Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mercurial'

English Word: mercurial

Key Russian Translations:

• капризный [kɐˈprʲiznɨj] - [Informal, often used for personality traits]
• непостоянный [nʲɪpɐˈstojnɨj] - [Formal, emphasizing inconsistency]
• изменчивый [ɪzmʲɪˈnʲitɕɪvɨj] - [Neutral, for changeable situations]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature and everyday conversation, but not as frequent as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and nuanced contexts; varies by translation, with "капризный" being slightly easier than "непостоянный")

Pronunciation (Russian):

капризный: [kɐˈprʲiznɨj]

непостоянный: [nʲɪpɐˈstojnɨj]

изменчивый: [ɪzmʲɪˈnʲitɕɪvɨj]

Note on капризный: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'рʲ' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the ending.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Describing a person with an unpredictable or changeable temperament

Translation(s) & Context:

• капризный - Used in informal contexts to describe someone moody or whimsical, such as in personal relationships.
• непостоянный - Applied in more formal or professional settings, like discussing unreliable behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Его капризный характер часто приводит к неожиданным решениям.

  His mercurial nature often leads to unexpected decisions.

• Она такая капризная, что планы всегда меняются в последнюю минуту.

  She is so mercurial that plans always change at the last minute.

• В молодости он был непостоянным и не мог удержаться на одной работе.

  In his youth, he was mercurial and couldn't stick to one job.

• Её непостоянные настроения делают общение с ней непредсказуемым.

  Her mercurial moods make interacting with her unpredictable.

Meaning 2: Referring to something that is volatile or unpredictable, like weather or markets

Translation(s) & Context:

• изменчивый - Common in scientific or everyday contexts for describing fluctuating conditions.
• капризный - Less formal, used metaphorically for erratic phenomena.

Usage Examples:

• Погода в этом регионе очень изменчивая, как ртуть.

  The weather in this region is very mercurial, like mercury.

• Изменчивый рынок акций требует осторожности от инвесторов.

  The mercurial stock market demands caution from investors.

• Её капризные идеи в искусстве всегда удивляют публику.

  Her mercurial ideas in art always surprise the audience.

• В этом климате изменчивое лето может перейти в дождь за считанные часы.

  In this climate, the mercurial summer can turn to rain in a matter of hours.

• Капризная природа океана делает плавание опасным.

  The mercurial nature of the ocean makes sailing dangerous.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All listed translations are adjectives, which in Russian follow standard adjectival inflections based on gender, number, and case. They are regular adjectives, meaning they change endings according to grammatical rules.

These adjectives do not have irregular forms, but always agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • волшебный (magical, for whimsical aspects)
  • непредсказуемый (unpredictable, with a focus on uncertainty)
  • переменчивый (variable, often in weather contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • стабильный (stable)
  • постоянный (constant)
  • предсказуемый (predictable)

Related Phrases:

• Капризная натура - A mercurial nature; refers to someone's unpredictable personality.
• Изменчивый мир - The mercurial world; used in philosophical contexts to describe life's uncertainties.
• Непостоянные отношения - Mercurial relationships; implies unstable romantic or professional ties.

Usage Notes:

"Mercurial" in English often connotes quick changes like the element mercury, and its Russian equivalents capture this but with cultural nuances. For instance, "капризный" is ideal for informal, emotional contexts, while "непостоянный" suits formal writing. Choose based on the setting: use "изменчивый" for scientific or objective descriptions. Always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case to avoid grammatical errors.

• In spoken Russian, "капризный" can sound affectionate or critical, depending on tone.
• When translating, consider the audience; "непостоянный" might be more appropriate in business English equivalents.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse inflections, such as using the masculine form "капризный" with a feminine noun. For example:

• Incorrect: Она капризный человек (wrong gender agreement).
• Correct: Она капризная человек (but actually, it should be "капризная женщина" for accuracy).
• Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; always check the noun's form first.
• Another error: Confusing with nouns, e.g., using "каприз" (a whim) instead of the adjective. Correct by adding the appropriate ending based on context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "капризный" can evoke literary references, such as in Chekhov's works, where mercurial characters reflect the unpredictability of life. This ties into the broader Russian literary tradition of portraying human emotions as fluid and complex, influenced by historical upheavals.

Related Concepts:

• Волшебство (magic)
• Неопределенность (uncertainty)
• Перемены (changes)