Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'immediate'

English Word: immediate

Key Russian Translations:

• немедленный [nʲɪmʲɪdˈlʲɪnʲɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• срочный [ˈsrot͡ɕnɨj] - [Informal, Often used in contexts of urgency]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday and professional Russian, but not as frequent as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions and nuanced usage. For 'немедленный', it's B2; for 'срочный', it's B1 due to simpler forms.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

немедленный: [nʲɪmʲɪdˈlʲɪnʲɨj]

Note on немедленный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('dˈlʲɪ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

срочный: [ˈsrot͡ɕnɨj]

Note on срочный: The 'ч' sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'ch' in 'loch' (Scottish). It remains consistent across forms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Happening or done without delay (e.g., in time-sensitive contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• немедленный - Used in formal or written contexts, such as business or legal discussions, to emphasize instant action.
• срочный - Applied in informal or everyday situations, like urgent tasks or deadlines.

Usage Examples:

• Я требую немедленного ответа на мое письмо. (I demand an immediate response to my letter.)

  This example shows 'немедленный' in a formal demand, highlighting its use with nouns in genitive case for emphasis.

• Эта задача требует срочного внимания. (This task requires immediate attention.)

  Here, 'срочный' is used in an informal work setting, paired with adjectives to stress urgency.

• В случае немедленного опасности, звоните в полицию. (In case of immediate danger, call the police.)

  Demonstrates 'немедленный' in conditional sentences, common in safety instructions.

• Срочный заказ должен быть доставлен сегодня. (The immediate order must be delivered today.)

  Illustrates 'срочный' in commercial contexts, showing its adaptability in different grammatical structures.

• Немедленный уход необходим для выздоровления. (Immediate care is necessary for recovery.)

  This usage in health-related scenarios emphasizes the adjective's role in medical advice.

Meaning 2: Direct or closest in proximity (e.g., immediate family)

Translation(s) & Context:

• немедленный - Less common; typically used metaphorically in relational contexts, such as family or proximity.
• близкий - Sometimes interchangeable for 'immediate' in familial senses, but with a nuance of closeness.

Usage Examples:

• Мои немедленные родственники живут в Москве. (My immediate family lives in Moscow.)

  This example uses 'немедленный' to denote direct relatives, in a declarative sentence structure.

• В случае беды, сначала обращайтесь к ближайшим, то есть немедленным, друзьям. (In case of trouble, first turn to your closest, or immediate, friends.)

  Shows 'немедленный' in explanatory contexts, contrasting with other adjectives for clarity.

• Ближайший, или немедленный, эффект от лекарства заметен сразу. (The immediate effect of the medicine is noticeable right away.)

  Here, it combines proximity and timeliness, demonstrating flexible usage in health topics.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'немедленный' (an adjective), it follows the standard Russian adjective declension pattern, which is regular but requires attention to gender, number, and case. It does not have irregular forms.

For 'срочный' (also an adjective), it follows the same declension rules as above, with no irregularities. It remains unchanged in most contexts but adjusts for agreement with nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • быстрый (quick) - Often used interchangeably but implies speed rather than instantaneity.
  • оперативный (prompt) - More formal, with a nuance of efficiency in professional settings.
• Antonyms:
  • задержанный (delayed)
  • поздний (late)

Related Phrases:

• Немедленный эффект (Immediate effect) - Refers to something happening right away, often in scientific or medical contexts.
• Срочный вызов (Emergency call) - Used for urgent situations, like calling for help.
• В случае немедленного риска (In case of immediate risk) - A phrase in safety protocols, emphasizing quick response.

Usage Notes:

'Immediate' in English often corresponds directly to 'немедленный' in Russian for time-related meanings, but choose 'срочный' for urgency in informal speech to sound more natural. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case. For example, when translating 'immediate action', use 'немедленное действие' in nominative. In business emails, 'немедленный' is preferred for formality, while 'срочный' fits casual texts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'немедленный' without proper declension, e.g., saying "немедленный дом" instead of "немедленный ответ" in the correct case. Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "в немедленном ответе". Explanation: Russian requires adjectives to inflect, unlike English, which can lead to confusion for learners.

• Error: Confusing 'немедленный' with 'срочный' in formal contexts. Correct: Use 'немедленный' for precise, instant meanings; 'срочный' for general urgency. Explanation: Overlapping nuances can cause misuse, but 'срочный' is less emphatic.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'немедленный' reflect a value on efficiency and promptness, especially in bureaucratic or professional settings influenced by historical Soviet-era practices. For instance, 'срочный' is commonly used in everyday life to navigate Russia's fast-paced urban environments, where delays can be culturally frustrating.

Related Concepts:

• быстрый
• оперативный
• задержка