Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Deathly'

English Word: deathly

Key Russian Translations:

• смертельный [smʲɪrˈtʲelʲnɨj] - [Formal, Used for literal or figurative deadly contexts]
• смертельно [smʲɪrˈtʲelnə] - [Adverb, Often used with verbs to indicate a deadly manner]
• жуткий [ˈʐutkʲɪj] - [Informal, Used for something eerie or death-like in appearance or feeling]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature and formal contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate, varies slightly by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

смертельный: [smʲɪrˈtʲelʲnɨj]

Note on смертельный: Stress falls on the second syllable; the 'р' is rolled slightly.

смертельно: [smʲɪrˈtʲelnə]

жуткий: [ˈʐutkʲɪj]

Note on жуткий: The 'ж' is pronounced as a voiced fricative, similar to 's' in "measure."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Causing or related to death (literal or figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• смертельный - Used for describing something fatal, like a wound or disease.
• смертельно - Adverb form, often paired with verbs like "ранен" (wounded) to mean "mortally wounded."

Usage Examples:

• Его рана была смертельной.

  His wound was fatal.

• Он был смертельно ранен в бою.

  He was mortally wounded in battle.

• Это смертельный яд.

  This is a deadly poison.

2. Resembling death or extreme paleness/eeriness

Translation(s) & Context:

• жуткий - Used for describing a death-like appearance or eerie feeling.
• смертельный - Occasionally used in poetic or figurative contexts for death-like stillness or paleness.

Usage Examples:

• Её лицо было жутким, почти мертвым.

  Her face was eerie, almost deathly.

• В комнате царила смертельная тишина.

  A deathly silence reigned in the room.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

смертельный (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	смертельный	смертельная	смертельное	смертельные
Genitive	смертельного	смертельной	смертельного	смертельных

смертельно (Adverb): Does not inflect; remains unchanged regardless of context.

жуткий (Adjective): Follows standard adjective declension rules similar to "смертельный."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for смертельный:

• фатальный
• летальный

Note: "фатальный" often implies inevitability, while "летальный" is more clinical/medical.

Synonyms for жуткий:

• страшный
• ужасный

Antonyms for смертельный:

• безвредный
• живительный

Related Phrases:

• смертельная опасность - Deadly danger
• смертельно больной - Terminally ill
• жуткий холод - Deathly cold (eerie or extreme cold)

Usage Notes:

• "смертельный" is the primary choice for literal or serious contexts involving death or fatality. Use "смертельно" when modifying verbs.
• "жуткий" is more colloquial and often used for figurative or emotional descriptions, such as appearance or atmosphere.
• Be cautious with tone: "жуткий" can sometimes sound less serious and more descriptive of discomfort or eeriness.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "смертельно" as an adjective. Incorrect: "смертельно рана." Correct: "смертельная рана" (fatal wound). Explanation: "смертельно" is an adverb and must modify verbs, not nouns.
• Error: Confusing "жуткий" with "страшный" in formal contexts. Incorrect: Using "жуткий" in a medical report. Correct: Use "смертельный" for formal or clinical descriptions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, death and related concepts are often treated with a mix of reverence and superstition. Words like "смертельный" may carry a heavier emotional weight in conversation, and euphemisms are sometimes preferred in casual settings to avoid direct references to death.

Related Concepts:

• смерть (death)
• умирающий (dying)
• покойный (deceased)