Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hazard'

English Word: hazard

Key Russian Translations:

• опасность [ɐˈpasnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, commonly used in safety and risk contexts]
• риск [rʲisk] - [Informal, often in business or probabilistic scenarios]
• угроза [ʊˈɡro.zə] - [Formal, implying an active or imminent danger]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in contexts like safety, environment, and decision-making)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage; for 'риск', it may be A2 due to loanword simplicity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

опасность: [ɐˈpasnəsʲtʲ]

риск: [rʲisk]

угроза: [ʊˈɡro.zə]

Note on опасность: The stress falls on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft 's' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Note on риск: As a loanword from English/French, it's pronounced similarly but with a rolled 'r' in Russian accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A potential source of danger or risk (e.g., environmental or safety-related)

Translation(s) & Context:

• опасность - Used in formal contexts like warnings, health, and safety regulations.
• риск - Applied in informal or business settings, emphasizing probability rather than immediate threat.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу много опасностей, таких как дикие животные и ямы.

  In the forest, there are many hazards, such as wild animals and pits.

• Этот риск стоит того, чтобы инвестировать в новую технологию.

  This hazard is worth the risk to invest in new technology.

• Угроза наводнения вынудила эвакуировать жителей.

  The hazard of flooding forced residents to evacuate.

• Опасность отравления пищей заставила закрыть ресторан.

  The hazard of food poisoning led to the restaurant's closure.

• Риск потери данных можно минимизировать с помощью резервного копирования.

  The hazard of data loss can be minimized with backups.

2. Something that creates uncertainty or peril (e.g., in games or abstract situations)

Translation(s) & Context:

• угроза - Often in metaphorical or strategic contexts, like in games or military scenarios.
• риск - In casual or recreational settings, such as gambling.

Usage Examples:

• В этой игре угроза потери очков делает её более захватывающей.

  In this game, the hazard of losing points makes it more exciting.

• Опасность неудачи мотивирует игроков принимать обдуманные решения.

  The hazard of failure motivates players to make thoughtful decisions.

• Риск банкротства в бизнес-симуляции учит финансовой грамотности.

  The hazard of bankruptcy in business simulations teaches financial literacy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'опасность' (feminine noun, 3rd declension):

For 'риск' (masculine noun, indeclinable in most cases as it's a loanword):

It remains mostly unchanged: риск (singular and plural forms are the same, e.g., 'риски' in plural contexts, but often used without change).

For 'угроза' (feminine noun, similar to 'опасность'):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: риск (more about probability), угроза (emphasizes threat), опасность (general danger) - 'риск' is often used in financial contexts for subtle differences.
• Antonyms: безопасность (safety), защита (protection)

Related Phrases:

• предотвращать опасность - To prevent danger; used in safety protocols.
• принять риск - To take a risk; common in decision-making scenarios.
• угроза жизни - Threat to life; often in emergency or health contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Опасность' directly corresponds to 'hazard' in formal English contexts, such as environmental or health risks, and is preferred in official documents. 'Риск' is better for probabilistic hazards, like in business, and may not always imply immediate danger. Choose based on context: use 'угроза' for active threats. Grammatically, these nouns require appropriate case agreement with articles or modifiers, e.g., 'эта опасность' (this hazard). Be cautious with register—'риск' is neutral and widely used in modern Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'риск' interchangeably with 'опасность' without considering context. For example, learners might say "Этот риск в лесу" (This risk in the forest) when 'опасность' is more appropriate for physical hazards.

  Correct: "Эта опасность в лесу" – Explanation: 'Риск' implies chance-based danger, while 'опасность' denotes a direct threat.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., saying "об опасност" instead of "об опасности" in prepositional case.

  Correct: "об опасности" – Explanation: Always decline based on case to maintain grammatical accuracy in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'опасность' often carry connotations from historical events, such as wartime hazards or natural disasters in vast rural areas. For instance, environmental hazards are frequently discussed in media due to Russia's diverse geography, emphasizing preparedness and resilience in everyday life.

Related Concepts:

• безопасность
• катастрофа
• предупреждение