Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'brittle'

English Word: brittle

Key Russian Translations:

• хрупкий [IPA: ˈxrupkʲɪj] - [Formal, used for physical fragility in materials or objects]
• ломкий [IPA: ˈlomkʲɪj] - [Informal, often in everyday contexts like food or emotions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in scientific, technical, and everyday descriptions, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declension and context-specific usage; for 'хрупкий', B1; for 'ломкий', A2 if simplified)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хрупкий: [IPA: ˈxrupkʲɪj] (The 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'. Stress on the first syllable.)

ломкий: [IPA: ˈlomkʲɪj] (The 'л' is a clear 'l' sound; stress on the first syllable, with a soft 'кʲ'.)

Note on хрупкий: Be cautious with the 'х' sound, as it's a common challenge for English speakers; it can vary regionally in Russia, sometimes softening in casual speech.

Note on ломкий: This word may have slight regional variations in pronunciation, with the 'й' ending potentially elongating in informal settings.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Easily broken, shattered, or fragile (physical or metaphorical, e.g., materials, emotions)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хрупкий - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing glass or bones; common in scientific writing or engineering.
• ломкий - Applied in informal settings, like describing brittle food (e.g., crackers) or emotional fragility in casual conversation.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Этот хрупкий стакан может разбиться от малейшего удара. (This brittle glass can shatter from the slightest impact.)

  English Translation: This brittle glass can shatter from the slightest impact.

• Русский: В старости кости становятся ломкими и требуют осторожности. (In old age, bones become brittle and require caution.)

  English Translation: In old age, bones become brittle and require caution.

• Русский: Её хрупкий характер делает её уязвимой в стрессовых ситуациях. (Her brittle nature makes her vulnerable in stressful situations.)

  English Translation: Her brittle nature makes her vulnerable in stressful situations.

• Русский: Печенье слишком ломкое, чтобы брать его в дорогу. (The cookies are too brittle to take on a trip.)

  English Translation: The cookies are too brittle to take on a trip.

• Русский: Металл оказался хрупким при низких температурах. (The metal turned out to be brittle at low temperatures.)

  English Translation: The metal turned out to be brittle at low temperatures.

Meaning 2: Metaphorical fragility (e.g., in relationships or ideas)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хрупкий - In literary or psychological contexts, emphasizing emotional or intellectual brittleness.
• ломкий - Less common here, but used informally for fleeting or unstable situations.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Их хрупкий брак не выдержал испытаний. (Their brittle marriage couldn't withstand the trials.)

  English Translation: Their brittle marriage couldn't withstand the trials.

• Русский: Идея была ломкой и быстро разрушилась под критикой. (The idea was brittle and quickly fell apart under criticism.)

  English Translation: The idea was brittle and quickly fell apart under criticism.

• Русский: Хрупкий мир в семье восстановился после разговора. (The brittle peace in the family was restored after the talk.)

  English Translation: The brittle peace in the family was restored after the talk.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'хрупкий' and 'ломкий' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with nouns. 'Хрупкий' is a regular adjective, while 'ломкий' is also regular but may have slight variations in informal use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хрупенький (a diminutive form, implying something small and fragile; often used affectionately)
  • непрочный (less sturdy, with a connotation of weakness)
• Antonyms:
  • прочный (sturdy, durable; used in contexts where 'brittle' implies the opposite)
  • крепкий (strong, robust; more informal)

Related Phrases:

• хрупкий как стекло (as brittle as glass) - A simile used to describe extreme fragility in objects or situations.
• ломкий материал (brittle material) - Refers to substances that break easily, common in engineering contexts.
• хрупкое равновесие (brittle equilibrium) - Describes a delicate balance that could easily be disrupted, often in politics or relationships.

Usage Notes:

'Хрупкий' is the most precise translation for 'brittle' in formal or technical English contexts, as it directly conveys physical fragility without additional connotations. 'Ломкий' is better for informal or everyday use, especially with food or emotions, but it can sound less sophisticated. Always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, as per Russian grammar rules. When choosing between translations, opt for 'хрупкий' in scientific writing and 'ломкий' in casual speech to match the appropriate register.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'хрупкий' without proper declension, e.g., saying "хрупкий женщина" instead of "хрупкая женщина". Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "хрупкая женщина" (brittle woman). This mistake often stems from English speakers treating adjectives as invariable.

• Error: Confusing 'хрупкий' with 'хрупкий' synonyms like 'непрочный', which implies general weakness rather than brittleness. Correct: Use 'хрупкий' for specific breakability, e.g., "Стекло хрупкое" (Glass is brittle) vs. incorrect overuse in non-fragile contexts.

• Error: Pronouncing the 'х' in 'хрупкий' as a 'k' sound. Correct: It's a guttural 'kh' sound; practice with native audio to avoid this common mispronunciation among English learners.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'хрупкий' often appear in literature and proverbs to symbolize vulnerability, such as in folk tales where fragile items represent life's impermanence. This reflects a broader Slavic emphasis on resilience in the face of hardship, where 'brittle' qualities are contrasted with enduring strength, as seen in Russian folklore.

Related Concepts:

• прочность (durability)
• ударостойкий (impact-resistant)
• хрупкость (fragility)