Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'irretrievable'

English Word: irretrievable

Key Russian Translations:

• невозвратимый [nʲɪvɐzvrɐˈtʲimɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in legal, technical, or philosophical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in formal writing, such as legal documents or academic texts, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level, as it involves understanding Russian adjective declensions and vocabulary related to permanence and loss; learners at this level should grasp its usage with practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

невозвратимый: [nʲɪvɐzvrɐˈtʲimɨj]

Note on невозвратимый: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("tʲimɨj"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants. Pronounce the initial "н" as a soft [nʲ] similar to the 'n' in "new". Variations may occur in regional dialects, but this is the standard Moscow variant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Something that cannot be recovered, regained, or reversed, often implying permanence or irreparable loss.

Translation(s) & Context:

• невозвратимый - Used in contexts involving legal agreements, data loss, or emotional/philosophical discussions, such as in contracts or scientific reports (e.g., irretrievable damage to property).

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В случае невозвратимого ущерба, компенсация должна быть выплачена немедленно.

  English Translation: In the case of irretrievable damage, compensation must be paid immediately. (This example shows the word in a legal context, highlighting its use with nouns in the genitive case.)

• Русский пример: Потеря данных на жестком диске может быть невозвратимой, если не было резервного копирования.

  English Translation: Data loss on a hard drive can be irretrievable if there was no backup. (This demonstrates the word in a technical context, paired with abstract nouns.)

• Русский пример: Время — невозвратимый ресурс, поэтому его нужно ценить.

  English Translation: Time is an irretrievable resource, so it must be valued. (Here, it appears in a philosophical sentence, emphasizing its metaphorical use.)

• Русский пример: Невозвратимые изменения в климате угрожают будущим поколениям.

  English Translation: Irretrievable changes in the climate threaten future generations. (This example illustrates its application in environmental discussions, with agreement in gender and number.)

• Русский пример: После аварии машина оказалась в невозвратимом состоянии.

  English Translation: After the accident, the car was in an irretrievable state. (This shows the word describing a physical object, varying by case in a sentence.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Невозвратимый" is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once the basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • необратимый (neobratimyy) - Similar but often used for processes that cannot be reversed, with a slight emphasis on scientific contexts.
  • безвозвратный (bezvozvratnyy) - Implies something lost forever, commonly in everyday language for emotional or financial loss.
• Antonyms:
  • возвратимый (vozvratimyy) - Refers to something that can be recovered or reversed.
  • восстанавливаемый (vosstanavlivaemyy) - Indicates recoverability, especially in technical or repair contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Невозвратимый ущерб (nevozvrashchimyy ushcherb) - Irretrievable damage; a common phrase in legal and insurance contexts, referring to losses that cannot be compensated fully.
• Невозвратимые последствия (nevozvrashchimyye posledstviya) - Irretrievable consequences; used in discussions about decisions with permanent effects, such as in environmental or personal life scenarios.
• Время — невозвратимый ресурс (Vremya — nevozvrashchimyy resurs) - Time is an irretrievable resource; a proverbial expression emphasizing the value of time in Russian culture.

Usage Notes:

• Ensure that "невозвратимый" agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, as Russian adjectives must. For example, use the feminine form with feminine nouns like "потеря" (loss).
• This word is more formal and is rarely used in casual spoken Russian; opt for simpler synonyms like "безвозвратный" in everyday conversations.
• When translating "irretrievable" from English, choose "невозвратимый" for contexts involving permanence in legal or abstract senses, but verify the exact nuance to avoid overgeneralization.
• In sentences, it often pairs with nouns related to loss, such as "ущерб" (damage) or "изменения" (changes), and can be used metaphorically in philosophical texts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "невозвратный" instead of "невозвратимый" due to confusion with similar-sounding words. Correct: "Невозвратимый" for unrecoverable states; "невозвратный" means non-refundable in financial contexts. Explanation: This mix-up can alter the meaning entirely, so always check the root and context.
• Error: Failing to decline the adjective properly, e.g., using the masculine form with a feminine noun. Correct Example: "Невозвратимая потеря" (irretrievable loss) instead of "Невозвратимый потеря". Explanation: Russian grammar requires agreement, and this is a common pitfall for English speakers accustomed to invariable adjectives.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "невозвратимый" often carry a philosophical weight, reflecting the Russian literary tradition of contemplating loss and impermanence, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy or Chekhov. It underscores a cultural emphasis on the inevitability of change and the value of what is lost forever, which can influence how Russians discuss topics like history or personal regret.

Related Concepts:

• потерянный (poteryannyy) - Lost
• необратимо (neobratimo) - Irreversibly
• вечный (vechnyy) - Eternal