Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'distinguished'

English Word: distinguished

Key Russian Translations:

• выдающийся [vɨˈdajuʂːɪjsjɪj] - [Formal, used to describe eminent or notable individuals]
• изысканный [ɪzɨˈskannɨj] - [Formal, often in contexts of refined appearance or style]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal writing and speech, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of adjective forms and formal vocabulary; for 'выдающийся', it's B2; for 'изысканный', it's also B2)

Pronunciation (Russian):

выдающийся: [vɨˈdajuʂːɪjsjɪj]

Note on выдающийся: The stress falls on the second syllable ('dau'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'j' sound. It may vary slightly in fast speech.

изысканный: [ɪzɨˈskannɨj]

Note on изысканный: The ending '-ый' is pronounced with a soft 'n', and the stress is on the second syllable; common in refined contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Famous, eminent, or noteworthy (e.g., referring to a person's achievements)

Translation(s) & Context:

• выдающийся - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as biographies or awards, to highlight excellence.

Usage Examples:

• Он является выдающимся учёным в области физики.

  He is a distinguished scientist in the field of physics.

• Эта книга написана выдающимся автором XX века.

  This book was written by a distinguished author of the 20th century.

• В конференции участвовали выдающиеся деятели науки.

  Distinguished figures in science participated in the conference.

• Её выдающиеся достижения были отмечены наградой.

  Her distinguished achievements were recognized with an award.

Meaning 2: Refined, elegant, or having a distinguished appearance (e.g., style or manner)

Translation(s) & Context:

• изысканный - Applied in contexts like fashion, art, or etiquette, emphasizing sophistication.

Usage Examples:

• Её платье было изысканным и элегантным.

  Her dress was distinguished and elegant.

• Этот ресторан известен изысканной кухней и сервисом.

  This restaurant is known for its distinguished cuisine and service.

• В его манерах было что-то изысканное и аристократическое.

  There was something distinguished and aristocratic in his manners.

• Изысканный дизайн интерьера впечатлил гостей.

  The distinguished interior design impressed the guests.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'выдающийся' and 'изысканный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow regular patterns for short-form adjectives, but these are long-form adjectives that change endings.

These adjectives follow the standard first-declension pattern, with no irregularities. They remain unchanged in short form for predicates (e.g., 'Он выдающ' in informal or poetic use).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: известный (izvestnyj - well-known, but less emphatic on excellence); знаменитый (znamenityj - famous)
• Antonyms: неизвестный (neizvestnyj - unknown); обычный (obychnyj - ordinary, for 'изысканный')

Note: 'Известный' is a close synonym to 'выдающийся' but often implies broader recognition without the connotation of exceptional merit.

Related Phrases:

• выдающийся человек - A distinguished person (used to refer to someone of high status or achievement).
• изысканный вкус - Distinguished taste (in contexts like art or cuisine, implying refined preferences).
• выдающиеся заслуги - Distinguished merits (commonly in formal evaluations or awards).

Usage Notes:

'Выдающийся' is the most direct translation for 'distinguished' in the sense of eminence and is preferred in formal, professional, or academic contexts. It does not have a direct equivalent in everyday informal speech, so English learners should use it sparingly in casual conversations. For 'изысканный', it's ideal for aesthetic or stylistic meanings but avoid overusing it in non-refined contexts. When choosing between translations, consider the nuance: 'выдающийся' emphasizes achievement, while 'изысканный' focuses on elegance. Grammatically, always ensure adjective agreement with the noun in gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'выдающийся' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "выдающийся женщина" instead of "выдающаяся женщина". Correct: Adjectives must agree in gender; this mistake often occurs due to English's lack of gender agreement. Explanation: In Russian, the adjective changes to match the feminine noun.

• Error: Confusing 'выдающийся' with 'известный' in formal contexts, e.g., translating "a distinguished professor" as "известный профессор" when 'выдающийся' better conveys excellence. Correct: Use 'выдающийся' for exceptional status. Explanation: 'Известный' means merely "well-known," which might understate the original meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'выдающийся' often carry a sense of Soviet-era or historical reverence for intellectuals and heroes, as seen in references to figures like scientists or artists in literature. It reflects a cultural emphasis on collective achievement and state-recognized excellence, which might not directly align with Western individualistic notions of distinction.

Related Concepts:

• талантливый (talented)
• знаменитый (famous)
• элитный (elite)