Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'exorbitant'

English Word: exorbitant

Key Russian Translations:

• завышенный [zɐˈvɨʂənnɨj] - [Formal, commonly used in economic or business contexts]
• невероятный [nʲɪvʲɪˈrojətnɨj] - [Informal, emphasizing exaggeration or excess in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (Appears regularly in discussions about prices, economics, or complaints, but not in casual everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of adjective forms and contextual usage. For 'завышенный', it's straightforward; for 'невероятный', nuances in intensity may add slight complexity.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

завышенный: [zɐˈvɨʂənnɨj]

Note on завышенный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('vɨʂə'), which is common in Russian adjectives. Pay attention to the 'ш' sound, which is a voiceless postalveolar fricative.

невероятный: [nʲɪvʲɪˈrojətnɨj]

Note on невероятный: The initial 'н' is palatalized, and the stress is on the third syllable ('rojə'). This word often varies in pronunciation based on regional accents, but the standard is as above.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Excessively high or unreasonable, especially in reference to costs or prices

Translation(s) & Context:

• завышенный - Typically used in formal settings, such as financial reports or complaints about pricing, to indicate something is artificially inflated.
• невероятный - More versatile in informal contexts, often to express surprise or hyperbole, like in casual conversations about everyday expenses.

Usage Examples:

• Цены на жильё в этом районе завышенные, поэтому многие не могут себе позволить купить квартиру.

  The housing prices in this area are exorbitant, so many people can't afford to buy an apartment.

• Этот ресторан славится своими невероятными ценами, но качество еды того стоит.

  This restaurant is famous for its exorbitant prices, but the food quality makes it worthwhile.

• Из-за инфляции завышенные тарифы на коммунальные услуги стали нормой для жителей больших городов.

  Due to inflation, exorbitant utility rates have become the norm for residents in big cities.

• Невероятный счет за обед в туристическом месте шокировал нас, но мы заплатили, чтобы избежать проблем.

  The exorbitant bill for lunch at a tourist spot shocked us, but we paid to avoid any issues.

• В условиях кризиса завышенные цены на продукты питания вызывают протесты среди населения.

  In times of crisis, exorbitant prices for food products spark protests among the population.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'завышенный' and 'невероятный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect for gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns, with 'завышенный' being a regular short-form adjective derived from a verb, and 'невероятный' following typical long-form patterns. Below is a table for 'завышенный' as an example; 'невероятный' follows similar rules.

For 'невероятный', it inflects similarly: e.g., Nominative: невероятный (m), невероятная (f), невероятное (n), невероятные (pl). These are regular inflections, so no irregularities to note.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • высокий (vysokiy) - High, but less emphatic; used for literal height or moderate excess.
  • чрезвычайный (chrezvychainyy) - Extraordinary, implying extreme levels but more formal.
• Antonyms:
  • низкий (nizkiy) - Low, opposite in terms of value or height.
  • разумный (razumniy) - Reasonable, indicating affordability or moderation.

Related Phrases:

• Завышенные цены - Exorbitant prices; often used in economic discussions to criticize inflation.
• Невероятные расходы - Exorbitant expenses; highlights unexpected or excessive costs in personal finance.
• Завышенный спрос - Exorbitant demand; refers to unnaturally high market demand, with cultural connotations in Russian consumer behavior.

Usage Notes:

'Завышенный' is the more precise translation for 'exorbitant' in formal contexts, especially when discussing prices, as it directly implies artificial inflation. Use 'невероятный' for more emotional or hyperbolic expressions. Be mindful of gender and case agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun they describe. For example, choose 'завышенные' for plural nouns. When deciding between translations, opt for 'завышенный' in business or official writing, and 'невероятный' in casual speech to convey surprise.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'высокий' interchangeably with 'завышенный', thinking they mean the same. Incorrect: Цены высокие (This just means "prices are high," without implying unreasonableness). Correct: Цены завышенные (This conveys the exorbitant nature). Explanation: 'Высокий' is neutral, while 'завышенный' adds the connotation of excessiveness.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., using masculine form with a feminine noun. Incorrect: завышенный цена (wrong gender). Correct: завышенная цена. Explanation: Always match the adjective's ending to the noun's gender, number, and case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'завышенный' often appear in discussions about economic instability, such as during periods of inflation or in critiques of consumerism. Historically, during the Soviet era, 'завышенные цены' was a common complaint in black markets, reflecting themes of scarcity and value in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• инфляция (inflation)
• спрос (demand)
• ценообразование (pricing)