Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'paradoxical'

English Word: paradoxical

Key Russian Translations:

• парадоксальный [pɐrɐˈdɔksəlnɨj] - [Formal, used in academic or philosophical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in intellectual discussions, literature, and science, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves abstract concepts and requires familiarity with Russian adjective inflections; suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

парадоксальный: [pɐrɐˈdɔksəlnɨj]

Note on парадоксальный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("dɔks"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants and vowel reductions in spoken Russian. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Something that appears self-contradictory or absurd but may actually be true, often in logical, scientific, or philosophical contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• парадоксальный - Used in formal writing or discussions to describe situations, ideas, or results that involve a paradox; commonly in academic, literary, or intellectual settings.

Usage Examples:

• Этот парадоксальный вывод ученых заставил нас пересмотреть теорию.

  This paradoxical conclusion by the scientists made us reconsider the theory.

• Его парадоксальный стиль письма привлекает читателей, но пугает критиков.

  His paradoxical writing style attracts readers but intimidates critics.

• В квантовой физике парадоксальный эффект наблюдается в экспериментах с частицами.

  In quantum physics, a paradoxical effect is observed in particle experiments.

• Парадоксальный подарок от друга: книга, которая критикует его собственные взгляды.

  A paradoxical gift from a friend: a book that criticizes his own views.

• Ее парадоксальный характер — смесь смелости и нерешительности — делает её непредсказуемой.

  Her paradoxical character—a mix of boldness and hesitation—makes her unpredictable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

парадоксальный is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ый, with regular changes. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward once basic Russian adjective rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • парадоксный (slightly less formal, often used interchangeably but with a more neutral tone)
  • противоречивый (emphasizes contradiction, used when the paradox is more evident)
• Antonyms:
  • логичный (logical, implying consistency and rationality)
  • последовательный (consistent, highlighting a lack of contradiction)

Related Phrases:

• парадокс времени – A time paradox, often discussed in science fiction or physics.
• парадоксальный эффект – A paradoxical effect, referring to unexpected outcomes in experiments.
• логический парадокс – A logical paradox, commonly used in philosophy to describe self-referential contradictions.

Usage Notes:

парадоксальный directly corresponds to "paradoxical" in English, but it's most appropriate in formal or intellectual contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversation, as it may sound overly academic. When choosing between synonyms like парадоксальный and противоречивый, opt for the former if the focus is on the intellectual intrigue of the paradox rather than outright conflict. Grammatically, ensure it agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, as Russian adjectives must.

• In scientific writing, it's often paired with abstract nouns like "результат" (result) or "идея" (idea).
• Be mindful of context: In Russian literature, it can carry a deeper philosophical connotation, influenced by authors like Dostoevsky.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the base form "парадоксальный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Это парадоксальный книга" instead of "Это парадоксальная книга" (for a feminine noun like "книга").

  Correct: Ensure agreement: "Это парадоксальная книга" (feminine singular nominative). Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case; neglecting this makes the sentence grammatically incorrect.

• Error: Confusing it with "парадоксный," which is a synonym but less precise in formal contexts, leading to a diluted meaning.

  Correct: Use "парадоксальный" for emphasis on paradox in philosophical discussions. Explanation: While interchangeable, "парадоксальный" better captures the nuanced, intellectual aspect, avoiding oversimplification.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like парадоксальный often appear in literary and philosophical works, reflecting a tradition of intellectual depth influenced by thinkers like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. For instance, paradoxes are central in Russian existential literature, symbolizing the complexities of human nature and society, which can help English speakers appreciate the word's role beyond mere contradiction.

Related Concepts:

• контраст (contrast)
• диалектика (dialectics)
• абсурд (absurd)