Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fateful'

English Word: fateful

Key Russian Translations:

• роковой /rɐˈko.vɨj/ - [Formal, often used in literary or dramatic contexts]
• судьбоносный /sʊdʲ.bʌˈno.snɨj/ - [Formal, emphasizing destiny or pivotal events]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are encountered in literature, news, and everyday discussions, but not as commonly as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B2 - Intermediate level; requires understanding of adjective inflections and contextual nuances, with some translations varying in formality.

Pronunciation (Russian):

роковой: /rɐˈko.vɨj/

судьбоносный: /sʊdʲ.bʌˈno.snɨj/

Note on роковой: The stress is on the second syllable, and the 'о' sound can vary slightly in casual speech. Be mindful of the soft 'в' sound.

Note on судьбоносный: This word has a complex consonant cluster; practice the 'дʲ' (palatalized d) for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Having important or decisive consequences.

Translation(s) & Context:

• роковой - Used in contexts involving critical events, such as in historical or dramatic narratives (e.g., a fateful decision in a story).
• судьбоносный - Applied to moments that shape destiny, often in formal or philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Эта встреча была роковой для его карьеры. (This meeting was fateful for his career.)

  English Translation: This meeting was fateful for his career. (Demonstrates use in a professional context with adjective agreement.)

• Роковой выбор изменил всю его жизнь. (The fateful choice changed his entire life.)

  English Translation: The fateful choice changed his entire life. (Shows the word in a personal, narrative context.)

• Судьбоносный момент в истории России произошел в 1917 году. (The fateful moment in Russian history occurred in 1917.)

  English Translation: The fateful moment in Russian history occurred in 1917. (Illustrates historical usage with proper inflection.)

• Ее судьбоносное решение повлияло на всю семью. (Her fateful decision affected the whole family.)

  English Translation: Her fateful decision affected the whole family. (Highlights familial or emotional contexts.)

Meaning 2: Controlled by fate or destiny.

Translation(s) & Context:

• роковой - Often implies an inevitable, tragic fate, as in literary works.
• судьбоносный - Emphasizes predestined events, suitable for philosophical or superstitious contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Роковой рок преследовал его с детства. (Fateful fate pursued him from childhood.)

  English Translation: Fateful fate pursued him from childhood. (Shows poetic or metaphorical use.)

• Судьбоносные силы вмешались в его планы. (Fateful forces intervened in his plans.)

  English Translation: Fateful forces intervened in his plans. (Demonstrates use in abstract or supernatural contexts.)

• В этой истории роковой случай решает все. (In this story, a fateful coincidence decides everything.)

  English Translation: In this story, a fateful coincidence decides everything. (Illustrates narrative storytelling.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "роковой" and "судьбоносный" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns for most cases, but they can be irregular in certain forms.

Note: These adjectives do not change in predicative position (e.g., after "быть" - to be), and they follow regular hard-stem patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • судьбинный - Similar to "fateful" but with a more archaic tone.
  • решающий - Means "decisive," often used interchangeably in modern contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • незначительный - Means "insignificant," contrasting with the importance of "fateful."
  • случайный - Means "random," implying lack of destiny.

Related Phrases:

• роковой случай - A fateful coincidence; used to describe unexpected events that alter outcomes.
• судьбоносное решение - A fateful decision; refers to choices with long-term impacts.
• роковая ошибка - A fateful mistake; common in narratives to indicate a turning point.

Usage Notes:

"Fateful" translates most accurately to "роковой" when emphasizing tragic or inevitable outcomes, while "судьбоносный" is better for contexts involving destiny or historical significance. In Russian, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which differs from English. For example, use "роковая" for feminine nouns. Choose "роковой" in literary or formal settings, and avoid it in casual conversation where simpler words like "решающий" might suffice.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "роковой" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "роковой событие" instead of "роковое событие" (for neuter noun).

  Correct: "Роковое событие" - Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; "событие" is neuter, so use the neuter form.

• Error: Confusing with "рок" (rock music or fate), leading to misuse like "роковой рок" meaning "fateful rock" instead of the intended fate-related sense.

  Correct: Contextually clarify with full phrases; e.g., "роковой поворот" for "fateful turn." - Explanation: "Рок" alone means "fate" or "rock," so provide context to avoid ambiguity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "роковой" often carry a sense of fatalism, influenced by literary traditions from authors like Dostoevsky, where fate plays a pivotal role. This reflects a broader Slavic worldview emphasizing destiny and inevitability, which can differ from Western concepts of free will.

Related Concepts:

• судьба (fate)
• предопределение (predestination)
• критический момент (critical moment)