Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'indelible'

English Word: indelible

Key Russian Translations:

• неизгладимый /nʲɪɪzˈɡladʲɪmɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in literary, formal, or reflective contexts, such as discussions of memories or permanent effects, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, according to CEFR; requires understanding of Russian adjective declension and nuanced vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неизгладимый: /nʲɪɪzˈɡladʲɪmɨj/

Note on неизгладимый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("glad"), and the initial "н" is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft "n" sound as in "new".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not able to be forgotten, removed, or erased; permanent or lasting, often in the context of memories, marks, or effects.

Translation(s) & Context:

• неизгладимый - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe something that leaves a permanent impression, such as an emotional experience or a physical mark.

Usage Examples:

• Этот опыт оставил неизгладимый след в моей памяти.

  This experience left an indelible mark on my memory.

• Её слова произвели неизгладимое впечатление на всю семью.

  Her words made an indelible impression on the entire family.

• Война оставила неизгладимые шрамы на поколениях.

  The war left indelible scars on generations.

• Художник создал неизгладимый портрет, который пережил века.

  The artist created an indelible portrait that has survived the centuries.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

неизгладимый is an adjective in Russian and follows the standard pattern of first-declension 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, making it relatively straightforward once basic declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • незабываемый (nezabyvaemyy) - Similar but often emphasizes memorability over permanence; used in emotional contexts.
  • постоянный (postoyannyy) - More general, meaning enduring or constant, but less emotionally charged.
  • вечный (vechnyy) - Implies eternity, often in a philosophical sense.
• Antonyms:
  • временный (vremennyy) - Temporary or short-lived.
  • забываемый (zabyvaemyy) - Forgettable or erasable.

Related Phrases:

• неизгладимые впечатления - Indelible impressions; used to describe profound experiences that shape one's life.
• оставить неизгладимый след - To leave an indelible mark; common in narratives about personal growth or historical events.
• неизгладимый отпечаток - Indelible imprint; refers to a lasting influence, such as in art or education.

Usage Notes:

неизгладимый is a formal adjective best used in written or literary Russian to convey permanence or deep impact, similar to "indelible" in English. It often pairs with nouns related to memories, scars, or effects (e.g., след, впечатление). Be mindful of declension to match the noun's gender, number, and case. When choosing among synonyms, use неизгладимый for contexts emphasizing emotional or psychological permanence, as opposed to physical durability. In everyday speech, simpler alternatives like "постоянный" might be preferred.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget to decline the adjective correctly. For example, incorrectly saying "неизгладимый следы" (wrong plural form) instead of "неизгладимые следы". Correct usage: Ensure the adjective ends in "-ые" for plural nominative. This error stems from English's lack of declension, leading to confusion in agreement.

• Overusing it in casual contexts: Learners might translate "indelible" directly without considering formality, e.g., saying "неизгладимый карандаш" for a permanent marker, which is awkward; better to use "permanently" as in "постоянный маркер".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like неизгладимый often appear in literature and historical discussions, such as in works by Tolstoy or in reflections on events like World War II. It evokes a sense of enduring legacy, reflecting Russia's emphasis on collective memory and the lasting impact of historical events on personal and national identity.

Related Concepts:

• незабываемый
• вечный
• постоянный