Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Competitive'

English Word: Competitive

Key Russian Translations:

• конкурентоспособный [kənkurʲɪntəˈsposəbnɨj] - [Formal, Often used in business or economics]
• соревновательный [sərʲɪvnəˈvatʲɪlnɨj] - [Neutral, Often used in sports or games]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like business and sports)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate, due to nuances in usage and pronunciation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

конкурентоспособный: [kənkurʲɪntəˈsposəbnɨj]

Note on конкурентоспособный: Stress falls on the fifth syllable ("spo"). The cluster "тн" can be tricky for non-native speakers and may be pronounced softer in rapid speech.

соревновательный: [sərʲɪvnəˈvatʲɪlnɨj]

Note on соревновательный: Stress falls on the fourth syllable ("va"). The initial "с" is soft due to the following "о".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Able to compete successfully (e.g., in business or economics)

Translation(s) & Context:

• конкурентоспособный - Used to describe products, companies, or individuals who can hold their own in a competitive market.

Usage Examples:

• Этот продукт очень конкурентоспособный на рынке.

  This product is very competitive in the market.

• Компания должна стать более конкурентоспособной, чтобы выжить.

  The company needs to become more competitive to survive.

• Он конкурентоспособный специалист в своей области.

  He is a competitive specialist in his field.

2. Involving competition (e.g., in sports or games)

Translation(s) & Context:

• соревновательный - Refers to the nature of an event or activity that involves rivalry or competition.

Usage Examples:

• У нас был соревновательный матч по футболу.

  We had a competitive football match.

• Соревновательный дух помогает детям развиваться.

  A competitive spirit helps children develop.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

соревновательный (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as above for adjectives.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for конкурентоспособный:

• конкурентный
• жизнеспособный (in specific contexts)

Note: "конкурентный" is often used interchangeably but may emphasize direct rivalry.

Synonyms for соревновательный:

• спортивный (in sports contexts)

Antonyms for конкурентоспособный:

• неконкурентоспособный

Related Phrases:

• конкурентоспособная цена - Competitive price (used in business to describe attractive pricing).
• соревновательный дух - Competitive spirit (often used in sports or motivational contexts).

Usage Notes:

• "конкурентоспособный" is more formal and commonly used in professional or economic contexts, whereas "соревновательный" is more neutral and often tied to sports or direct contests.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between the two translations, as they are not interchangeable.
• Both words are adjectives and must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key aspect of Russian grammar.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "конкурентоспособный" in sports contexts. Incorrect: "Это был конкурентоспособный матч." Correct: "Это был соревновательный матч." (This was a competitive match.)
• Error: Failing to decline the adjective based on the noun it modifies. Incorrect: "конкурентоспособный компания." Correct: "конкурентоспособная компания." (A competitive company - feminine form required.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being "конкурентоспособный" (competitive) in a business sense is often associated with innovation and resilience, reflecting the historical emphasis on standing out in challenging economic environments. In contrast, "соревновательный" carries a sense of camaraderie in sports, aligning with the cultural value placed on teamwork and fair play.

Related Concepts:

• конкуренция (competition)
• соревнование (contest/rivalry)
• успех (success)