Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'impregnable'

English Word: impregnable

Key Russian Translations:

• неприступный [nʲɪˈprʲɪstupnɨj] - [Formal, often used in military or metaphorical contexts]
• непоколебимый [nʲɪpɐkɐˈlʲɛbʲɪmɨj] - [Formal, emphasizing unshakeable stability]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literary, historical, or strategic discussions, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and contextual nuances in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неприступный: [nʲɪˈprʲɪstupnɨj]

непоколебимый: [nʲɪpɐkɐˈlʲɛbʲɪmɨj]

Note on неприступный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("stup"), and the initial "н" is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pay attention to the soft sign (ь) affecting pronunciation.

Note on непоколебимый: This word has a rolling "р" sound, common in Russian, and the ending vowel can vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Incapable of being taken or overcome by attack (e.g., in a military or defensive sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неприступный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe fortifications, positions, or abstract concepts like a strong argument.
• непоколебимый - Applied in contexts emphasizing emotional or moral steadfastness, such as in philosophical or personal resilience scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Крепость была неприступной для вражеских войск.

  The fortress was impregnable to the enemy troops.

• Его неприступный характер делал его идеальным лидером в кризисах.

  His impregnable character made him an ideal leader in crises.

• Эта позиция в дебатах была непоколебимой и убедительной.

  This position in the debate was impregnable and convincing.

• Городские стены сделали поселение неприступным на протяжении веков.

  The city walls made the settlement impregnable for centuries.

Meaning 2: Impossible to penetrate or enter (e.g., metaphorically in emotional or physical barriers)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неприступный - Common in emotional or psychological contexts, such as describing a person's aloofness.
• непоколебимый - Less common here, but used for unyielding resolve in personal interactions.

Usage Examples:

• Её неприступный взгляд отпугивал всех, кто пытался сблизиться.

  Her impregnable gaze deterred anyone who tried to get close.

• Непоколебимая вера помогла ему преодолеть трудности.

  His impregnable faith helped him overcome difficulties.

• Дверь была неприступной без правильного кода.

  The door was impregnable without the correct code.

• В его неприступной обороне не было слабых мест.

  In his impregnable defense, there were no weak spots.

• Непоколебимая решимость сделала её непобедимой в переговорах.

  Her impregnable determination made her unbeatable in negotiations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "неприступный" and "непоколебимый" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for first-declension adjectives, with variations for hard and soft stems. "Неприступный" has a hard stem, while "непоколебимый" follows similar rules.

These adjectives do not have irregular inflections but must agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • непроницаемый (nepro-nitsaemyj) - Similar but more focused on impermeability.
  • невзятый (nevzyatyj) - Specifically for untaken fortresses, with a historical connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • уязвимый (uyazvimyj) - Vulnerable, easily penetrable.
  • доступный (dostupnyj) - Accessible or approachable.

Related Phrases:

• Неприступная крепость - An impregnable fortress; used in historical or strategic contexts to describe unassailable defenses.
• Непоколебимая воля - Impregnable will; refers to unbreakable determination in personal or motivational scenarios.
• Неприступные вершины - Impregnable peaks; metaphorical for unattainable goals, like in mountaineering or aspirations.

Usage Notes:

"Неприступный" is the most direct translation for "impregnable" in defensive contexts, while "непоколебимый" is better for emotional or abstract stability. Both are formal and rarely used in casual conversation, so they're ideal for written Russian like literature or essays. When choosing between translations, consider the nuance: "неприступный" implies physical inaccessibility, whereas "непоколебимый" suggests moral fortitude. Always ensure adjective agreement with the noun in Russian sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "неприступный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "неприступный дом" when it should be "неприступная дом" for a feminine noun like "дом" (house, which is masculine, so correct as "неприступный дом"). Correction: Always check gender—e.g., correct: "неприступная стена" for a feminine noun. This mistake arises from English's lack of gender agreement.

• Error: Confusing with "непроницаемый," which might be overused for emotional contexts. Correction: Use "неприступный" for barriers; example of error: "Его непроницаемый характер" (incorrect for impregnable personality); correct: "Его неприступный характер." Explanation: "Непроницаемый" means impermeable, not necessarily unassailable.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "неприступный" often evoke historical imagery from events like the defense of Moscow in World War II or medieval sieges, symbolizing national resilience. This reflects Russia's emphasis on endurance in literature and folklore, such as in Tolstoy's works, where impregnable fortresses represent unbreakable spirit.

Related Concepts:

• укреплённый (ukreplennyj) - Fortified
• невосприимчивый (nevosprimchivyj) - Immune or resistant
• непобедимый (nepobeditmyj) - Unconquerable