Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'jeopardy'

English Word: jeopardy

Key Russian Translations:

• опасность [ɐˈpasnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal; used for serious risks or dangers]
• риск [rʲisk] - [Informal; commonly used in everyday contexts or business]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear regularly in news, literature, and conversation, but not as common as everyday terms like "дом").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can understand and use these words in context, though mastering inflections may require practice).

Pronunciation (Russian):

опасность: [ɐˈpasnəsʲtʲ]

риск: [rʲisk]

Note on опасность: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 's' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Risk or Danger (e.g., a situation that could lead to harm)

Translation(s) & Context:

• опасность - Used in formal contexts like legal, safety, or emergency discussions, e.g., in warnings or reports.
• риск - Applied in informal or business settings, such as decision-making or everyday risks.

Usage Examples:

• Эта ситуация представляет большую опасность для всех участников. (This situation poses a great jeopardy to all participants.)

  English Translation: This situation represents a great danger for all participants.

• Он принял риск, инвестируя все свои сбережения в стартап. (He put himself in jeopardy by investing all his savings in a startup.)

  English Translation: He took the risk of investing all his savings in a startup.

• Вождение в плохую погоду увеличивает опасность аварий. (Driving in bad weather heightens the jeopardy of accidents.)

  English Translation: Driving in bad weather increases the danger of accidents.

• Не стоит брать такой риск без тщательного анализа. (It's unwise to put yourself in such jeopardy without careful analysis.)

  English Translation: It's not worth taking such a risk without thorough analysis.

• Опасность войны заставила людей эвакуироваться. (The jeopardy of war forced people to evacuate.)

  English Translation: The danger of war made people evacuate.

Secondary Meaning: The Game Show (e.g., referring to the TV quiz show)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Джeopardy (often borrowed directly) - Used in pop culture contexts, especially among younger audiences or media enthusiasts.

Usage Examples:

• Я обожаю смотреть "Джeopardy" по вечерам. (I love watching Jeopardy in the evenings.)

  English Translation: I love watching Jeopardy in the evenings.

• В "Джeopardy" участники рискуют заработанными очками. (In Jeopardy, participants put their earned points in jeopardy.)

  English Translation: In Jeopardy, participants risk their earned points.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For the noun "опасность" (feminine noun), it follows standard Russian declension patterns for third-declension nouns. It changes based on case and number:

For "риск" (also a masculine noun), it is less inflected and often remains unchanged in informal use, but follows standard patterns:

Note: "Джeopardy" as a proper noun does not inflect in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • угроза (threat; more immediate than опасность)
  • проблема (problem; used for less severe risks)
  • небезопасность (insecurity; formal synonym for риск)
• Antonyms:
  • безопасность (safety)
  • стабильность (stability)

Related Phrases:

• В зоне опасности (In the zone of jeopardy) - Refers to a dangerous area or situation.
• Принять на себя риск (To take on jeopardy) - Means to assume a risk voluntarily.
• Минимизировать угрозы и риски (To minimize threats and jeopardies) - Common in risk management contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Опасность" is the most direct and formal equivalent to "jeopardy" in contexts involving physical or existential risks, while "риск" aligns better with calculated or probabilistic dangers, similar to English "risk." Choose based on context: use "опасность" for emotional or urgent scenarios, and "риск" for business or decision-making. Be mindful of Russian's case system, as it affects word endings in sentences. For example, in prepositional phrases, always use the correct case (e.g., "об опасности" for "about the jeopardy"). This vocabulary is neutral in terms of register but can sound more intense in formal writing.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "опасность" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "в опасность" instead of "в опасности" (correct: in jeopardy).

  Correct Usage: В опасности (In jeopardy) - Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for locations or states, which English speakers often overlook.

• Error: Confusing "риск" with "рисковать" (to risk), leading to incorrect verb usage, e.g., "Я риск" instead of "Я беру риск" or "Я рискую."

  Correct Usage: Рисковать (to put in jeopardy) - Explanation: "Риск" is a noun; use the verb form for actions to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "опасность" often tie into historical contexts such as wartime experiences or natural disasters, emphasizing collective resilience. For instance, during events like World War II, discussions of "jeopardy" in media reflect national narratives of survival, making these words carry an emotional weight beyond their literal meaning.

Related Concepts:

• угроза
• кризис
• безопасность