Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'labile'

English Word: labile

Key Russian Translations:

• лабильный [/lɐˈbʲilʲnɨj/] - [Formal, Scientific contexts, such as psychology or medicine]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, medical, and psychological discussions but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with scientific vocabulary and adjective inflections, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лабильный: /lɐˈbʲilʲnɨj/

Note on лабильный: The stress falls on the second syllable (/ˈbʲilʲ/), and the "л" sound is soft, which can be challenging for English speakers. Practice the palatalized consonants for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Unstable or prone to change, especially in emotional or chemical contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лабильный - Used in formal, scientific, or medical settings to describe something that is emotionally or chemically unstable; common in psychology for traits like mood swings.

Usage Examples:

• Его настроение часто бывает лабильным, что затрудняет общение.

  His mood is often labile, which makes communication difficult.

• В химии лабильные соединения легко разлагаются под влиянием внешних факторов.

  In chemistry, labile compounds break down easily under external influences.

• Психолог отметила, что у пациента лабильная эмоциональная реакция на стресс.

  The psychologist noted that the patient has a labile emotional response to stress.

• Лабильные свойства этого вещества делают его опасным для хранения.

  The labile properties of this substance make it dangerous for storage.

• У детей лабильность поведения часто связана с возрастом.

  In children, behavioral lability is often related to age.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Лабильный is an adjective, which in Russian undergoes regular inflection based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ый. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This adjective is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic adjective rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нестабильный (nestabil'nyy) - Similar, but more general for instability; often used in everyday contexts.
  • изменчивый (izmenchivyy) - Emphasizes variability, especially in weather or emotions.
• Antonyms:
  • стабильный (stabil'nyy) - Directly opposite, implying steadiness and reliability.
  • постоянный (postoyannyy) - Suggests constancy, often in a more enduring sense.

Related Phrases:

• эмоционально лабильный - Emotionally labile; used to describe someone with fluctuating emotions in psychological discussions.
• лабильные состояния - Labile states; refers to unstable conditions, such as in medical diagnostics.
• лабильность характера - Lability of character; a phrase for describing an unstable personality trait.

Usage Notes:

Лабильный is a direct and precise translation of "labile" in scientific and formal contexts, particularly in psychology and chemistry. It is typically used in written or academic Russian rather than casual speech. When choosing between synonyms like нестабильный, opt for лабильный if the context involves rapid or unpredictable changes. Be mindful of gender and case agreements, as Russian adjectives must match the nouns they modify—for example, use лабильная with feminine nouns. This word is neutral in tone but carries a connotation of potential risk or variability, so it's ideal for professional settings.

Common Errors:

• Confusing it with нестабильный: Learners might overuse нестабильный as a general synonym, but лабильный specifically implies quick fluctuations. Incorrect: "Его настроение нестабильное" (in a context needing precision). Correct: "Его настроение лабильное." Explanation: Лабильный highlights the dynamic, changeable nature, while нестабильный is broader and less specific.

• Forgetting inflections: English speakers often forget to change the adjective form, e.g., saying "лабильный дом" for a feminine noun like "жизнь" (life). Incorrect: "лабильный жизнь." Correct: "лабильная жизнь." Explanation: Always adjust for gender, number, and case to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and language, terms like лабильный are heavily influenced by Western scientific traditions, particularly from psychology (e.g., Freudian concepts). It doesn't carry strong cultural connotations beyond its technical use, but in everyday Russian discourse, such words reflect the influence of Soviet-era medical education, where emotional stability was often discussed in relation to societal norms.

Related Concepts:

• стабильность
• эмоциональная устойчивость
• изменчивость