Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'impractical'

English Word: impractical

Key Russian Translations:

• непрактичный [nʲɪˈprak.tʲɪ.tɕ.nɨj] - [Adjective, General use, Formal and Informal]
• неосуществимый [nʲɪ.ɐs.ʊˈʂɛs.tvʲɪ.mɨj] - [Adjective, Used in contexts implying impossibility, Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about ideas, plans, or objects, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "хороший").

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate) for 'непрактичный'; C1 (Advanced) for 'неосуществимый', as it involves nuanced understanding of abstract concepts.

Pronunciation (Russian):

непрактичный: [nʲɪˈprak.tʲɪ.tɕ.nɨj]

Note on непрактичный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("prak"), and the 'ч' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pay attention to the soft sign 'ь' affecting the preceding consonant.

неосуществимый: [nʲɪ.ɐs.ʊˈʂɛs.tvʲɪ.mɨj]

Note on неосуществимый: The 'щ' sound is a voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative, similar to 'sh' but softer; it's a common point of error for learners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Not practical or useful in a particular situation

Translation(s) & Context:

• непрактичный - Used in everyday contexts to describe ideas, objects, or plans that are theoretically possible but not feasible in practice, e.g., in business or daily life discussions.
• неосуществимый - Applied in more formal or philosophical contexts where something is not just impractical but fundamentally impossible to achieve.

Usage Examples:

• Эта идея непрактична для нашего бюджета.

  This idea is impractical for our budget. (Shows use in financial contexts.)

• Купить такую большую машину непрактично в городе с узкими улицами.

  Buying such a large car is impractical in a city with narrow streets. (Illustrates application to objects in spatial contexts.)

• Его план путешествия оказался непрактичным из-за непредвиденных расходов.

  His travel plan turned out to be impractical due to unforeseen expenses. (Demonstrates use in planning and real-world adjustments.)

• Проект был признан неосуществимым по техническим причинам.

  The project was deemed impractical due to technical reasons. (Highlights the stronger sense of impossibility.)

• В реальной жизни многие мечты остаются непрактичными без надлежащей подготовки.

  In real life, many dreams remain impractical without proper preparation. (Shows use in abstract, motivational contexts.)

Abstract or theoretical impracticality

Translation(s) & Context:

• непрактичный - In academic or theoretical discussions, e.g., criticizing inefficient theories.
• неосуществимый - In legal or scientific contexts where feasibility is key.

Usage Examples:

• Теория звучит красиво, но она непрактична для применения.

  The theory sounds appealing, but it is impractical for application. (Emphasizes theoretical vs. practical divide.)

• Предложение о реформе было непрактичным в текущей политической обстановке.

  The reform proposal was impractical in the current political climate. (Contextualizes in socio-political scenarios.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'непрактичный' and 'неосуществимый' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for short and long forms.

These adjectives follow regular adjectival inflections without irregularities. In short form (used for predicates), they become: непрактичен, непрактична, etc.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • неудобный (neudobnyy) - Less efficient, with a focus on inconvenience.
  • неэффективный (neeffektivnyy) - Ineffective, emphasizing lack of results.
• Antonyms:
  • практичный (praktichnyy) - Practical and feasible.
  • осуществимый (osushchestvimyy) - Achievable or realizable.

Related Phrases:

• непрактичный подход - An impractical approach; often used in problem-solving contexts to critique methods.
• неосуществимая мечта - An impossible dream; implies aspirations that are fundamentally unachievable.
• непрактичные решения - Impractical solutions; common in business or engineering discussions.

Usage Notes:

'Непрактичный' directly corresponds to 'impractical' in most everyday English contexts, making it the preferred choice for general translation. However, 'неосуществимый' is better for situations implying absolute impossibility, which is a stronger nuance than in English. Be mindful of formal vs. informal settings: 'непрактичный' works in casual speech, while 'неосуществимый' suits written or professional language. Grammatically, always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with its noun. When choosing between translations, consider the context—opt for 'непрактичный' for temporary impracticality and 'неосуществимый' for permanent barriers.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'непрактичный' when 'неосуществимый' is more appropriate, e.g., saying "Эта идея непрактична" for something truly impossible. Correct: "Эта идея неосуществима". Explanation: This conflates temporary impracticality with inherent impossibility, leading to understatement.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "непрактичный идея" (feminine noun). Correct: "непрактичная идея". Explanation: Russian requires adjectives to match nouns, which English speakers often overlook.

• Error: Overusing in informal speech, e.g., treating 'неосуществимый' as everyday slang. Correct: Stick to 'непрактичный' for casual use. Explanation: This can make speech sound overly formal or pretentious.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'непрактичный' often reflect a pragmatic worldview shaped by historical challenges, such as economic hardships in the Soviet era. For instance, practicality is highly valued in Russian daily life, so labeling something as 'непрактичный' might carry an implicit criticism of inefficiency, echoing themes in literature like Chekhov's works where impractical dreams lead to disillusionment.

Related Concepts:

• практичный
• реалистичный
• эффективный