Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'inevitable'

English Word: inevitable

Key Russian Translations:

• Неизбежный [nʲɪzʲɪˈbɛʐnɨj] - [Formal; used in contexts involving certainty or destiny]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, literature, and philosophical discussions, but less frequent in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and abstract concepts, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Неизбежный: [nʲɪzʲɪˈbɛʐnɨj]

Note on Неизбежный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("bɛʐ"). Be mindful of the palatalized 'n' sound ([nʲ]), which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Inevitability or unavoidable outcome (the primary meaning of 'inevitable')

Translation(s) & Context:

• Неизбежный - Used in formal contexts to describe events or situations that cannot be avoided, such as in philosophical, historical, or scientific discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Неизбежный исход войны шокировал всех. (The inevitable outcome of the war shocked everyone.)

  Translation: The inevitable outcome of the war shocked everyone. (This example shows the adjective in a nominative singular masculine context, emphasizing historical inevitability.)

• В науке неизбежные изменения всегда ведут к прогрессу. (In science, inevitable changes always lead to progress.)

  Translation: In science, inevitable changes always lead to progress. (Here, it demonstrates the adjective modifying a plural noun in a general, abstract sense.)

• Для неё неизбежный разрыв был болезненным опытом. (For her, the inevitable breakup was a painful experience.)

  Translation: For her, the inevitable breakup was a painful experience. (This illustrates usage in personal or emotional contexts, with the adjective in the nominative singular feminine form.)

• Неизбежные последствия глобального потепления обсуждаются на конференциях. (The inevitable consequences of global warming are discussed at conferences.)

  Translation: The inevitable consequences of global warming are discussed at conferences. (This example highlights the adjective in a genitive plural context, common in environmental discussions.)

• Он принял неизбежный факт своей старости. (He accepted the inevitable fact of his old age.)

  Translation: He accepted the inevitable fact of his old age. (This shows the adjective in an accusative singular masculine form, in a reflective or philosophical setting.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward once the basic patterns are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Неотвратимый (neotvratimyj) - Similar, but often implies a more forceful unavoidability; used in legal or dramatic contexts.
  • Неизбежимый (neizbezhimyj) - Nearly identical, but slightly less common and can emphasize process over state.
• Antonyms:
  • Избежный (izbezhnij) - Rare, meaning avoidable or escapable.
  • Возможный (vozmozhnyj) - Meaning possible, implying it could be prevented.

Related Phrases:

• Неизбежный конец (neizbezhnij konets) - Meaning "inevitable end"; often used in narratives or discussions about conclusions.
• Неизбежные изменения (neizbezhnije izmenenija) - Meaning "inevitable changes"; common in contexts like technology or society, with the implication of progress or decline.
• Принять неизбежное (prinjat' neizbezhnoye) - Meaning "to accept the inevitable"; a phrase for resignation in personal or philosophical scenarios.

Usage Notes:

"Неизбежный" directly corresponds to 'inevitable' in English, particularly in formal or abstract contexts. It is typically used as an adjective and must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, which is a key grammatical feature in Russian. For English learners, be cautious with its placement: it usually precedes the noun, similar to English. When choosing between synonyms like 'неотвратимый', opt for 'неизбежный' in everyday or neutral contexts, as it carries less emotional weight. This word is more prevalent in written Russian (e.g., essays, news) than spoken language, so practice it in reading comprehension first.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect: Using the base form "неизбежный" without inflection, e.g., "Я вижу неизбежный дом" instead of "Я вижу неизбежный дом" (which is correct, but learners might forget to adjust for case).

  Correct: "Я вижу неизбежный дом" (nominative). Explanation: Russian adjectives must inflect; failing to do so can make the sentence grammatically incorrect and confusing.

• Incorrect: Confusing with verbs, e.g., saying "Я неизбежу" (a made-up form) to mean "I will inevitably do something."

  Correct: Use as an adjective, e.g., "Это неизбежно" (for "This is inevitable"). Explanation: 'Неизбежный' is not a verb; learners should pair it with appropriate nouns rather than trying to conjugate it as one.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'неизбежный' often appear in literature and philosophy, reflecting themes of fate and determinism, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy. It embodies a cultural acceptance of life's unchangeable aspects, which contrasts with more optimistic Western views, helping learners appreciate the introspective nature of Russian thought.

Related Concepts:

• Судьба (sud'ba) - Fate
• Неотвратимость (neotvratimost') - Inevitability (more forceful connotation)
• Предопределение (predopredeleniye) - Predestination