Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'catastrophic'

English Word: catastrophic

Key Russian Translations:

• катастрофический [kəˌtæstrəˈfɪkʲɪj] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly used in formal contexts like news, scientific discussions, or literature, but less frequently in everyday casual speech.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - As a borrowed word from English/Greek roots, it is straightforward for learners at this level but requires understanding of Russian adjective inflections.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

катастрофический: [kəˌtæstrəˈfɪkʲɪj]

Note on катастрофический: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("fi"), and the palatalized 'kʲ' sound can be challenging for non-native speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Causing or involving a sudden and widespread disaster, often used to describe events, consequences, or situations with severe negative impact.

Translation(s) & Context:

• катастрофический - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as environmental reports, historical analyses, or emergency discussions, to emphasize extreme severity.

Usage Examples:

• Эта катастрофа имела катастрофические последствия для региона.

  This catastrophe had catastrophic consequences for the region.

• Катастрофический ураган разрушил тысячи домов.

  The catastrophic hurricane destroyed thousands of homes.

• Экономический кризис привел к катастрофическим потерям в бизнесе.

  The economic crisis led to catastrophic losses in business.

• Катастрофическая ошибка в коде вызвала сбои во всей системе.

  The catastrophic error in the code caused failures across the entire system.

• Изменение климата несет катастрофические риски для будущих поколений.

  Climate change carries catastrophic risks for future generations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Катастрофический is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension adjective pattern, with regular changes. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic adjective declension is mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • разрушительный (razrushitel'nyy) - Emphasizes destruction, often in physical contexts.
  • опустошительный (opustoshtitel'nyy) - Highlights devastation, with a connotation of emptiness or exhaustion.
• Antonyms:
  • безопасный (bezopasnyy) - Safe, implying no risk.
  • стабильный (stabil'nyy) - Stable, suggesting reliability and lack of change.

Related Phrases:

• катастрофический сценарий (katastroficheskiy scenario) - A scenario involving catastrophe; used in planning or risk assessment.
• катастрофические последствия (katastroficheskie posledstviya) - Catastrophic consequences; common in discussions of events like wars or natural disasters.
• катастрофическая ситуация (katastroficheskaya situatsiya) - Catastrophic situation; refers to an emergency or crisis state.

Usage Notes:

Катастрофический directly corresponds to the English "catastrophic" as a loanword, making it a precise match for formal translations. It is typically used in written or professional English-to-Russian contexts, such as journalism or academia, and carries a neutral to negative connotation. Be mindful of its inflections based on Russian grammar rules—always adjust for gender, number, and case to ensure grammatical accuracy. When choosing between synonyms like разрушительный, opt for катастрофический if the emphasis is on widespread, sudden disaster rather than mere destruction. In informal speech, native speakers might prefer simpler alternatives, so this word is best for educated or formal settings.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect: Using the base form "катастрофический" in all contexts without inflection, e.g., "в катастрофический доме" (wrongly implying "in the catastrophic house").

  Correct: "в катастрофическом доме" (with genitive inflection). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in case, gender, and number with the noun they modify; failing to do so results in grammatical errors that sound unnatural to native speakers.

• Incorrect: Confusing it with the noun "катастрофа" and using it as a standalone noun, e.g., "Это катастрофический" (implying it's a thing rather than a descriptor).

  Correct: "Это катастрофическая ситуация" (properly as an adjective). Explanation: Always pair it with a noun and inflect accordingly to maintain its adjectival function.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like катастрофический often appear in discussions of historical events, such as the Chernobyl disaster (Чернобыльская катастрофа), which has a profound cultural impact. This reflects Russia's history with large-scale tragedies, emphasizing resilience and preparedness in modern discourse, but it doesn't carry unique idiomatic meanings beyond its literal translation.

Related Concepts:

• катастрофа (katastrofa) - Catastrophe (noun form).
• кризис (krizis) - Crisis.
• бедствие (bedstvie) - Calamity or disaster.