Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'incredible'

English Word: incredible

Key Russian Translations:

• Невероятный (nʲɪvroˈjatnɨj) - [Formal, Adjective]
• Удивительный (udʲɪˈvʲitʲelʲnɨj) - [Informal, Adjective, Used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in spoken and written Russian, especially in descriptive narratives or exclamations)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate - Requires understanding of adjective declensions; learners at this level can grasp basic usage, but full mastery involves practice with inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Невероятный: nʲɪvroˈjatnɨj (Stress on the third syllable; the 'н' is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian adjectives)

Удивительный: udʲɪˈvʲitʲelʲnɨj (Stress on the second syllable; note the soft 'д' sound, typical in Russian)

Note on Невероятный: This word has a rolling 'р' sound that can be challenging for non-native speakers; variations in regional accents may soften it.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Unbelievable or not credible (e.g., something hard to believe)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Невероятный - Used in formal contexts like news reports or academic discussions to express doubt or astonishment about facts.
• Удивительный - Used in informal settings, such as casual conversations, to convey surprise without implying disbelief.

Usage Examples:

• Это невероятный факт, который трудно принять. (This is an incredible fact that's hard to accept.)

  English: This is an incredible fact that's hard to accept.

• Его история звучит невероятно, но она правдива. (His story sounds incredible, but it's true.)

  English: His story sounds incredible, but it's true. (Here, it highlights skepticism in a narrative context.)

• Удивительный поворот событий изменил исход. (An incredible turn of events changed the outcome.)

  English: An incredible turn of events changed the outcome. (Informal usage in storytelling.)

• Невероятный случай произошёл в маленьком городе. (An incredible incident happened in a small town.)

  English: An incredible incident happened in a small town. (Demonstrates use in descriptive writing.)

Meaning 2: Amazing or extraordinary (e.g., something impressive or wonderful)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Невероятный - Often used in positive contexts like reviews or exclamations to praise something exceptional.
• Удивительный - Applied in everyday positive descriptions, such as in travel or personal anecdotes.

Usage Examples:

• Этот фильм невероятный – я не могу перестать о нём думать! (This film is incredible – I can't stop thinking about it!)

  English: This film is incredible – I can't stop thinking about it! (Exclamatory use in casual reviews.)

• Удивительный вид открывается с вершины горы. (An incredible view opens from the top of the mountain.)

  English: An incredible view opens from the top of the mountain. (Descriptive in travel contexts.)

• Невероятный талант этой певицы заслуживает внимания. (The incredible talent of this singer deserves attention.)

  English: The incredible talent of this singer deserves attention. (Formal praise in artistic discussions.)

• Удивительный ужин в ресторане оставил незабываемые впечатления. (An incredible dinner at the restaurant left unforgettable impressions.)

  English: An incredible dinner at the restaurant left unforgettable impressions. (Informal social context.)

• Это невероятное приключение изменило мою жизнь. (This incredible adventure changed my life.)

  English: This incredible adventure changed my life. (Narrative use with emotional depth.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Невероятный" and "Удивительный" are adjectives, which in Russian undergo declension based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow regular patterns for most forms.

These adjectives follow the standard first-declension pattern, with no irregularities. For unchanging forms in certain contexts (e.g., in short form: невероятен), they remain stable.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Потрясающий (potrʲaˈsajuščij) - Similar to "amazing," but often implies a stronger emotional impact.
  • Великолепный (vʲɪlʲɪˈkolepnɨj) - Used for something magnificent, with a more formal tone.
• Antonyms:
  • Обычный (obɨčnɨj) - Meaning "ordinary" or "commonplace."
  • Скучный (skučnɨj) - Meaning "boring" or "dull."

Related Phrases:

• Невероятный случай - An incredible incident (Used in storytelling to describe unbelievable events).
• Удивительный мир - An incredible world (Common in poetic or philosophical contexts to express wonder).
• Потрясающе невероятный - Incredibly amazing (A emphatic phrase for exaggeration in casual speech).

Usage Notes:

"Невероятный" directly corresponds to the positive or exclamatory sense of "incredible" in English, but it's more formal and often used in written Russian. "Удивительный" is better for informal, everyday situations. Be mindful of gender agreement: always adjust the ending based on the noun (e.g., невероятная for feminine). When choosing between translations, opt for "Невероятный" in professional or literary contexts, and "Удивительный" for personal conversations. Grammar note: These adjectives must agree in case, number, and gender with the nouns they modify, which is a key difference from English.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Невероятный" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я видел невероятный" instead of "Я видел невероятный дом" (incorrectly omitting the noun agreement).

  Correct: Я видел невероятный дом. (I saw an incredible house.) Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with their nouns; forgetting this leads to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using "Потрясающий" interchangeably without considering nuance, which might make the statement sound overly dramatic.

  Correct: For a neutral "incredible," stick with "Невероятный" in formal writing. Explanation: "Потрясающий" implies shock, so it's not always a direct substitute.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Невероятный" are often used in literature and media to emphasize the vastness of Russia's landscapes or historical events, such as in descriptions of Siberian adventures or wartime heroism. This reflects a cultural appreciation for the extraordinary in everyday life, influenced by Russia's rich history of epic tales and folklore.

Related Concepts:

• Потрясающий
• Великолепный
• Необычный