Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'impossibility'

English Word: impossibility

Key Russian Translations:

• невозможность /nʲɪvɐˈmoʒnəsʲtʲ/ - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal discussions, academic contexts, and philosophical texts, but not in everyday casual conversation).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of abstract nouns and basic Russian declensions, making it accessible to learners with some prior knowledge).

Pronunciation (Russian):

невозможность: /nʲɪvɐˈmoʒnəsʲtʲ/

Note on невозможность: The stress falls on the third syllable ("moʒnə"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'n' sound (/nʲ/). Practice with native speakers for accurate soft consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The state or quality of being impossible; something that cannot occur or be achieved.

Translation(s) & Context:

• невозможность - Used in formal or academic contexts to describe inherent impossibilities, such as in logic, science, or everyday problem-solving.

Usage Examples:

• Эта задача представляет собой полную невозможность из-за ограниченных ресурсов.

  This task represents a complete impossibility due to limited resources.

• В физике, вечный двигатель — это классический пример невозможности.

  In physics, a perpetual motion machine is a classic example of impossibility.

• Для него победа в лотерее без билета — чистая невозможность.

  For him, winning the lottery without a ticket is pure impossibility.

• Необходимость баланса между работой и отдыхом подчеркивает невозможность бесконечной продуктивности.

  The need for work-life balance highlights the impossibility of endless productivity.

• В сказках иногда изображается невозможность как преодолимая с помощью магии.

  In fairy tales, impossibility is sometimes depicted as something that can be overcome with magic.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"невозможность" is a feminine noun (3rd declension) that follows standard Russian adjectival noun patterns. It declines based on case and number, but does not have irregular forms. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not change in the plural for all cases as predictably as some nouns, but it is regular overall. For derivatives, such as in compounds, consult specific contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • неосуществимость (neosushchestvimost') - Implies something that cannot be realized, often in practical terms; subtle difference from невозможность, which is more abstract.
  • невыполнимость (nevypolnimosť) - Used for tasks or obligations that are unfeasible.
• Antonyms:
  • возможность (vozmozhnost') - The state of being possible.
  • осуществимость (osushchestvimost') - Feasibility or the ability to be carried out.

Related Phrases:

• абсолютная невозможность - Absolute impossibility; used to emphasize something utterly unachievable.
• представлять невозможность - To represent an impossibility; common in discussions of logic or ethics.
• вечная невозможность - Eternal impossibility; often in philosophical contexts, e.g., referring to perpetual motion.

Usage Notes:

While "impossibility" directly translates to "невозможность" in Russian, English users should note that Russian often pairs this word with prepositions to fit grammatical cases, such as "о невозможности" (about impossibility). It is typically formal and appears in written or academic language rather than casual speech. When choosing among synonyms, opt for "невозможность" for general abstract concepts, but use "неосуществимость" for practical unfeasibility. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as it must align with adjectives or verbs.

Common Errors:

• Confusing case endings: English learners often misuse the genitive form, saying "я думаю о невозможность" instead of the correct "я думаю о невозможности". Error: Incorrect genitive; Correct: Use "невозможности" after prepositions like "о". This happens because Russian requires case agreement, which has no direct English equivalent.

• Overgeneralizing to informal contexts: Learners might use "невозможность" in casual talk, like "Это невозможно!" which is fine, but avoid it in place of simpler words like "невозможно" (impossible as an adjective). Error: Forcing noun forms where adjectives suffice; Correct: Assess context for noun vs. adjective usage.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and literature, concepts of impossibility often appear in works by authors like Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, where "невозможность" symbolizes human limitations or existential struggles. For instance, it reflects themes in Soviet-era discussions of unattainable ideals under constraints, helping English users appreciate the word's role in exploring resilience and reality in Russian philosophy.

Related Concepts:

• вероятность (veroyatnost') - Probability
• осуществление (osushchestvlenie) - Realization or fulfillment
• препятствие (prepyatstvie) - Obstacle