Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intangible'

English Word: intangible

Key Russian Translations:

• неосязаемый [nʲɪɐˈsʲazəmɨj] - [Adjective, Formal]
• нематериальный [nʲɪmətʲɪrʲɪˈalʲnɨj] - [Adjective, Used in legal or financial contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, philosophical, and business discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for learners; requires understanding of adjective declensions and abstract concepts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неосязаемый: [nʲɪɐˈsʲazəmɨj]

нематериальный: [nʲɪmətʲɪrʲɪˈalʲnɨj]

Note on неосязаемый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("sʲaz"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants.

Note on нематериальный: Pronunciation varies slightly in fast speech, with the 'rʲ' sound softening.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not able to be touched or physically perceived (e.g., abstract or non-physical concepts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неосязаемый - Often used in philosophical or scientific contexts to describe ideas that lack physical form.
• нематериальный - Commonly applied in legal or economic contexts, such as intangible assets in business.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В философии неосязаемые идеи, такие как любовь, часто обсуждаются как фундаментальные.

  English translation: In philosophy, intangible ideas like love are often discussed as fundamental.

• Русский пример: Интеллектуальная собственность является нематериальным активом в современном бизнесе.

  English translation: Intellectual property is an intangible asset in modern business.

• Русский пример: Неосязаемые эмоции могут оказывать сильное влияние на поведение человека.

  English translation: Intangible emotions can have a strong impact on human behavior.

• Русский пример: В праве нематериальные блага защищаются специальными законами.

  English translation: In law, intangible goods are protected by special regulations.

• Русский пример: Художники часто работают с неосязаемыми элементами, такими как воображение.

  English translation: Artists often work with intangible elements, such as imagination.

Meaning 2: Something that cannot be quantified or measured easily (e.g., in business or economics)

Translation(s) & Context:

• нематериальный - Preferred in financial contexts, emphasizing non-physical value.
• неосязаемый - Used more broadly for abstract qualities in everyday or academic discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Компания инвестирует в нематериальные активы, такие как бренд и репутация.

  English translation: The company invests in intangible assets, such as brand and reputation.

• Русский пример: Неосязаемые факторы, как мотивация, играют ключевую роль в успехе команды.

  English translation: Intangible factors, like motivation, play a key role in team success.

• Русский пример: В экономике нематериальные ресурсы становятся всё более важными.

  English translation: In economics, intangible resources are becoming increasingly important.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives, which in Russian undergo declension based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

For неосязаемый (and similarly for нематериальный):

These forms are regular, but learners should note that stress and palatalization may shift in some cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • абстрактный (abstraktnyy) - More general for abstract concepts, often interchangeable in philosophical contexts.
  • идеальный (ideal'nyy) - Emphasizes perfection or ideality, with subtle differences in connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • осязаемый (osyazemyy) - Directly opposite, meaning tangible or perceptible.
  • материальный (material'nyy) - Refers to physical or material things.

Related Phrases:

• неосязаемое имущество - Intangible property; refers to non-physical assets like patents.
• нематериальные ценности - Intangible values; used in discussions of ethics or culture.
• неосязаемые преимущества - Intangible benefits; common in marketing for abstract advantages.

Usage Notes:

"Intangible" in English closely aligns with "неосязаемый" for abstract, non-physical concepts and "нематериальный" in economic contexts. Choose "неосязаемый" for philosophical or everyday discussions to emphasize the lack of physical touch, while "нематериальный" is better for formal settings like law or finance. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in Russian sentences, as mismatches can lead to grammatical errors. This word is neutral in terms of register but may sound more formal in casual speech.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "неосязаемый" without proper declension, e.g., saying "неосязаемый идея" instead of "неосязаемая идея" for a feminine noun.
  Correct: "неосязаемая идея" - Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify.
• Mistake: Confusing with "абстрактный" and overusing it; learners might say "нематериальный концепция" when "абстрактная концепция" is more precise.
  Correct: Use "неосязаемый" for tactile absence specifically. - Explanation: "Абстрактный" is broader, so select based on context to avoid vagueness.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "неосязаемый" often appear in literature and philosophy, influenced by thinkers like Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, who explored intangible emotions and ideas. This reflects a cultural emphasis on the spiritual and metaphysical, contrasting with more materialistic views in some Western contexts.

Related Concepts:

• абстракция
• идеальность
• духовность