Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fragile'

English Word: fragile

Key Russian Translations:

• хрупкий [xrúpkʲij] - [Formal, used for physical objects]
• уязвимый [uˈjazvʲimɨj] - [Formal, used for abstract or emotional vulnerability]

Frequency: Medium - Commonly encountered in everyday contexts involving objects or emotional states, but not as frequent as basic adjectives.

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2) - Requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions; "хрупкий" may be slightly easier for beginners, while "уязвимый" is more advanced due to its abstract nature.

Pronunciation (Russian):

хрупкий: [xrúpkʲij] - The 'x' sound is a guttural fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch".

уязвимый: [uˈjazvʲimɨj] - Stress on the second syllable; the 'я' sound is a soft 'ya'.

Note on хрупкий: Be careful with the initial 'x' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it doesn't have a direct equivalent in English.

Note on уязвимый: The ending '-имый' indicates potentiality, which might affect pronunciation in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Easily broken or damaged (physical fragility)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хрупкий - Used in contexts involving objects that can break easily, such as glass or porcelain; common in everyday and formal descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Эта ваза хрупкая, поэтому обращайтесь с ней осторожно.

  This vase is fragile, so handle it with care.

• Хрупкие предметы всегда упаковывают в пузырчатую пленку.

  Fragile items are always packed in bubble wrap.

• В магазине продают хрупкие украшения из стекла.

  The store sells fragile glass jewelry.

• Дети не должны играть с хрупкими игрушками.

  Children shouldn't play with fragile toys.

• Хрупкий материал может треснуть от малейшего удара.

  The fragile material can crack from the slightest impact.

Meaning 2: Vulnerable or delicate (abstract or emotional fragility)

Translation(s) & Context:

• уязвимый - Used in contexts involving emotional, psychological, or systemic vulnerability; more common in formal, literary, or professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• После развода она чувствовала себя уязвимой.

  After the divorce, she felt fragile (vulnerable).

• Уязвимые группы населения нуждаются в дополнительной поддержке.

  Fragile (vulnerable) groups of the population need additional support.

• Экономика страны уязвима к глобальным изменениям.

  The country's economy is fragile (vulnerable) to global changes.

• Ребенок в этом возрасте особенно уязвим к инфекциям.

  A child at this age is particularly fragile (vulnerable) to infections.

• Уязвимый характер может привести к эмоциональным проблемам.

  A fragile (vulnerable) personality can lead to emotional issues.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "хрупкий" and "уязвимый" are Russian adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. They follow the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives.

For "хрупкий" (meaning fragile in a physical sense):

For "уязвимый", the inflections are similar:

These adjectives do not have irregular forms, but always agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нежный (delicate) - Often used for something physically delicate, with a softer connotation than хрупкий.
  • слабый (weak) - Applies to abstract fragility, but implies a broader weakness; less precise for physical objects.
• Antonyms:
  • прочный (sturdy) - Directly opposite for physical durability.
  • устойчивый (resilient) - For abstract contexts, implying emotional or systemic strength.

Related Phrases:

• Хрупкий мир (A fragile peace) - Refers to a delicate or unstable truce, often in political contexts.
• Уязвимая точка (A fragile point/vulnerable spot) - Describes a weak area in a system or argument.
• Хрупкое равновесие (Fragile balance) - Used for situations like ecosystems or relationships that are easily disrupted.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "хрупкий" is the most direct equivalent for physical fragility and is commonly used in everyday language, while "уязвимый" better captures emotional or abstract fragility, similar to "vulnerable" in English. Choose "хрупкий" for tangible objects and "уязвимый" for intangible contexts to ensure precision. Always decline these adjectives to match the noun's gender, number, and case, as Russian grammar requires agreement. In formal writing or speech, these words are preferred, but in informal settings, simpler synonyms like "слабый" might be used. Be mindful of context to avoid mistranslation; for example, "fragile ego" would translate to "уязвимое эго" rather than "хрупкое эго".

Common Errors:

• Error: Failing to decline the adjective correctly, e.g., saying "Эта ваза хрупкий" instead of "Эта ваза хрупкая".

  Correct: "Эта ваза хрупкая" - Explanation: Adjectives must agree with the noun's gender (feminine in this case), or it sounds unnatural and grammatically incorrect.

• Error: Using "хрупкий" for emotional contexts, e.g., "Он хрупкий человек" to mean emotionally vulnerable.

  Correct: "Он уязвимый человек" - Explanation: "Хрупкий" implies physical fragility, which could confuse listeners; "уязвимый" is more appropriate for emotional states.

• Error: Overgeneralizing synonyms, e.g., using "слабый" interchangeably with "хрупкий".

  Correct: Use "хрупкий" for breakability; "слабый" means weak in a broader sense, like lacking strength, and may not convey the same nuance.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "уязвимый" often appear in literature and philosophy, reflecting themes of human vulnerability as seen in works by authors like Dostoevsky. "Хрупкий" might evoke ideas of Russia's vast, delicate landscapes or historical artifacts, emphasizing the need for care in preserving cultural heritage.

Related Concepts:

• нежный (delicate)
• слабый (weak)
• устойчивый (resilient)
• прочный (sturdy)