Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lethal'

English Word: lethal

Key Russian Translations:

• смертельный /smʲɪrˈtʲelʲnɨj/ - [Formal, General contexts]
• летальный /lʲɪˈtalʲnɨj/ - [Formal, Medical or technical contexts]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations appear in discussions of health, safety, and science, but not in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Learners need to understand adjective inflections and contextual usage; 'смертельный' is straightforward for B2, while 'летальный' may require additional medical vocabulary familiarity.

Pronunciation (Russian):

смертельный: /smʲɪrˈtʲelʲnɨj/

Note on смертельный: The stress falls on the second syllable ("tʲelʲ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants; practice with native audio for accuracy.

летальный: /lʲɪˈtalʲnɨj/

Note on летальный: Similar to English "lethal," but with a softer 'l' sound; the stress is on the second syllable, and it's often used in formal settings.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Causing or capable of causing death, often in contexts like weapons, diseases, or substances.

Translation(s) & Context:

• смертельный - Used in everyday formal language for general threats, such as in legal or environmental discussions (e.g., a lethal weapon).
• летальный - Preferred in scientific or medical contexts, like describing outcomes in epidemiology (e.g., lethal mutations).

Usage Examples:

• Это вещество смертельно опасно для здоровья. (This substance is lethally dangerous to health.)

  This substance is lethally dangerous to health. (Demonstrates use in a warning context with an adjective modifying a noun.)

• Война принесла летальные последствия для гражданского населения. (The war brought lethal consequences for the civilian population.)

  The war brought lethal consequences for the civilian population. (Shows use in a historical or abstract context, emphasizing outcomes.)

• Смертельная доза яда была обнаружена в анализах. (The lethal dose of poison was found in the tests.)

  The lethal dose of poison was found in the tests. (Illustrates combination with nouns in a forensic setting.)

• Летальный исход инфекции возможен без timely лечения. (A lethal outcome of the infection is possible without timely treatment.)

  A lethal outcome of the infection is possible without timely treatment. (Highlights medical usage with implications of prevention.)

• Автомобильная авария может быть смертельной, если не соблюдать правила. (A car accident can be lethal if rules are not followed.)

  A car accident can be lethal if rules are not followed. (Exemplifies everyday safety contexts with conditional structures.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'смертельный' and 'летальный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect for gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns with some irregularities based on the root. Below is a table for 'смертельный' as an example; 'летальный' follows similar rules.

For 'летальный', the inflections are identical in pattern but may vary slightly in pronunciation due to its root. These adjectives do not have irregular forms but must agree with the nouns they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • опасный (opasnyy) - More general for 'dangerous', often used interchangeably but with less emphasis on fatality.
  • губительный (gubitel'nyy) - Implies destructive or ruinous effects, suitable for broader catastrophic contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • безопасный (bezopasnyy) - Safe, non-threatening; used in opposition to highlight risks.
  • невредный (nevrednyy) - Harmless, especially in medical or everyday safety discussions.

Related Phrases:

• смертельная доза (smertelnaya doza) - Lethal dose; refers to the amount of a substance that causes death.
• летальный исход (letal'nyy iskhod) - Lethal outcome; commonly used in medical reports for fatal results.
• смертельное оружие (smertel'noye oruzhiye) - Lethal weapon; in legal or military contexts for deadly arms.

Usage Notes:

'Смертельный' is the more versatile translation for 'lethal' in everyday Russian, while 'летальный' is reserved for technical fields like medicine or science. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they describe, which can affect sentence structure. For example, use 'смертельный' in formal writing but avoid it in casual speech where 'опасный' might suffice. When choosing between translations, opt for 'летальный' in professional contexts to convey precision.

• Contextual guidance: In phrases involving health risks, 'летальный' aligns closely with English medical terminology.
• Grammar note: Always ensure adjective-noun agreement to avoid basic errors.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'смертельный' with 'смертный' (smertnyy), which means 'mortal' as in human mortality, not necessarily causing death. For example:

• Incorrect: Using 'смертный' to describe a poison, e.g., "смертный яд" (which implies the poison is 'mortal' in a philosophical sense, not lethal).
• Correct: "смертельный яд" - This properly conveys a substance that causes death. Explanation: 'Смертный' relates to the state of being mortal, while 'смертельный' focuses on the action or potential to kill.
• Another error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "смертельный женщина" instead of "смертельная женщина" for a feminine noun.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'смертельный' often appear in literature and media discussing historical events, such as wars or environmental disasters (e.g., Chernobyl references). They carry a somber connotation, reflecting Russia's history with large-scale tragedies, which can add emotional weight in conversations.

Related Concepts:

• яд (yad) - Poison
• убийство (ubiystvo) - Murder
• болезнь (bolezn') - Disease