Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'expectant'

English Word: expectant

Key Russian Translations:

• беременная [bʲɪrʲɪˈmʲenːəjə] - [Used for females, referring to pregnancy; Formal]
• ожидающий [ɐʐɨˈdaʊʂːɪj] - [General sense of anticipation or waiting; Informal, Plural forms applicable]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts like medical or emotional discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "беременная"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "ожидающий" due to its adjectival forms and contextual nuances.

Pronunciation (Russian):

беременная: [bʲɪrʲɪˈmʲenːəjə]

Note on беременная: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the soft 'r' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.

ожидающий: [ɐʐɨˈdaʊʂːɪj]

Note on ожидающий: The 'zh' sound ([ʂ]) is retroflex, similar to the 's' in "measure," and the word often has a rolling quality in fast speech. It's derived from the verb "ожидать."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Referring to pregnancy (e.g., a woman who is pregnant).

Translation(s) & Context:

• беременная - Used in medical, familial, or formal contexts to describe a state of pregnancy; common in healthcare discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Она беременная и готовится к родам. (Ona beremennaya i gotovitsya k rodam.)

  She is pregnant and preparing for childbirth. (This example shows the adjective in a straightforward descriptive context.)

• Беременная женщина нуждается в особом уходе. (Beremennaya zhenshchina nuzhdaetsya v osobom ukhode.)

  A pregnant woman needs special care. (Illustrates use in advice or general statements.)

• Моя сестра беременная, так что мы все в ожидании. (Moya sestra beremennaya, tak chto my vse v ozhidanii.)

  My sister is pregnant, so we're all in anticipation. (Demonstrates linkage to emotional expectation.)

• В клинике много беременных женщин. (V klinike mnogo beremennykh zhenshchin.)

  There are many pregnant women in the clinic. (Shows plural form in a public setting.)

Meaning 2: Full of expectation or anticipation (e.g., waiting eagerly).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ожидающий - Used in emotional, narrative, or informal contexts to convey waiting with hope or suspense; often in literature or daily conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Он был ожидающим хороших новостей от друга. (On byl ozhidayushchim khoroshikh novostey ot druga.)

  He was expectant of good news from his friend. (This highlights anticipation in personal relationships.)

• Ожидающие толпы собрались у сцены. (Ozhidayushchie tolpy sobralis u stseny.)

  Expectant crowds gathered at the stage. (Shows plural use in event or public scenarios.)

• Дети были ожидающими подарков под елкой. (Deti byli ozhidayushchimi podarkov pod elkoy.)

  The children were expectant of gifts under the tree. (Illustrates festive or joyful contexts.)

• В ожидающем молчании все ждали решения. (V ozhidayushchem molchanii vse zhдали resheniya.)

  In expectant silence, everyone waited for the decision. (Demonstrates use in tense or dramatic situations.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives and follow Russian adjectival declension patterns, which vary by gender, number, and case. "Беременная" is typically used for feminine nouns and has regular declensions, while "Ожидающий" can be used for various genders and is a present active participle with potential irregularities.

For unchangeable forms, note that short-form adjectives like "беременна" (from беременная) do not decline and are used in predicate positions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Беременная: беременна (short form, more casual), вынашивающая (carrying, formal medical context)
  • Ожидающий: ожидающий (variant), предвкушающий (anticipating with pleasure; subtle difference in implying excitement)
• Antonyms:
  • Беременная: не беременная (not pregnant)
  • Ожидающий: разочарованный (disappointed, as it contrasts with hopeful waiting)

Related Phrases:

• Беременная женщина - A pregnant woman; used in health or family contexts.
• В ожидании чуда - In expectant of a miracle; an idiomatic phrase for hopeful waiting.
• Ожидающий результат - Expectant of results; common in professional or scientific settings.

Usage Notes:

"Беременная" directly corresponds to the pregnancy-related meaning of "expectant" and is gender-specific, always used with feminine nouns. In contrast, "ожидающий" aligns with the anticipatory sense and can be more versatile but requires attention to case and gender agreement in sentences. Use "беременная" in formal or medical scenarios to avoid ambiguity, and opt for "ожидающий" in emotional narratives. Grammatically, both adjectives must agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case, which is a key difference from English.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "беременная" for non-feminine subjects, e.g., saying "Он беременная" instead of "Он ожидает."
  Correct: Он ожидающий (He is expectant). Explanation: "Беременная" is strictly feminine; misuse can lead to gender agreement errors, which sound unnatural in Russian.
• Error: Forgetting to decline "ожидающий" properly, e.g., "Я вижу ожидающий человек" instead of "Я вижу ожидающего человека."
  Correct: Я вижу ожидающего человека. Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's case; this is a common pitfall for English learners who treat adjectives as invariable.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "беременная" often carries positive connotations related to family and motherhood, influenced by traditional values. Phrases like "в ожидании" can evoke themes from Russian literature, such as in works by Tolstoy, where anticipation reflects deeper emotional or existential states.

Related Concepts:

• Беременность (pregnancy)
• Ожидание (waiting)
• Предвкушение (anticipation)