Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'inflexible'

English Word: inflexible

Key Russian Translations:

• негибкий (nʲɪˈɡʲibkʲɪj) - [Formal, used in contexts describing physical rigidity or metaphorical stubbornness]
• жесткий (ˈʐɛstkʲɪj) - [Informal, often for strict or unyielding behavior]
• упрямый (ʊˈpramɨj) - [Informal, specifically for stubbornness in attitude]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday language, especially in discussions of personality or materials, but not as frequent as basic adjectives).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions and contextual nuances; varies slightly by translation, e.g., 'негибкий' is B2, while 'упрямый' might be B1 for simpler contexts).

Pronunciation (Russian):

негибкий: nʲɪˈɡʲibkʲɪj

жесткий: ˈʐɛstkʲɪj (Note on жесткий: The 'ж' sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; pronounce it like the 's' in 'measure'.)

упрямый: ʊˈpramɨj (Note on упрямый: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'м' sound.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not able to be bent or physically rigid

Translation(s) & Context:

• негибкий - Used in literal contexts, such as describing materials or objects that do not bend easily.

Usage Examples:

• Русский материал: Этот пластик негибкий и не ломается под давлением.

  English Translation: This plastic is inflexible and doesn't break under pressure.

• Русский материал: Ветка дерева была негибкой из-за мороза.

  English Translation: The tree branch was inflexible due to the frost.

• Русский материал: Негибкий металл использовался в конструкции моста.

  English Translation: Inflexible metal was used in the bridge's construction.

Meaning 2: Unwilling to change opinions or plans

Translation(s) & Context:

• жесткий - Applied in interpersonal or professional contexts to describe strict rules or people.
• упрямый - Common in everyday conversations for personal stubbornness.

Usage Examples:

• Русский материал: Мой босс всегда жесткий в вопросах сроков.

  English Translation: My boss is always inflexible on deadlines.

• Русский материал: Она упрямая и не хочет менять свои планы.

  English Translation: She is inflexible and doesn't want to change her plans.

• Русский материал: В переговорах он был негибким, настаивая на своих условиях.

  English Translation: In negotiations, he was inflexible, insisting on his terms.

• Русский материал: Жесткий подход к дисциплине помог в управлении командой.

  English Translation: The inflexible approach to discipline helped in managing the team.

• Русский материал: Упрямый ребенок отказывается есть новую еду.

  English Translation: The inflexible child refuses to eat new food.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which follow standard Russian adjective declension patterns. They agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. 'Негибкий' and 'жесткий' are regular, while 'упрямый' is also regular but can have slight variations in usage.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular forms, but always decline based on the noun's gender and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • твердый (tvʲeˈrdɨj) - Similar to 'негибкий' but often implies solidity.
  • неподатливый (nʲɪpɐˈdatlʲɪvɨj) - Exact synonym for physical inflexibility.
  • закоснелый (zɐˈkɐsnʲɪlɨj) - For stubbornness, with a connotation of being set in one's ways.
• Antonyms:
  • гибкий (ˈɡʲibkʲɪj)
  • мягкий (ˈmʲaχkʲɪj)
  • уступчивый (ʊˈstʲʊpt͡ɕɪvɨj)

Related Phrases:

• негибкий подход (nʲɪˈɡʲibkʲɪj pʊdˈxod) - Inflexible approach; used in business or problem-solving contexts.
• жесткий режим (ˈʐɛstkʲɪj rʲɪˈʐim) - Strict regime; often refers to discipline in daily life or institutions.
• упрямый как осел (ʊˈpramɨj kak ɐˈsʲel) - Stubborn as a mule; an idiomatic expression for extreme inflexibility in personality.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'негибкий' is the most direct equivalent to 'inflexible' in physical contexts, while 'жесткий' and 'упрямый' are better for abstract or behavioral ones. Always consider the context: use 'негибкий' for objects and 'упрямый' for people to avoid sounding overly formal. Grammatically, these adjectives must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case, which is a key difference from English. When choosing between translations, opt for 'жесткий' in professional settings for its neutral tone.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'негибкий' interchangeably with 'жесткий' without considering context. For example, saying "Он негибкий человек" when 'упрямый' would be more appropriate for personality.

  Correct: Он упрямый человек (He is an inflexible person). Explanation: 'Негибкий' implies physical rigidity, which doesn't fit human traits as naturally.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the adjective, e.g., saying "в негибкий доме" instead of "в негибком доме".

  Correct: в негибком доме (in an inflexible house). Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must match the noun's case; here, prepositional case requires the ending change.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'упрямый' often carry a humorous or affectionate connotation when describing personal traits, as in folklore where stubborn characters are portrayed as resilient. This reflects the value placed on perseverance in Russian society, stemming from historical contexts like harsh winters or wartime endurance.

Related Concepts:

• твердость (tvʲeˈrdɨstʲ)
• упорство (ʊˈpɔrstvə)
• жесткость (ˈʐɛstkasʲtʲ)