Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Colossal'

English Word: Colossal

Key Russian Translations:

• огромный [ɐˈɡromnɨj] - [Formal, Informal]
• колоссальный [kəlɐˈsalʲnɨj] - [Formal, Often Figurative]
• гигантский [ɡʲɪˈɡanʲtskʲɪj] - [Formal, Informal, Often Literal]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "огромный" and "гигантский"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "колоссальный"

Pronunciation (Russian):

огромный: [ɐˈɡromnɨj]

Note on огромный: Stress on the second syllable; the initial "о" is reduced to "ɐ" in unstressed position, a common feature in Russian pronunciation.

колоссальный: [kəlɐˈsalʲnɨj]

Note on колоссальный: Stress on the third syllable; note the soft "лʲ" sound, which might be challenging for non-native speakers.

гигантский: [ɡʲɪˈɡanʲtskʲɪj]

Note on гигантский: Stress on the second syllable; includes palatalized consonants "ɡʲ" and "tskʲ", requiring practice for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Extremely Large in Size (Physical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• огромный - Used for very large physical objects or quantities (e.g., buildings, crowds).
• гигантский - Often used for literal gigantic sizes, emphasizing enormity (e.g., statues, animals).

Usage Examples:

• Это огромный дом, в котором может жить целая семья.

  This is a colossal house where an entire family can live.

• В парке стоит гигантская статуя древнего воина.

  In the park stands a colossal statue of an ancient warrior.

• На столе лежала огромная куча бумаг.

  There was a colossal pile of papers on the table.

2. Immense in Scale or Importance (Figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• колоссальный - Used for abstract concepts like effort, success, or impact, often in formal or literary contexts.
• огромный - Can also apply to figurative immensity, more neutral in tone.

Usage Examples:

• Он добился колоссального успеха в своей карьере.

  He achieved colossal success in his career.

• Это был огромный шаг вперед для науки.

  This was a colossal step forward for science.

• Её колоссальные усилия не прошли даром.

  Her colossal efforts were not in vain.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

огромный (Adjective): Declines according to Russian adjective rules based on gender, number, and case.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	огромный	огромная	огромное	огромные
Genitive	огромного	огромной	огромного	огромных

Note: Other cases (Dative, Accusative, etc.) follow standard hard-stem adjective declension.

колоссальный (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as "огромный".

гигантский (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as above.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• громадный (similar to "огромный", often used for physical size)
• необъятный (implies vastness, often figurative)
• титанический (similar to "колоссальный", emphasizes monumental effort or size)

Antonyms:

• крошечный (tiny)
• маленький (small)
• ничтожный (insignificant, often figurative)

Related Phrases:

• огромное спасибо - "A huge thank you" (common expression of gratitude)
• колоссальная разница - "A colossal difference" (used to emphasize significant contrast)
• гигантский шаг - "A giant step" (often figurative, e.g., in progress or development)

Usage Notes:

• "огромный" is the most versatile and commonly used term for "colossal" in both literal and figurative senses, suitable for everyday conversation.
• "колоссальный" often carries a formal or literary tone and is frequently used for abstract concepts like success or impact rather than physical size.
• "гигантский" emphasizes literal gigantic proportions and is less common in figurative contexts compared to the other two.
• Choose the appropriate term based on the context and formality of the situation; mixing them incorrectly might sound unnatural.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "колоссальный" for physical objects in casual speech (e.g., *колоссальный стол* for "colossal table"). Correct Usage: Use "огромный стол" instead, as "колоссальный" is better for abstract or figurative contexts.
• Error: Incorrect adjective agreement with noun gender/number (e.g., *огромный машина* instead of *огромная машина*). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "колоссальный" may evoke historical or literary associations, such as references to monumental Soviet-era achievements or classical literature. For example, it might be used in contexts discussing "колоссальные проекты" (colossal projects) related to Soviet industrialization.

Related Concepts:

• масштабный (large-scale)
• внушительный (impressive)
• невероятный (incredible)