Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'artificial'

English Word: artificial

Key Russian Translations:

• искусственный [ˌiskʊsˈstvʲennɨj] - [Formal, General Use]
• ненастоящий [ˌnʲenəsˈtojəʂɨj] - [Informal, Often Negative Connotation]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

искусственный: [ˌiskʊsˈstvʲennɨj]

Note on искусственный: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "ств" cluster can be tricky for non-native speakers; ensure clear articulation.

ненастоящий: [ˌnʲenəsˈtojəʂɨj]

Note on ненастоящий: Stress on the third syllable. The soft "н" sound at the start requires a palatalized pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Made by human skill; not natural

Translation(s) & Context:

• искусственный - Used for objects or materials created by humans, often in scientific or technical contexts (e.g., artificial intelligence).

Usage Examples:

• Искусственный интеллект меняет нашу жизнь.

  Artificial intelligence is changing our lives.

• На столе лежали искусственные цветы.

  Artificial flowers were lying on the table.

• Искусственное освещение в комнате было слишком ярким.

  The artificial lighting in the room was too bright.

2. Insincere or fake

Translation(s) & Context:

• ненастоящий - Used to describe something or someone lacking authenticity, often with a negative tone (e.g., artificial emotions).
• искусственный - Occasionally used in this sense, though less common and more formal.

Usage Examples:

• Её улыбка казалась ненастоящей.

  Her smile seemed artificial (insincere).

• Он говорил с искусственной вежливостью.

  He spoke with artificial politeness.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

искусственный (Adjective): Follows standard Russian adjective declension rules based on gender, number, and case.

ненастоящий (Adjective): Similarly follows standard adjective declension rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for искусственный:

• синтетический (synthetic, often for materials)
• рукотворный (man-made, less common)

Synonyms for ненастоящий:

• фальшивый (fake, often with a stronger negative tone)
• поддельный (counterfeit, forged)

Antonyms:

• натуральный (natural)
• настоящий (genuine, real)

Related Phrases:

• искусственный интеллект - Artificial intelligence; widely used in tech contexts.
• искусственное дыхание - Artificial respiration; a medical term.
• ненастоящая дружба - Artificial (insincere) friendship; used to describe superficial relationships.

Usage Notes:

• "Искусственный" is the primary and most neutral term for "artificial" when referring to man-made objects or concepts. It is widely used in both formal and technical contexts.
• "Ненастоящий" carries a more negative connotation and is often used to imply something fake or insincere, particularly in emotional or personal contexts.
• Be cautious when choosing between the two based on the tone and context of your sentence. Using "ненастоящий" in a technical context might sound inappropriate or overly critical.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ненастоящий" to describe technical or scientific creations (e.g., "ненастоящий интеллект" for artificial intelligence).
  Correct Usage: Use "искусственный интеллект" instead. "Ненастоящий" implies fakery or deception, which is inappropriate in this context.
• Error: Misplacing stress in "искусственный" as [ˌiskuˈsstvʲennɨj].
  Correct Usage: Stress is on the third syllable: [ˌiskʊsˈstvʲennɨj]. Incorrect stress can lead to misunderstandings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "ненастоящий" often carries a stronger emotional weight than "artificial" might in English, as it can imply deceit or lack of authenticity, which are highly frowned upon in personal interactions. Using it to describe a person’s behavior or emotions can be seen as a serious critique.

Related Concepts:

• синтетический (synthetic)
• технологический (technological)
• фальшивый (fake)