Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'calamitous'

English Word: calamitous

Key Russian Translations:

• Катастрофический [kətəstrɐfʲɪˈtɕɪskʲɪj] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its Russian equivalents are encountered in formal writing, news, and discussions about disasters, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B2) - Learners at this level should be familiar with adjective forms and advanced vocabulary, though mastering inflections may require practice.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Катастрофический: [kətəstrɐfʲɪˈtɕɪskʲɪj]

Note on Катастрофический: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("tɕɪskʲɪj"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 't' sound (тʲ). Practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Causing or involving great disaster, misfortune, or catastrophe.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Катастрофический - Used in formal contexts to describe events, situations, or outcomes that lead to severe damage or loss, such as natural disasters or economic crises.

Usage Examples:

• Катастрофический ураган разрушил прибрежные города, оставив тысячи людей без крова.

  The calamitous hurricane destroyed coastal cities, leaving thousands homeless.

• Его катастрофическая ошибка в переговорах привела к потере миллионов долларов.

  His calamitous mistake in the negotiations led to the loss of millions of dollars.

• В истории человечества было несколько катастрофических войн, изменивших мир навсегда.

  In human history, there have been several calamitous wars that changed the world forever.

• Катастрофическая засуха в регионе привела к голоду и массовой миграции.

  The calamitous drought in the region resulted in famine and mass migration.

• Финансовая катастрофическая политика правительства вызвала экономический коллапс.

  The government's calamitous financial policies triggered an economic collapse.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Катастрофический is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives. It is a regular adjective derived from the noun "катастрофа" (catastrophe).

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once the basic declension patterns are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Трагический (tragicheskiy) - Often used for events with emotional or dramatic impact, slightly more literary than катастрофический.
  • Несчастный (neschastnyy) - Implies misfortune but is less intense, suitable for personal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Благоприятный (blagopriyatnyy) - Favorable or advantageous, contrasting with disaster.
  • Удачный (udachnyy) - Successful or lucky, highlighting positive outcomes.

Related Phrases:

• Катастрофическая ситуация - A calamitous situation; refers to a crisis or emergency scenario.
• Катастрофические последствия - Calamitous consequences; used to describe severe results of an action or event.
• Избежать катастрофы - To avoid calamity; a common phrase in risk management or decision-making contexts.

Usage Notes:

Катастрофический is a direct and formal equivalent to "calamitous" in English, emphasizing large-scale disasters rather than minor misfortunes. It is typically used in written or spoken Russian in professional, journalistic, or academic settings. When choosing between translations, opt for катастрофический if the context involves objective, widespread harm; for more emotional nuances, трагический might be better. Always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, as Russian grammar requires this for clarity.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse the case endings, for example, using the nominative form "катастрофический" in all contexts. Incorrect: "Я думаю о катастрофический событие" (wrong case). Correct: "Я думаю о катастрофическом событии" (genitive case). This error stems from not practicing declensions.

• Confusing it with synonyms like "несчастный," which is less intense. For instance, saying "несчастный ураган" instead of "катастрофический ураган" might understate the severity. Explanation: Always assess the scale of the disaster before selecting the word.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and media, words like "катастрофический" are frequently used in discussions of historical events, such as World War II or the Chernobyl disaster, which hold significant national memory. This reflects Russia's history of enduring large-scale calamities, adding a layer of resilience and reflection to the word's usage.

Related Concepts:

• Кризис (crisis)
• Катастрофа (catastrophe)
• Беда (misfortune)