Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'irreversible'

English Word: irreversible

Key Russian Translations:

• необратимый /nʲɪɐˈbratʲɪmɨj/ - [Formal, used in scientific, legal, or technical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in academic, scientific, and professional discussions, but not in everyday casual speech)

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

необратимый: /nʲɪɐˈbratʲɪmɨj/

Note on необратимый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("brat"), and the initial "н" is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft "n" sound, similar to "ny" in "new York."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not able to be reversed or undone, often referring to processes, decisions, or changes that are permanent.

Translation(s) & Context:

• необратимый - Used in formal contexts like science, law, or philosophy to describe something that cannot be altered or reversed, such as chemical reactions or life choices.

Usage Examples:

• Эти химические реакции являются необратимыми и не могут быть отменены.

  These chemical reactions are irreversible and cannot be undone.

• В истории бывают необратимые события, которые изменяют ход цивилизации.

  In history, there are irreversible events that change the course of civilization.

• Решение суда было необратимым, и апелляция не помогла.

  The court's decision was irreversible, and the appeal did not help.

• Климатические изменения часто имеют необратимые последствия для экосистемы.

  Climate change often has irreversible consequences for the ecosystem.

• Этот процесс старения кожи является необратимым, несмотря на все крема.

  This skin aging process is irreversible, despite all the creams.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"необратимый" is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension adjective pattern with no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This adjective does not have short forms or special verbal aspects, as it is not a verb.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • безвозвратный (bezvozvratnyy) - Similar but often implies something lost forever, with a slight emotional connotation.
  • неотменяемый (neotmenyaemyy) - Used more in legal contexts for decisions that cannot be canceled.
• Antonyms:
  • обратимый (obratimyy) - Directly opposite, meaning reversible or capable of being undone.
  • восстановимый (vosstanovimyiy) - Implies something that can be restored or fixed.

Related Phrases:

• необратимые изменения (neobratimye izmeneniya) - Irreversible changes; often used in discussions about climate or personal growth.
• необратимый процесс (neobratimyy protsess) - Irreversible process; common in scientific or engineering contexts to describe one-way reactions.
• необратимый ущерб (neobratimyy ushcherb) - Irreversible damage; refers to permanent harm, such as in environmental or health discussions.

Usage Notes:

"необратимый" directly corresponds to "irreversible" in English but is more formal and less common in everyday Russian speech. It's best used in written or professional contexts, such as scientific papers or legal documents. When choosing between synonyms like "безвозвратный," opt for "необратимый" if the focus is on scientific irreversibility rather than emotional loss. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case, as Russian requires this for grammatical accuracy. For example, pair it with feminine nouns like "реакция" (reaction) as "необратимая реакция."

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "необратимый" with "неизбежный" (inevitable), thinking they mean the same thing. Incorrect: "Это неизбежный процесс" (meaning "inevitable process") when intending "irreversible." Correct: "Это необратимый процесс." Explanation: "Неизбежный" means something that cannot be avoided, while "необратимый" means it cannot be reversed once it happens.

• Misapplying case endings, e.g., using "необратимый" in the wrong form. Incorrect: "О необратимыми изменениями" (wrong genitive plural). Correct: "О необратимых изменениях." Explanation: Always ensure the adjective matches the noun's case, as Russian grammar demands agreement to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and language, words like "необратимый" often appear in discussions of historical events or philosophical ideas, reflecting Russia's emphasis on fate and inevitability in literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky). It underscores a cultural fatalism where certain life changes are seen as permanent, influencing how Russians discuss topics like loss or progress.

Related Concepts:

• неотвратимый (inevitable)
• безвозвратный (irretrievable)
• восстановление (restoration)