Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gratuitous'

English Word: gratuitous

Key Russian Translations:

• лишний [ˈlʲiʂnʲɪj] - [Informal, often used for something superfluous or unnecessary]
• бесполезный [bʲɪˈspolʲeznɨj] - [Formal, emphasizing lack of utility]
• необоснованный [nʲɪɐbɐzɐˈvanɨj] - [Formal, particularly in legal or argumentative contexts, such as unwarranted actions]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in discussions, media, and literature, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and nuanced meanings. For 'лишний', it's B2; for 'бесполезный' and 'необоснованный', it may lean towards B2-C1 due to formal usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лишний: [ˈlʲiʂnʲɪj]

бесполезный: [bʲɪˈspolʲeznɨj]

необоснованный: [nʲɪɐbɐzɐˈvanɨj]

Note on лишний: The 'ш' sound ([ʂ]) can be tricky for English speakers; it's similar to 'sh' in 'shoe' but softer. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Unnecessary or unwarranted, often implying excess without justification.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лишний - Used in informal contexts to describe something extra or superfluous, e.g., in daily conversations about expenses or actions.
• бесполезный - Applied in formal settings, such as critiques or analyses, to highlight something that serves no purpose.
• необоснованный - Common in legal, academic, or professional contexts to denote something without basis or reason.

Usage Examples:

• Его комментарии были лишними в этой дискуссии. (His comments were gratuitous in this discussion.)

  Translation: His comments were unnecessary in this discussion. (Shows 'лишний' in an informal conversational context.)

• Эта деталь в фильме кажется бесполезной и не добавляет ценности сюжету. (This detail in the film seems gratuitous and doesn't add value to the plot.)

  Translation: This detail in the film seems unnecessary and doesn't add value to the plot. (Illustrates 'бесполезный' in a cultural or artistic critique.)

• Обвинения против него были необоснованными и не подтвержденными фактами. (The accusations against him were gratuitous and not supported by facts.)

  Translation: The accusations against him were unwarranted and not supported by facts. (Demonstrates 'необоснованный' in a formal, legal scenario.)

• В её речи были лишние повторения, которые только затягивали презентацию. (Her speech had gratuitous repetitions that only prolonged the presentation.)

  Translation: Her speech had unnecessary repetitions that only prolonged the presentation. (Highlights 'лишний' in a professional setting with grammatical variation.)

Meaning 2: Given freely or without expectation of return (less common, but possible in contexts like gifts or services).

Translation(s) & Context:

• бесплатный - Informal to formal, often for services or items given without charge, though not a perfect match for 'gratuitous' nuances.
• дарованный - More formal, implying something bestowed freely.

Usage Examples:

• Он предложил свою помощь как бесплатную услугу. (He offered his help as a gratuitous service.)

  Translation: He offered his help as a free service. (Uses 'бесплатный' in a everyday helpful context.)

• Дарование земли было дарованным актом щедрости. (The granting of land was a gratuitous act of generosity.)

  Translation: The granting of land was a freely given act of generosity. (Shows 'дарованный' in a historical or formal narrative.)

• Её советы были даны в бескорыстной форме. (Her advice was given in a gratuitous manner.)

  Translation: Her advice was given freely and without expectation. (Combines elements to illustrate nuances in interpersonal interactions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most translations like 'лишний', 'бесполезный', and 'необоснованный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives follow standard patterns for hard-stem adjectives.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ненужный (similar to 'лишний', but more emphatic on lack of need)
  • излишний (close to 'лишний', often interchangeable in formal contexts)
  • м unnecessary (a direct cognate, but less common in native speech)
• Antonyms:
  • необходимый (necessary)
  • полезный (useful)
  • обоснованный (justified)

Related Phrases:

• лишний расход - Unnecessary expense (refers to wasteful spending in financial contexts).
• бесполезная трата времени - Gratuitous waste of time (used for futile activities).
• необоснованные претензии - Unwarranted claims (common in legal or interpersonal disputes).
• дарованный дар - Freely given gift (implies something offered without strings attached).

Usage Notes:

When translating 'gratuitous' to Russian, choose based on context: 'лишний' for everyday superfluous items, 'бесполезный' for something lacking purpose, and 'необоснованный' for unjustified actions. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. In formal writing, prefer 'необоснованный' to maintain a professional tone. English speakers often overlook the free-gift meaning, which aligns with 'бесплатный' in casual scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'лишний' when 'необоснованный' is more appropriate, e.g., saying "лишний аргумент" for a "gratuitous argument" in a debate, which might sound too casual. Correct: "необоснованный аргумент". Explanation: 'лишний' implies mere excess, while 'необоснованный' conveys lack of evidence.

• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "лишний книга" instead of "лишняя книга" for "gratuitous book". Correct: Ensure gender agreement. Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's form, which is a common pitfall for beginners.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'необоснованный' often appear in contexts of skepticism or criticism, reflecting a historical emphasis on rationality in literature and media (e.g., in Soviet-era discussions). 'Gratuitous' violence in films might be downplayed in Russian adaptations to align with cultural norms favoring subtlety over excess.

Related Concepts:

• ненужный
• излишек
• бесполезность
• обоснование