Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'foolhardy'

English Word: foolhardy

Key Russian Translations:

• безрассудный [bʲɪz.rɐˈsʲud.nɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• рискованный [rʲɪs.kɐˈvan.nɨj] - [Informal, Adjective, Used in everyday contexts like adventure descriptions]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in literature and discussions but not as commonly as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective forms and nuanced contexts in Russian, suitable for learners with a solid intermediate grasp of the language.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

безрассудный: [bʲɪz.rɐˈsʲud.nɨj]

Note on безрассудный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("sʲud"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants. Pronounce it with a clear palatalized 'sʲ' sound.

Audio: []

рискованный: [rʲɪs.kɐˈvan.nɨj]

Note on рискованный: The 'rʲ' is a rolled 'r' with palatalization, common in Russian; practice it as in "risk" but with a softer onset.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Recklessly bold or rash, often implying unnecessary risk.

Translation(s) & Context:

• безрассудный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe actions or people taking foolish risks, e.g., in historical or adventure narratives.
• рискованный - Applied in informal settings, such as casual conversations about extreme sports or daily decisions.

Usage Examples:

• Он был безрассудным альпинистом, игнорируя все предупреждения о лавинах.

  He was a foolhardy climber, ignoring all warnings about avalanches.

• Ее рискованный план инвестиций мог привести к большим потерям.

  Her foolhardy investment plan could lead to significant losses.

• Безрассудный водитель мчался по шоссе, не соблюдая скоростной режим.

  The foolhardy driver sped down the highway, disregarding the speed limit.

• Рискованный трюк в фильме сделал его звездой, но едва не стоил жизни.

  The foolhardy stunt in the movie made him a star but almost cost him his life.

• Его безрассудное решение бросить работу без плана шокировало друзей.

  His foolhardy decision to quit his job without a plan shocked his friends.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Безрассудный" follows standard first-declension adjective patterns, while "рискованный" is similar but can vary slightly in informal use.

Note: These adjectives do not change in predicative position and follow regular patterns without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • опрометчивый (oprometchivyy) - Slightly more emphasis on haste; used in similar risk-taking contexts.
  • безумный (bezumnyy) - Implies a stronger sense of madness, often interchangeable but with more emotional intensity.
• Antonyms:
  • осторожный (ostorozhnyy)
  • разумный (razumnyy)

Related Phrases:

• безрассудный поступок - A foolhardy act; used to describe impulsive decisions in ethical or moral discussions.
• рискованная авантюра - A foolhardy adventure; common in contexts like business or exploration, implying high stakes.
• безрассудная отвага - Foolhardy bravery; often highlights the fine line between courage and recklessness in literature.

Usage Notes:

"Foolhardy" directly corresponds to "безрассудный" in formal Russian, emphasizing irrational risk, while "рискованный" is better for informal, everyday language. Use "безрассудный" in written or professional contexts to convey a more serious tone, and avoid it in casual speech where "рискованный" fits better. Grammatically, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key difference from English. When choosing between translations, opt for "безрассудный" if the connotation is more negative or moral, and "рискованный" for neutral or exciting scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "безрассудный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "безрассудный женщина" instead of "безрассудная женщина".
  Correction: Always match the adjective to the noun's gender and case; correct example: "безрассудная женщина". Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree, unlike in English, so learners often forget this rule.
• Mistake: Confusing with "безумный" and overusing it to mean any risk, e.g., "безумный водитель" for a minor speeding incident.
  Correction: Reserve "безумный" for extreme cases; use "рискованный" for less severe risks. Explanation: This can exaggerate the meaning and sound unnatural in context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "безрассудный" often appear in literature and folklore to depict heroic yet flawed characters, such as in stories by Pushkin or Tolstoy, where recklessness is romanticized but ultimately leads to downfall. This reflects a cultural emphasis on individualism and passion, contrasting with more cautious Western portrayals of risk.

Related Concepts:

• отвага (otvaga) - Bravery
• авантюра (avantyura) - Adventure
• риск (risk) - Risk