Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'abysmal'

English Word: abysmal

Key Russian Translations:

• Ужасный [ˈuʐəsnɨj] - [Informal; commonly used in everyday speech to describe something extremely poor or disappointing]
• Плачевный [ˈplat͡ɕɪfnɨj] - [Formal; often used in written or professional contexts to convey a sense of deep inadequacy]

Frequency: Medium (These words appear regularly in Russian media, literature, and conversation, but are not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives like "плохой").

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and contextual nuances; "Ужасный" may be slightly easier for beginners, while "Плачевный" demands more advanced vocabulary knowledge).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Ужасный: [ˈuʐəsnɨj]

Note on Ужасный: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in "measure" in English; be careful with stress on the first syllable to avoid mispronunciation.

Плачевный: [ˈplat͡ɕɪfnɨj]

Note on Плачевный: The 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative, like the 'ch' in "church"; stress falls on the first syllable, and the word may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Extremely bad, poor, or of very low quality

Translation(s) & Context:

• Ужасный - Used in informal, everyday situations to express strong disappointment, such as describing a failed event or subpar performance.
• Плачевный - Applied in more formal or literary contexts, often implying a deeper sense of tragedy or inadequacy, like in critiques or reports.

Usage Examples:

• Его выступление было ужасным; аудитория разочаровалась в нём. (His performance was abysmal; the audience was disappointed in him.)

  His performance was abysmal; the audience was disappointed in him.

• Погода в этом регионе плачевная, с постоянными дождями и холодом. (The weather in this region is abysmal, with constant rain and cold.)

  The weather in this region is abysmal, with constant rain and cold.

• Ужасная еда в этом ресторане отпугнула всех посетителей. (The abysmal food at this restaurant scared off all the visitors.)

  The abysmal food at this restaurant scared off all the visitors.

• Экономика страны в плачевном состоянии из-за политических кризисов. (The country's economy is in an abysmal state due to political crises.)

  The country's economy is in an abysmal state due to political crises.

• Ужасный сервис в отеле испортил наш отпуск. (The abysmal service at the hotel ruined our vacation.)

  The abysmal service at the hotel ruined our vacation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Ужасный" and "Плачевный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard adjectival declension patterns, which are regular for these words.

These adjectives do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners at B2 level. Always ensure agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case for grammatical accuracy.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Плохой (poor) - More neutral and common, less intense than "Ужасный".
  • Страшный (terrible) - Often used for something frighteningly bad, with a connotation of fear.
  • Отвратительный (repulsive) - Implies disgust, suitable for sensory experiences.
• Antonyms:
  • Отличный (excellent)
  • Прекрасный (wonderful)
  • Идеальный (ideal)

Related Phrases:

• Ужасная погода (Abysmal weather) - Refers to extremely bad weather conditions, common in casual complaints.
• Плачевное состояние (Abysmal state) - Used in formal discussions, such as describing economic or health crises.
• Ужасный провал (Abysmal failure) - A phrase for complete and utter disappointment in an endeavor.

Usage Notes:

"Abysmal" in English often carries a strong emotional weight, similar to "Ужасный" in informal Russian contexts, but "Плачевный" is preferred for more polished or written language to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Choose "Ужасный" for everyday conversations, like complaining about service, and "Плачевный" for essays or reports. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns, as Russian requires this for correct grammar. In comparative forms, use "ужаснее" (more abysmal) or "плачевнее," but these are less common.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Ужасный" in formal writing without considering its informal tone. Correct: Opt for "Плачевный" in professional contexts. Example of error: "Экономика ужасная" (sounds casual); Correct: "Экономика плачевная" (more appropriate for reports).

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "ужасный дом" for a feminine noun like "квартира" without changing to "ужасная квартира." Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case; always check the noun's form first.

• Error: Confusing with synonyms like "плохой," which is milder—learners might understate severity. Correct: Use "Ужасный" for emphasis, as in "плохой" vs. "ужасный фильм" (bad film vs. abysmal film).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Ужасный" are often used hyperbolically in everyday speech to express frustration, reflecting a cultural tendency toward expressive emotional language. For instance, Russians might describe minor inconveniences as "ужасный" to bond over shared complaints, which aligns with the communal aspect of Russian social interactions.

Related Concepts:

• Катастрофический (catastrophic)
• Разрушительный (destructive)
• Безысходный (hopeless)