Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mythical'

English Word: mythical

Key Russian Translations:

• мифический [mʲɪˈfʲitɕɪskʲɪj] - [Formal, used in literary or academic contexts]
• легендарный [lʲɪɡʲɪˈnarnɨj] - [Informal, when emphasizing legendary status, but less precise for purely mythical connotations]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, history, and discussions about folklore, but not in everyday casual speech).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and their inflections, as per CEFR standards. For 'легендарный', it may be slightly easier at B1 due to its more straightforward usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мифический: [mʲɪˈfʲitɕɪskʲɪj]

Note on мифический: The stress is on the third syllable ('fʲit'), and the 'ч' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a clear 'y' glide before 'f'.

легендарный: [lʲɪɡʲɪˈnarnɨj]

Note on легендарный: Stress on the third syllable ('narn'), with a soft 'л' at the beginning. This word has a more neutral pronunciation compared to мифический.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to myths, legends, or imaginary stories (e.g., not real or based on folklore).

Translation(s) & Context:

• мифический - Used in formal contexts like literature or mythology discussions to describe something from ancient tales.
• легендарный - Applied in informal or semi-formal settings, such as storytelling, to emphasize heroic or exaggerated qualities.

Usage Examples:

• В древней Греции боги были мифическими существами, которые управляли миром.

  In ancient Greece, the gods were mythical beings that governed the world.

• Эта история о драконе кажется мифической, но она основана на реальных фольклорных традициях.

  This story about a dragon seems mythical, but it is based on real folklore traditions.

• Легендарный герой Ахилл обладал мифическими способностями, такими как неуязвимость.

  The legendary hero Achilles possessed mythical abilities, such as invulnerability.

• В современном кино мифические существа, как эльфы, часто изображаются с фантастическими чертами.

  In modern cinema, mythical creatures like elves are often depicted with fantastical features.

• Многие культуры имеют свои мифические narrations о создании мира, которые передаются из поколения в поколение.

  Many cultures have their own mythical narratives about the creation of the world, passed down from generation to generation.

Meaning 2: Figuratively describing something incredible or hard to believe (e.g., exaggerated or idealized).

Translation(s) & Context:

• мифический - Used metaphorically in discussions or media to denote something unrealistically perfect.
• легендарный - Common in everyday language for praising something as extraordinary, like a "legendary" achievement.

Usage Examples:

• Его мифическая сила на футбольном поле сделала его иконой спорта.

  His mythical strength on the football field made him a sports icon.

• Эта мифическая диета обещает мгновенное похудение, но она не работает на всех.

  This mythical diet promises instant weight loss, but it doesn't work for everyone.

• Легендарный вкус бабушкиного борща кажется мифическим для тех, кто его никогда не пробовал.

  The legendary taste of grandma's borscht seems mythical to those who have never tried it.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'мифический' and 'легендарный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for first-declension adjectives.

Note: These adjectives are regular and follow standard inflection patterns. They do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • фантастический (more emphasis on fantasy elements; often used for sci-fi contexts)
  • волшебный (implies magical or enchanting qualities, suitable for fairy tales)
• Antonyms:
  • реальный (real, factual)
  • обыденный (ordinary, everyday)

Related Phrases:

• мифическое существо - A mythical creature; refers to beings like dragons or unicorns in folklore.
• легендарная история - A legendary story; used for tales that have become cultural staples.
• миф о создании мира - The myth of world creation; common in discussing cosmogony in various cultures.

Usage Notes:

'Мифический' is the most direct translation for 'mythical' and should be used when referring to elements from mythology, while 'легендарный' is better for contexts involving heroism or exaggeration. In Russian, adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, so always inflect accordingly. For formal writing, 'мифический' is preferred; in casual conversation, 'легендарный' might feel more natural. Be cautious with regional variations, as some dialects may prefer synonyms like 'фантастический' in modern usage.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'мифический' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "мифический женщина" instead of "мифическая женщина".

  Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "мифическая женщина". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender (here, feminine), which English speakers often overlook.

• Error: Confusing 'мифический' with 'мифологический' (mythological, more academic).

  Correct: Use 'мифический' for general mythical concepts; 'мифологический' for study of myths. Explanation: 'Мифологический' implies scholarly analysis, while 'мифический' is about the essence of myths.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'мифический' often evokes Slavic folklore, such as stories of Baba Yaga or the Firebird, which blend pagan elements with later Christian influences. This reflects Russia's rich mythological heritage, where mythical elements are used in literature and art to explore national identity, as seen in works by Pushkin or modern films.

Related Concepts:

• сказочный (fairy-tale like)
• фольклорный (folklore-related)
• героический (heroic)