rudiments
gb/ɹˈudɪmənts/ us/ɹˈudɪmənts/
C1
English
alap, alapismeret, csíra, kezdeti szakasz, kezdemény, csökevény
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
alap
A2
alapismeret
B2
Usage pattern:
the rudiments of [subject/activity]
The course covers the rudiments of accounting before moving on to financial statements.
A tanfolyam először a számvitel alapjait veszi át, majd rátér a pénzügyi kimutatásokra.
She learned the rudiments of Spanish in high school.
Középiskolában megtanulta a spanyol nyelv alapjait.
You need to understand the rudiments of the rules to enjoy the game.
Learner examples
I am learning the rudiments of coding.
A programozás alapjait tanulom.
He knows the rudiments of French.
Ismeri a francia nyelv alapjait.
Common mistake:
Often used in the plural (rudiments), especially in the pattern “the rudiments of …”.
Meaning
basic principles or first skills
Collocations
the rudiments of math
|the rudiments of grammar
|the rudiments of music
|the rudiments of programming
|learn the rudiments
|teach the rudiments
|master the rudiments
|a grasp of the rudiments
|the rudiments of the game
|the rudiments of a language
Synonyms
basics (More common and less formal.)
|
fundamentals (Similar meaning; often used in academic contexts.)
|
elements (Broader; can mean basic parts rather than basic skills.)
Antonyms
advanced techniques (Goes beyond the beginner level.)
|
expertise (Deep, developed knowledge or skill.)
Themes
education
|learning
|skills
|language
Definition
the basic parts of something that you learn first
The most basic facts, principles, or skills of a subject or activity, needed before you can progress further.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
csíra
C1
Usage pattern:
the rudiments of [something]
You can see the rudiments of the current policy in documents from the 1990s.
A jelenlegi politika csírái már az 1990-es évekből származó dokumentumokban is láthatók.
The rudiments of a new movement were forming online.
Egy új mozgalom csírái kezdtek kialakulni az interneten.
At that point, the company existed only in the rudiments of an idea.
Learner examples
The rudiments of the plan were clear.
A terv kezdeti körvonalai már világosak voltak.
The project was still in the rudiments.
A projekt még nagyon kezdeti szakaszban volt.
Common mistake:
In this sense, rudiments does not mean “leftovers”; it means “early beginnings”.
Meaning
early beginnings or first signs
Collocations
the rudiments of a plan
|the rudiments of an idea
|the rudiments of a system
|the rudiments of an organization
|the rudiments of reform
|in its rudiments
|the rudiments of a relationship
Synonyms
beginnings (More general and common.)
|
early stages (Emphasizes development over time.)
|
origins (Focuses on where something started.)
Antonyms
maturity (A fully developed stage.)
|
completion (Finished state rather than a beginning.)
Themes
development
|change
|history
Definition
the very early beginning of something
The earliest stage of something’s development, or the first small signs that it is starting to exist or happen.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
rudiments of [body part/structure]
The embryo showed rudiments of limbs that later developed into fins.
Az embrióban végtagkezdemények voltak láthatók, amelyek később uszonyokká fejlődtek.
Some species retain rudiments of hind legs.
Egyes fajok megőrizték a hátsó lábak csökevényeit.
Microscopy revealed rudiments of the organ in early development.
Common mistake:
This sense is much less common in everyday English and is usually used in scientific writing.
Meaning
undeveloped or vestigial parts
Collocations
rudiments of wings
|rudiments of limbs
|rudiments of teeth
|embryonic rudiments
|vestigial rudiments
|rudiments of organs
Synonyms
vestiges (Emphasizes remnants of something formerly more developed.)
|
primordia (More technical term in developmental biology.)
Antonyms
fully developed structures (Complete, functional body parts.)
Themes
biology
|science
Definition
small parts that have not fully developed
Small or incomplete parts of an organism that are not fully developed, or that remain as traces of a structure that was more developed in an earlier stage or ancestor.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rudiments
IPA
GB/ɹˈudɪmənts/
US/ɹˈudɪmənts/
Syllables & stress
rudi - ments (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (rudi)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: rudiments
- Plural: rudiments
Expressions
learn the rudiments (of [something])
1/lˈɚn ðə ɹˈudɪmənts əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
start learning the basics
to start learning the basics of something
Examples
- He learned the rudiments of web design from free online tutorials.
- The workshop helps beginners learn the rudiments of public speaking.
- She learned the rudiments of carpentry from her father.
Learner examples
- I want to learn the rudiments of programming.
teach [someone] the rudiments (of [something])
1/tˈit͡ʃ sˈʌmwˌʌn ðə ɹˈudɪmənts əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
teach someone the basics
to teach someone the basics of something
Examples
- Our coach taught us the rudiments of the sport in the first session.
- She taught her brother the rudiments of budgeting.
- The class is designed to teach students the rudiments of research methods.
Learner examples
- The teacher taught us the rudiments of grammar.
the merest rudiments (of [something])
1/ðə mˈɛɹɪst ɹˈudɪmənts əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
only the smallest basics
only a very small amount of basic knowledge
Examples
- He doesn’t have the merest rudiments of customer service.
- They lacked even the merest rudiments of a workable plan.
- If you know the merest rudiments of cooking, you can make this dish.