Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Breathless'

English Word: breathless

Key Russian Translations:

• запыхавшийся [zɐˈpɨxəfʂɨj] - [Informal, Used for physical breathlessness]
• задыхающийся [zɐˈdɨxəjʉɕːɨj] - [Neutral, Often used in medical or intense contexts]
• взволнованный [vzɐlˈnovənːɨj] - [Neutral, Used for emotional excitement or anticipation]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like sports or emotions)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate - varies slightly by translation; "запыхавшийся" is B1, while "задыхающийся" can be B2 due to nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

запыхавшийся: [zɐˈpɨxəfʂɨj]

Note on запыхавшийся: Stress falls on the second syllable; the "ш" sound is a retroflex fricative, distinct from English "sh."

задыхающийся: [zɐˈdɨxəjʉɕːɨj]

Note on задыхающийся: The double "щ" sound is a long, soft fricative; stress is on the second syllable.

взволнованный: [vzɐlˈnovənːɨj]

Note on взволнованный: Stress on the third syllable; the "вз" cluster can be tricky for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical Breathlessness (e.g., after running)

Translation(s) & Context:

• запыхавшийся - Commonly used for someone out of breath after physical exertion.
• задыхающийся - Used when someone is struggling to breathe, often with a more serious or medical connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Он прибежал запыхавшийся после марафона.

  He arrived breathless after the marathon.

• Она была задыхающейся после подъема на гору.

  She was breathless after climbing the mountain.

• Ребенок запыхался, играя в футбол.

  The child was breathless from playing soccer.

2. Emotional Breathlessness (e.g., excitement or awe)

Translation(s) & Context:

• взволнованный - Used metaphorically for excitement, anticipation, or being emotionally overwhelmed.

Usage Examples:

• Она говорила взволнованным голосом, ожидая результатов.

  She spoke in a breathless voice, awaiting the results.

• Мы были взволнованы, увидев северное сияние.

  We were breathless seeing the northern lights.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All three translations are adjectives and follow standard Russian adjective declension patterns based on gender, number, and case.

запыхавшийся (masculine base form):

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	запыхавшийся	запыхавшаяся	запыхавшееся	запыхавшиеся
Genitive	запыхавшегося	запыхавшейся	запыхавшегося	запыхавшихся

Note: Similar declension applies to "задыхающийся" and "взволнованный" with respective stem changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for запыхавшийся (physical breathlessness):

• усталый (tired, fatigued)
• измождённый (exhausted)

Note: "усталый" is broader and less specific to breathlessness than "запыхавшийся."

Antonyms for запыхавшийся:

• спокойный (calm)
• отдохнувший (rested)

Related Phrases:

• запыхаться от бега - To become breathless from running.
• задыхаться от жары - To feel breathless due to heat.
• взволнованный шепот - Breathless whisper (emotional context).

Usage Notes:

• "запыхавшийся" is the most colloquial and frequent for physical breathlessness, often used in casual speech.
• "задыхающийся" carries a stronger, sometimes negative connotation, implying difficulty or distress in breathing.
• "взволнованный" is primarily for emotional states and should not be used for physical breathlessness.
• Adjective agreement with gender and number is crucial in Russian; always match the form to the subject.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "взволнованный" for physical breathlessness. Incorrect: "Он был взволнованный после бега." Correct: "Он был запыхавшийся после бега." (Explanation: "взволнованный" implies emotional excitement, not physical state.)
• Error: Forgetting gender agreement. Incorrect: "Она запыхавшийся." Correct: "Она запыхавшаяся." (Explanation: Feminine form must be used for female subjects.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, describing someone as "запыхавшийся" after physical activity is often neutral or even endearing, reflecting effort or enthusiasm. However, "задыхающийся" can imply concern, especially in health-related contexts, and might prompt offers of help or rest.

Related Concepts:

• усталость (fatigue)
• одышка (shortness of breath, medical term)
• волнение (excitement, anxiety)