Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fatality'

English Word: fatality

Key Russian Translations:

• смерть /ˈsmʲertʲ/ - [Formal, General use]
• летальный исход /lʲɪˈtalʲnɨj ɪsˈxot/ - [Formal, Medical or technical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in news reports, medical discussions, and statistical contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and formal vocabulary; 'смерть' is straightforward, while 'летальный исход' may vary slightly in complexity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

смерть: /ˈsmʲertʲ/

Note on смерть: The 'р' sound is a rolled alveolar trill, which can be challenging for English speakers; stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

летальный исход: /lʲɪˈtalʲnɨj ɪsˈxot/

Note on летальный исход: The word 'летальный' has a soft 'л' sound; 'исход' stresses the second syllable, and the 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Death resulting from an accident, war, disease, or other events (the primary meaning of 'fatality' in English).

Translation(s) & Context:

• смерть - Used in everyday and formal contexts to denote death, especially in reports or narratives; common in general discussions.
• летальный исход - Applied in medical, legal, or technical scenarios where the outcome is fatal; implies a conclusive and unavoidable result.

Usage Examples:

• В автокатастрофе произошло несколько смертей, что шокировало общественность.

  In the car accident, several fatalities occurred, shocking the public.

• Во время войны летальные исходы среди гражданского населения стали ежедневной реальностью.

  During the war, fatalities among the civilian population became a daily reality.

• Статистика показывает рост смертей от несчастных случаев на дорогах в прошлом году.

  Statistics show an increase in fatalities from road accidents last year.

• Летальный исход этой операции был неизбежен из-за осложнений.

  The fatality of this operation was inevitable due to complications.

• Смерть от естественных причин часто не классифицируется как летальный исход в медицинских отчётах.

  Death from natural causes is often not classified as a fatality in medical reports.

2. A broader sense implying inevitability or high mortality risk (less common, e.g., in metaphorical use).

Translation(s) & Context:

• смерть - Can be used metaphorically, but less directly for this sense; prefer in poetic or philosophical contexts.
• летальный исход - Emphasizes the inevitable fatal outcome, often in risk assessments.

Usage Examples:

• В экстремальных видах спорта риск летального исхода всегда присутствует.

  In extreme sports, the risk of fatality is always present.

• Эта болезнь несёт в себе потенциал смерти, если не лечить及时.

  This disease carries the potential for fatality if not treated promptly.

• Летальный исход в таких ситуациях подчёркивает необходимость предосторожности.

  Fatality in such situations underscores the need for caution.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns, with 'смерть' being a feminine noun and 'летальный исход' a phrase involving an adjective and a masculine noun. Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender.

For 'смерть' (feminine, 3rd declension):

For 'летальный исход' (phrase; 'исход' is masculine, 2nd declension):

Note: 'Летальный' agrees with 'исход' in case, number, and gender.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: гибель (gibels' - more dramatic, implying destruction), кончина (konchina - formal, often for natural death)
• Antonyms: выживание (vyzhivaniye - survival), выздоровление (vyzdorovleniye - recovery)

Related Phrases:

• Смертельный случай - A fatal incident; used in legal or accident reports.
• Летальный исход операции - Fatal outcome of an operation; common in medical contexts.
• Риск смерти - Risk of fatality; emphasizes potential danger.

Usage Notes:

'Смерть' is the most direct translation for 'fatality' in general contexts and is widely used in both spoken and written Russian, but it can feel more neutral or everyday. 'Летальный исход' is preferred in formal, technical, or professional settings like medicine or law, as it conveys a sense of inevitability. English speakers should note that Russian requires proper case agreement; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like 'от' (from). When choosing between translations, opt for 'смерть' in narrative descriptions and 'летальный исход' for analytical discussions. Avoid direct word-for-word translations; instead, consider the context to ensure natural phrasing.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'смерть' with 'смертность' (mortality rate): Incorrect: "Смертность в аварии" (This implies a statistical rate, not a specific event). Correct: "Смерть в аварии". Explanation: 'Смертность' refers to death rates over time, while 'смерть' is for individual instances.
• Overusing 'летальный исход' in casual speech: Incorrect: Using it in everyday conversation where 'смерть' suffices. Correct: Stick to 'смерть' for general use. Explanation: 'Летальный исход' sounds overly formal and may alienate listeners in informal settings.
• Forgetting case inflections: Incorrect: "Из-за смерть" (missing genitive). Correct: "Из-за смерти". Explanation: Russian prepositions dictate case, so always adjust the noun accordingly to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions of 'смерть' or fatalities often carry a somber tone, influenced by historical events like wars and famines. Terms like these are frequently used in media to report on tragedies, reflecting a cultural emphasis on resilience and remembrance, such as in memorials or literature by authors like Tolstoy.

Related Concepts:

• травма (trauma)
• несчастный случай (accident)
• жертва (victim)