Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Contradictory'

English Word: contradictory

Key Russian Translations:

• противоречивый [prətʲɪvərʲɪˈtɕivɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• противоречащий [prətʲɪvəˈrʲetɕɪj] - [Formal, Participle, Often used in specific contexts]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

противоречивый: [prətʲɪvərʲɪˈtɕivɨj]

Note on противоречивый: Stress falls on the fourth syllable. The 'ч' sound is soft, pronounced like 'ch' in "church."

противоречащий: [prətʲɪvəˈrʲetɕɪj]

Note on противоречащий: Stress on the third syllable. Pay attention to the participle ending which changes based on gender and case.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Containing or implying a contradiction (e.g., statements, ideas)

Translation(s) & Context:

• противоречивый - Used to describe ideas, statements, or behaviors that are inconsistent or conflicting.

Usage Examples:

• Его аргументы были противоречивы и непонятны.

  His arguments were contradictory and unclear.

• Эта теория кажется противоречивой на первый взгляд.

  This theory seems contradictory at first glance.

• Она дала противоречивые показания в суде.

  She gave contradictory testimony in court.

2. Opposing or inconsistent with something (e.g., actions or rules)

Translation(s) & Context:

• противоречащий - Often used as a participle to describe something or someone acting in opposition to rules, norms, or expectations.

Usage Examples:

• Его поступок, противоречащий закону, вызвал возмущение.

  His action, contradictory to the law, caused outrage.

• Это решение, противоречащее здравому смыслу, удивило всех.

  This decision, contradictory to common sense, surprised everyone.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

противоречащий (Participle): Derived from the verb "противоречить" (to contradict). It declines like an adjective and agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for противоречивый:

• несогласованный (inconsistent)
• спорный (controversial)

Note: "несогласованный" often implies a lack of harmony, while "спорный" may carry a sense of debate or contention.

Antonyms for противоречивый:

• последовательный (consistent)
• логичный (logical)

Related Phrases:

• противоречивые чувства - contradictory feelings (used to describe mixed emotions)
• противоречить самому себе - to contradict oneself (common in discussions of inconsistency)
• противоречащий здравому смыслу - contradictory to common sense (used for illogical actions or decisions)

Usage Notes:

• "противоречивый" is more commonly used as a general adjective to describe inherently contradictory ideas, behaviors, or statements.
• "противоречащий" is a participle form and is typically used when describing something or someone acting in opposition to a specific rule, norm, or expectation. It often requires a complement (e.g., "противоречащий закону" - contradicting the law).
• Both terms are formal or neutral in register and are appropriate for written and spoken contexts, but "противоречивый" is more versatile.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "противоречащий" without a complement. Incorrect: "Его мнение противоречащий." Correct: "Его мнение, противоречащий фактам, удивило нас." (His opinion, contradictory to the facts, surprised us.) Explanation: "противоречащий" must be followed by what it contradicts, often with a dative case noun.
• Error: Misusing "противоречивый" for actions. Incorrect: "Его поступок противоречивый." Correct: "Его поступок, противоречащий правилам." (His action, contradictory to the rules.) Explanation: "противоречивый" describes inherent contradiction, not opposition to something specific.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, pointing out contradictions in someone's statements or behavior (using terms like "противоречивый") can be seen as direct or critical. It is often softened with additional context or polite phrasing to avoid confrontation, especially in formal or professional settings.

Related Concepts:

• несоответствие (discrepancy)
• конфликт (conflict)
• противоположность (opposition)