech, writing, or thought. It suggests a professional, respectful, and sharp approach to communication. Whether you are writing a business email, summarizing a movie, or answering a question during an exam, 'кратко' is the standard for 'getting to the point'.
Using кратко correctly requires an understanding of its syntactic flexibility. As an adverb, it typically follows the verb it modifies, though it can precede it for emphasis. For example, 'Он кратко ответил' (He answered briefly) focuses on the action, while 'Он ответил кратко' places more weight on the brevity itself.
Impersonal Constructions
In phrases like 'Это было кратко' (That was brief), 'кратко' acts as the predicate. It describes the nature of an event or a statement without a specific subject.
One of the most common structures is the parenthetical 'кратко говоря'. This functions similarly to 'in short' or 'to put it briefly' in English. It allows a speaker to pivot from a detailed explanation to a punchy conclusion.

Кратко говоря, проект был отклонён из-за нехватки бюджета.

Another important usage is in instructions. In exams or official forms, you might see 'Кратко опишите...' (Briefly describe...). Here, it sets a constraint on the length of the response. It is also used in the comparative degree 'кратче' (more briefly), although 'более кратко' is also acceptable in formal contexts. In journalistic style, 'кратко' is often paired with 'ясно' (clearly) to form the doublet 'кратко и ясно' (briefly and clearly). This is the gold standard for Russian rhetoric.
Adverbial Modifiers
You can intensify it with 'очень' (very) or 'чрезвычайно' (extremely). 'Он говорил очень кратко' (He spoke very briefly).
It is also worth noting the difference between 'кратко' and 'вкратце'. While often interchangeable, 'вкратце' is more commonly used with verbs of storytelling or reporting (e.g., 'вкратце рассказать'), whereas 'кратко' is more versatile and can describe the style of a whole work or a person's general manner of speaking.

Автор кратко касается темы глобального потепления в первой главе.

In summary, use 'кратко' as a tool for precision. It fits into almost any sentence where you want to emphasize the economy of words. It is grammatically stable, meaning it doesn't change based on gender or number when used as an adverb, making it a reliable choice for learners at the B2 level.
In the real world, кратко is ubiquitous across various domains of Russian life. In the professional sphere, it is the language of the 'elevator pitch'. During a business meeting, a manager might say, 'Давайте кратко обсудим текущие задачи' (Let's briefly discuss the current tasks). This usage respects everyone's time and focuses the group on immediate priorities.
Media and News
News tickers often use 'кратко' to introduce bulleted lists of headlines. It's a signal for 'just the facts'.
In the educational system, teachers frequently use 'кратко' to guide students. A common instruction is 'Кратко перескажите содержание текста' (Briefly summarize the content of the text). This tests a student's ability to identify main ideas. In literature, the word is often used to describe the stoic or reserved nature of a character. A protagonist might be described as someone who 'говорит кратко и только по делу' (speaks briefly and only to the point).

В новостях кратко упомянули о новом законе.

You will also hear 'кратко' in legal and administrative contexts. A lawyer might ask a witness to 'кратко подтвердить' (briefly confirm) a statement. In these settings, 'кратко' is synonymous with 'without unnecessary elaboration'.
Internet Slang
While 'TL;DR' is becoming common, many Russian forums still use 'Краткое содержание' or simply 'Кратко:' before a summary.
In movies and TV shows, 'кратко' is often used by authority figures—police officers, military commanders, or stern parents—who demand immediate, concise answers. 'Докладывай кратко!' (Report briefly!). This reinforces the word's association with discipline and clarity. Finally, in the world of technology, 'кратко' appears in user interfaces, such as 'краткое описание' for app summaries or 'кратко об авторе' in blog sidebars. It is a functional word that helps organize information for the modern, fast-paced reader. Understanding where you hear 'кратко' helps you realize that it is a word of efficiency, authority, and intellectual precision.
The most frequent mistake learners make with кратко is confusing it with its cousin 'коротко'. While both can translate to 'briefly' or 'shortly', they are not always interchangeable. 'Коротко' is more versatile and often refers to physical length or short periods of time in a general sense. 'Кратко' is more specific to communication and informational density. For example, if you have short hair, you say 'У меня коротко подстрижены волосы', never 'кратко'. If you are taking a short break, it's 'короткий перерыв'. However, if you are giving a brief speech, 'кратко' is the preferred choice because it implies conciseness of thought.
The 'Вкратце' Confusion
Learners often use 'кратко' when 'вкратце' would be more idiomatic. 'Вкратце' is almost always used with verbs of telling or explaining. 'Расскажи вкратце' sounds more natural than 'Расскажи кратко', though both are technically correct.
Another mistake is the misuse of 'кратко' as an adjective. Remember that 'кратко' is an adverb or a neuter short-form adjective. You cannot use it to modify a feminine or masculine noun directly. You must use the full adjective 'краткий'. For instance, 'краткий ответ' (a brief answer), not 'кратко ответ'.

Ошибка: Мой путь был кратко. (Correct: Мой путь был коротким.)

Learners also struggle with the register. Using 'кратко' in a very casual, slang-heavy conversation might sound slightly stiff. In those cases, 'короче' or 'в двух словах' is more appropriate. Conversely, using 'короче' in a formal report is a major faux pas; 'кратко' is the only acceptable choice there.
Overuse of 'Кратко говоря'
Some learners use 'кратко говоря' at the beginning of every summary. While useful, it can become repetitive. Try varying it with 'в итоге' (in the end) or 'одним словом' (in a word).
Finally, be careful with the stress. It is on the first syllable: КРАТ-ко. Misplacing the stress can make the word unrecognizable or sound like a different root. By paying attention to these nuances—physical vs. abstract, adverb vs. adjective, and formal vs. informal—you will avoid the most common pitfalls and use 'кратко' like a native speaker.
Russian has a rich vocabulary for expressing the idea of 'briefly', each with its own nuance. Understanding these alternatives will elevate your Russian from functional to sophisticated.
Лаконично
Derived from the Greek 'Laconic' (referring to the Spartans), this word implies not just brevity, but a certain elegance and strength. It is often used to describe a person's style of speech or a design.
Сжато
This literally means 'compressed' or 'squeezed'. It suggests that a large amount of information has been packed into a small space. Use this for dense academic texts or technical summaries.
Another alternative is 'вкратце', which we discussed earlier. It is the most natural choice for 'briefly' when it precedes a story or explanation. 'По существу' (to the point) is a great alternative when you want to emphasize that you are avoiding irrelevant details. It is very common in business and legal contexts.

Он говорил лаконично, но каждое его слово имело вес.

For those looking for more idiomatic expressions, 'в двух словах' (in two words) is the most common informal equivalent. 'Одним словом' (in a word) is used when you want to sum up a complex situation with a single adjective or concept.
Тезисно
This refers to presenting information as a series of 'theses' or bullet points. It is very common in academic and professional presentations.
If someone is being *too* brief to the point of being rude, you might use 'сухо' (dryly) or 'односложно' (monosyllabically). 'Он отвечал односложно' means he only said 'yes' or 'no'. While 'кратко' is usually a compliment, these alternatives carry a negative connotation of lack of engagement. By choosing between 'кратко', 'лаконично', 'сжато', and 'тезисно', you can precisely communicate the *type* of brevity you are aiming for or observing in others.

How Formal Is It?

正式

"Просим вас изложить ваши требования кратко."

中性

"Он кратко ответил на мой вопрос."

非正式

"Ну, если кратко, мы никуда не едем."

Child friendly

"Расскажи сказку кратко, уже пора спать."

俚语

"Короче, кратко: всё зашибись."

趣味小知识

The root is cognate with English 'curt' and 'short', and even 'card' (via different pathways involving cutting/dividing).

发音指南

UK /ˈkratkə/
US /ˈkratkoʊ/
On the first syllable: КРАТ-ко.
押韵词
гладко сладко гадко лопатка палатка загадка пересадка раскладка
常见错误
  • Stressing the second syllable (крат-КО).
  • Pronouncing the final 'o' too clearly like 'oh'.
  • Confusing it with the pronunciation of 'кротко' (meekly).

难度评级

阅读 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to frequent usage.

写作 4/5

Requires understanding of the distinction from 'коротко'.

口语 3/5

Stress is important but the word is short and easy to say.

听力 2/5

Very distinct sound, hard to confuse with other common words.

接下来学什么

前置知识

короткий говорить рассказывать ясно дело

接下来学习

лаконично сжато суть излагать резюмировать

高级

конспективно тезисно лаконизм краткосрочность сокращение

需要掌握的语法

Adverb formation from adjectives

краткий -> кратко

Short-form adjectives as predicates

Это изложение кратко.

Parenthetical constructions

Кратко говоря, ...

Comparative degree of adverbs

кратче / более кратко

Adverb placement in a sentence

Он ответил кратко vs Он кратко ответил.

按水平分级的例句

1

Скажи это кратко.

Say it briefly.

Imperative verb + adverb.

2

Он пишет кратко.

He writes briefly.

Present tense verb + adverb.

3

Это было кратко.

That was brief.

Past tense neuter + short adjective/adverb.

4

Пожалуйста, кратко.

Please, [keep it] brief.

Adverb used as a request.

5

Я отвечу кратко.

I will answer briefly.

Future tense verb + adverb.

6

Кратко и ясно.

Briefly and clearly.

Common pair of adverbs.

7

Читай кратко.

Read briefly.

Imperative verb.

8

Мы говорили кратко.

We spoke briefly.

Past plural verb.

1

Он кратко рассказал о себе.

He told about himself briefly.

Adverb modifying a past tense verb.

2

Кратко говоря, мы опоздали.

Briefly speaking, we were late.

Parenthetical phrase 'кратко говоря'.

3

Можете описать это кратко?

Can you describe this briefly?

Infinitive + adverb.

4

Она кратко кивнула мне.

She nodded briefly to me.

Adverb describing a physical action.

5

В книге всё написано кратко.

Everything is written briefly in the book.

Impersonal construction.

6

Я кратко объясню правила.

I will briefly explain the rules.

Future tense with an adverb.

7

Её письмо было очень кратко.

Her letter was very brief.

Short-form adjective with intensifier.

8

Давай обсудим это кратко.

Let's discuss this briefly.

Hortatory construction + adverb.

1

Автор кратко подводит итоги в конце главы.

The author briefly summarizes at the end of the chapter.

Present tense verb 'подводить итоги'.

2

Нам нужно кратко изложить план действий.

We need to briefly state the action plan.

Modal construction 'нужно' + infinitive.

3

Он кратко упомянул об этом в своём докладе.

He briefly mentioned it in his report.

Past tense verb 'упомянул'.

4

Кратко изложите свои мысли на бумаге.

Briefly state your thoughts on paper.

Formal imperative.

5

Это руководство написано слишком кратко.

This manual is written too briefly.

Passive participle + adverb.

6

Директор кратко поприветствовал гостей.

The director briefly welcomed the guests.

Subject-Adverb-Verb order.

7

Я постараюсь быть максимально кратко.

I will try to be as brief as possible.

Future tense with 'максимально'.

8

Инструкция кратко поясняет, как собрать стол.

The instruction briefly explains how to assemble the table.

Subject + Adverb + Verb.

1

В резюме следует кратко описать свой опыт.

In the resume, one should briefly describe their experience.

Impersonal 'следует' + infinitive.

2

Он кратко и по существу ответил на все вопросы.

He answered all questions briefly and to the point.

Adverbial phrase 'кратко и по существу'.

3

Кратко изложенная информация лучше усваивается.

Briefly stated information is better absorbed.

Participial phrase 'кратко изложенная'.

4

Позвольте мне кратко прокомментировать ситуацию.

Allow me to briefly comment on the situation.

Polite request 'Позвольте'.

5

Статья кратко освещает основные вехи истории.

The article briefly highlights the main milestones of history.

Metaphorical use of 'освещает'.

6

Мы кратко коснулись этой темы на прошлом собрании.

We briefly touched on this topic at the last meeting.

Idiomatic 'коснуться темы'.

7

Его стиль письма можно охарактеризовать как кратко и ёмко.

His writing style can be characterized as brief and meaningful.

Adverbs used as a characterization.

8

Кратко сформулируйте цель вашего визита.

Briefly formulate the purpose of your visit.

Professional imperative.

1

Протокол кратко фиксирует основные решения комиссии.

The protocol briefly records the main decisions of the commission.

Formal administrative style.

2

Автор кратко, но исчерпывающе описывает метод.

The author briefly but exhaustively describes the method.

Contrastive adverbs 'кратко, но исчерпывающе'.

3

В аннотации кратко излагается содержание монографии.

The abstract briefly states the content of the monograph.

Reflexive verb 'излагается' (passive sense).

4

Он умел кратко выразить то, на что другим нужны часы.

He knew how to briefly express what took others hours.

Complex sentence with relative clause.

5

Кратко резюмируя, можно сказать, что эксперимент удался.

Briefly summarizing, one can say that the experiment succeeded.

Gerund phrase 'Кратко резюмируя'.

6

Судья попросил адвоката высказываться более кратко.

The judge asked the lawyer to speak more briefly.

Comparative degree 'более кратко'.

7

Кратко очертим круг проблем, стоящих перед нами.

Let's briefly outline the circle of problems facing us.

Future 1st person plural (inclusive).

8

Его ответ был кратко сформулирован и лишён эмоций.

His answer was briefly formulated and devoid of emotion.

Short-form past passive participle.

1

В философском трактате автор кратко постулирует основы бытия.

In the philosophical treatise, the author briefly postulates the foundations of being.

Academic/Philosophical register.

2

Кратко, почти телеграфно, он сообщил о своём приезде.

Briefly, almost telegraphically, he announced his arrival.

Stylistic adverb 'телеграфно'.

3

Стихотворение кратко, но в нём заключена целая жизнь.

The poem is brief, but an entire life is contained within it.

Short-form adjective in a literary context.

4

Он кратко дефинировал понятие, не оставив места для споров.

He briefly defined the concept, leaving no room for debate.

Specialized verb 'дефинировать'.

5

Кратко коснувшись предыстории, оратор перешёл к сути.

Having briefly touched on the background, the orator moved to the essence.

Perfective gerund 'коснувшись'.

6

Его манера говорить кратко граничила с грубостью.

His manner of speaking briefly bordered on rudeness.

Infinitive as a subject attribute.

7

Кратко изложенный манифест вызвал бурные дискуссии.

The briefly stated manifesto sparked heated discussions.

Adverb modifying a participle.

8

В эпилоге судьбы героев прописаны лишь кратко.

In the epilogue, the fates of the heroes are only briefly outlined.

Short-form passive participle plural.

常见搭配

кратко изложить
кратко ответить
кратко пересказать
очень кратко
кратко и ясно
кратко описать
кратко упомянуть
кратко пояснить
кратко сформулировать
кратко поприветствовать

常用短语

Кратко говоря

Если кратко

Кратко о главном

Ответить кратко

Кратко и по делу

Кратко изложенный

Кратко остановиться на...

Кратко коснуться

Кратко резюмировать

Кратко и ёмко

容易混淆的词

кратко vs коротко

Used for physical length and short time, whereas 'кратко' is for information.

кратко vs вкратце

More specific to storytelling; 'кратко' is more general.

кратко vs кротко

Means 'meekly' or 'humbly'; sounds similar but unrelated.

习语与表达

"Краткость — сестра таланта"

A famous quote by Chekhov meaning brevity is a sign of skill.

Пиши меньше, ведь краткость — сестра таланта.

literary/proverbial

"В двух словах"

In two words; very briefly.

Расскажи в двух словах, как дела.

informal

"Короче говоря"

Long story short; anyway.

Короче говоря, я уволился.

colloquial

"Кратко и со вкусом"

Briefly and with style.

Одет кратко и со вкусом (rarely used for clothes, usually for style of speech).

neutral

"Краткость — душа остроумия"

Brevity is the soul of wit (Shakespearean, used in Russian too).

Твоя шутка хороша, краткость — душа остроумия.

literary

"Рубить сплеча"

To speak too bluntly or briefly without tact (related).

Не надо так рубить сплеча, объясни подробнее.

idiomatic

"Одним словом"

In a word; in short.

Одним словом — катастрофа.

neutral

"Кратко, как выстрел"

Extremely brief and sudden.

Его ответ был краток, как выстрел.

poetic

"Не растекаться мыслью по древу"

To not wander from the point; to be brief.

Давай не будем растекаться мыслью по древу и скажем кратко.

literary

"Кратко и по существу"

Briefly and to the point.

Выступайте кратко и по существу.

professional

容易混淆

кратко vs коротко

Both translate as 'briefly'.

'Коротко' is physical/temporal (short hair, short meet). 'Кратко' is informational (short speech).

Он коротко подстригся. Он кратко выступил.

кратко vs вкратце

Both mean 'in brief'.

'Вкратце' is almost always used with verbs of telling/narrating. 'Кратко' is more versatile.

Расскажи вкратце. Кратко изложи суть.

кратко vs лаконично

Both mean 'concisely'.

'Лаконично' is more stylistic and formal, often a compliment for style.

Его стиль очень лаконичен.

кратко vs сжато

Both mean 'concisely'.

'Сжато' implies compression of a large volume of data.

Курс изложен сжато.

кратко vs тезисно

Both mean 'briefly'.

'Тезисно' implies a specific format (bullet points).

Я набросал план тезисно.

句型

A1

Verb + кратко.

Пиши кратко.

A2

Кратко говоря, [Sentence].

Кратко говоря, мы дома.

B1

Нужно + кратко + Verb.

Нужно кратко объяснить.

B2

Кратко + Participle.

Кратко изложенная суть.

C1

Кратко, но [Adjective/Adverb].

Кратко, но содержательно.

C2

Кратко коснувшись [Genitive]...

Кратко коснувшись темы...

B1

Очень кратко.

Он говорил очень кратко.

A2

Кратко о [Prepositional].

Кратко о погоде.

词族

名词

动词

形容词

相关

如何使用

frequency

Top 2000 words in Russian.

常见错误
  • У меня кратко волосы. У меня коротко подстрижены волосы.

    Use 'коротко' for physical length.

  • Это кратко история. Это краткая история.

    Use the adjective form 'краткая' to modify a noun.

  • Расскажи мне кратко о себе. Расскажи мне вкратце о себе.

    'Вкратце' is more natural with the verb 'рассказать'.

  • Я кратко пошёл в магазин. Я ненадолго пошёл в магазин.

    For short durations of time in movement, use 'ненадолго'.

  • Стресс на второй слог: краткО. Стресс на первый слог: крАтко.

    Incorrect stress changes the flow of the sentence.

小贴士

Use in Emails

When sending a long email, start a summary paragraph with 'Кратко о главном:' to help the reader.

Adverb vs Adjective

Remember: 'кратко' (adverb) for actions, 'краткий' (adjective) for things. 'Кратко ответить' vs 'Краткий ответ'.

The Chekhov Rule

In Russian culture, being brief is often seen as a sign of intelligence. Don't be afraid to use 'кратко' to justify your efficiency.

Brevity vs Shortness

Always use 'коротко' for physical length (hair, roads) and 'кратко' for information (speeches, books).

Expand with Synonyms

Once you master 'кратко', try using 'лаконично' to sound more sophisticated in formal writing.

Transitioning

Use 'кратко говоря' to wrap up a long story. It signals to the listener that you are finishing.

News Watching

Watch Russian news and listen for the word 'кратко'. It usually precedes a list of important updates.

The 'Curt' Connection

Remember the English word 'curt'. It sounds a bit like 'крат-' and means almost the same thing (brief/blunt).

Summarizing

Practice writing 100-word summaries of articles, then try to do it 'кратко' in only 20 words.

Social Nuance

Be careful: if you answer a friend's long question 'кратко', they might think you are upset. Context is key.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of a 'CRAT-er'. It's a 'short' or 'concise' hole in the ground compared to a long valley. CRAT-ko.

视觉联想

Imagine a pair of scissors cutting a long sentence into a small, neat pile of words.

Word Web

краткий краткость вкратце сократить краткосрочный кратко и ясно кратко говоря краткое изложение

挑战

Try to summarize your favorite movie in exactly three Russian words, using the adverb 'кратко' to describe your summary.

词源

Derived from the Old Church Slavonic 'кратъкъ', which comes from the Proto-Slavic root '*kortъkъ'.

原始含义: Originally meant 'cut' or 'shortened' in a physical sense.

Indo-European > Slavic > East Slavic > Russian.

文化背景

No major sensitivities, but avoid using it to shut people up rudely.

Similar to the English 'get to the point', but 'кратко' is more formal.

Anton Chekhov's 'Краткость — сестра таланта'. The Soviet news agency TASS often used 'Кратко:'. Pushkin's prose style is often described as 'кратко и точно'.

在生活中练习

真实语境

Business Meeting

  • Давайте кратко.
  • Кратко о планах.
  • Изложите кратко.
  • Кратко по пунктам.

Academic Writing

  • Краткий обзор.
  • Кратко изложим.
  • Кратко резюмируя.
  • В аннотации кратко.

Daily News

  • Кратко о главном.
  • Новости кратко.
  • Кратко о погоде.
  • Кратко о законе.

Social Interaction

  • Если кратко, то...
  • Расскажи кратко.
  • Кратко говоря...
  • Ответь кратко.

Exam Instruction

  • Кратко опишите.
  • Кратко ответьте.
  • Кратко перескажите.
  • Сформулируйте кратко.

对话开场白

"Можешь кратко рассказать о своём любимом фильме?"

"Кратко говоря, как прошёл твой сегодняшний день?"

"Почему говорят, что краткость — сестра таланта?"

"Ты предпочитаешь говорить кратко или подробно?"

"Как кратко описать твой родной город?"

日记主题

Опишите кратко вашу главную цель на этот год и почему она важна.

Кратко изложите сюжет последней прочитанной вами книги на русском языке.

Если бы вам нужно было описать себя кратко тремя словами, что бы это были за слова?

Напишите кратко о том, что делает вас счастливым каждый день.

Кратко проанализируйте свои успехи в изучении русского языка за последний месяц.

常见问题

10 个问题

No, you should use 'коротко'. 'Кратко' is for abstract things like information, speech, or text. For physical length, 'коротко' is the only correct choice. For example: 'Он коротко подстрижен'.

'Кратко говоря' is more formal and polite. 'Короче' is very informal and often used as a filler word in slang. Use 'кратко говоря' in professional settings and 'короче' with friends.

They are very similar. 'Вкратце' is slightly more colloquial and usually used with verbs like 'рассказать' (tell). 'Кратко' is more formal and can be used as a short adjective (Это было кратко).

Technically no, it is an adverb or a neuter short-form adjective. The noun for 'brevity' is 'краткость'. However, in some contexts, it can act as a substantivized concept (Brevity is...).

You can say 'кратче' or 'более кратко'. 'Кратче' is more common in speech, while 'более кратко' is slightly more formal.

Yes, but usually in relation to an event that involves communication. 'Мы кратко поговорили' is fine. But for a short duration like a break, 'короткий перерыв' is better.

Usually, yes, as it implies efficiency. However, if someone is being *too* brief when detail is needed, it might be a criticism: 'Вы ответили слишком кратко'.

The stress is on the first syllable: КРАТ-ко. This is consistent across all its adverbial uses.

No. You must use the adjective: 'краткая история'. Adverbs like 'кратко' modify verbs, not nouns.

It comes from an Old Church Slavonic root meaning 'cut' or 'short'. It is related to the English word 'curt'.

自我测试 200 个问题

writing

Write a sentence using 'кратко говоря' to summarize your day.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Summarize your favorite book 'кратко' in Russian (3 sentences).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write a formal request for a 'краткий' report.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Explain the difference between 'кратко' and 'коротко' in Russian.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write a news headline starting with 'Кратко о главном:'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Describe a person who speaks 'лаконично'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Use 'кратко' and 'ясно' in a sentence about a teacher.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write a brief summary (краткое содержание) of a movie.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Compose a text message telling a friend to be 'brief'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write a small paragraph about Chekhov's view on brevity.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Translate: 'Please describe your experience briefly.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Use 'кратко' as a predicate in a sentence about a meeting.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 5 bullet points (тезисно) about learning Russian.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Explain why 'кратко' is important in business.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Create a dialogue where one person is too 'многословен' and the other asks to be 'кратко'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Translate: 'Briefly about the weather: it's cold.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write a sentence with 'кратко' in the comparative degree.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Describe a 'краткосрочный' goal you have.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Use 'кратко' to describe a poem.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write a conclusion for an essay starting with 'Кратко резюмируя...'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Tell a partner 'кратко' about your last vacation.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Explain the phrase 'Краткость — сестра таланта' in your own words.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Discuss: Is it always good to speak 'кратко'?

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Summarize a news story you heard recently 'кратко'.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Roleplay: A boss asking an employee to report 'кратко'.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Describe your favorite Russian word 'кратко'.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Explain the difference between 'кратко' and 'лаконично'.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Give a 'краткий' speech about the importance of learning languages.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Answer the question 'Как дела?' using 'кратко говоря'.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Debate: Brevity vs. Detail in literature.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Tell a fairy tale 'кратко' in one minute.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Describe your job 'кратко и ясно'.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Introduce yourself 'кратко' to a new group.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Discuss the 'telegraphic style' of communication.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

How would you tell someone to 'be brief' politely?

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Summarize the rules of a game 'кратко'.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Talk about a 'краткосрочный' project you worked on.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

What is the 'краткое содержание' of your life so far?

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Use 'кратко' to describe your breakfast.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Discuss: Why is 'кратко' hard for some people?

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen to a weather report. Identify the 'кратко' section.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen to a meeting recording. Who spoke most 'кратко'?

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Identify the phrase 'кратко говоря' in a podcast.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen for instructions in a classroom setting containing 'кратко'.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Distinguish between 'кратко' and 'коротко' in a conversation.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen to a summary of a movie and write down the 'краткое содержание'.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen to a legal statement. Was it 'кратко и по существу'?

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Detect the tone of someone saying 'Ну, кратко...'. Are they impatient?

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen to a poem. Is the style 'краткий'?

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Follow an audio guide that says 'Кратко остановимся у этого памятника'.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen to news headlines. How many times is 'кратко' used?

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen to a person telling a long story and then saying 'кратко говоря'.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Identify 'кратко' in a fast-paced sports commentary.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen for the comparative 'кратче' in a debate.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen to a child explaining something 'кратко'.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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