Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'moribund'

English Word: moribund

Key Russian Translations:

• Умирающий [u.mʲɪˈraj.ʊʂ.ɨj] - [Formal, used in literary or medical contexts]
• В агонии [v ɐˈɡo.nʲɪ] - [Informal, often in metaphorical or emotional descriptions]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in formal, literary, or medical texts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of advanced vocabulary and context, as the concept involves abstract states of decline. For "Умирающий," it's B2; for "В агонии," it's also B2 due to emotional nuance.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Умирающий: [u.mʲɪˈraj.ʊʂ.ɨj]

В агонии: [v ɐˈɡo.nʲɪ]

Note on Умирающий: The stress falls on the third syllable ("raj"), and the soft sign (ʲ) indicates a palatalized consonant, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on В агонии: This phrase is often pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable of "агонии" for dramatic effect. Avoid over-emphasizing the "v" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Dying or at the point of death (Referring to something in a state of decline, near extinction, or inactivity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Умирающий - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe a person, idea, or institution that is fading away, e.g., in medical or historical discussions.
• В агонии - Applied in informal or emotional contexts for something experiencing intense struggle before ending, such as in personal narratives or metaphors.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В старом городе умирающий рынок уже не привлекает покупателей, как раньше.

  English translation: In the old city, the moribund market no longer attracts buyers as it used to.

• Русский пример: Эта традиция находится в агонии из-за современных изменений в обществе.

  English translation: This tradition is in its moribund state due to modern changes in society.

• Русский пример: Умирающий пациент нуждается в немедленной медицинской помощи.

  English translation: The moribund patient requires immediate medical attention.

• Русский пример: Компания была в агонии после финансового кризиса, но смогла выжить.

  English translation: The company was moribund after the financial crisis but managed to survive.

• Русский пример: Умирающий язык древних племён сохраняется только в устных преданиях.

  English translation: The moribund language of ancient tribes is preserved only in oral traditions.

Meaning 2: Inactive or lacking vitality (Metaphorical use for systems, organizations, or ideas that are stagnant)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Умирающий - In bureaucratic or academic contexts, to indicate something that is effectively defunct but not yet gone.
• В агонии - In creative writing, to emphasize dramatic struggle in non-literal decline.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Умирающий парламент не принимает важных решений из-за внутренних конфликтов.

  English translation: The moribund parliament is not making important decisions due to internal conflicts.

• Русский пример: Их брак был в агонии, но они решили обратиться за помощью.

  English translation: Their marriage was moribund, but they decided to seek help.

• Русский пример: Умирающий проект инноваций так и не получил финансирования.

  English translation: The moribund innovation project never received funding.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Умирающий" is an adjective and follows standard Russian adjectival declension patterns, which are regular but can vary by gender, number, and case. It is derived from the verb "умирать" (to die). "В агонии" is a prepositional phrase and does not inflect as a single word.

For "Умирающий" (as an adjective):

Note: "В агонии" does not change form and is used as a fixed phrase.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Закатывающийся (zakatyvayushchiy) - More poetic, implying a sunset or decline.
  • Угасающий (ugasayushchiy) - Fading away, often used for lights or energy.
• Antonyms:
  • Живой (zhivoy) - Alive or vibrant.
  • Цветущий (tsvetushchiy) - Flourishing or blooming.

Related Phrases:

• В состоянии агонии (v sostoianii agonii) - In a state of agony; used for intense struggle, e.g., metaphorical for a failing business.
• Умирающая цивилизация (umirayushchaya tsivilizatsiya) - A dying civilization; refers to cultural or historical decline.
• На грани исчезновения (na grani ischeznoveniya) - On the brink of extinction; common in environmental contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Moribund" corresponds closely to "Умирающий" in formal English-Russian translation, especially in medical or literary contexts, but "В агонии" adds an emotional layer that might better fit dramatic narratives. Choose "Умирающий" for neutral descriptions and "В агонии" for emphasis on struggle. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender and case agreements, as "Умирающий" must decline accordingly. In everyday Russian, these terms are more common in written language than spoken, so use them in essays or reports rather than casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Умирающий" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Умирающий дом" in genitive context instead of "Умирающего дома."
  Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "В умирающем доме" (In the moribund house).
  Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's case, gender, and number; neglecting this can make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
• Error: Confusing "В агонии" with literal physical pain, leading to overuse in non-emotional contexts.
  Correct: Reserve for metaphorical or intense scenarios, e.g., "Компания в агонии" instead of for minor issues.
  Explanation: This phrase implies extreme distress, so misapplying it can exaggerate meaning and sound unnatural to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "Умирающий" often carry a philosophical or literary connotation, influenced by works of authors like Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, who depicted human mortality and societal decline. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on existential themes, such as in the face of wars or revolutions, making these words more poignant in cultural contexts than in everyday English usage.

Related Concepts:

• Угасание (ugasanie) - Fading or extinction.
• Деградация (degradatsiya) - Degradation or deterioration.
• Крах (krakh) - Collapse or downfall.