Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'laudable'

English Word: laudable

Key Russian Translations:

• похвальный [pɐxˈvalʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• заслуживающий [zɐˈsluʐɨvaʊʂɨj] - [Formal, often used in evaluative contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, literature, and critiques, but not in everyday casual speech).

Difficulty: Intermediate (B2) - Requires understanding of Russian adjective forms and formal vocabulary; variations may differ slightly based on translation (e.g., "похвальный" is straightforward, while "заслуживающий" involves verb-like structures).

Pronunciation (Russian):

похвальный: [pɐxˈvalʲnɨj]

заслуживающий: [zɐˈsluʐɨvaʊʂɨj]

Note on похвальный: The stress is on the second syllable ("val"), and the soft sign (ʲ) indicates a palatalized 'l', which can be tricky for English speakers—practice with native audio for accuracy.

Note on заслуживающий: This is a present active participle form, so pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech; focus on the rolled 'r' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Worthy of praise or commendation (e.g., describing actions, efforts, or qualities that deserve recognition)

Translation(s) & Context:

• похвальный - Used in formal contexts like reviews, reports, or academic discussions to denote something praiseworthy without exaggeration.
• заслуживающий - Applied in contexts involving merit or achievement, often in professional or ethical evaluations.

Usage Examples:

• Его усилия в проекте были похвальными, несмотря на трудности.

  His efforts in the project were laudable, despite the difficulties.

• Эта книга заслуживающая внимания за свой инновационный подход.

  This book is laudable for its innovative approach.

• Похвальный поступок врача спас жизни многих людей.

  The laudable act of the doctor saved many lives.

• Заслуживающая похвалы инициатива компании улучшила экологию региона.

  The company's laudable initiative improved the region's ecology.

• В обществе всегда ценятся похвальные качества, такие как честность и преданность.

  In society, laudable qualities such as honesty and dedication are always valued.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "похвальный" and "заслуживающий" are adjectives or participial forms in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives typically agree with the nouns they modify. "Похвальный" is a standard adjective with regular declension, while "заслуживающий" is a present active participle and follows verbal adjective patterns with potential irregularities.

Note: These forms are regular for adjectives like "похвальный," but "заслуживающий" may vary in verbal contexts. If the word is used predicatively, it might not inflect.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • достойный (dostoinyj) - Similar but often implies moral worth; used in everyday contexts.
  • замечательный (zamechatel'nyj) - Conveys something noteworthy, with a slightly more positive connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • незаслуживающий (nezasluzhiwaʊʂɨj) - Directly opposite, implying unworthiness.
  • порицаемый (poritsajemyj) - Suggests something blameworthy or condemnable.

Related Phrases:

• Похвальный отзыв - A laudable review (used in contexts like book or product feedback).
• Заслуживающая похвалы работа - Work deserving praise (common in professional evaluations).
• Похвальный акт - A laudable act (refers to heroic or ethical actions in literature or media).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "похвальный" directly corresponds to "laudable" in formal English contexts, emphasizing praise without irony, while "заслуживающий" highlights earned merit. Both are typically used in written or spoken formal settings, such as essays or speeches, rather than casual conversation. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: always match gender, number, and case with the noun. When choosing between translations, opt for "похвальный" for straightforward praise and "заслуживающий" for contexts involving achievement or justice. Avoid overusing in informal speech to prevent sounding overly formal.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "похвальный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "похвальный женщина" instead of "похвальная женщина" (for feminine nouns). Correct: похвальная женщина – This error stems from not understanding Russian adjective-noun agreement.
• Mistake: Confusing "заслуживающий" with a simple adjective and forgetting its participial nature, leading to incorrect tense usage, e.g., "он заслуживающий" in a static description. Correct: Use as "он заслуживающий похвалы" to clarify. Explanation: English learners often overlook the dynamic aspect of participles in Russian.
• Mistake: Over-translating to more complex phrases when a simple word suffices, e.g., using a full sentence instead of "похвальный." Correct: Stick to concise forms like "похвальный" for efficiency.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "похвальный" often appear in contexts of state awards or literary criticism, reflecting a tradition of recognizing collective or individual achievements, as seen in Soviet-era honors. This emphasizes the cultural value placed on communal praise and moral integrity, which can differ from more individualistic Western expressions of "laudable."

Related Concepts:

• достойный
• заслуженный
• героический