Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'indeterminate'

English Word: indeterminate

Key Russian Translations:

• неопределённый [/nʲɪɐprʲɪdʲɪˈlʲennɨj/] - [Adjective, Formal/Informal, used in general contexts]
• неясный [/nʲɪˈjasnɨj/] - [Adjective, Informal, used for something vague or unclear]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, scientific, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions and nuanced meanings; for 'неопределённый', it's B2, while 'неясный' is B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неопределённый: /nʲɪɐprʲɪdʲɪˈlʲennɨj/

неясный: /nʲɪˈjasnɨj/

Note on неопределённый: The stress falls on the third syllable ('lʲennɨj'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants and vowel reductions in spoken Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not precisely known, determined, or fixed (e.g., in general contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• неопределённый - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as describing uncertain outcomes.
• неясный - Used in informal everyday speech for something vague or ambiguous.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В его ответе было что-то неопределённое, что заставило нас усомниться. (In his response, there was something indeterminate that made us doubt.)

  English Translation: In his response, there was something indeterminate that made us doubt.

• Русский пример: Погода сегодня неясная, так что берите зонт на всякий случай. (The weather today is indeterminate, so take an umbrella just in case.)

  English Translation: The weather today is indeterminate, so take an umbrella just in case.

• Русский пример: В математике неопределённые уравнения требуют дополнительных данных. (In mathematics, indeterminate equations require additional data.)

  English Translation: In mathematics, indeterminate equations require additional data.

• Русский пример: Её планы на будущее кажутся неясными, но полными потенциала. (Her plans for the future seem indeterminate but full of potential.)

  English Translation: Her plans for the future seem indeterminate but full of potential.

• Русский пример: Неопределённый исход выборов волнует всю страну. (The indeterminate outcome of the elections worries the whole country.)

  English Translation: The indeterminate outcome of the elections worries the whole country.

Meaning 2: Lacking a clear limit or boundary (e.g., in mathematical or abstract senses).

Translation(s) & Context:

• неопределённый - Specifically in scientific or technical contexts, implying mathematical indeterminacy.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В этой формуле есть неопределённый коэффициент, который нужно уточнить. (In this formula, there is an indeterminate coefficient that needs to be specified.)

  English Translation: In this formula, there is an indeterminate coefficient that needs to be specified.

• Русский пример: Неопределённые переменные в алгоритме могут привести к ошибкам. (Indeterminate variables in the algorithm can lead to errors.)

  English Translation: Indeterminate variables in the algorithm can lead to errors.

• Русский пример: Граница неопределённая, поэтому мы не можем точно определить площадь. (The boundary is indeterminate, so we can't accurately determine the area.)

  English Translation: The boundary is indeterminate, so we can't accurately determine the area.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'неопределённый' and 'неясный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

For 'неясный', it follows the same pattern but is less formally used and does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нечёткий (nechotkiy) - Slightly less precise, often used for blurry images.
  • смутный (smuinyj) - Implies haziness or obscurity.
• Antonyms:
  • определённый (opredelennyj) - Clearly defined.
  • ясный (yasnyj) - Clear and evident.

Related Phrases:

• Неопределённый срок (Neopredelennyj srok) - Indeterminate period; used in legal or contractual contexts.
• Неясные перспективы (Neyasnye perspektivy) - Indeterminate prospects; common in discussions about future plans.
• В состоянии неопределённости (V sostoianii neopredelennosti) - In a state of indeterminacy; refers to uncertainty in decision-making.

Usage Notes:

'Indeterminate' often translates to 'неопределённый' in formal or technical English-Russian contexts, but 'неясный' is better for casual conversations. Be mindful of adjective agreement in Russian sentences, as they must match the noun's gender, number, and case. For example, when 'indeterminate' describes a feminine noun, use 'неопределённая'. Choose between translations based on context: 'неопределённый' for precise, intellectual scenarios, and 'неясный' for everyday vagueness.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'неопределённый' without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я имею неопределённый план" instead of "Я имею неопределённый план" (correct, but if the noun changes, so must the adjective).

  Correct Usage: "У меня неопределённый план на завтра" (with proper agreement). Explanation: English speakers often forget Russian adjective inflections, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing with 'неопределимый' (neopredelimyj), which means 'indefinable' or impossible to determine.

  Correct Usage: Use 'неопределённый' for something that is currently undetermined, not inherently indefinable. Explanation: This mix-up can alter the meaning entirely in precise contexts like philosophy or math.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'неопределённый' often reflect the historical emphasis on uncertainty in literature and philosophy, as seen in works by authors like Dostoevsky, where indeterminate states symbolize existential doubt. This can add a layer of introspection in conversations, differing from more straightforward English usage.

Related Concepts:

• амбивалентный (ambivalentnyj)
• нестабильный (nestabilnyj)
• ваг (vag) [as in vague]