Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fanatical'

English Word: fanatical

Key Russian Translations:

• фанатичный [/fɐˈnatʲɪtɕɪj/] - [Adjective, General use, can be formal or informal depending on context]

Frequency: Medium - This word is commonly used in discussions of passions, hobbies, or ideologies, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should grasp its use as an adjective, though understanding nuances in Russian adjective agreement may require practice.

Pronunciation (Russian):

фанатичный: /fɐˈnatʲɪtɕɪj/

Note on фанатичный: The stress is on the third syllable ('nat'), and the 'ч' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a clear 'y' glide in 'tʲɪ'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Extremely enthusiastic or dedicated (often to an extreme degree)

Translation(s) & Context:

• фанатичный - Used in contexts involving intense devotion, such as sports, religion, or hobbies, where the enthusiasm borders on obsession. This is the most direct translation for everyday English usage.

Usage Examples:

• Он фанатичный поклонник футбола и смотрит все матчи.

  He is a fanatical fan of football and watches every match.

• Её фанатичная преданность работе часто приводит к перегрузкам.

  Her fanatical dedication to work often leads to burnout.

• Фанатичные сторонники партии устраивают митинги каждую неделю.

  Fanatical supporters of the party hold rallies every week.

• В этом городе фанатичные любители искусства посещают все выставки.

  In this city, fanatical art enthusiasts attend every exhibition.

• Его фанатичная диета включает только органические продукты.

  His fanatical diet consists only of organic products.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

фанатичный is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ый. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This adjective is regular, so it follows standard Russian adjective declension rules without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ревностный (revnostnyy) - More emphasis on zeal, often in religious or moral contexts.
  • страстный (strastnyy) - Implies passion, but can be less extreme than фанатичный.
• Antonyms:
  • равнодушный (ravnodushnyy) - Indifferent or apathetic.
  • умеренный (umerennyy) - Moderate or restrained.

Related Phrases:

• фанатичный поклонник - A fanatical fan; often used for sports or celebrity enthusiasts.
• фанатичная идея - A fanatical idea; refers to an obsessive or extreme notion.
• быть фанатичным - To be fanatical; a common phrase in discussions of dedication.

Usage Notes:

фанатичный directly corresponds to 'fanatical' in English, emphasizing an intense, sometimes unhealthy level of enthusiasm. It is versatile and can be used in both formal (e.g., academic writing) and informal contexts (e.g., casual conversations). When choosing this over synonyms like ревностный, consider if the connotation is more about obsession than pure zeal. Grammatically, ensure it agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case, as Russian adjectives must. For English learners, avoid overusing it in neutral contexts where a milder word might suffice to prevent sounding hyperbolic.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using фанатичный interchangeably with страстный without considering nuance. For example, learners might say "Он страстный в работе" when meaning extreme dedication, but this implies passion rather than fanaticism.

  Correct: Он фанатичный в работе. (He is fanatical about work.)

  Explanation: страстный suggests emotional intensity, while фанатичный implies dedication to the point of excess. This distinction helps avoid understatement or exaggeration.

• Error: Failing to decline the adjective properly, e.g., saying "фанатичный женщина" instead of "фанатичная женщина".

  Correct: фанатичная женщина (A fanatical woman).

  Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with their nouns, so always check gender and case to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like фанатичный often carry a neutral to negative connotation, reflecting historical skepticism toward extreme ideologies, such as those seen in Soviet-era fanaticism or modern fan culture in sports like football. It can highlight the fine line between passion and obsession, which is a common theme in Russian literature, such as in Dostoevsky's works where characters' fanaticism leads to conflict.

Related Concepts:

• энтузиаст (enthusiast)
• ревность (zeal or jealousy, depending on context)
• идеалист (idealist)