Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'deleterious'

English Word: deleterious

Key Russian Translations:

• вредный [vˈrʲednɨj] - [Formal, commonly used in scientific and medical contexts]
• разрушительный [rɐˈzruʂɨtʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, emphasizes destructive impact]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in everyday discussions on health, environment, and science, but not in casual conversation).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding abstract adjectives and their contextual nuances; for 'вредный', it's straightforward, but 'разрушительный' may require more advanced vocabulary handling).

Pronunciation (Russian):

вредный: [vˈrʲednɨj]

Note on вредный: The stress falls on the first syllable ('vˈrʲednɨj'), which is common in Russian adjectives. Be mindful of the soft 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

разрушительный: [rɐˈzruʂɨtʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on разрушительный: The 'ш' sound (as in 'sh') in the middle requires proper palatalization; it's often stressed on the third syllable, making it a bit more complex.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Harmful or damaging effect (primary meaning of 'deleterious')

Translation(s) & Context:

• вредный - Used in formal contexts like medical reports or environmental discussions to describe something that causes long-term harm without immediate destruction.
• разрушительный - Applied in contexts involving physical or structural damage, such as in engineering or natural disasters.

Usage Examples:

• Курение оказывает вредное влияние на лёгкие и общее здоровье.

  Smoking has a deleterious effect on the lungs and overall health. (This example shows 'вредный' in a health context, highlighting long-term consequences.)

• Загрязнение окружающей среды имеет разрушительные последствия для экосистемы.

  Pollution has deleterious consequences for the ecosystem. (Here, 'разрушительный' illustrates environmental impact in a formal scientific setting.)

• Употребление вредных веществ может привести к серьёзным заболеваниям.

  The use of deleterious substances can lead to serious illnesses. (Demonstrates 'вредный' in a preventive health advisory context.)

• Разрушительные химикаты в промышленности угрожают безопасности работников.

  Deleterious chemicals in industry threaten worker safety. (This uses 'разрушительный' to emphasize potential destruction in an occupational setting.)

• Вредные привычки, такие как недостаток сна, влияют на продуктивность.

  Deleterious habits, such as lack of sleep, affect productivity. (Shows 'вредный' in everyday life, combined with other elements for varied grammar.)

Secondary meaning: Causing gradual deterioration

Translation(s) & Context:

• вредный - In contexts of slow, cumulative harm, such as in psychology or education.

Usage Examples:

• Хронический стресс является вредным фактором для ментального благополучия.

  Chronic stress is a deleterious factor for mental well-being. (Illustrates gradual impact in a psychological context.)

• Вредные диеты могут незаметно подорвать иммунитет.

  Deleterious diets can subtly undermine immunity. (Shows 'вредный' in a health-related habitual context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'вредный' and 'разрушительный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for hard-stem adjectives.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections; they follow the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ый/-ий.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вредоносный (more intense, implying malicious intent)
  • опасный (general danger, but less focused on harm)
• Antonyms:
  • полезный (beneficial)
  • благоприятный (favorable)

Related Phrases:

• вредное влияние - Deleterious effect; used to describe negative impacts in scientific contexts.
• вредные привычки - Deleterious habits; common in health and self-improvement discussions.
• разрушительные силы - Deleterious forces; often in contexts like natural disasters or conflicts.

Usage Notes:

'Вредный' is the most direct translation for 'deleterious' in contexts involving health or environmental harm, as it conveys gradual, insidious damage. It is typically formal and avoids slang, making it suitable for written reports or professional speech. 'Разрушительный' is better for scenarios with immediate or catastrophic effects. When choosing between translations, consider the context: if the harm is subtle, opt for 'вредный'; for overt destruction, use 'разрушительный'. Grammatically, ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, which is a key feature of Russian syntax.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'вредный' interchangeably with 'опасный' without considering nuance. Incorrect: 'Опасный эффект' (implies immediate danger). Correct: 'Вредный эффект' for long-term harm. Explanation: 'Опасный' suggests risk of accident, while 'вредный' focuses on cumulative damage, leading to confusion in medical contexts.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying 'вредный привычка' instead of 'вредная привычка'. Incorrect: 'вредный привычка'. Correct: 'вредная привычка' (feminine noun). Explanation: Russian requires adjectives to match the noun's gender, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'вредный' are frequently used in public health campaigns and environmental discussions, reflecting a strong emphasis on collective well-being. For instance, anti-smoking initiatives often highlight 'вредное влияние' to underscore long-term societal impacts, drawing from historical contexts like Soviet-era health education.

Related Concepts:

• экология (ecology)
• здоровье (health)
• риск (risk)