Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fatal'

English Word: fatal

Key Russian Translations:

• смертельный (/smʲɪrˈtʲelʲnɨj/) - [Formal, Adjective, Used in contexts involving death or severe consequences]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in news, medical, and safety discussions, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives, declensions, and contextual nuances, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

смертельный: /smʲɪrˈtʲelʲnɨj/

Note on смертельный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tel"). Pronunciation can vary slightly by region, with softer palatalization in some dialects. Pay attention to the "щ" sound, which is a soft "sh" in this context.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Causing death or resulting in severe, irreversible consequences (e.g., in accidents, diseases, or events)

Translation(s) & Context:

• смертельный - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as medical reports or legal descriptions, to indicate something that leads to death.

Usage Examples:

• Эта авария была смертельной для водителя. (Eta avariya byla smertelnoy dlya voditelya.)

  This accident was fatal for the driver.

• Смертельный яд может действовать мгновенно. (Smertelniy yad mozhet deystvovatʹ mgnovënno.)

  A fatal poison can act instantly.

• Врачи предупредили о смертельном риске операции. (Vrachi predupredili o smertelnom riske operatsii.)

  Doctors warned about the fatal risk of the surgery.

• Смертельный исход болезни шокировал семью. (Smertelniy iskhod bolezni shokiroval semyu.)

  The fatal outcome of the disease shocked the family.

• В фильме показан смертельный поединок героев. (V filʹme pokazan smertelniy poedinyok geroev.)

  The movie depicts a fatal duel between the heroes.

Meaning 2: Inevitable or leading to failure or disaster (e.g., in non-literal contexts like business or relationships)

Translation(s) & Context:

• смертельный - Used metaphorically in informal or literary contexts to describe something inevitably destructive, though less common than in literal senses.

Usage Examples:

• Эта ошибка может стать смертельной для компании. (Eta oshibka mozhet statʹ smertelnoy dlya kompanii.)

  This mistake could be fatal for the company.

• Смертельный конфликт между партнерами разрушил бизнес. (Smertelniy konflikt mezhdu partneryami razrushil biznes.)

  The fatal conflict between partners destroyed the business.

• В романе описан смертельный удар судьбы. (V romane opisán smertelniy udar sudʹby.)

  The novel describes a fatal blow of fate.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Смертельный is an adjective in Russian, which means it follows the standard rules for first-declension adjectives. It agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. The base form is masculine singular nominative. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • летальный (letalʹnyy) - More medical or scientific, implying death from external causes.
  • смертоносный (smertonosnyy) - Emphasizes the deadly nature, often in poetic or dramatic contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • безвредный (bezvrednyy) - Harmless, safe.
  • невинный (nevinnyy) - Innocent, not causing harm.

Related Phrases:

• Смертельная доза (Smertelnaya doza) - A fatal dose (e.g., in pharmacology or toxicology contexts).
• Смертельный исход (Smertelniy iskhod) - Fatal outcome (used in medical or accident reports).
• Смертельная опасность (Smertelnaya opasnostʹ) - Fatal danger (common in warnings or adventure narratives).

Usage Notes:

"Смертельный" directly corresponds to "fatal" in English, particularly in contexts involving death or severe consequences. It is typically used as an adjective and must agree with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case. For English speakers, be cautious with its formal tone—avoid it in casual conversations. When choosing between synonyms like "летальный," opt for it in scientific settings for precision. In metaphorical uses, ensure the context is clear to prevent misunderstandings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "смертельный" without proper declension, e.g., saying "смертельный ошибка" instead of "смертельная ошибка" (for feminine nouns).

  Correct: Смертельная ошибка (Smertelnaya oshibka) - Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; "ошибка" is feminine, so use the feminine form.

• Error: Confusing it with "смертный" (smertnyy), which means "mortal" in the sense of being subject to death, not causing it.

  Correct: Use "смертельный" for "fatal events"; Explanation: "Смертный" refers to human mortality, while "смертельный" implies lethality.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "смертельный" often appear in literature and media to emphasize the fragility of life, influenced by historical events such as wars and epidemics. For instance, Russian folklore and Soviet-era stories frequently use such terms to highlight themes of fate and resilience, reflecting a cultural stoicism toward mortality.

Related Concepts:

• летальный
• смертоносный
• опасный (opasnyy)