Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Chasm'

English Word: chasm

Key Russian Translations:

• пропасть [ˈpropəsʲtʲ] - [Neutral, Commonly Used]
• ущелье [ʊˈɕelʲje] - [Neutral, Often Geographical]
• бездна [ˈbʲezdnə] - [Formal, Metaphorical or Poetic]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts like geography or metaphor)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "пропасть" and "ущелье"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "бездна" due to its formal tone and metaphorical usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

пропасть: [ˈpropəsʲtʲ]

Note on пропасть: Stress falls on the first syllable; the final "т" is soft due to the soft sign (ь).

ущелье: [ʊˈɕelʲje]

Note on ущелье: Stress on the second syllable; "щ" sounds like a soft "shch".

бездна: [ˈbʲezdnə]

Note on бездна: Stress on the first syllable; "дн" cluster can be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A deep fissure in the earth (literal, geographical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пропасть - Often used for a deep, dangerous gap or abyss.
• ущелье - Refers specifically to a narrow gorge or ravine, often between mountains.

Usage Examples:

• Мы увидели огромную пропасть в горах.

  We saw a huge chasm in the mountains.

• Через ущелье протекала река.

  A river flowed through the chasm.

• Пропасть была такой глубокой, что дна не было видно.

  The chasm was so deep that the bottom couldn’t be seen.

2. A profound difference or division (metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пропасть - Used for metaphorical gaps, such as in understanding or relationships.
• бездна - Used in formal or poetic contexts to emphasize an immense or insurmountable divide.

Usage Examples:

• Между нами возникла пропасть после ссоры.

  A chasm emerged between us after the argument.

• Бездна непонимания разделяет поколения.

  A chasm of misunderstanding separates generations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

пропасть (feminine noun): Follows the first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -ь.

ущелье (neuter noun): Follows the second declension pattern for neuter nouns ending in -е.

бездна (feminine noun): Follows the first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -а.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for пропасть:

• обрыв (cliff, drop)
• глубина (depth) - more abstract

Antonyms for пропасть:

• возвышенность (elevation)
• холм (hill)

Related Phrases:

• упасть в пропасть - to fall into a chasm (literal or metaphorical, e.g., failure)
• стоять на краю пропасти - to stand on the edge of a chasm (often metaphorical, meaning being close to disaster)
• бездна отчаяния - a chasm of despair (poetic expression for deep hopelessness)

Usage Notes:

• "Пропасть" is the most versatile translation for "chasm," suitable for both literal and metaphorical contexts.
• "Ущелье" is strictly geographical and should not be used for abstract differences.
• "Бездна" carries a formal or dramatic tone and is often used in literature or philosophical discussions.
• Be mindful of the grammatical gender when using these nouns in sentences (e.g., "пропасть" is feminine, "ущелье" is neuter).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ущелье" for metaphorical contexts.
  Incorrect: Между нами ущелье. (A chasm between us - wrong word choice)
  Correct: Между нами пропасть. (A chasm between us)
• Error: Mispronouncing "пропасть" by stressing the second syllable.
  Incorrect pronunciation: [proˈpastʲ]
  Correct pronunciation: [ˈpropəsʲtʲ]

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature and folklore, "бездна" often symbolizes the unknown, chaos, or existential dread, as seen in works by Dostoevsky. It carries a heavier cultural weight compared to the more neutral "пропасть."

Related Concepts:

• обрыв (cliff)
• глубина (depth)
• провал (collapse, failure)