Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'impulsive'

English Word: impulsive

Key Russian Translations:

• импульсивный [ɪmˈpʊlsɪvnɨj] - [Adjective, General use]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in psychological, emotional, or everyday contexts, but not as frequent as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of loanwords from English and basic adjective declension in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

импульсивный: [ɪmˈpʊlsɪvnɨj]

Note on импульсивный: The stress is on the third syllable ('pul'). Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech, where the final 'ый' sound softens.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Tending to act on sudden urges without careful thought

Translation(s) & Context:

• импульсивный - Used in general contexts to describe behavior or decisions driven by emotion rather than reason, such as in psychology or daily conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Он импульсивный человек и часто жалеет о своих действиях.

  He is an impulsive person and often regrets his actions.

• Её импульсивные покупки приводят к финансовым проблемам.

  Her impulsive purchases lead to financial problems.

• В моменты гнева он становится импульсивным и говорит, не подумав.

  In moments of anger, he becomes impulsive and speaks without thinking.

• Импульсивные решения могут быть полезными в творчестве, но опасными в бизнесе.

  Impulsive decisions can be useful in creativity but dangerous in business.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

импульсивный is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives ending in -ый. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • спонтанный (spontaneous; often used for actions that are unplanned but positive)
  • необдуманный (unconsidered; implies a lack of forethought, with a slightly negative connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • осторожный (cautious; emphasizes careful planning)
  • обдуманный (considered; suggests deliberate thought before action)

Related Phrases:

• импульсивное решение - An impulsive decision; often used in contexts involving regret or hasty choices.
• импульсивный поступок - An impulsive act; common in psychological or behavioral discussions.
• импульсивная реакция - An impulsive reaction; refers to immediate emotional responses in social situations.

Usage Notes:

импульсивный directly corresponds to the English "impulsive" as an adjective describing behavior driven by sudden urges. It is versatile and can be used in both formal (e.g., psychological reports) and informal contexts (e.g., everyday conversations). Be mindful of gender and case agreements in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the nouns they modify. When choosing between synonyms like "спонтанный," opt for импульсивный if the connotation is more negative or emotional. Avoid overusing it in positive contexts where "спонтанный" might fit better.

Common Errors:

• Common Error: Forgetting to decline the adjective correctly, e.g., saying "Я встретил импульсивный человек" instead of "Я встретил импульсивного человека" (Genitive case required after "встретил").

  Correct Usage: Я встретил импульсивного человека. (Explanation: Adjectives must agree in case with the noun.)

• Common Error: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using "спонтанный" interchangeably when it doesn't carry the same negative implication.

  Correct Usage: Use импульсивный for actions with potential regret, as in "Его импульсивный поступок был ошибкой," not "спонтанный" which might imply fun spontaneity. (Explanation: This distinction prevents miscommunication in emotional contexts.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of being "impulsive" (импульсивный) is often linked to emotional expressiveness, which is valued in literature and art (e.g., in works by Dostoevsky, where characters' impulsive actions drive the plot). However, in everyday life, it can be seen as a flaw in professional settings, reflecting the cultural emphasis on caution and deliberation in decision-making.

Related Concepts:

• эмоциональный (emotional)
• спонтанный (spontaneous)
• необузданный (unrestrained)