Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hazardous'

English Word: hazardous

Key Russian Translations:

• опасный /ɐˈpasnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective, Used in general contexts to describe risks]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in safety, health, and environmental discussions, but not as frequent as basic adjectives).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions, which can be challenging for learners due to case, gender, and number variations).

Pronunciation (Russian):

опасный: /ɐˈpasnɨj/

Note on опасный: The stress is on the second syllable (/ˈpasnɨj/). Be careful with the soft sign (ы), which can be tricky for English speakers as it produces a distinct back vowel sound. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter the vowel quality.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Dangerous or risky, posing potential harm or threat.

Translation(s) & Context:

• опасный - Used in formal and everyday contexts to describe situations, objects, or activities that involve danger, such as in safety warnings or health advisories.

Usage Examples:

• Эта дорога опасная из-за обледенения.

  This road is hazardous due to icing.

• Курение опасно для здоровья и может привести к серьёзным заболеваниям.

  Smoking is hazardous to health and can lead to serious illnesses.

• В фабрике есть опасные химические вещества, требующие специальной защиты.

  In the factory, there are hazardous chemicals that require special protection.

• Путешествие в горы зимой может быть опасным без правильного оборудования.

  Traveling in the mountains in winter can be hazardous without proper equipment.

• Опасный вирус распространяется быстро в переполненных местах.

  The hazardous virus spreads quickly in crowded places.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Опасный" is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives, with short forms for certain uses (e.g., in predicates). There are no irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward once the rules are learned.

Note: The short form (e.g., опасен for masculine singular) is used in certain predicative constructions, such as "Он опасен" (He is hazardous).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • рискованный (riskovannyy) - Implies a sense of adventure or calculated risk, often in informal contexts.
  • вредный (vrednyy) - Focuses on harmfulness, especially to health or environment.
• Antonyms:
  • безопасный (bezopasnyy) - Safe and without risk.
  • надёжный (nadezhnyy) - Reliable and secure.

Related Phrases:

• опасная ситуация (opasnaia situatsiia) - A hazardous situation; used to describe emergencies or risky scenarios.
• опасный материал (opasnyy material) - Hazardous material; common in industrial or environmental contexts.
• опасный для здоровья (opasnyy dlya zdorov'ya) - Hazardous to health; often in warnings about substances or habits.

Usage Notes:

"Опасный" directly corresponds to "hazardous" in English, emphasizing potential danger rather than mere risk. It is versatile and can be used across formal and informal settings, but always agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. For example, choose this word for safety-related discussions, but consider synonyms like "рискованный" for contexts involving thrill or uncertainty. Be mindful of its declensions to avoid grammatical errors in sentences.

• In formal writing, pair it with nouns like "ситуация" for precise descriptions.
• In everyday speech, it's common in warnings, e.g., road signs or health advice.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse declensions, such as using the nominative form "опасный" in all cases. For example:

• Error: "Я боюсь опасный собака" (Incorrect: mixing cases).
• Correct: "Я боюсь опасной собаки" (Genitive case for the object of fear).
• Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's case; this error stems from English's lack of declensions, leading to confusion in complex sentences.
• Another common mistake: Overusing it for minor risks, when a milder word like "рискованный" might be more appropriate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "опасный" are frequently used in contexts related to public safety, such as in Soviet-era industrial regulations or modern environmental discussions. For instance, it evokes themes of resilience against harsh winters or industrial hazards, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on preparedness in adverse conditions.

Related Concepts:

• риск (risk)
• безопасность (safety)
• угроза (threat)