Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Breathtaking'

English Word: Breathtaking

Key Russian Translations:

• захватывающий [zəxɐˈtɨvəjʉʂːɪj] - [Formal/Informal, Commonly used for experiences or views]
• потрясающий [pətrʲɪˈsajʉʂːɪj] - [Informal, Often used for impressive or amazing things]
• впечатляющий [vʲpʲɪtɕɪˈtlʲajʉʂːɪj] - [Formal, Used in professional or descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in descriptive contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

захватывающий: [zəxɐˈtɨvəjʉʂːɪj]

Note on захватывающий: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "ы" sound is unique to Russian and may be challenging for English speakers.

потрясающий: [pətrʲɪˈsajʉʂːɪj]

Note on потрясающий: Stress on the third syllable. The soft "р" sound requires tongue placement behind the teeth.

впечатляющий: [vʲpʲɪtɕɪˈtlʲajʉʂːɪj]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Astonishing or awe-inspiring (e.g., a view or experience)

Translation(s) & Context:

• захватывающий - Often used for breathtaking views, stories, or experiences.
• потрясающий - Used colloquially to express amazement or admiration.

Usage Examples:

• Вид с горы был захватывающий.

  The view from the mountain was breathtaking.

• Это был захватывающий момент в моей жизни.

  It was a breathtaking moment in my life.

• Фильм был просто потрясающий!

  The movie was absolutely breathtaking!

2. Impressive or striking (e.g., performance or achievement)

Translation(s) & Context:

• впечатляющий - Used in formal or professional contexts to describe something remarkable.
• потрясающий - Can also apply in informal settings for impressive feats.

Usage Examples:

• Её выступление было впечатляющим.

  Her performance was breathtaking.

• Он показал потрясающие результаты на соревновании.

  He showed breathtaking results at the competition.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

захватывающий, потрясающий, впечатляющий are all adjectives and follow standard Russian adjective declension patterns based on gender, number, and case.

Declension of захватывающий (Masculine, Feminine, Neuter, Plural - Nominative Case)

Form	Word
Masculine	захватывающий
Feminine	захватывающая
Neuter	захватывающее
Plural	захватывающие

Note: Similar declension patterns apply to потрясающий and впечатляющий. Short forms (e.g., захватывающ, потрясающ) are less common but exist in specific contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• удивительный (amazing)
• поразительный (striking)
• изумительный (astonishing)

Note: "удивительный" may carry a softer tone, while "поразительный" emphasizes surprise or shock.

Antonyms:

• обычный (ordinary)
• скучный (boring)

Related Phrases:

• захватывающий дух - Literally "spirit-capturing," used for breathtaking views or moments (e.g., "Вид захватывает дух" - "The view takes your breath away").
• потрясающий успех - "Breathtaking success," used for remarkable achievements.
• впечатляющий результат - "Breathtaking result," often in professional contexts.

Usage Notes:

• "захватывающий" is the most versatile and widely used term for "breathtaking," suitable for both literal (e.g., views) and figurative (e.g., stories) contexts.
• "потрясающий" is more colloquial and often conveys emotional impact or admiration; avoid overusing in formal writing.
• "впечатляющий" is best for formal or descriptive contexts, such as reviews or reports, and less common in casual speech.

Common Errors:

1. Misusing formality levels: English learners often use "потрясающий" in formal contexts where "впечатляющий" is more appropriate. For example:

• Incorrect: "Ваш доклад был потрясающий." (Too informal for a professional setting)
• Correct: "Ваш доклад был впечатляющий." (Appropriate for formal feedback)

2. Incorrect adjective agreement: Forgetting to match the adjective's gender, number, or case with the noun it describes. For example:

• Incorrect: "Вид была захватывающий." (Incorrect feminine ending)
• Correct: "Вид был захватывающий." (Masculine agreement with "вид")

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, describing something as "захватывающий" or "потрясающий" often carries a strong emotional undertone. Russians may use such terms to express deep admiration for nature, art, or personal achievements, reflecting a cultural appreciation for beauty and emotional impact.

Related Concepts:

• красота (beauty)
• восторг (delight)
• удивление (amazement)