Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'derelict'

English Word: derelict

Key Russian Translations:

• заброшенный [zɐˈbroʂɨnɨj] - [Adjective, Neutral]
• бесхозный [bʲɪsˈxoznɨj] - [Adjective, Informal]
• бездомный [bʲɪzˈdomnɨj] - [Adjective, Used for people, e.g., homeless]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like abandoned buildings or neglected duties)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate, varies slightly by translation; "заброшенный" is easier, while "бесхозный" may require more contextual understanding)

Pronunciation (Russian):

заброшенный: [zɐˈbroʂɨnɨj]

Note on заброшенный: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ш" sound is a retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

бесхозный: [bʲɪsˈxoznɨj]

Note on бесхозный: Stress on the second syllable. The "х" is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch."

бездомный: [bʲɪzˈdomnɨj]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Abandoned or Neglected (Property/Building)

Translation(s) & Context:

• заброшенный - Used for physical objects like buildings or places that are abandoned or deserted.
• бесхозный - Refers to something ownerless or neglected, often with a colloquial tone.

Usage Examples:

• Этот дом давно заброшенный, в нем никто не живет.

  This house has long been abandoned; no one lives there.

• На окраине города много заброшенных заводов.

  There are many abandoned factories on the outskirts of the city.

• Этот участок земли бесхозный, его можно взять в аренду.

  This plot of land is ownerless; it can be rented.

2. Neglectful or Irresponsible (Person/Duty)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бездомный - Used for people in the sense of homelessness, though less common for "derelict" as irresponsible.

Usage Examples:

• Он стал бездомным после потери работы.

  He became homeless after losing his job.

• На улице много бездомных, которым нужна помощь.

  There are many homeless people on the street who need help.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

заброшенный (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case as a standard Russian adjective.

бесхозный (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as "заброшенный."

бездомный (Adjective): Declines similarly, used primarily for animate nouns (people).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for заброшенный:

• покинутый
• оставленный

Note: "покинутый" often carries an emotional tone (e.g., forsaken), while "оставленный" is more neutral.

Antonyms for заброшенный:

• обитаемый
• ухоженный

Related Phrases:

• заброшенный дом - Abandoned house.
• бесхозное имущество - Ownerless property.
• бездомный человек - Homeless person.

Usage Notes:

• "заброшенный" is the most common and neutral translation for physical abandonment (buildings, places). It is broadly applicable and safest for learners to use.
• "бесхозный" has a more informal tone and often implies something is unclaimed or neglected by an owner.
• "бездомный" is specific to people (homeless) and does not generally apply to objects or abstract duties as "derelict" might in English.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "бездомный" for inanimate objects. Incorrect: Этот дом бездомный. Correct: Этот дом заброшенный. (Explanation: "бездомный" refers to people without a home, not objects.)
• Error: Overusing "бесхозный" in formal contexts. Incorrect: В официальном отчете указан бесхозный объект. Correct: В официальном отчете указан заброшенный объект. (Explanation: "бесхозный" is colloquial.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "заброшенный" often evokes images of post-Soviet abandoned infrastructure, such as factories or villages deserted after economic shifts. This term may carry a nostalgic or melancholic undertone in literature or media.

Related Concepts:

• разрушенный (ruined)
• необитаемый (uninhabited)
• ветхий (dilapidated)