Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'immobile'

English Word: immobile

Key Russian Translations:

• неподвижный [nʲɪˈpod.vʲɪʐ.nɨj] - [Adjective, Formal]
• недвижимый [nʲɪdˈvʲɪʐ.ɪ.mɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Often used in legal contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in descriptive, scientific, and legal contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and vocabulary for physical states)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неподвижный: [nʲɪˈpod.vʲɪʐ.nɨj]

недвижимый: [nʲɪdˈvʲɪʐ.ɪ.mɨj]

Note on неподвижный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("pod"), and the "zh" sound (as in "measure") can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on недвижимый: Similar to неподвижный, but with a softer "d" sound; practice the "dv" cluster for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not able to move or be moved (e.g., physically stationary)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неподвижный - Used in everyday descriptions of objects or people that cannot move, such as in scientific or narrative contexts.
• недвижимый - Applied in legal or property-related scenarios, emphasizing permanence or fixity.

Usage Examples:

• Ветер был настолько сильным, что дерево стояло неподвижно на месте.

  The wind was so strong that the tree stood immobile in place.

• Пациент лежал неподвижный во время операции, чтобы избежать осложнений.

  The patient lay immobile during the surgery to avoid complications.

• В музее выставлены недвижимые экспонаты, которые нельзя трогать.

  In the museum, there are immobile exhibits that cannot be touched.

• Его нога была в гипсе, делая его практически неподвижным на неделю.

  His leg was in a cast, making him practically immobile for a week.

Meaning 2: Fixed in place or incapable of change (e.g., metaphorical or abstract uses)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неподвижный - Used metaphorically for unchanging situations or ideas.
• недвижимый - Less common in abstract contexts, but can imply unalterable states in philosophy or law.

Usage Examples:

• Время в этом старом фильме кажется неподвижным, как будто мир замер.

  Time in this old film seems immobile, as if the world has frozen.

• Его взгляды на политику были недвижимы, несмотря на все аргументы.

  His views on politics were immobile, despite all the arguments.

• Городские традиции остаются неподвижными из поколения в поколение.

  City traditions remain immobile from generation to generation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "неподвижный" and "недвижимый" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but they can be irregular in certain forms. Below is a table for "неподвижный" as an example; "недвижимый" follows similar rules.

For "недвижимый", the forms are nearly identical in structure. Note that these adjectives do not change in short form contexts, and they remain invariable in comparative forms (e.g., неподвижнее).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • статичный (static) - Often used in technical contexts, implying complete lack of motion.
  • застывший (frozen, petrified) - Emphasizes a temporary or metaphorical state of immobility.
• Antonyms:
  • подвижный (mobile) - Direct opposite, indicating ability to move.
  • движимый (movable) - Used especially in legal or physical contexts.

Related Phrases:

• неподвижный объект - An immobile object; refers to something fixed in place, like a statue.
• недвижимое имущество - Immobile property; a common legal term for real estate.
• стоять неподвижно - To stand immobile; used in descriptions of waiting or freezing in place.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "неподвижный" is the most direct translation for everyday uses of "immobile," while "недвижимый" is preferred in legal or formal contexts. Always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies—e.g., use "неподвижная" for feminine nouns. English speakers might confuse it with similar words like "неподходящий" (unsuitable), so context is key. When choosing between translations, opt for "неподвижный" in general descriptions and "недвижимый" for property-related discussions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел неподвижный" instead of "Я видел неподвижного" in accusative for an inanimate object.

  Correct: "Я видел неподвижного объекта" (I saw the immobile object). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; beginners often overlook this, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Mixing up with synonyms, e.g., using "статичный" when "неподвижный" is more appropriate for physical immobility.

  Correct: Use "неподвижный" for literal non-movement. Explanation: "Статичный" implies a static state in physics, not general immobility, which can change the meaning subtly.

Cultural Notes:

"Недвижимый" has strong connotations in Russian culture related to property and land ownership, influenced by historical contexts like the Soviet era's state control over real estate. This can add layers of meaning in literature or discussions about stability and permanence, reflecting Russia's emphasis on enduring traditions.

Related Concepts:

• застывший
• фиксированный
• неизменный