Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'likely'

English Word: likely

Key Russian Translations:

• вероятно [vʲɪrɐˈjatnə] - [Adverb, Formal, Used in general statements or predictions]
• вероятный [vʲɪrɐˈjatnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Used to describe something probable]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations, news, and academic contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of basic adverb and adjective usage; for 'вероятно' it's straightforward, but 'вероятный' involves inflection, which may vary in difficulty)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вероятно: [vʲɪrɐˈjatnə]

Note on вероятно: The stress is on the third syllable ('jat'), and the 'ы' sound can be tricky for English speakers; it's a soft, palatalized vowel.

вероятный: [vʲɪrɐˈjatnɨj]

Note on вероятный: Pay attention to the final 'ый' ending, which softens the pronunciation; common in adjectives and may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Probably (as an adverb, indicating a high chance of something happening)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вероятно - Used in formal or neutral contexts to express likelihood, such as in predictions or opinions.

Usage Examples:

• Вероятно, завтра будет дождь.

  It is likely that it will rain tomorrow.

• Он, вероятно, опоздает на встречу.

  He is likely to be late for the meeting.

• Вероятно, это лучший вариант из всех.

  This is likely the best option of all.

• В этой ситуации, вероятно, потребуется дополнительная помощь.

  In this situation, additional help is likely needed.

• Вероятно, цены вырастут в ближайшем будущем.

  Prices are likely to rise in the near future.

Meaning 2: Likely (as an adjective, describing something probable or expected)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вероятный - Used in contexts involving assessments, such as risks, outcomes, or possibilities; often in more formal writing or speech.

Usage Examples:

• Это вероятный исход переговоров.

  This is a likely outcome of the negotiations.

• В таких условиях вероятный результат - успех.

  In such conditions, the likely result is success.

• Он является вероятным кандидатом на эту позицию.

  He is a likely candidate for this position.

• Вероятный риск включает финансовые потери.

  The likely risk includes financial losses.

• Это вероятный сценарий для будущего развития.

  This is a likely scenario for future developments.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Вероятно' is an adverb and does not inflect; it remains unchanged in all contexts.

'Вероятный' is an adjective and follows standard Russian adjective inflection patterns, which vary by gender, number, and case. Below is a table of its forms:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • возможно [vɐsˈmoʒnə] - More neutral, used for possibilities without strong probability.
  • скорее всего [ˈskorʲɪ ˈvɨstʲɪ] - Implies "most likely" in informal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • невозможно [nʲɪvɐˈzmoʒnə] - Indicates impossibility.
  • маловероятно [məlɐvʲɪrɐˈjatnə] - Means "unlikely" or "improbable."

Related Phrases:

• Наиболее вероятно - Most likely; used to highlight the strongest possibility in discussions or analyses.
• Вероятно, что - Likely that; a common phrase for introducing probable scenarios in formal writing.
• Высоковероятно - Highly likely; emphasizes a greater degree of probability in scientific or professional contexts.

Usage Notes:

• Use 'вероятно' for adverbial expressions similar to 'likely' in English, especially in predictions, but it's more formal than casual English equivalents.
• 'Вероятный' as an adjective corresponds to 'likely' when describing nouns; choose it based on context, e.g., for risks in business.
• In Russian, word order can affect emphasis, so place 'вероятно' at the beginning for stronger stress.
• When multiple translations exist, opt for 'вероятно' in spoken language and 'вероятный' in written or descriptive contexts.
• Be mindful of formality: 'вероятно' is neutral, but in very informal speech, alternatives like 'скорее всего' might be preferred.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'вероятно' with 'возможно', using 'возможно' when 'вероятно' is needed for stronger probability. Incorrect: "Возможно, он придет." (when it should be more certain). Correct: "Вероятно, он придет." Explanation: 'Возможно' means 'possible' and implies less certainty.
• Misinflecting 'вероятный' by treating it as invariable, e.g., using 'вероятный' for feminine nouns. Incorrect: "Вероятный женщина" (should be "Вероятная женщина"). Explanation: Always adjust for gender, number, and case as per Russian adjective rules.
• Overusing 'вероятно' in negative contexts, leading to awkward phrasing. Incorrect: "Вероятно не." Correct: "Маловероятно." Explanation: Use antonyms or qualifiers for negatives to maintain natural flow.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'вероятно' reflect a cautious approach to uncertainty, often seen in literature and media where probabilistic language avoids absolute commitments, influenced by historical contexts like Soviet-era planning where predictions were common but not guaranteed.

Related Concepts:

• риск [risk] - Relates to potential dangers or uncertainties.
• шанс [shans] - Similar to 'chance' in English, often paired with probability discussions.
• предсказание [predskazaniye] - Involves predictions, linking to the idea of likelihood in forecasting.