Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'brave'

English Word: brave

Key Russian Translations:

• храбрый [ˈxrabrɨj] - [Formal, Informal]
• смелый [ˈsmʲelɨj] - [Informal, Commonly Used]
• отважный [ɐtˈvaʐnɨj] - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Medium-High (commonly used in various contexts)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate, depending on context and translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

храбрый: [ˈxrabrɨj]

Note on храбрый: Pay attention to the rolled 'r' sound and stress on the first syllable.

смелый: [ˈsmʲelɨj]

Note on смелый: The 'е' is palatalized, creating a soft 'l' sound.

отважный: [ɐtˈvaʐnɨj]

Note on отважный: Stress falls on the second syllable; 'ж' sounds like 'zh' in 'measure'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Courageous in the face of danger

Translation(s) & Context:

• храбрый - Used for general bravery, often in personal or heroic contexts.
• смелый - Often implies boldness or daring, used in everyday situations.
• отважный - Suggests exceptional courage, often in formal or literary contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он был храбрым солдатом на войне.

  He was a brave soldier in the war.

• Она смелая девушка, не боится говорить правду.

  She is a brave girl, not afraid to speak the truth.

• Отважный капитан спас всю команду.

  The brave captain saved the entire crew.

• Ты был очень смелым, когда защитил друга.

  You were very brave when you defended your friend.

• Храбрые сердца не знают страха.

  Brave hearts know no fear.

2. Bold or daring in a non-physical sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• смелый - Used for boldness in ideas, decisions, or actions.

Usage Examples:

• Это был смелый шаг для её карьеры.

  It was a brave step for her career.

• Его смелое решение удивило всех.

  His brave decision surprised everyone.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

храбрый (adjective): Follows standard adjective declension in Russian based on gender, number, and case.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	храбрый	храбрая	храброе	храбрые
Genitive	храброго	храброй	храброго	храбрых

смелый (adjective): Declines similarly to "храбрый". Refer to standard adjective declension rules.

отважный (adjective): Follows the same pattern as above with regular adjective endings.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• мужественный (courageous, manly)
• бесстрашный (fearless)
• дерзкий (bold, audacious - more informal, sometimes negative)

Note: "дерзкий" can carry a negative connotation of recklessness, unlike "храбрый" or "смелый".

Antonyms:

• трусливый (cowardly)
• боязливый (timid)

Related Phrases:

• храброе сердце - "brave heart" (a poetic or metaphorical expression for courage)
• смелый поступок - "brave act" (used for a bold action or deed)
• отважный дух - "brave spirit" (often used in literary or formal contexts)

Usage Notes:

• "храбрый" is a versatile term for bravery, suitable for most contexts, both formal and informal.
• "смелый" often implies boldness in everyday situations and is more commonly used in spoken language.
• "отважный" is more literary or formal, often used in historical or heroic narratives.
• Choose the translation based on the tone and context: "отважный" for elevated speech, "смелый" for casual or modern usage.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "дерзкий" as a direct translation of "brave". While it can mean "bold", it often has a negative connotation of being impudent or rude.
  Incorrect: Он был дерзким в бою. (He was impudent in battle.)
  Correct: Он был храбрым в бою. (He was brave in battle.)
• Error: Ignoring adjective agreement with gender and case. For example, saying "храбрый женщина" instead of "храбрая женщина". Always match the adjective to the noun it describes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, bravery ("храбрость" or "смелость") is often associated with historical figures like soldiers and heroes from folklore or wartime narratives. Terms like "отважный" are frequently used in literature and patriotic contexts to evoke a sense of deep respect for courage.

Related Concepts:

• мужество (courage)
• отвага (valor)
• смелость (boldness)