Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'paradox'

English Word: paradox

Key Russian Translations:

• парадокс [pɐˈradəks] - [Formal, Used in academic, philosophical, or scientific contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in intellectual discussions, literature, and science, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and basic Russian noun declensions, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

парадокс: [pɐˈradəks]

Note on парадокс: The stress is on the second syllable ('ra'). Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech, with the 'о' sounding more like a schwa [ə].

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or situation that may actually be true.

Translation(s) & Context:

• парадокс - Used in formal contexts like philosophy, science, or literature to describe logical contradictions that reveal deeper truths.

Usage Examples:

• Этот парадокс известен в философии Канта.

  This paradox is well-known in Kant's philosophy.

• В современной физике парадоксы помогают объяснить квантовые явления.

  In modern physics, paradoxes help explain quantum phenomena.

• Литературный парадокс часто используется для создания драматического эффекта.

  A literary paradox is often used to create dramatic effect.

• Этот парадокс заставляет нас переосмыслить традиционные представления о времени.

  This paradox forces us to rethink traditional concepts of time.

• В повседневной жизни парадоксы могут проявляться в неожиданных ситуациях.

  In everyday life, paradoxes can appear in unexpected situations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Парадокс" is a masculine noun borrowed from Greek via English, belonging to the second declension group in Russian. It follows regular patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with no irregularities. Below is a table of its basic inflections:

Note: As a borrowed word, it does not have verbal forms, but can be used in compounds like "логический парадокс" (logical paradox).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • оксюморон [ɐksʲʊˈmorən] - Similar but more specific to rhetorical figures; used in literary contexts.
  • противоречие [prətʲiˈvɐrʲɪt͡ɕɪje] - A broader term for contradiction, often without the paradoxical resolution.
• Antonyms:
  • логика [ˈlɐɡʲɪkə] - Logic, implying consistency and rationality.
  • последовательность [pəslʲɪˈdʲatʲelʲnəstʲ] - Consistency, contrasting with the self-contradictory nature of a paradox.

Related Phrases:

• Логический парадокс - A logical paradox; used in mathematical or philosophical discussions to highlight inherent contradictions.
• Парадокс времени - The paradox of time; often appears in science fiction or relativity contexts.
• Русский парадокс - The Russian paradox; refers to cultural or historical ironies, such as in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works).

Usage Notes:

"Парадокс" directly corresponds to the English "paradox" as a borrowed word, making it straightforward for English speakers. It is primarily used in formal or intellectual settings, such as academia or literature, and rarely in casual conversation. When choosing between synonyms like "противоречие," opt for "парадокс" if the contradiction has a potential resolution or deeper meaning. Grammatically, it functions as a standard masculine noun, so pay attention to case endings in sentences (e.g., "в парадоксе" for "in the paradox"). Avoid overusing it in beginner-level Russian, as it may sound overly academic.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "парадокс" with "парадоксальный" (paradoxical) and using it as an adjective incorrectly. For example, saying "Это парадокс ситуация" instead of "Это парадоксальная ситуация."

  Correct: "Это парадокс" (This is a paradox) or "Эта ситуация парадоксальна" (This situation is paradoxical).

  Explanation: "Парадокс" is a noun, so it needs proper syntactic placement; misuse can lead to grammatical errors in Russian sentence structure.

• Error: Failing to decline the noun in context, e.g., saying "Я изучаю парадокс" when it should be "Я изучаю парадоксы" in plural form.

  Correct: Decline based on case, as shown in the inflections table above.

  Explanation: Russian requires noun agreement, which English speakers might overlook, leading to incomplete sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, paradoxes are prominent in literature and philosophy, such as in the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, where they reflect the complexities of human nature and society (e.g., the "underground man" in "Notes from Underground"). This reflects a broader Russian intellectual tradition of embracing contradictions, influenced by thinkers like Tolstoy and Soviet-era dialectical materialism, helping to convey the nuanced, often ironic worldview in Russian arts.

Related Concepts:

• диалектика
• противоречие
• оксюморон
• абсурд