Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nonhuman'

English Word: nonhuman

Key Russian Translations:

• нечеловеческий [nʲɪt͡ɕɪlɐˈvʲet͡ɕɪskʲɪj] - [Adjective, Formal, Used to describe something not human-like, e.g., in scientific or literary contexts]
• нечеловечный [nʲɪt͡ɕɪˈlɐvʲet͡ɕnɨj] - [Adjective, Informal, Used for emotional or hyperbolic descriptions, e.g., extreme or inhuman behavior]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in literature, science fiction, or philosophical discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective inflections and vocabulary related to human qualities. For 'нечеловеческий', it's B2; for 'нечеловечный', it's also B2 due to similar structures.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

нечеловеческий: [nʲɪt͡ɕɪlɐˈvʲet͡ɕɪskʲɪj]

Note on нечеловеческий: The stress falls on the third syllable ("vʲet"), which can be tricky for learners due to the complex consonant clusters. Pronounce it with a soft 'л' sound.

нечеловечный: [nʲɪt͡ɕɪˈlɐvʲet͡ɕnɨj]

Note on нечеловечный: Similar to the first, but with stress on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'н' at the end, which may vary in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not human in nature, form, or characteristics (e.g., referring to animals, aliens, or supernatural entities).

Translation(s) & Context:

• нечеловеческий - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as scientific writing or fiction, to emphasize non-human qualities like strength or appearance.
• нечеловечный - Applied in informal settings to describe inhumane actions or exaggerated traits, often with a negative connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Его нечеловеческая сила позволила ему поднять тяжелый груз. (His nonhuman strength allowed him to lift the heavy load.)

  His nonhuman strength allowed him to lift the heavy load. (This example shows the word in a physical context, highlighting superhuman abilities.)

• В фильме инопланетяне имеют нечеловеческий вид. (In the movie, the aliens have a nonhuman appearance.)

  In the movie, the aliens have a nonhuman appearance. (Demonstrates use in describing extraterrestrial forms.)

• Её нечеловечный крик эхом разнёсся по лесу. (Her nonhuman scream echoed through the forest.)

  Her nonhuman scream echoed through the forest. (Illustrates emotional or sensory contexts.)

• Нечеловечные условия труда вызвали протесты. (Nonhuman working conditions sparked protests.)

  Nonhuman working conditions sparked protests. (Shows metaphorical use for inhumane situations.)

• Учёные изучают нечеловечные формы жизни на других планетах. (Scientists study nonhuman forms of life on other planets.)

  Scientists study nonhuman forms of life on other planets. (Applies in scientific discourse.)

Meaning 2: Lacking human qualities like empathy or morality (e.g., in ethical discussions).

Translation(s) & Context:

• нечеловечный - Often used in moral or social contexts to denote cruelty or detachment.

Usage Examples:

• Его нечеловечное отношение к животным шокировало всех. (His nonhuman attitude towards animals shocked everyone.)

  His nonhuman attitude towards animals shocked everyone. (Emphasizes lack of empathy.)

• Война приводит к нечеловечным страданиям. (War leads to nonhuman suffering.)

  War leads to nonhuman suffering. (Used in discussions of human rights.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'нечеловеческий' and 'нечеловечный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow the standard first-declension adjective patterns, with some irregularities in spelling due to the prefix 'не-'.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form but must agree with the noun they modify. They are invariable in comparative forms (e.g., нечеловеческой).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сверхъестественный (supernatural; implies otherworldly qualities)
  • инопланетный (alien; specific to extraterrestrial contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • человеческий (human; directly opposite, meaning relating to humans)
  • гуманный (humanitarian; ethical connotation)

Note: 'сверхъестественный' often carries a more mystical nuance than 'нечеловеческий'.

Related Phrases:

• нечеловеческая сила - Nonhuman strength; refers to extraordinary physical power, often in heroic or fictional narratives.
• нечеловечный мир - Nonhuman world; used to describe alien environments or societies in science fiction.
• нечеловеческий разум - Nonhuman intelligence; common in discussions of AI or animal cognition, with a focus on non-human thinking.

Usage Notes:

'Nonhuman' translates most accurately to 'нечеловеческий' in formal contexts like biology or philosophy, where precision is key. 'Нечеловечный' is better for informal or emotional uses, such as criticizing inhumane actions. Be mindful of gender and case agreement in sentences; for example, use the feminine form with feminine nouns. When choosing between translations, opt for 'нечеловеческий' in scientific writing and 'нечеловечный' in everyday complaints. This word pair highlights Russian's nuance in describing human vs. non-human traits, which doesn't always align directly with English.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'нечеловеческий' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "нечеловеческий женщина" instead of "нечеловеческая женщина".
  Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "нечеловеческая женщина" (nonhuman woman).
  Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case; this error stems from English's lack of inflection.
• Mistake: Confusing with 'нечеловечный' in formal contexts, e.g., using it in a scientific paper where 'нечеловеческий' is more appropriate.
  Correct: Use 'нечеловеческий' for descriptive neutrality.
  Explanation: 'Нечеловечный' has a more judgmental tone, which can alter the meaning unintendedly.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'нечеловеческий' often appear in literature and folklore, such as in stories by Gogol or sci-fi by the Strugatsky brothers, to explore themes of otherness and humanity. This reflects Russia's historical fascination with the supernatural and the human condition, influenced by Orthodox Christianity and Soviet-era science fiction, where 'nonhuman' elements symbolize moral or existential dilemmas.

Related Concepts:

• инопланетный (alien)
• сверхъестественный (supernatural)
• животный (animalistic)