rivnyj

Rivnyj is a Ukrainian adjective commonly translated as “even,” “level,” or “flat,” and also used to mean “equal” in mathematical or logical contexts. The term can describe a physical surface as smooth and flat, or refer to a state of equivalence between quantities or values.

Etymology and related terms: Rivnyj derives from the Slavic root meaning equality or sameness and is cognate with Russian rovnyj, Polish równy, and Czech rovný. Related nouns include rivniy (level) and rivnist (equality), with the abstract concept of equality expressed by rivnist and the process or relation of equality by rivnistnyj or rivnyannya (equality, equation).

Usage: In everyday Ukrainian, rivnyj describes surfaces, objects, and landscapes that are flat or even, as in дорога рівна (the road is level) or стіл рівний (a level table). In mathematics, rivnyj is used in the sense of equality: дві величини рівні між собою (the two quantities are equal). The related noun рівність expresses the concept of equality, and рівняння refers to an equation. A verb form, вирівняти, means to level or to make something even or perfectly flat.

Notes: In arithmetic, even numbers are typically called парні числа, not rivnyj, although rivnyj can appear in contexts describing two values being equal. The distinction between flat/level and equal is important in both everyday use and technical language.

See also: рівень, рівність, рівняння, вирівняти.