Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'incapable'

English Word: incapable

Key Russian Translations:

• неспособный [nʲɪˈspɐsəbnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• непригодный [nʲɪprʲɪˈɡodnɨj] - [Informal, Contextual for specific inability, e.g., unsuitability]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday and formal Russian, especially in discussions about skills or limitations, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "хороший").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declension and contextual usage. For 'неспособный', it's B1; for 'непригодный', it's also B1 due to similar grammatical patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неспособный: [nʲɪˈspɐsəbnɨj] (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.)

непригодный: [nʲɪprʲɪˈɡodnɨj] (Stress on the third syllable; pay attention to the soft 'р' and the rolled 'r' sound.)

Note on неспособный: This word has a soft consonant cluster that may vary slightly in rapid speech; in some dialects, the 'б' can soften further.

Note on непригодный: Avoid over-emphasizing the 'г' to prevent it sounding harsh; it's a standard guttural sound in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Unable to do something due to lack of ability, skill, or capacity (general sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• неспособный - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as describing a person's inherent limitations (e.g., in education or employment).
• непригодный - Applied in practical or evaluative contexts, like tools or situations that are unfit for purpose.

Usage Examples:

• Он неспособен к математике из-за отсутствия практики. (He is incapable of math due to lack of practice.)

  English: He is incapable of math due to lack of practice. (This shows the adjective in a nominative context describing a person.)

• Эта машина непригодна для зимних условий. (This machine is incapable of handling winter conditions.)

  English: This machine is incapable of handling winter conditions. (Illustrates use in object description, emphasizing unsuitability.)

• Неспособный лидер может привести к провалу проекта. (An incapable leader can lead to project failure.)

  English: An incapable leader can lead to project failure. (Demonstrates the word in a sentence with potential consequences.)

• Из-за болезни, она стала непригодной для тяжелой работы. (Due to illness, she became incapable of heavy work.)

  English: Due to illness, she became incapable of heavy work. (Shows temporal or conditional usage.)

• Неспособный ребенок нуждается в дополнительной поддержке. (An incapable child needs extra support.)

  English: An incapable child needs extra support. (Highlights empathetic or educational contexts.)

Meaning 2: Lacking the necessary qualities or resources (more abstract or moral sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• неспособный - In abstract discussions, such as moral or intellectual incapacity.
• непригодный - Less common here, but used for ethical unsuitability.

Usage Examples:

• Неспособный к изменениям, он отказался от новой идеи. (Incapable of change, he rejected the new idea.)

  English: Incapable of change, he rejected the new idea. (Shows the word in a psychological context.)

• Эта политика непригодна для современного общества. (This policy is incapable of suiting modern society.)

  English: This policy is incapable of suiting modern society. (Emphasizes systemic inadequacy.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'неспособный' and 'непригодный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives, meaning they change endings according to the noun they modify. There are no irregularities, but learners must pay attention to agreement rules.

For 'непригодный', the inflections are identical in pattern: непригодный (masc.), непригодная (fem.), etc. These adjectives do not change in short form contexts but are invariant in comparative structures.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • неумелый (less formal, implies clumsiness)
  • бессильный (focuses on powerlessness, with subtle emotional connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • способный (capable, direct opposite)
  • пригодный (suitable, especially in practical contexts)

Related Phrases:

• неспособный к чему-либо - Incapable of something (e.g., used to specify the area of inability).
• непригодный для использования - Unfit for use (common in technical or everyday contexts).
• стать неспособным - To become incapable (indicates a change over time).

Usage Notes:

'Неспособный' is the most direct translation for 'incapable' and is preferred in formal writing or when describing inherent traits, while 'непригодный' is better for objects or situations. Be mindful of gender and case agreement in Russian sentences. English speakers often confuse this with 'некомпетентный' (incompetent), but 'неспособный' is broader. In spoken Russian, these words are common in advice or criticism, so context dictates choice.

• Always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun it modifies to avoid grammatical errors.
• In informal settings, synonyms like 'неумелый' might be more natural.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse these adjectives by not declining them correctly. For example, saying "Он неспособный" instead of "Он неспособен" in certain contexts (though 'неспособен' is a short form). Correct usage: "Он неспособный к работе" (He is incapable of work). Another error is overusing 'неспособный' for temporary states; use 'временно неспособный' to clarify. Explanation: Russian requires precise inflection, so always check the noun's case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'неспособный' can carry a stigma, especially in professional or educational contexts, reflecting the value placed on competence and resilience. Historically, during the Soviet era, such terms were used in evaluations, emphasizing collective ability over individual weakness.

Related Concepts:

• способность (ability)
• некомпетентность (incompetence)
• бессильность (powerlessness)