Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'inimical'

English Word: inimical

Key Russian Translations:

• Враждебный /vrɐʐˈdʲebnɨj/ - [Formal, often used in diplomatic or serious contexts]
• Вредный /ˈvrʲednɨj/ - [Informal, emphasizing harm rather than hostility]
• Неприязненный /nʲɪprʲɪˈja znʲɪnɨj/ - [Formal, focusing on unfriendliness in personal interactions]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in written Russian, such as in literature, news, and formal discussions, but not in everyday casual speech.)

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

Враждебный: /vrɐʐˈdʲebnɨj/

Note on Враждебный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("dʲeb-"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'dʲ' sound. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

Вредный: /ˈvrʲednɨj/

Note on Вредный: The initial 'v' is pronounced with a soft, fricative quality; stress is on the first syllable.

Неприязненный: /nʲɪprʲɪˈja znʲɪnɨj/

Note on Неприязненный: This word has a complex structure with multiple syllables; focus on the secondary stress to avoid mispronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Hostile or unfriendly (Referring to something that is actively opposed or antagonistic)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Враждебный - Used in formal contexts like politics or international relations to describe overt enmity.
• Вредный - Applied in everyday situations to indicate something harmful, such as behaviors or substances.
• Неприязненный - Common in interpersonal contexts, like describing strained relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Враждебные действия правительства вызвали международный протест.

  The government's inimical actions sparked international protest.

• Эта вредная привычка может быть враждебной для вашего здоровья.

  This harmful habit can be inimical to your health.

• Неприязненный тон в разговоре сделал встречу напряженной.

  The inimical tone in the conversation made the meeting tense.

• Враждебные силы в регионе продолжают создавать угрозы для мира.

  Inimical forces in the region continue to pose threats to peace.

Meaning 2: Harmful or detrimental (Indicating something that causes damage or is unfavorable)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Вредный - Often used in health, environmental, or personal development contexts to highlight negative impacts.
• Враждебный - In broader contexts like ecology or economics, to describe elements that disrupt balance.

Usage Examples:

• Вредный климат в этом районе враждебен для сельского хозяйства.

  The inimical climate in this area is harmful to agriculture.

• Неприязненные условия работы могут привести к вредным последствиям для сотрудников.

  Inimical working conditions can lead to detrimental effects for employees.

• Враждебные бактерии в пище могут быть очень вредными.

  Inimical bacteria in food can be extremely harmful.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard first-declension adjective patterns, with some irregularities in certain forms.

Note: These adjectives do not change in a completely irregular way but follow the hard-stem pattern. For neuter forms, add appropriate endings (e.g., Враждебное for neuter singular).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Враждующий (more active form of hostility)
  • Антагонистический (used in philosophical or abstract contexts)
  • Вражеский (military connotation, implying enemy-like)
• Antonyms:
  • Дружественный (friendly)
  • Благоприятный (favorable)
  • Лояльный (loyal)

Related Phrases:

• Враждебные отношения - Hostile relations (Used to describe strained diplomatic or personal ties.)
• Вредный эффект - Detrimental effect (Common in scientific or health discussions.)
• Неприязненный взгляд - Inimical glance (Refers to a hostile or unfriendly look in interpersonal scenarios.)

Usage Notes:

"Inimical" translates most directly to "враждебный" in formal contexts, but choose "вредный" when emphasizing harm over active opposition. Be mindful of Russian adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. For example, use "враждебная" for feminine nouns. In spoken Russian, these words are less common than in written forms, so they're ideal for advanced learners studying literature or politics.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "враждебный" with "вражеский": Learners might use "вражеский" (meaning "enemy's" in a military sense) when "враждебный" is more appropriate for general hostility. Correct usage: Instead of saying "вражеский отношение" (incorrect), say "враждебные отношения" to avoid military connotations.

• Forgetting inflections: English speakers often forget to change the adjective ending, e.g., saying "враждебный книга" instead of "враждебная книга" for a feminine noun. Always match the noun's gender and case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "враждебный" often appear in historical and literary contexts, such as in works by Tolstoy or in discussions of the Cold War era, reflecting Russia's complex history with external threats. This can add a layer of geopolitical nuance, making the word not just descriptive but evocative of national resilience.

Related Concepts:

• Враг (enemy)
• Конфликт (conflict)
• Антагонизм (antagonism)