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paradoxically

парадоксально Primary Russian translation

Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'paradoxically'

English Word: paradoxically

Key Russian Translations:

  • парадоксально [pɐrɐˈdɔksəlnə] - [Formal, used in academic or philosophical contexts]

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

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adverbial forms and nuanced vocabulary, suitable for upper-intermediate learners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

парадоксально: [pɐrɐˈdɔksəlnə]

Note on парадоксально: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("dɔksə"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the rolled 'r' sound and the soft 'л'. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: In a manner that is self-contradictory, absurd, or contrary to expectations.
Translation(s) & Context:
  • парадоксально - Used in formal writing, philosophical discussions, or scientific explanations to highlight something that seems illogical but is true. For example, in contexts where irony or contradiction is emphasized.
Usage Examples:
  • Парадоксально, но это простое решение решило сложную проблему.

    Paradoxically, this simple solution resolved the complex problem.

  • Его поведение было парадоксально: он ненавидел шум, но работал в шумном городе.

    His behavior was paradoxically: he hated noise but worked in a noisy city.

  • Парадоксально, что в эпоху технологий люди чувствуют себя более одинокими.

    Paradoxically, in the era of technology, people feel more lonely.

  • Книга описывает парадоксально оптимистичный взгляд на хаос.

    The book describes a paradoxically optimistic view on chaos.

  • Парадоксально, что строгие правила иногда приводят к большей креативности.

    Paradoxically, strict rules sometimes lead to greater creativity.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

As an adverb derived from the adjective "парадоксальный" (paradoxical), "парадоксально" does not undergo inflection in Russian. It remains unchanged regardless of gender, number, case, or tense. This is typical for many Russian adverbs, which are invariant forms.

For comparison, if considering the related adjective "парадоксальный," it follows standard adjective declension patterns:

Case Masculine Singular Feminine Singular Neuter Singular Plural
Nominative парадоксальный парадоксальная парадоксальное парадоксальные
Genitive парадоксального парадоксальной парадоксального парадоксальных

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

  • Synonyms: неожиданно (unexpectedly; used for surprise without implying contradiction), странно (strangely; implies oddity but less formality)
  • Antonyms: логично (logically; indicates rational and expected outcomes)

Related Phrases:

  • парадоксально, но... - Meaning: Paradoxically, but...; Used to introduce a surprising or contradictory statement in discussions or narratives.
  • парадоксальный поворот - Meaning: Paradoxical twist; Refers to an unexpected change in events, common in storytelling or analysis.

Usage Notes:

"Парадоксально" directly corresponds to the English "paradoxically" in meaning and function as an adverb. It is best used in formal or intellectual contexts, such as essays, debates, or scientific writing, rather than casual conversation. When choosing between translations, stick with "парадоксально" for precise equivalents; avoid overusing it in spoken Russian, where simpler words like "странно" might suffice. Grammatically, it modifies verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses without changing form, making it straightforward for English learners.

Common Errors:

  • Mistake: Confusing "парадоксально" with the noun "парадокс" (paradox) and using it incorrectly in sentences. For example, learners might say "Это парадоксально событие" (incorrect; this implies "this paradoxical event" but misuses the adverb as an adjective).
  • Correct: "Это событие произошло парадоксально" (This event happened paradoxically). Explanation: Ensure the word is placed appropriately to modify the verb or clause, not to describe a noun directly.
  • Mistake: Over-emphasizing the word in casual speech, leading to awkward phrasing like "Парадоксально я пошел" instead of more natural alternatives.
  • Correct: Use in contextually appropriate settings, e.g., "Парадоксально, я согласен" (Paradoxically, I agree). Explanation: Reserve it for formal contexts to avoid sounding overly academic in everyday talk.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and literature, words like "парадоксально" often appear in philosophical works, such as those by Dostoevsky or in Soviet-era discussions on dialectics. It reflects a cultural appreciation for irony and contradiction, influenced by thinkers like Hegel, and is frequently used in critiques of society or human nature to highlight the absurdities of life.

Related Concepts:

  • диалектика (dialectics)
  • ирония (irony)
  • абсурд (absurd)