Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'eminent'

English Word: eminent

Key Russian Translations:

• выдающийся [vɨˈda.ju.ʂɕɪj] - [Formal, used to describe distinguished individuals in professional or academic contexts]
• известный [ɪzˈvʲes.tnɨj] - [Formal or Informal, often for general fame, but less emphasis on excellence]

Frequency: Medium (Common in written and formal spoken Russian, such as in literature, news, and academic discussions, but not everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for learners; requires understanding of adjective inflections and formal vocabulary. For 'выдающийся', it's B2; for 'известный', it's B1 due to its more straightforward usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

выдающийся: [vɨˈda.ju.ʂɕɪj]

Note on выдающийся: The stress is on the second syllable ('da'), and the 'щ' sound is a soft, palatalized 'sh' which can be challenging for non-native speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

известный: [ɪzˈvʲes.tnɨj]

Note on известный: The 'вʲ' indicates a palatalized 'v', which softens the sound before vowels; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Famous or distinguished in a particular field, often implying excellence or prominence.

Translation(s) & Context:

• выдающийся - Used in formal contexts to highlight exceptional achievement, such as in biographies or professional evaluations.
• известный - Applied in broader contexts for general recognition, but may not convey the same level of superiority.

Usage Examples:

• Он выдающийся учёный в области физики. (On vydajushchiysya uchenyy v oblasti fiziki.)

  He is an eminent scientist in the field of physics.

• Эта книга написана выдающимся автором XIX века. (Eta kniga napissana vydajushchim avtorom XIX veka.)

  This book was written by an eminent author from the 19th century.

• В университете преподаёт известный профессор, но он не всегда выдающийся в исследованиях. (V universitete prepodajet izvestnyy professor, no on ne vsegda vydajushchiysya v issledovaniyakh.)

  At the university, a famous professor teaches, but he isn't always eminent in his research.

• Её карьера как выдающегося художника началась в молодости. (Eyya karjera kak vydajushchego khudozhnika nachalas v molodosti.)

  Her career as an eminent artist began in her youth.

• Известный актёр стал выдающимся благодаря своей роли в классическом фильме. (Izvestnyy aktyor stal vydajushchim blagodarya svoyey roli v klassicheskom filمه.)

  The famous actor became eminent due to his role in a classic film.

Meaning: Standing out due to superior qualities, often in a positive sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• выдающийся - Preferred in contexts emphasizing merit, such as awards or evaluations.
• известный - Used when fame is the focus, without necessarily implying excellence.

Usage Examples:

• Выдающийся вклад этого учёного в науку невозможно переоценить. (Vydajushchiysya vklad etogo uchenogo v nauku nevozmozhno pereotsenit.)

  The eminent contribution of this scientist to science cannot be overestimated.

• Известный политик оказался выдающимся лидером в кризисные времена. (Izvestnyy politik okazalsya vydajushchim liderom v krizisnye vremena.)

  The famous politician turned out to be an eminent leader in times of crisis.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'выдающийся' and 'известный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns, though 'выдающийся' can be slightly irregular in some forms.

Note: These adjectives do not change in invariable forms if used predicatively, but always agree when attributive.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • прославленный (proslavlennyy) - More poetic, implying widespread acclaim.
  • проминентный (prominentnyy) - Borrowed term, used in modern contexts for prominence.
• Antonyms:
  • неизвестный (neizvestnyy) - Unknown or obscure.
  • заурядный (zauryadnyy) - Ordinary or mediocre.

Related Phrases:

• выдающийся деятель (vydajushchiysya deyatel) - Eminent figure; refers to a prominent person in history or society.
• известный на весь мир (izvestnyy na ves mir) - Famous worldwide; used for global recognition.
• выдающаяся личность (vydajushchayasya lichnost) - Eminent personality; emphasizes individual excellence.

Usage Notes:

'Выдающийся' is the most precise translation for 'eminent' when emphasizing superior achievement, while 'известный' suits contexts of general fame. Use 'выдающийся' in formal writing or speeches to convey respect, but avoid it in casual conversations as it may sound overly elevated. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree with the noun's gender, number, and case. When choosing between translations, opt for 'выдающийся' if the focus is on excellence, and 'известный' for broader notoriety.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'выдающийся' without proper inflection, e.g., saying 'выдающийся женщина' instead of 'выдающаяся женщина'.

  Correct: выдающаяся женщина (feminine form). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender; this mistake often stems from English's lack of gender agreement.

• Error: Confusing 'выдающийся' with 'известный' in contexts requiring excellence, e.g., translating "an eminent leader" as 'известный лидер'.

  Correct: выдающийся лидер. Explanation: 'Известный' implies fame but not superiority, which can dilute the meaning; learners should assess the nuance before selecting.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'выдающийся' are often used in historical and educational contexts to honor figures from Russia's past, such as scientists like Mendeleev or writers like Tolstoy. This reflects a cultural emphasis on intellectual and artistic achievement, where eminence is tied to national pride and legacy.

Related Concepts:

• талантливый (talantlivyy)
• гениальный (genialnyy)
• прославленный (proslavlennyy)