Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'marvellous'

English Word: marvellous

Key Russian Translations:

• замечательный [zəˈmʲetʲsətʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in everyday positive descriptions]
• чудесный [ˈtʃudʲesnɨj] - [Informal, Adjective, Used for something magical or exceptionally delightful]

Frequency: Medium (Common in spoken and written Russian, especially in literature and casual conversations)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions and basic vocabulary expansion)

Pronunciation (Russian):

замечательный: [zəˈmʲetʲsətʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on замечательный: The stress falls on the third syllable; be mindful of the palatalized 'т' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in informal speech may soften the vowels.

чудесный: [ˈtʃudʲesnɨj]

Note on чудесный: Pronounce the initial 'ч' as a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'ch' in 'loch' in Scottish English. It's often used in poetic contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Extremely good or enjoyable (e.g., describing something impressive or delightful)

Translation(s) & Context:

• замечательный - Used in formal or neutral contexts, such as praising achievements or experiences.
• чудесный - Applied in informal settings, like expressing joy about personal events.

Usage Examples:

• Это был замечательный день в парке. (This was a marvellous day in the park.)

  English Translation: This was a marvellous day in the park. (Context: Describing a pleasant outing, showcasing the adjective in a nominative case.)

• Её выступление было чудесным и полным энергии. (Her performance was marvellous and full of energy.)

  English Translation: Her performance was marvellous and full of energy. (Context: Informal praise, illustrating the word in a predicative position.)

• Замечательный ужин в ресторане оставил незабываемые впечатления. (The marvellous dinner at the restaurant left unforgettable impressions.)

  English Translation: The marvellous dinner at the restaurant left unforgettable impressions. (Context: Formal review, showing agreement with a noun.)

• Чудесный сюрприз от друзей сделал праздник особенным. (The marvellous surprise from friends made the holiday special.)

  English Translation: The marvellous surprise from friends made the holiday special. (Context: Emotional, personal context with genitive case usage.)

Meaning 2: Causing wonder or astonishment (e.g., something extraordinary or miraculous)

Translation(s) & Context:

• чудесный - Often used for magical or awe-inspiring situations, like in fairy tales.
• замечательный - Less common for this meaning, but applicable in contexts of surprise or admiration.

Usage Examples:

• Чудесный закат над морем заворожил всех зрителей. (The marvellous sunset over the sea captivated all viewers.)

  English Translation: The marvellous sunset over the sea captivated all viewers. (Context: Descriptive, emphasizing visual wonder.)

• Замечательный эксперимент учёных открыл новые горизонты. (The marvellous experiment by scientists opened new horizons.)

  English Translation: The marvellous experiment by scientists opened new horizons. (Context: Scientific context, showing intellectual astonishment.)

• В этом чудесном месте время как будто останавливается. (In this marvellous place, time seems to stand still.)

  English Translation: In this marvellous place, time seems to stand still. (Context: Poetic or travel-related, with locative implications.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "замечательный" and "чудесный" are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular forms but must agree with the noun they modify in all aspects.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отличный (excellent; more casual and versatile)
  • прекрасный (beautiful; often used for aesthetic qualities)
• Antonyms:
  • плохой (bad; direct opposite for general negativity)
  • ужасный (terrible; implies something dreadful)

Related Phrases:

• Замечательный день - A marvellous day (Used to describe a perfect day, often in weather or event contexts.)
• Чудесный подарок - A marvellous gift (Implies something unexpectedly delightful, common in holiday greetings.)
• Замечательный человек - A marvellous person (Refers to someone admirable, in social or professional settings.)

Usage Notes:

"Замечательный" is the most direct equivalent to "marvellous" in formal English contexts, while "чудесный" leans towards a more whimsical or fairy-tale-like connotation. Choose based on the desired tone: use "замечательный" for everyday praise and "чудесный" for emotional or magical descriptions. Be aware of grammatical agreement with nouns, as Russian adjectives change form. In spoken Russian, these words are common in positive affirmations but may sound overly enthusiastic in neutral conversations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "замечательный" without proper declension, e.g., saying "замечательный книга" instead of "замечательная книга" (for feminine noun).

  Correct: Ensure gender agreement; explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Confusing with English "marvelous" by overusing in casual speech, e.g., translating every "great" as "чудесный".

  Correct: Reserve for truly exceptional situations; explanation: This can make speech hyperbolical; opt for simpler synonyms like "хороший" for everyday "good".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "чудесный" often evoke elements of folklore and fairy tales (e.g., from Pushkin's works), reflecting a romanticized view of wonder. "Замечательный" is more grounded and frequently used in Soviet-era literature to describe everyday heroes or achievements, emphasizing collective positivity rather than individual magic.

Related Concepts:

• волшебный (magical)
• удивительный (amazing)
• прекрасный (beautiful)