Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'miraculous'

English Word: miraculous

Key Russian Translations:

• чудесный [t͡ɕʊˈdʲesnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, used in general contexts]
• чудотворный [t͡ɕʊˈdotvornɨj] - [Adjective, Informal, often in religious or extraordinary contexts]

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

Difficulty: B1 Intermediate (for 'чудесный'); B2 Upper Intermediate (for 'чудотворный', due to its specific connotations and less common usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

чудесный: [t͡ɕʊˈdʲesnɨj]

Note on чудесный: The initial 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the 'ch' in 'loch' in Scottish English; stress is on the second syllable, and it softens before vowels.

чудотворный: [t͡ɕʊˈdotvornɨj]

Note on чудотворный: Pay attention to the 'тв' cluster, which can be challenging for learners as it involves a quick transition; stress is on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Something wonderful, extraordinary, or seemingly impossible (general sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• чудесный - Used in everyday descriptions of amazing events or objects, such as in positive reviews or stories.
• чудотворный - Applied in contexts involving miracles, like religious narratives or hyperbolic expressions.

Usage Examples:

• Это было чудесное событие, которое запомнится навсегда.

  This was a miraculous event that will be remembered forever. (Context: Describing a surprising positive occurrence in a formal narrative.)

• Её голос звучал чудесно во время концерта.

  Her voice sounded miraculous during the concert. (Context: Complimenting an outstanding performance in a casual setting.)

• Чудотворный источник в монастыре привлекает паломников.

  The miraculous spring in the monastery attracts pilgrims. (Context: Referring to a religious or legendary site.)

• После аварии его выздоровление было поистине чудесным.

  After the accident, his recovery was truly miraculous. (Context: Expressing astonishment in a medical or personal story.)

Meaning 2: Involving divine intervention or supernatural elements.

Translation(s) & Context:

• чудотворный - Specifically used for phenomena attributed to miracles, often in spiritual or historical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Святая икона считается чудотворной и исцеляет больных.

  The holy icon is considered miraculous and heals the sick. (Context: Religious discussion, emphasizing faith-based wonders.)

• В сказке волшебник совершил чудотворное превращение.

  In the fairy tale, the wizard performed a miraculous transformation. (Context: Literary or fictional narrative.)

• Чудотворный эффект лекарства удивил врачей.

  The miraculous effect of the medicine surprised the doctors. (Context: Scientific or everyday amazement.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'чудесный' and 'чудотворный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a regular pattern for most cases, agreeing with the nouns they modify.

Note: These adjectives are regular and do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners once basic adjective patterns are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: удивительный (udivitel'nyy) - More emphasis on surprise; феноменальный (fenomenal'nyy) - Highlights extraordinariness in a scientific context.
• Antonyms: обычный (obychnyy) - Common or everyday; заурядный (zauryadnyy) - Ordinary or unremarkable.

Related Phrases:

• чудесное спасение - Miraculous rescue (Used in dramatic stories or real-life accounts of narrow escapes).
• чудотворный дар - Miraculous gift (Often refers to supernatural abilities in folklore or religious texts).
• чудесное превращение - Miraculous transformation (Common in fairy tales or metaphors for change).

Usage Notes:

'Чудесный' is the most direct equivalent to 'miraculous' in neutral contexts and can be used interchangeably in everyday English-to-Russian translation, but it leans towards positive wonder rather than divine intervention. 'Чудотворный' is more specific and should be chosen for religious or supernatural scenarios to avoid dilution of meaning. Be mindful of context: in formal writing, these adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they describe. For learners, start with 'чудесный' as it's more versatile and less context-dependent.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'чудесный' with 'чудной', which means 'strange' or 'eccentric'. Incorrect: "Это чудной дом" (meaning strange house, but intended as miraculous). Correct: "Это чудесный дом". Explanation: 'Чудной' has a different root and connotation, often implying oddity rather than positivity.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., using 'чудесный' with a feminine noun without changing to 'чудесная'. Incorrect: "чудесный книга" (should be 'чудесная книга'). Explanation: Always match the adjective to the noun's gender, number, and case for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'чудотворный' are deeply tied to Orthodox Christianity, where miracles (chudesa) are central to folklore, icons, and saints' stories. For instance, miraculous healings at pilgrimage sites reflect a blend of faith and national identity, making these terms more than literal—they evoke spiritual heritage.

Related Concepts:

• чудо (chudo) - Miracle
• волшебный (volshebnyy) - Magical
• необычный (neobychnyy) - Unusual