Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'formidable'

English Word: formidable

Key Russian Translations:

• впечатляющий (/vʲpʲɪˈt͡ɕatlʲəjʊɕːɪj/) - [Formal, Adjective, Used to describe something impressive or awe-inspiring in professional or academic contexts]
• могучий (/ˈmoɡʊt͡ɕɪj/) - [Informal, Adjective, Used in everyday speech for something powerful or overwhelming, often in casual descriptions]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in Russian literature, news, and conversations, but not as commonly as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; learners at this level can grasp the concept with practice, though the inflections may pose challenges for beginners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

впечатляющий: /vʲpʲɪˈt͡ɕatlʲəjʊɕːɪj/ (Note the stress on the fourth syllable; the 'щ' sound is a soft, prolonged 'sh' which can be tricky for English speakers.)

могучий: /ˈmoɡʊt͡ɕɪj/ (Stress on the first syllable; the 'г' is a hard 'g' sound, similar to in 'go'.)

Note on впечатляющий: This word has a rolling rhythm due to its length; practice with native speakers to master the palatalized consonants.

Note on могучий: Variations in regional accents may soften the 'ч' sound; listen carefully for context.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Inspiring fear, respect, or admiration due to size, power, or capability

Translation(s) & Context:

• впечатляющий - Used in formal contexts, such as describing a powerful leader or an impressive achievement, to convey awe without negativity.
• могучий - Applied in informal or literary settings, like storytelling, to emphasize overwhelming strength, often with a heroic connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Его армия была впечатляющей силой, способной изменить исход войны.

  His army was a formidable force, capable of changing the outcome of the war.

• В горах мы встретили могучего медведя, который заставил нас отступить.

  In the mountains, we encountered a formidable bear that made us retreat.

• Её впечатляющий интеллект помог ей выиграть международный конкурс.

  Her formidable intellect helped her win the international competition.

• Могучий ветер бушевал всю ночь, сбивая деревья с корней.

  The formidable wind raged all night, uprooting trees.

• Впечатляющий доклад профессора оставил аудиторию в восхищении.

  The professor's formidable presentation left the audience in awe.

Meaning 2: Difficult to deal with or overcome

Translation(s) & Context:

• впечатляющий - In challenging contexts, like business or sports, to highlight obstacles that demand respect.
• могучий - In adversarial scenarios, such as competitions, to stress the intensity of opposition.

Usage Examples:

• Этот экзамен был впечатляющим испытанием для студентов.

  This exam was a formidable test for the students.

• Могучий противник в финале не дал нашей команде шанса на победу.

  The formidable opponent in the final didn't give our team a chance to win.

• Впечатляющая бюрократия задержала проект на месяцы.

  The formidable bureaucracy delayed the project for months.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "впечатляющий" and "могучий" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow regular patterns for most forms.

Note: These are regular adjective inflections. No irregular forms for these words, but always ensure agreement with the noun in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • внушительный (more emphatic, often used for size or presence)
  • сильный (general strength, less awe-inspiring)
• Antonyms:
  • слабый (weak, contrasting with power)
  • незначительный (insignificant, opposing impressiveness)

Related Phrases:

• Впечатляющий успех - Refers to a formidable success, often in professional achievements.
• Могучий противник - Describes a formidable opponent, commonly in sports or conflicts.
• Впечатляющая личность - Means a formidable personality, used for influential individuals.

Usage Notes:

"Formidable" translates to Russian adjectives like "впечатляющий" or "могучий," which must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case—unlike English adjectives. Choose "впечатляющий" for formal or neutral contexts to emphasize admiration, and "могучий" for informal or narrative settings to highlight raw power. Be mindful of cultural nuances: Russians may use these words in literature or speeches to evoke heroism, so they're ideal for describing historical figures or natural phenomena. If the context involves competition, pair with verbs like "столкнуться" (to face) for accurate expression.

Common Errors:

• Error: Failing to inflect the adjective correctly, e.g., saying "впечатляющий женщина" instead of "впечатляющая женщина" (for feminine noun).

  Correct: "Она впечатляющая женщина." (She is a formidable woman.)

  Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; this mistake can make the sentence grammatically incorrect and confusing.

• Error: Using "могучий" in formal writing where "впечатляющий" is more appropriate, e.g., in a business report.

  Correct: Use "впечатляющий" for professional contexts.

  Explanation: "Могучий" has a more archaic or poetic feel, which might sound out of place in modern formal language.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "впечатляющий" and "могучий" often carry echoes of historical epics, such as those in Russian folklore or literature by authors like Tolstoy. They evoke the grandeur of Russia's vast landscapes or the resilience of its people, adding a layer of national pride when used in contexts like describing military heroes or natural wonders.

Related Concepts:

• внушительный
• сильный
• героический