Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'irregular'

English Word: irregular

Key Russian Translations:

• неправильный /nʲɪˈpravʲɪlʲnɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal and Informal]
• нерегулярный /nʲɪrʲɪˈɡuːlʲarnɨj/ - [Adjective, More technical or scientific contexts, Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in educational or grammatical discussions, but not as frequent as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and basic grammar, but the word itself is straightforward for learners beyond beginner level.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неправильный: /nʲɪˈpravʲɪlʲnɨj/ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

нерегулярный: /nʲɪrʲɪˈɡuːlʲarnɨj/ (Emphasize the 'р' with a slight trill; the word has a more formal, elongated pronunciation.)

Note on неправильный: Be cautious with the soft sign (ь) affecting the preceding consonant, making it softer and more fluid in speech. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not following a regular pattern or rule (e.g., in grammar, shapes, or schedules)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неправильный - Used in general contexts like describing irregular verbs or shapes; common in both spoken and written Russian.
• нерегулярный - Preferred in technical or scientific contexts, such as irregular heartbeats or bus schedules.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Этот глагол неправильный, поэтому его формы нужно заучивать наизусть.

  English Translation: This verb is irregular, so its forms need to be memorized.

• Русский пример: У неё неправильная форма круга, из-за чего она выглядит асимметрично.

  English Translation: It has an irregular shape of a circle, making it look asymmetrical.

• Русский пример: Нерегулярные автобусы ходят только по выходным, что неудобно для ежедневных поездок.

  English Translation: Irregular buses run only on weekends, which is inconvenient for daily commutes.

• Русский пример: В русском языке неправильные глаголы часто вызывают трудности у изучающих.

  English Translation: In the Russian language, irregular verbs often cause difficulties for learners.

• Русский пример: Эта нерегулярная тренировка помогает поддерживать форму без строгого расписания.

  English Translation: This irregular workout helps maintain fitness without a strict schedule.

Meaning 2: Not conforming to standards or expectations (e.g., in behavior or morality)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неправильный - Often used in informal or moral contexts, implying something is wrong or improper.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Его поведение было неправильным на встрече, что шокировало всех.

  English Translation: His behavior was irregular at the meeting, which shocked everyone.

• Русский пример: Неправильные решения в бизнесе могут привести к большим потерям.

  English Translation: Irregular decisions in business can lead to significant losses.

• Русский пример: В этических вопросах неправильный выбор может иметь долгосрочные последствия.

  English Translation: In ethical matters, an irregular choice can have long-term consequences.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "неправильный" and "нерегулярный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but they are regular in declension (no irregularities like in English verbs).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • некорректный (slightly more formal, often used in legal or precise contexts)
  • нестандартный (implies deviation from a standard, common in design or innovation)
• Antonyms:
  • правильный (direct opposite, meaning correct or regular)
  • регулярный (specifically for patterns or schedules)

Related Phrases:

• Неправильный глагол - A common phrase meaning "irregular verb," often used in language learning contexts.
• Нерегулярные занятия - Meaning "irregular classes" or sessions, referring to non-routine events; useful in educational settings.
• Неправильная форма - Translates to "irregular shape," as in geometry or art; explains deviations from standard forms.

Usage Notes:

While "irregular" in English often relates to grammar or patterns, in Russian, "неправильный" is a versatile adjective that can describe anything from grammatical irregularities to moral lapses. Choose "неправильный" for everyday use and "нерегулярный" for technical contexts to ensure precision. Be mindful of declensions based on the noun it modifies, as Russian grammar requires agreement in gender, number, and case. This word is neutral in terms of formality but can sound more emphatic in informal speech.

• Avoid overusing it in beginner-level conversations; opt for simpler synonyms if needed.
• In comparisons, pair it with structures like "более неправильный" for "more irregular."

Common Errors:

English learners often forget to decline "неправильный" correctly, e.g., using the nominative form in all cases: Incorrect: "Я видел неправильный книгу" (wrong case agreement). Correct: "Я видел неправильную книгу" (accusative feminine). Another error is confusing it with "неверный" (meaning "incorrect" in a factual sense), which isn't a perfect synonym. Always check the context to avoid misuse, as this can lead to misunderstandings in precise discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "неправильный" can carry a subtle moral connotation, especially in educational or familial contexts, reflecting the value placed on conformity and correctness in society. For instance, in literature or proverbs, irregular behavior might symbolize chaos, as seen in classic Russian works where order is prized.

Related Concepts:

• регулярный
• стандартный
• неверный