Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ideal'

English Word: ideal

Key Russian Translations:

• идеальный [i.dʲɪ.ˈdʲal.nɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Singular/Plural]
• идеал [i.dʲɪ.ˈdal] - [Noun, Masculine, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday language, literature, and philosophical discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp the concept with some exposure, but full mastery requires understanding of Russian adjective and noun declensions).

Pronunciation (Russian):

идеальный: [i.dʲɪ.ˈdʲal.nɨj]

идеал: [i.dʲɪ.ˈdal]

Note on идеальный: The stress is on the third syllable ('dʲal'), and the 'й' sound (palatalized 'y') can be tricky for English speakers; it softens the preceding consonant. Pronounce it with a clear, flowing rhythm to avoid sounding stilted.

Note on идеал: The final 'л' is pronounced softly; ensure the vowel sounds are not overly elongated, as in native Russian speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Perfect, exemplary, or conforming to an ultimate standard (as an adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• идеальный - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as describing a perfect situation or object in literature, philosophy, or everyday compliments.

Usage Examples:

• Это идеальный день для прогулки в парке. (This is an ideal day for a walk in the park.)

  English Translation: This is an ideal day for a walk in the park. (Context: Describing weather or circumstances in casual conversation.)

• Идеальный кандидат должен обладать сильными лидерскими качествами. (The ideal candidate should possess strong leadership qualities.)

  English Translation: The ideal candidate should possess strong leadership qualities. (Context: Job interviews or professional settings, showing adjective use with nouns.)

• В её воображении идеальный дом выглядит как загородный коттедж. (In her imagination, the ideal house looks like a country cottage.)

  English Translation: In her imagination, the ideal house looks like a country cottage. (Context: Abstract or imaginative descriptions, demonstrating adjective in narrative.)

• Идеальный рецепт включает свежие ингредиенты и точные пропорции. (The ideal recipe includes fresh ingredients and precise proportions.)

  English Translation: The ideal recipe includes fresh ingredients and precise proportions. (Context: Culinary or practical advice, varying grammatical structure.)

Meaning 2: A standard of perfection or a perfect embodiment (as a noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• идеал - Used in philosophical, artistic, or personal development contexts, often referring to an abstract concept or goal.

Usage Examples:

• Его идеал — это гармоничная жизнь в гармонии с природой. (His ideal is a harmonious life in harmony with nature.)

  English Translation: His ideal is a harmonious life in harmony with nature. (Context: Personal aspirations or philosophy discussions.)

• В искусстве древней Греции идеал красоты был воплощён в статуях. (In ancient Greek art, the ideal of beauty was embodied in statues.)

  English Translation: In ancient Greek art, the ideal of beauty was embodied in statues. (Context: Historical or cultural analysis, showing noun in a broader context.)

• Каждый человек стремится к своему идеалу успеха. (Everyone strives for their own ideal of success.)

  English Translation: Everyone strives for their own ideal of success. (Context: Motivational or self-improvement talks, with possessive structures.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'идеальный' (adjective), it follows the standard pattern of Russian adjectives, which decline based on gender, number, and case. It is a soft-stem adjective due to the final '-ый'.

For 'идеал' (noun, masculine), it is a third-declension noun and follows regular patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • совершенный (sovérshennyy) - More emphatic, often used for something flawless or complete.
  • идеализированный (idealizirovannyy) - Implies an idealized version, with a connotation of exaggeration.
• Antonyms:
  • неидеальный (neideal'nyy) - Directly opposite, meaning imperfect.
  • реальный (real'nyy) - Means realistic or practical, contrasting with abstract ideals.

Related Phrases:

• Идеальный вариант (Ideal'nyy variant) - Meaning: The perfect option; used in decision-making contexts.
• Стремиться к идеалу (Stremit'sya k idealu) - Meaning: To strive for perfection; common in self-improvement or motivational speech.
• Идеал красоты (Ideal krasoty) - Meaning: The ideal of beauty; often discussed in art or cultural contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Идеальный' as an adjective directly corresponds to the English 'ideal' in most contexts but is more commonly used in formal or written Russian. Choose 'идеал' as a noun when referring to an abstract concept, such as in philosophy. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences; for example, it must agree with the noun it modifies. In informal speech, synonyms like 'крутой' (cool) might be used instead for a more casual tone. When multiple translations exist, select based on context: use 'идеальный' for descriptions and 'идеал' for aspirations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Forgetting to decline 'идеальный' correctly, e.g., saying "идеальный дом" in genitive as "идеальный дом" instead of "идеального дома". Correct: Use the proper case, like "идеального дома". Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in case, number, and gender, which English learners often overlook.

• Error: Confusing 'идеал' with 'идеальный' in sentences, e.g., using 'идеал' as an adjective. Correct: 'Идеал' is a noun; say "идеальный план" for "ideal plan". Explanation: Mixing parts of speech can lead to grammatical errors; always check the word's role.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of an 'ideal' (идеал) often ties to historical and philosophical traditions, such as in Soviet-era ideals of collectivism or in Russian literature (e.g., Tolstoy's portrayal of moral ideals). It can carry a romantic or utopian connotation, reflecting Russia's emphasis on aspiration and perfection in art and society, which differs from more pragmatic Western views.

Related Concepts:

• совершенство (sovérshenstvo)
• идеализм (idealizm)
• гармония (garmoniya)