Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'improbable'

English Word: improbable

Key Russian Translations:

• маловероятный (mələvʲɪˈrɔɪətnɨj) - [Adjective, Formal, Used in descriptive or analytical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in written Russian, such as in literature, news, and academic texts, but less frequent in everyday spoken language)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of adjective declensions and formal vocabulary, suitable for upper-intermediate learners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

маловероятный: mələvʲɪˈrɔɪətnɨj

Note on маловероятный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("-ят-"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. Pronounce the "вʲ" as a soft "v" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Not likely to be true or to happen (e.g., something that is possible but highly unlikely)

Translation(s) & Context:

• маловероятный - Used in formal or analytical contexts, such as scientific discussions, news reports, or literature, to describe events or ideas with low probability.

Usage Examples:

• Это маловероятно, но не невозможно.

  This is improbable, but not impossible. (Demonstrates use in a conversational context to express doubt while acknowledging possibility.)

• Маловероятный сценарий развития событий был учтен учеными.

  The improbable scenario of events was considered by scientists. (Shows use in a formal, scientific context with adjective agreement in gender and case.)

• В исторических романах часто описывают маловероятные совпадения.

  Historical novels often describe improbable coincidences. (Illustrates use in literary discussions, highlighting narrative elements.)

• Маловероятный исход выборов шокировал общественность.

  The improbable election outcome shocked the public. (Exemplifies use in current events or news, with adjective modifying a noun.)

• Для маловероятного события мы должны подготовить резервный план.

  For an improbable event, we should prepare a backup plan. (Demonstrates use in planning or risk assessment contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

маловероятный is an adjective, which follows the standard pattern of Russian adjectives. It agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. The base form is masculine singular nominative. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms; it follows regular adjectival patterns. For short forms (predicative), use: маловероятен (masc.), маловероятна (fem.), etc., in contexts like "Это маловероятно."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • невероятный (similar but often implies something more astonishing; used in everyday language)
  • сомнительный (doubtful; implies skepticism rather than low probability)
• Antonyms:
  • вероятный (probable; used when something is likely to occur)
  • возможный (possible; broader than probable)

Related Phrases:

• маловероятное событие - An improbable event; Used in discussions of risk or uncertainty, e.g., in insurance or planning.
• маловероятный случай - An improbable case; Common in legal or medical contexts to describe rare occurrences.
• в маловероятном сценарии - In an improbable scenario; Often appears in strategic planning or hypothetical discussions.

Usage Notes:

• маловероятный directly corresponds to "improbable" in English, emphasizing low likelihood without implying impossibility. It is typically used in formal or written Russian, so avoid it in casual conversations where simpler words like "невероятный" might suffice.
• Always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case, as per Russian grammar rules.
• When choosing between translations, use маловероятный for neutral, analytical contexts (e.g., science), but opt for невероятный if the sense is more emotional or exaggerated.
• In spoken Russian, it may sound overly formal; native speakers might prefer phrases like "это вряд ли" in everyday dialogue.

Common Errors:

• Confusing маловероятный with невозможный (impossible): English learners often overuse невозможный when meaning "improbable." Error example: "Это невозможно" (This is impossible) instead of "Это маловероятно" (This is improbable). Correct usage: Use маловероятный for events that could happen but are unlikely, as it preserves nuance.
• Forgetting adjective agreement: Learners might say "маловероятный событие" (incorrect; feminine noun requires маловероятное событие). Explanation: Always check the noun's gender and case for proper agreement to avoid grammatical errors.
• Over-literal translation: Mistakenly translating "improbable" as "невозможный" in all contexts, leading to exaggeration. Correct: In probability discussions, stick with маловероятный for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like маловероятный often appear in literature and media to discuss fate or historical events, reflecting a philosophical view on uncertainty. For instance, Russian novels by authors like Tolstoy frequently explore "improbable" coincidences, tying into themes of destiny and realism in storytelling.

Related Concepts:

• вероятность (probability)
• риск (risk)
• сценарий (scenario)