Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| сино́псис | sinópsis | masculine |
| кра́ткое описа́ние | krátkoje opisánije | neuter |
| кра́ткий обзо́р | krátkij obzór | masculine |
| конспе́кт | konspékt | masculine |
| обозре́ние | obozrénije | neuter |
| резюме́ | rezjumɛ́ | neuter |
In Russian, the way you say 'synopsis' depends on whether you are providing a technical literary summary, a high-level overview or academic notes. While сино́псис is a direct equivalent, other terms like кра́ткий обзо́р are used for general overviews and конспе́кт is used for study materials.
Which one should you use?
The term сино́псис is a technical term used in literary or academic settings. For a more common and descriptive way to say 'brief description', use кра́ткое описа́ние. If you want to provide a high-level overview of a topic, such as a news summary or a book review, use кра́ткий обзо́р. In an academic setting, конспе́кт refers specifically to notes taken during a lecture or a condensed version of a textbook. In a professional context, резюме́ most commonly refers to a CV or resume rather than a plot synopsis.
How do you pronounce it?
sinópsis
Did you know?
- In the Russian film and publishing industry, a сино́псис is a rigid professional document used to sell a project to producers. It follows a specific format that differs from a simple 'plot summary'.
- The word обзо́р can mean a 'view' or a 'panorama' in a physical sense, which is how it evolved into the meaning of a 'review' or 'overview'.
- When creating a конспе́кт, Russian students often use a specific shorthand system to speed up writing. This makes a конспе́кт look like a coded document to those who did not write it.
Examples in context
- Вам потребуется написать синопсис для вашей диссертации.You will need to write a synopsis for your dissertation.
- Я посмотрел кино, и мне нужно сделать краткий обзор сюжета.I watched a movie, and I need to make a brief synopsis of the plot.
- Студенты должны приложить синопсисы к своим исследованиям перед представлением.Students must attach synopses to their research papers before the presentation.
- Мне понравился сюжет этой книги, хотя обзор на задней обложке был неубедителен.I liked the plot of this book, although the synopsis on the back cover was unconvincing.
- Можешь рассказать мне краткий обзор этой статьи?Can you give me a brief synopsis of this article?
- В синопсисе определены главные моменты сюжета фильма.The synopsis outlines the main plot points of the movie.
- Прочтите этот сино́псис перед просмотром.Prochityte etot sinopsis pered prosmotrom.Read this synopsis before watching.
- Сино́псис фильма очень интригующий.Sinopsis fil'ma ochen' intriguyushchiy.The movie synopsis is very intriguing.
- Я подготовил сино́псис для редактора.Ya podgotovil sinopsis dlya redaktora.I prepared a synopsis for the editor.
Example conversation
Sergey and Olga are discussing a new book at a cafe.
- Ольга OlgaСергей, ты читал сино́псис этой книги?Sergey, ty chital sinopsis etoy knigi?Sergey, have you read the synopsis of this book?
- Сергей SergeyДа, я только что его изучил.Da, ya tol'ko chto yego izuchil.Yes, I just finished studying it.
- Ольга OlgaОн кажется очень интересным.On kazhetsya ochen' interesnym.It seems very interesting.
- Сергей SergeyСогласен, сюжет захватывает с первых строк.Soglasen, syuzhet zakhvatyvayet s pervykh strok.I agree, the plot is gripping from the first lines.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “synopsis” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
