Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'obstacle'

English Word: obstacle

Key Russian Translations:

• препятствие /prʲɪˈpʲætstvʲɪje/ - [Formal, Neutral; Used in general contexts to denote a physical or metaphorical barrier]
• препон /prʲɪˈpon/ - [Informal, Dialectal; Used in spoken language or regional contexts, less common in standard Russian]

Frequency: Medium - The word 'препятствие' is commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in discussions, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - For English learners, grasping the noun declensions and contextual usage may require intermediate proficiency. The informal variant 'препон' could be B2 if focusing on dialects.

Pronunciation (Russian):

препятствие: /prʲɪˈpʲætstvʲɪje/

Note on препятствие: The pronunciation involves palatalized consonants (e.g., 'п' and 'т' are softened), which can be challenging for non-native speakers. Stress falls on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Something that blocks progress or creates difficulty (e.g., physical, emotional, or abstract barriers)

Translation(s) & Context:

• препятствие - Used in formal writing, discussions about challenges, or legal contexts (e.g., in business or sports).
• препон - Applied in informal conversations, often in rural or colloquial settings to describe minor hindrances.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу мы встретили большое препятствие, которое заставило нас изменить маршрут.

  In the forest, we encountered a big obstacle that forced us to change our route.

• Экономический кризис стал серьёзным препятствием для развития малого бизнеса в России.

  The economic crisis became a serious obstacle to the development of small businesses in Russia.

• В повседневной жизни мелкие препоны, как пробки на дорогах, не должны мешать нашим планам.

  In everyday life, minor obstacles like traffic jams shouldn't interfere with our plans.

• Для спортсмена преодоление препятствий является ключем к успеху.

  For an athlete, overcoming obstacles is the key to success.

• В отношениях между странами политические препоны часто создают ненужные конфликты.

  In relations between countries, political obstacles often create unnecessary conflicts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

препятствие is a neuter noun in the third declension. It follows regular Russian noun patterns with changes in cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its basic declensions:

For препон (less common, informal): It is also a neuter noun but may not inflect as regularly in dialects; in standard Russian, it follows similar patterns but is invariant in some spoken forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • преграда (barrier; often used for physical obstacles)
  • барьер (hurdle; implies something to overcome)
  • трудность (difficulty; more abstract, emphasizing challenge)
• Antonyms:
  • помощь (help; directly opposes by aiding progress)
  • облегчение (relief; suggests removal of barriers)
  • путь (path; implies a clear way forward)

Note: Synonyms like 'преграда' are interchangeable in formal contexts but may carry slight nuances, such as 'барьер' being more associated with sports or social divides.

Related Phrases:

• Преодолеть препятствие - To overcome an obstacle; Used in motivational or problem-solving contexts.
• Столкнуться с препятствием - To face an obstacle; Common in narratives about challenges.
• Создать искусственное препятствие - To create an artificial obstacle; Often in discussions of bureaucracy or manipulation.

Usage Notes:

препятствие directly corresponds to 'obstacle' in English, serving as a neutral term for both literal and figurative barriers. It is versatile across formal and informal settings but leans toward written or professional language. When choosing between translations like 'препятствие' and 'препон', opt for the former in standard communication to avoid regional confusion. Grammatically, always consider case agreement in sentences, e.g., in prepositional phrases. English learners should note that Russian often pairs this word with verbs like 'преодолевать' (to overcome) for dynamic usage.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the nominative form 'препятствие' in all cases, e.g., saying "Я думаю о препятствие" instead of "Я думаю о препятствии".

  Correct: "Я думаю о препятствии" (I am thinking about the obstacle). Explanation: Russian requires genitive case after prepositions like 'о', so learners must adjust for declension.

• Mistake: Confusing with similar words, e.g., using 'препятствие' when 'трудность' is more appropriate for abstract difficulties.

  Correct: Use 'трудность' for challenges like exams. Explanation: 'препятствие' implies a tangible block, while 'трудность' is broader, helping avoid semantic errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of 'препятствие' often appears in literature and folklore, such as in stories by Tolstoy or Pushkin, where obstacles symbolize personal growth or national resilience. For instance, it reflects the historical Russian narrative of overcoming adversity, like in wartime or economic hardships, emphasizing perseverance as a cultural value.

Related Concepts:

• трудность (difficulty)
• препятствие в пути (obstacle in the path)
• барьер (barrier)