Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'grandiose'

English Word: grandiose

Key Russian Translations:

• грандиозный [ɡrənˈdɪoznɨj] - [Formal, Adjective; Used in descriptive contexts for something impressive or exaggerated]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, artistic, and formal discussions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of adjective forms and contextual usage in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

грандиозный: [ɡrənˈdɪoznɨj]

Note on грандиозный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('di'), and the 'ы' sound is a soft, back vowel typical in Russian. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Impressively grand or ambitious, often with a sense of exaggeration

Translation(s) & Context:

• грандиозный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe something on a large scale, such as plans or events, emphasizing awe or excess.

Usage Examples:

• Грандиозный проект был запущен компанией, чтобы изменить городскую инфраструктуру.

  Translation: The grandiose project was launched by the company to change the urban infrastructure.

• Его речи всегда полны грандиозных идей, но редко реализуются на практике.

  Translation: His speeches are always full of grandiose ideas, but they rarely get implemented in practice.

• Грандиозный концерт в Кремле собрал тысячи зрителей со всего мира.

  Translation: The grandiose concert in the Kremlin gathered thousands of spectators from around the world.

• В фильме показан грандиозный пейзаж, который завораживает зрителя.

  Translation: The film features a grandiose landscape that captivates the viewer.

• Её грандиозные амбиции иногда отпугивают коллег, но вдохновляют команду.

  Translation: Her grandiose ambitions sometimes deter colleagues but inspire the team.

Secondary Meaning: Overly pompous or pretentious

Translation(s) & Context:

• грандиозный - Applied in critical contexts, such as critiquing someone's behavior as excessive or showy.

Usage Examples:

• Его грандиозный стиль одежды кажется неуместным на простой вечеринке.

  Translation: His grandiose style of clothing seems out of place at a simple party.

• Грандиозные обещания политика не убедили избирателей.

  Translation: The politician's grandiose promises did not convince the voters.

• В книге автор изображает грандиозный характер героя, но это выглядит наигранно.

  Translation: In the book, the author portrays the hero's grandiose character, but it comes across as contrived.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

грандиозный is an adjective in Russian, which follows the standard patterns for first-declension adjectives. It changes based on gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • величавый (more poetic, emphasizing majesty)
  • масштабный (focusing on scale in practical contexts)
  • эпический (used for grand narratives or stories)
• Antonyms:
  • скромный (modest, humble)
  • простой (simple, unpretentious)

Related Phrases:

• Грандиозный план - A large-scale plan; often used in business or strategic contexts.
• Грандиозное событие - A magnificent event; refers to spectacles like festivals or ceremonies.
• Грандиозные идеи - Grandiose ideas; implies ambitious but possibly unrealistic thoughts.

Usage Notes:

грандиозный directly corresponds to "grandiose" in English, capturing both positive (impressive) and negative (overblown) connotations. It is typically used in formal or written Russian rather than casual conversation. When choosing between translations, opt for грандиозный in contexts involving exaggeration, as it conveys a sense of scale that might not be as strong in synonyms like величественный. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun they describe. For example, it's common in literary or media contexts but less so in everyday speech.

• Grammar tip: Always decline the adjective based on the noun's case to avoid errors.
• Contextual advice: In positive scenarios, pair it with nouns like "проект" (project); in negative ones, with "идеи" (ideas) to highlight pretension.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the adjective by not declining it properly. For instance, they might say "грандиозный дом" in all cases, but incorrectly in genitive as "грандиозный дом" instead of "грандиозного дома". Correct usage: Use the proper form, e.g., "Я восхищен грандиозным домом" (I am impressed by the grandiose house). Another error is overusing it in casual speech, where a simpler word like "большой" (big) might be more appropriate, leading to sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like грандиозный often reflect the historical emphasis on grand scales in literature, architecture, and events, such as those from the Soviet era (e.g., grandiose parades). It can carry a subtle irony in modern usage, critiquing excessive ambition in a society that values modesty in personal interactions.

Related Concepts:

• эпический
• масштабный
• восхитительный