Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Courageous'

English Word: courageous

Key Russian Translations:

• храбрый [ˈxrabrɨj] - [Formal/Informal, Common Usage]
• смелый [ˈsmʲelɨj] - [Formal/Informal, Common Usage]
• отважный [ɐtˈvaʐnɨj] - [Formal, Often Literary or Elevated]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in various contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for all translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

храбрый: [ˈxrabrɨj]

Note on храбрый: Stress on the first syllable; the 'х' sound is a voiceless fricative, similar to a strong 'h'.

смелый: [ˈsmʲelɨj]

Note on смелый: Stress on the first syllable; the 'е' is palatalized due to the following 'л'.

отважный: [ɐtˈvaʐnɨj]

Note on отважный: Stress on the second syllable; often used in written or formal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Showing bravery in the face of danger

Translation(s) & Context:

• храбрый - Used for general bravery, often in personal or everyday contexts.
• смелый - Similar to "храбрый," but can also imply boldness in decisions or actions.
• отважный - Used for heroic or exceptional bravery, often in literary or formal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он был храбрый солдат, защищавший свою страну.

  He was a courageous soldier defending his country.

• Она смелая девушка, которая не боится говорить правду.

  She is a courageous girl who is not afraid to speak the truth.

• Отважный капитан спас экипаж во время шторма.

  The courageous captain saved the crew during the storm.

• Его смелое решение изменило ход событий.

  His courageous decision changed the course of events.

• Храбрые сердца не сдаются перед трудностями.

  Courageous hearts do not give up in the face of difficulties.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All translations are adjectives and follow standard Russian adjective declension patterns based on gender, number, and case.

Declension for "храбрый" (Masculine as base form):

Note: "смелый" and "отважный" follow similar patterns with respective stem changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• мужественный (emphasizes moral courage)
• дерзкий (implies boldness, sometimes recklessness)

Antonyms:

• трусливый (cowardly)
• боязливый (timid)

Related Phrases:

• храброе сердце - "courageous heart," often used metaphorically for bravery.
• смелый шаг - "courageous step," used for bold decisions or actions.
• отважный поступок - "courageous act," often in formal or heroic contexts.

Usage Notes:

• "храбрый" and "смелый" are often interchangeable in casual speech, but "смелый" can also imply boldness in non-physical contexts (e.g., a bold idea).
• "отважный" is more formal and often used in writing, historical texts, or to describe exceptional acts of bravery.
• Be mindful of adjective agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case in Russian sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "отважный" in casual conversation. It sounds overly formal or literary.
  Incorrect: Он отважный парень.
  Correct: Он храбрый парень. (He is a courageous guy.)
• Error: Failing to adjust adjective endings for gender or case.
  Incorrect: Она храбрый.
  Correct: Она храбрая. (She is courageous.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, courage (especially "храбрость" or "мужество") is often associated with historical and military valor, as well as personal resilience in harsh conditions. Terms like "отважный" are frequently used in literature or patriotic contexts to evoke a sense of heroism.

Related Concepts:

• мужество (courage, bravery)
• стойкость (resilience, fortitude)
• героизм (heroism)