Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'influential'

English Word: influential

Key Russian Translations:

• влиятельный [vlʲɪˈjatʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal]
• влияющий [vlʲɪˈjaʊʂːɪj] - [Informal, often used in dynamic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, media, and discussions about politics or society, but not everyday casual speech).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding adjective forms and abstract concepts; for 'влияющий', it may be slightly easier at B1 due to its verb-derived nature).

Pronunciation (Russian):

влиятельный: [vlʲɪˈjatʲɪlʲnɨj]

влияющий: [vlʲɪˈjaʊʂːɪj]

Note on влиятельный: The stress is on the third syllable ('tel'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'l' sound; pronounce it with a soft, almost 'y'-like quality.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Having great influence on people, events, or decisions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• влиятельный - Used in formal contexts, such as describing powerful individuals or organizations in politics, business, or history.
• влияющий - Applied in more dynamic or informal settings, like describing ongoing influences in everyday life or processes.

Usage Examples:

• Он является влиятельным политиком в стране.

  He is an influential politician in the country. (Demonstrates use in a formal biographical context.)

• Эта книга оказывает влияющий эффект на молодое поколение.

  This book has an influential effect on the younger generation. (Shows 'влияющий' in a process-oriented sentence.)

• Влиятельные фигуры в бизнесе часто определяют экономические тенденции.

  Influential figures in business often determine economic trends. (Illustrates plural and formal usage.)

• Её идеи являются влияющими в области современной науки.

  Her ideas are influential in the field of modern science. (Highlights informal, idea-based influence.)

• Влиятельный журналист раскрыл коррупционный скандал.

  The influential journalist uncovered a corruption scandal. (Emphasizes individual impact in media.)

Meaning 2: Capable of producing an effect or change (less common, more nuanced).

Translation(s) & Context:

• влияющий - Preferred in contexts involving ongoing or subtle influence, such as in psychology or education.

Usage Examples:

• Влияющий фактор в этом эксперименте — температура окружающей среды.

  The influential factor in this experiment is the surrounding temperature. (Applies to scientific contexts.)

• Его речь была влияющей на аудиторию.

  His speech was influential on the audience. (Shows verbal influence in a speech setting.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'влиятельный' is an adjective and follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which are regular but depend on gender, number, and case. 'влияющий' is a present active participle and has verbal inflections.

For 'влиятельный' (adjective):

For 'влияющий' (participle, irregular verbal form): It changes based on tense and agreement, e.g., present tense: влияющий (masc.), влияющая (fem.). It is less inflected than full verbs but agrees with nouns in gender and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • могущественный (mogushchestvennyy) - Emphasizes power more than influence.
  • вездесущий (vezdesushchiy) - Implies pervasive influence, often in a broader sense.
• Antonyms:
  • незначительный (znachitel'nyy) - Means insignificant or unimportant.
  • слабый (slabyy) - Means weak, highlighting lack of impact.

Related Phrases:

• влиятельный человек - An influential person; used to describe key figures in society.
• оказывать влияние - To exert influence; a common phrase in discussions of power dynamics.
• влияющий фактор - Influential factor; often in scientific or analytical contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'влиятельный' directly corresponds to the English 'influential' in formal contexts but carries a connotation of established power, unlike the more neutral 'влияющий', which suggests active or temporary influence. Choose 'влиятельный' for static descriptions (e.g., a person's status) and 'влияющий' for processes. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case. This word is often used in written media or speeches rather than casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'влиятельный' without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "влиятельный женщина" instead of "влиятельная женщина". Correct: Always decline based on the noun's case. Explanation: Russian requires adjectives to agree with nouns, which English speakers might overlook.
• Mistake: Confusing 'влиятельный' with 'влияющий' in formal writing, e.g., using 'влияющий' for a permanent trait. Correct: Use 'влиятельный' for enduring influence. Explanation: This can make the sentence sound less precise or overly dynamic.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'влиятельный' often evoke historical figures such as tsars or Soviet leaders, reflecting a society where influence is tied to authority and hierarchy. This can add a layer of respect or caution in usage, especially in discussions of politics, where it might imply both admiration and wariness of power imbalances.

Related Concepts:

• власть (power)
• авторитет (authority)
• лидерство (leadership)