Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fallible'

English Word: fallible

Key Russian Translations:

• Ошибочный (/ɐˈʂɨbət͡ɕnɨj/) - [Formal, used in philosophical or general contexts to describe something prone to error]
• Небезупречный (/nʲɪbʲɪˈzuprʲɪt͡ɕnɨj/) - [Informal, often in everyday discussions about human imperfection]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, philosophy, or discussions about human error, but not in casual everyday conversation).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves abstract concepts and requires understanding of Russian adjective forms; for "ошибочный", it may be slightly easier, while "небезупречный" could edge toward B2+ due to nuanced usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Ошибочный: /ɐˈʂɨbət͡ɕnɨj/ (The stress is on the second syllable; note the soft 'ш' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the retroflex pronunciation.)

Note on Ошибочный: Be careful with the 'щ' sound in related words; this word has a standard pronunciation without major variants.

Небезупречный: /nʲɪbʲɪˈzuprʲɪt͡ɕnɨj/ (Stress on the third syllable; the initial 'н' is palatalized, which is common in Russian adjectives.)

Note on Небезупречный: This word may vary slightly in fast speech, where the 'е' sound can soften further.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Capable of making mistakes or being erroneous (e.g., in human judgment or systems).

Translation(s) & Context:

• "Ошибочный" - Used in formal contexts like philosophy or science to describe concepts that are prone to error, such as "a fallible memory."
• "Небезупречный" - Applied in informal or everyday situations to highlight human flaws, such as in personal relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: "Человек по своей природе ошибочен и склонен к ошибкам."

  English: "Humans are by nature fallible and prone to mistakes." (This example shows the adjective in a philosophical context, emphasizing inherent imperfection.)

• Русский: "В науке мы признаем, что все теории небезупречны и нуждаются в проверке."

  English: "In science, we acknowledge that all theories are fallible and require verification." (Illustrates usage in an academic setting, with the adjective modifying a plural noun.)

• Русский: "Ошибочный вывод может привести к серьезным последствиям."

  English: "A fallible conclusion can lead to serious consequences." (Demonstrates the word in a causative structure, common in analytical discussions.)

• Русский: "Никто не идеален; каждый человек небезупречен."

  English: "No one is perfect; every person is fallible." (Shows informal, conversational use with emphasis on universal human traits.)

• Русский: "В судебной системе важно учитывать, что свидетели могут быть ошибочными."

  English: "In the judicial system, it's important to consider that witnesses can be fallible." (Highlights usage in legal contexts, with potential for plural forms.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Ошибочный" and "Небезупречный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for hard-stem adjectives, with some irregularities. Below is a table for "Ошибочный" as an example; "Небезупречный" follows similar rules.

For "Небезупречный", the inflections are identical in pattern but may feel more irregular due to its longer form. These adjectives do not change in comparative forms unless modified (e.g., "более ошибочный" for "more fallible").

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Неверный (slightly more emphatic, often used for "incorrect" in factual contexts)
  • Ложный (implies deception or falsehood, with a nuance of intentional error)
• Antonyms:
  • Непогрешимый (directly opposite, meaning "infallible" or without error)
  • Безупречный (perfect or flawless, contrasting with human imperfection)

Related Phrases:

• Ошибочный вывод (Erroneous conclusion) - A common phrase in logical or scientific discussions, referring to a mistaken inference.
• Небезупречный характер (Fallible character) - Used to describe someone with flaws, often in literature or psychology.
• Быть ошибочным в суждениях (To be fallible in judgments) - Highlights errors in decision-making processes.

Usage Notes:

"Fallible" translates most directly to "ошибочный" in formal contexts, but "небезупречный" is preferred for everyday or personal discussions to convey human imperfection. Be mindful of the adjective's agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case, as Russian requires this for grammatical correctness. In philosophical texts, "ошибочный" aligns closely with English usage, while "небезупречный" might carry a more emotional connotation. When choosing between translations, opt for "ошибочный" in academic settings and "небезупречный" in informal ones to match the appropriate register.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ошибочный" as an invariant word without inflecting it (e.g., saying "ошибочный женщина" instead of "ошибочная женщина"). Correct: Always inflect the adjective to match the noun's gender and case. Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with their nouns, unlike in English, where "fallible" doesn't change form.

• Error: Confusing "ошибочный" with "ложный" (false), leading to misuse in contexts of deception. Correct: Use "ошибочный" for unintentional errors, as in "a fallible memory," and provide examples like "Ошибочный расчет" (Fallible calculation) vs. "Ложный расчет" (Deceptive calculation). Explanation: This distinction prevents semantic overlap and ensures precise communication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and literature, concepts like "fallibility" often tie into themes of human frailty, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy or Dostoevsky. For instance, "ошибочный" reflects the Russian philosophical tradition of questioning absolute truth, influenced by historical events like the Soviet era's emphasis on ideological perfection, making it a word laden with introspection about human limitations.

Related Concepts:

• Ошибка (error)
• Слабость (weakness)
• Идеальность (ideality)