Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hopeless'

English Word: hopeless

Key Russian Translations:

• Безнадёжный [bɪznɐˈdʲɵʐnɨj] - [Formal, often used in literary or serious contexts]
• Бесполезный [bʲɪsˈpolʲʉznɨj] - [Informal, when emphasizing futility or uselessness]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in everyday Russian conversation, literature, and media, but are not as common as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp the concept with some exposure to adjectives and emotional vocabulary, but mastering inflections may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Безнадёжный: [bɪznɐˈdʲɵʐnɨj]

Бесполезный: [bʲɪsˈpolʲʉznɨj]

Note on Безнадёжный: The stress is on the third syllable ("dʲɵʐ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'д' sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Without hope or optimism (e.g., describing a situation or person lacking any prospect of success)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Безнадёжный - Used in formal or emotional contexts, such as describing a desperate situation in literature or personal stories.
• Бесполезный - Applied in informal settings when something is not just hopeless but also pointless, like a failed attempt.

Usage Examples:

• Эта ситуация кажется совершенно безнадёжной, но мы не должны сдаваться.

  This situation seems completely hopeless, but we shouldn't give up.

• После нескольких неудач, он почувствовал себя безнадёжным и ушёл из бизнеса.

  After several failures, he felt hopeless and left the business.

• Бесполезный разговор с начальником только усугубил его безнадёжное настроение.

  The useless conversation with the boss only worsened his hopeless mood.

• В безнадёжной борьбе за справедливость, она продолжила отстаивать свои права.

  In a hopeless struggle for justice, she continued to defend her rights.

Meaning 2: Incurable or beyond repair (e.g., a medical or mechanical context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Безнадёжный - Common in medical or metaphorical contexts, implying no chance of recovery.
• Бесполезный - Less common here, but used if the incurability leads to complete uselessness.

Usage Examples:

• Врачи объявили его болезнь безнадёжной, но он не потерял веры.

  The doctors declared his illness hopeless, but he didn't lose faith.

• Эта старая машина уже безнадёжно сломана и не стоит ремонта.

  This old car is already hopelessly broken and not worth repairing.

• Бесполезный инструмент в безнадёжно изношенном состоянии был выброшен.

  The useless tool in a hopelessly worn-out state was thrown away.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Безнадёжный" is a regular adjective following standard patterns, while "Бесполезный" is also regular but may have slight variations in certain forms.

For "Бесполезный", it follows a similar pattern: e.g., Masculine Singular Nominative: Бесполезный; Feminine Singular: Бесполезная. These adjectives do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Отчаянный (desperate; often implies more active struggle)
  • Безысходный (inescapable; used for situations with no way out)
• Antonyms:
  • Надеющийся (hopeful; directly opposite in emotional tone)
  • Перспективный (promising; used for situations with potential)

Related Phrases:

• Безнадёжная ситуация - A hopeless situation; used to describe an irreversible problem.
• Безнадёжно потерянный - Hopelessly lost; implies something or someone is beyond recovery.
• Бесполезные усилия - Useless efforts; a common phrase for futile attempts in everyday contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Безнадёжный" is the most direct translation for "hopeless" in emotional or existential contexts, aligning closely with English usage in literature or personal narratives. It is typically formal and carries a sense of permanence, so avoid it in casual conversations where "Бесполезный" might be more appropriate for emphasizing futility. When choosing between translations, consider the context: use "Безнадёжный" for hope-related despair and "Бесполезный" for practical ineffectiveness. Grammatically, always inflect these adjectives to agree with the noun they modify, as Russian requires gender, number, and case agreement.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Безнадёжный" interchangeably with "Бесполезный" without context. For example, saying "Это безнадёжный инструмент" when meaning it's useless, which might confuse listeners as it implies emotional hopelessness rather than practicality.

  Correct: "Это бесполезный инструмент" (This is a useless tool). Explanation: "Бесполезный" focuses on utility, while "Безнадёжный" evokes despair.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "Безнадёжный дом" for a feminine noun like "дома" (house, which is feminine).

  Correct: "Безнадёжный дом" should be "Безнадёжный" for masculine, but for feminine, use "Безнадёжная квартира". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, so always check the noun's properties before using.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Безнадёжный" often appear in literature and films, such as in the works of Dostoevsky, where themes of despair and existential hopelessness reflect historical hardships like those during the Soviet era. This can add a layer of depth, implying not just personal failure but a broader societal or philosophical struggle, which might resonate differently from English usage.

Related Concepts:

• Надежда (hope)
• Отчаяние (despair)
• Борьба (struggle)