Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'opportune'

English Word: opportune

Key Russian Translations:

• уместный /uˈmestnyj/ - [Formal, Adjective]
• своевременный /svɐɪvɐˈrɛmnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal writing, business, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic adjectives).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and contextual usage, though the core meaning is straightforward for learners at this level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

уместный: /uˈmestnyj/

Note on уместный: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'e' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in informal speech may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

своевременный: /svɐɪvɐˈrɛmnɨj/

Note on своевременный: Stress falls on the third syllable; the 'sv' cluster is pronounced as in "swift," and the word often has a more emphatic tone in spoken Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Suitable or appropriate in timing or circumstances (e.g., happening at the right moment).

Translation(s) & Context:

• уместный - Used in formal contexts, such as discussions or writing, to describe something fitting or relevant.
• своевременный - Applied in situations involving timing, like decisions or actions that are well-timed.

Usage Examples:

• Это было уместным решением в данной ситуации. (This was an opportune decision in this situation.)

  English Translation: This was an appropriate decision in this situation.

• Его своевременное вмешательство спасло проект. (His opportune intervention saved the project.)

  English Translation: His timely intervention saved the project.

• В уместный момент она предложила свою помощь. (At the opportune moment, she offered her help.)

  English Translation: At the right moment, she offered her help.

• Своевременные инвестиции принесли значительную прибыль. (Opportune investments yielded significant profit.)

  English Translation: Timely investments yielded significant profit.

• Уместный комментарий успокоил аудиторию. (The opportune comment calmed the audience.)

  English Translation: The appropriate comment calmed the audience.

Meaning 2: Convenient or advantageous (e.g., providing a good opportunity).

Translation(s) & Context:

• уместный - In contexts where something is not just timely but also practically suitable, like in business or social interactions.
• своевременный - Emphasizing the aspect of timeliness in opportunities, such as in planning or negotiations.

Usage Examples:

• Это уместная возможность для карьерного роста. (This is an opportune opportunity for career growth.)

  English Translation: This is a convenient opportunity for career growth.

• Своевременное предложение сделки было принято. (The opportune deal offer was accepted.)

  English Translation: The timely deal offer was accepted.

• Уместный совет от коллеги изменил исход. (The opportune advice from a colleague changed the outcome.)

  English Translation: The appropriate advice from a colleague changed the outcome.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "уместный" and "своевременный" are adjectives in Russian, which follow standard adjective inflection patterns. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. They have regular declensions, but "своевременный" is slightly more complex due to its length.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • подходящий (podkhodyashchiy) - More general, often used interchangeably in casual contexts.
  • актуальный (aktual'nyy) - Emphasizes relevance, with a slight nuance towards current importance.
• Antonyms:
  • неуместный (neumestnyy) - Directly opposite, meaning inappropriate.
  • несвоевременный (nesvoevremennyy) - Meaning untimely or late.

Related Phrases:

• Уместный момент (Umestnyy moment) - Opportune moment; used in timing-sensitive situations like meetings.
• Своевременное действие (Svoevremennoye deystviye) - Timely action; refers to interventions that prevent issues.
• В уместное время (V umestnoe vremya) - At the right time; a common phrase in planning and advice.

Usage Notes:

"Уместный" best corresponds to the spatial or situational aspect of "opportune," while "своевременный" aligns more with the temporal aspect. In formal Russian, prefer "уместный" for contexts like etiquette or decisions, and "своевременный" for time-related opportunities. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns, as Russian requires gender, number, and case matching. For English learners, avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, consider the context to choose the right term.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "уместный" when timing is the key factor, e.g., saying "уместный поезд" (opportune train) instead of "своевременный поезд" for a train that arrives on time.
  Correct: "Своевременный поезд" (Timely train). Explanation: "Уместный" implies suitability in context, not necessarily timing, which can lead to confusion in time-sensitive scenarios.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., using "уместный" with a feminine noun without changing to "уместная."
  Correct: "Уместная идея" (Opportune idea, if the noun is feminine). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree, so learners often overlook this, resulting in grammatically incorrect sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "уместный" often tie into social norms and propriety, such as in literature or everyday interactions where timing and appropriateness are valued for maintaining harmony. For instance, in Russian proverbs, an "opportune" action might reflect the cultural emphasis on patience and strategic timing, as seen in phrases from classic works like those of Tolstoy.

Related Concepts:

• актуальный (aktual'nyy)
• подходящий (podkhodyashchiy)
• момент (moment)