Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intolerable'

English Word: intolerable

Key Russian Translations:

• невыносимый (/nʲɪvɨˈnosʲɪmɨj/) - [Formal]
• нестерпимый (/nʲɪsʲtʲɪrˈpʲimɨj/) - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literary, formal, and everyday discussions of discomfort or injustice, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "плохой").

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

невыносимый: /nʲɪvɨˈnosʲɪmɨj/

Note on невыносимый: The stress is on the third syllable ("no-SI-myj"). Pay attention to the soft sign (ь) which softens the preceding consonant, making it a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel sounds.

Audio: []

нестерпимый: /nʲɪsʲtʲɪrˈpʲimɨj/

Note on нестерпимый: Stress falls on the third syllable ("ter-PI-myj"). The initial "н" is palatalized, which is typical in Russian adjectives and may require practice for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: Unable to be endured or tolerated, often describing something extremely unpleasant or unbearable.

Translation(s) & Context:

• невыносимый - Used in formal contexts like literature, complaints, or ethical discussions (e.g., intolerable pain or injustice).
• нестерпимый - Applied in everyday situations involving physical or emotional discomfort, such as extreme heat or grief.

Usage Examples:

• Эти невыносимые условия работы вынудили сотрудников уволиться.

  These intolerable working conditions forced the employees to quit.

• Нестерпимая жара в Москве летом делает улицу почти пустой.

  The intolerable heat in Moscow during summer makes the streets almost empty.

• Его невыносимое поведение на собрании шокировало всех присутствующих.

  His intolerable behavior at the meeting shocked everyone present.

• Нестерпимая боль в ноге не позволила ему продолжить поход.

  The intolerable pain in his leg didn't allow him to continue the hike.

• Война принесла невыносимые страдания для гражданского населения.

  The war brought intolerable suffering to the civilian population.

Secondary meaning: Not capable of being tolerated in a social or moral sense, such as injustice or oppression.

Translation(s) & Context:

• невыносимый - Often in philosophical or social contexts, emphasizing endurance limits.
• нестерпимый - In emotional or interpersonal scenarios, like relationships or debates.

Usage Examples:

• Невыносимая несправедливость системы нуждается в реформах.

  The intolerable injustice of the system requires reforms.

• Его нестерпимая критика друзей вызвала конфликт в группе.

  His intolerable criticism of friends caused conflict in the group.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "невыносимый" and "нестерпимый" are adjectives, which in Russian follow standard adjectival inflections. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. They have full declension patterns, making them regular but potentially challenging for learners due to the variety of forms.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular forms, but always ensure agreement with the noun.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • неприемлемый (neprijemlemyj) - Similar but more about unacceptability in formal settings.
  • терпимый (terpimyj) is not a synonym; wait, correction: actually, for intensity, consider невыносимо as adverbial form, but key synonyms are as above.
• Antonyms:
  • терпимый (terpimyj) - Tolerable or bearable, often used in contrast.
  • выносимый (vynosimyj) - Endurable, directly opposite in endurance contexts.

Related Phrases:

• невыносимая лёгкость бытия - The unbearable lightness of being; a phrase from literature, referring to existential themes.
• нестерпимая жажда - Intolerable thirst; used in descriptions of extreme physical needs.
• невыносимый груз - Intolerable burden; common in metaphorical discussions of emotional weight.

Usage Notes:

"Intolerable" translates most accurately to "невыносимый" in formal or literary contexts and "нестерпимый" in everyday emotional scenarios. Choose based on nuance: "невыносимый" emphasizes endurance limits, while "нестерпимый" highlights immediate discomfort. Always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case. In Russian, these words can be intensified with adverbs like "совершенно" (completely) for emphasis, e.g., "совершенно невыносимый". Avoid using in casual slang; they are more suited to written or serious spoken language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the base form without inflection, e.g., saying "невыносимый дом" when it should be "невыносимый дом" in nominative, but forgetting changes in other cases like genitive ("невыносимого дома").

  Correct: Ensure proper declension; for example, "Я устал от невыносимого шума" (I am tired of the intolerable noise) vs. incorrect "Я устал от невыносимый шум".

• Error: Confusing with similar words like "неприятный" (unpleasant), which is milder. Learners might understate the intensity.

  Correct: Use "невыносимый" for extreme cases; e.g., "Это невыносимо" instead of "Это неприятно" for "This is intolerable".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "невыносимый" often appear in literature (e.g., in Dostoevsky's works) to describe the human condition, reflecting themes of suffering and resilience. This ties into Russia's historical context of enduring hardships, such as wars and winters, where "intolerable" situations are a common motif in art and daily discourse.

Related Concepts:

• терпение (terpenie) - Patience
• страдание (stradanie) - Suffering
• несправедливость (nespravedlivost') - Injustice