Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'infallible'

English Word: infallible

Key Russian Translations:

• непогрешимый [nʲɪpɐˈɡrʲɛʂɪmɨj] - [Formal, used in philosophical or technical contexts]
• безошибочный [bʲɪzɐˈʂɨbətɕnɨj] - [Formal, common in everyday and professional settings]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in daily conversation but appear in academic, legal, or technical discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of advanced adjectives and their inflections. For 'непогрешимый', it may lean towards B2-C1 due to its rarity; 'безошибочный' is typically B2.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

непогрешимый: [nʲɪpɐˈɡrʲɛʂɪmɨj]

Note on непогрешимый: The stress falls on the fourth syllable; be careful with the soft 'г' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

безошибочный: [bʲɪzɐˈʂɨbətɕnɨj]

Note on безошибочный: The 'ш' sound is similar to the English 'sh' in 'shoe', but ensure the word flows smoothly without pauses.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Never failing; always effective (e.g., a method or system that works without error).

Translation(s) & Context:

• непогрешимый - Used in formal contexts like philosophy or science to describe something foolproof; often implies moral or intellectual perfection.
• безошибочный - Applied in practical scenarios, such as technology or daily life, to mean error-free without overtones of infallibility.

Usage Examples:

• Его стратегия в бизнесе всегда была непогрешимой, что привело к успеху компании.

  His business strategy was always infallible, which led to the company's success.

• Безошибочный алгоритм программы предотвратил любые сбои в системе.

  The infallible algorithm of the program prevented any system failures.

• В науке мы стремимся к непогрешимым методам, но реальность часто вмешивается.

  In science, we strive for infallible methods, but reality often intervenes.

• Этот безошибочный подход к обучению помог студентам освоить материал быстро.

  This infallible approach to learning helped students master the material quickly.

• Непогрешимый лидер редко встречается, но его влияние огромно.

  An infallible leader is rarely found, but their influence is immense.

Meaning 2: Incapable of making mistakes (e.g., referring to a person or judgment).

Translation(s) & Context:

• непогрешимый - Often used in religious or authoritative contexts, implying absolute correctness.
• безошибочный - More neutral, suitable for professional evaluations or everyday descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Папа Римский считается непогрешимым в вопросах веры и морали.

  The Pope is considered infallible in matters of faith and morals.

• Её безошибочный вкус в искусстве сделал её известным критиком.

  Her infallible taste in art made her a renowned critic.

• Безошибочный эксперт быстро выявил проблему в коде.

  The infallible expert quickly identified the issue in the code.

• Непогрешимый судья не поддаётся эмоциям.

  The infallible judge does not yield to emotions.

• В спорте атлеты стремятся к безошибочному выполнению приёмов.

  In sports, athletes strive for infallible execution of techniques.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'непогрешимый' and 'безошибочный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with nouns. They are not irregular but require attention to endings.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form or have special verbal aspects, as they are not verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • точный (tochnyy) - Exact, precise; often used for measurements.
  • надежный (nadezhnyy) - Reliable; implies trustworthiness without the absolute connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • ошибочный (oshibochnyy) - Erroneous; directly opposite in meaning.
  • ненадёжный (nenadezhnyy) - Unreliable; focuses on dependability.

Related Phrases:

• непогрешимая логика - Infallible logic; used in philosophical debates to describe flawless reasoning.
• безошибочный метод - Infallible method; common in scientific or educational contexts for error-free techniques.
• абсолютно непогрешимый подход - Absolutely infallible approach; emphasizes total reliability in problem-solving.

Usage Notes:

Use 'непогрешимый' for contexts implying moral or absolute perfection, such as in religious or ethical discussions, as it carries a stronger, more formal tone than the English 'infallible'. 'Безошибочный' is more versatile and aligns closely with everyday uses, like in technology or skills, without the grandiose implications. Be cautious with gender and case agreements in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun they describe. When choosing between translations, opt for 'непогрешимый' in abstract or high-stakes scenarios, and 'безошибочный' for practical ones.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'непогрешимый' with 'идеальный' (idealnyy), thinking they mean the same thing. Error: Using 'идеальный' to mean 'infallible' in a context requiring no errors. Correct: 'Его метод непогрешимый' instead of 'Его метод идеальный'. Explanation: 'Идеальный' means perfect in an aspirational sense, while 'непогрешимый' specifically denotes error-free reliability.

• Misapplying case endings, e.g., using the nominative form in a genitive context. Error: 'Метод непогрешимый человека' (incorrect). Correct: 'Метод непогрешимого человека'. Explanation: Adjectives must agree in case with the noun, so always check the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'непогрешимый' often evoke references to historical figures in philosophy or religion, such as the concept of papal infallibility in Orthodox or Catholic traditions. This can add a layer of reverence or irony in discussions, reflecting Russia's deep literary and intellectual heritage.

Related Concepts:

• идеальный (idealnyy)
• абсолютный (absolyutnyy)
• точность (tochnost')