Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'immaterial'

English Word: immaterial

Key Russian Translations:

• нематериальный [nʲɪmətʲɪrʲɪˈalʲnɨj] - [Formal, used in philosophical or scientific contexts]
• незначительный [nʲɪznətʃʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj] - [Informal, for something unimportant or trivial]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in academic and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and their inflections, though the core meaning is straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

нематериальный: [nʲɪmətʲɪrʲɪˈalʲnɨj]

Note on нематериальный: This word has stress on the fourth syllable ("ri"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

незначительный: [nʲɪznətʃʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj]

Note on незначительный: The "ch" sound is a soft palatal fricative; practice with native speakers to master the rapid flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not consisting of matter; incorporeal or non-physical (e.g., in philosophy or science).

Translation(s) & Context:

• нематериальный - Used in formal contexts like discussions of metaphysics or physics, where the focus is on abstract concepts.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В философии дух считается нематериальным существом.

  English translation: In philosophy, the spirit is considered an immaterial being.

• Русский пример: Энергия может быть нематериальной, но она влияет на материальный мир.

  English translation: Energy can be immaterial, but it affects the physical world.

• Русский пример: Многие религии говорят о нематериальных силах, guiding человеческую судьбу.

  English translation: Many religions speak of immaterial forces guiding human destiny.

• Русский пример: В квантовой физике нематериальные волны играют ключевую роль.

  English translation: In quantum physics, immaterial waves play a key role.

Meaning 2: Not important or relevant; trivial (e.g., in legal or everyday contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• незначительный - Often used in informal or legal settings to downplay something's significance.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Эта деталь незначительна для общего решения.

  English translation: This detail is immaterial to the overall decision.

• Русский пример: В суде судья отметила, что аргумент был незначительным.

  English translation: In court, the judge noted that the argument was immaterial.

• Русский пример: Не беспокойся о незначительных проблемах; сосредоточься на главном.

  English translation: Don't worry about immaterial issues; focus on the main ones.

• Русский пример: Для меня твои замечания оказались незначительными в этом разговоре.

  English translation: For me, your remarks were immaterial in this conversation.

• Русский пример: В контракте есть незначительные изменения, но они не повлияют на сделку.

  English translation: In the contract, there are immaterial changes, but they won't affect the deal.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

For нематериальный (an adjective):

For незначительный, it follows the same inflection pattern as above, with forms like незначительный (masc.), незначительная (fem.), etc. These are regular adjectives, so no irregularities to note.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: духовный (spiritual, with a connotation of the soul); неосязаемый (intangible, emphasizing lack of physical touch)
• Antonyms: материальный (material, physical); значительный (significant, important)

Related Phrases:

• нематериальные активы - Intangible assets (e.g., in business or finance, referring to non-physical resources like intellectual property)
• незначительные детали - Minor details (used in everyday contexts to dismiss unimportant aspects)
• нематериальная собственность - Immaterial property (legal term for non-physical ownership, such as copyrights)

Usage Notes:

The English word "immaterial" often translates to "нематериальный" in contexts involving philosophy or science, where it emphasizes non-physical existence. For everyday use meaning "unimportant," "незначительный" is more appropriate, but be cautious as it can sound dismissive in formal settings. Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which is a key difference from English. When choosing between translations, opt for "нематериальный" in abstract discussions and "незначительный" in legal or casual conversations. Avoid direct word-for-word translation; consider the context to ensure natural usage.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "нематериальный" to mean "unimportant" in casual talk. Correct: This is incorrect because it primarily means "non-physical." Instead, use "незначительный." Example of error: *Эта проблема нематериальна* (wrong for "This problem is immaterial" in the sense of unimportant). Correct: Эта проблема незначительна. Explanation: Learners often confuse the two due to overlapping English meanings, but in Russian, precision is key to avoid misunderstanding.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying *нематериальный женщина* instead of *нематериальная женщина*. Correct: Always match gender and case, as in *нематериальная сила*. Explanation: Russian requires full agreement, unlike English, which can lead to grammatical errors in sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "нематериальный" often appear in discussions of spirituality or Orthodox Christianity, where the immaterial (e.g., the soul) is contrasted with the material world. This reflects a historical emphasis on metaphysical themes in Russian literature and philosophy, such as in the works of Dostoevsky, where immaterial concepts drive character development.

Related Concepts:

• духовный
• неосязаемый
• метафизический