Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Brilliant'

English Word: brilliant

Key Russian Translations:

• блестящий [blʲɪˈsʲtʲaʂːɪj] - [Formal, Often used for intellectual or metaphorical brilliance]
• великолепный [vʲɪlʲɪkɐˈlʲepnɨj] - [Formal/Informal, Often used for impressive or splendid things]
• яркий [ˈjarkʲɪj] - [Informal, Often used for bright or vivid, literal or figurative]

Frequency: High (commonly used across contexts)

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

блестящий: [blʲɪˈsʲtʲaʂːɪj]

Note on блестящий: Stress falls on the second syllable; the "щ" sound is a distinct Russian sound, similar to 'shch'.

великолепный: [vʲɪlʲɪkɐˈlʲepnɨj]

Note on великолепный: Stress on the fourth syllable; ensure clear pronunciation of the soft 'л'.

яркий: [ˈjarkʲɪj]

Note on яркий: Stress on the first syllable; the 'я' is a distinct vowel sound in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Intellectual or Exceptional Skill (e.g., a brilliant idea)

Translation(s) & Context:

• блестящий - Often used for intellectual brilliance or outstanding performance (e.g., a brilliant mind).

Usage Examples:

• Его блестящий ум помог решить проблему.

  His brilliant mind helped solve the problem.

• Она написала блестящую статью.

  She wrote a brilliant article.

• Это был блестящий план!

  That was a brilliant plan!

2. Splendid or Magnificent (e.g., a brilliant performance)

Translation(s) & Context:

• великолепный - Used for something impressive, splendid, or magnificent in appearance or quality.

Usage Examples:

• Концерт был великолепный!

  The concert was brilliant!

• У неё великолепное платье.

  She has a brilliant (splendid) dress.

• Мы провели великолепный вечер.

  We had a brilliant evening.

3. Bright or Vivid (e.g., brilliant colors)

Translation(s) & Context:

• яркий - Used for literal brightness (light, colors) or figurative vividness (memories, personality).

Usage Examples:

• На картине были яркие цвета.

  The painting had brilliant colors.

• У него яркая индивидуальность.

  He has a brilliant (vivid) personality.

• Это яркий пример его таланта.

  This is a brilliant (striking) example of his talent.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

блестящий (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case like most Russian adjectives.

великолепный (Adjective): Follows similar adjective declension patterns as above.

яркий (Adjective): Follows similar adjective declension patterns as above.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for блестящий:

• гениальный (genial'nyy) - closer to "genius"
• замечательный (zamechatel'nyy) - closer to "remarkable"

Antonyms for блестящий:

• тусклый (tusklyy) - "dull" (literal or figurative)
• посредственный (posredstvennyy) - "mediocre"

Related Phrases:

• блестящий успех (blestyashchiy uspekh) - "brilliant success"
• великолепный вид (velikolepnyy vid) - "brilliant (splendid) view"
• яркий свет (yarkiy svet) - "brilliant (bright) light"

Usage Notes:

• "блестящий" is the most direct translation for intellectual or metaphorical brilliance, often used in formal or academic contexts.

• "великолепный" conveys a sense of splendor or magnificence and is versatile for both formal and informal settings.

• "яркий" is often used for brightness or vividness and can be applied literally (colors, light) or figuratively (personality, memory).

• Choosing the correct translation depends on the context; using "яркий" for intellectual brilliance would sound odd to native speakers.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "яркий" to describe intellectual brilliance (e.g., "яркий ум" for "brilliant mind").

  Correction: Use "блестящий ум" instead. "яркий" is more appropriate for vividness or brightness.

• Error: Overusing "великолепный" in casual contexts where a simpler adjective might suffice.

  Correction: Reserve "великолепный" for truly impressive or splendid situations; for casual brilliance, consider tone and context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, describing someone as "блестящий" often carries a strong connotation of admiration for their intellect or achievements, frequently used in academic or professional settings. "яркий" may also imply a memorable or striking quality, often tied to personality or artistic expression.

Related Concepts:

• талантливый (talantlivyy) - "talented"
• умный (umnyy) - "smart/intelligent"
• выдающийся (vydaiushchiysya) - "outstanding"