Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Parlous'

English Word: Parlous

Key Russian Translations:

• Опасный [ɐˈpasnɨj] - [Informal, Adjective]
• Рискованный [rʲɪˈskovannɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]

Frequency: Low (This word and its equivalents are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but may appear in literature or formal discussions.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2; Learners need familiarity with Russian adjectives and contextual usage to master these translations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Опасный: [ɐˈpasnɨj]

Note on Опасный: The stress falls on the second syllable. Be cautious with the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations may occur in dialects.

Рискованный: [rʲɪˈskovannɨj]

Note on Рискованный: Pronounce the initial 'Р' with a rolled 'r' sound, and note the palatalized 'с' which softens the pronunciation. This word is less variable across regions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Dangerous or perilous situation

Translation(s) & Context:

• Опасный - Used in informal contexts to describe something full of risk or uncertainty, such as a hazardous adventure.
• Рискованный - Applied in formal settings, like business or legal discussions, to indicate something risky or uncertain.

Usage Examples:

• Эта дорога очень опасная в дождливую погоду. (Eta doroga ochen' opasnaya v dozhdlivuyu pogodu.)

  This road is very parlous in rainy weather.

• Инвестиции в этот проект оказались рискованными из-за нестабильного рынка. (Investitsii v etot proekt okazalis' riskovannymi iz-za nestabil'nogo rynka.)

  Investments in this project turned out to be parlous due to the unstable market.

• В parlous ситуации он принял быстрое решение. (V opasnoy situatsii on prinyal bystroe reshenie.)

  In a parlous situation, he made a quick decision.

• Рискованный план может привести к большим потерям. (Riskovannyy plan mozhet privesti k bol'shim poteram.)

  A parlous plan could lead to significant losses.

• Опасный путь через горы отпугивает туристов. (Opasnaya put' cherez gory otpugivaet turistov.)

  The parlous path through the mountains deters tourists.

Secondary Meaning: Precarious or unstable state

Translation(s) & Context:

• Опасный - In contexts involving emotional or financial instability, emphasizing vulnerability.
• Рискованный - For strategic or planned scenarios where uncertainty is a key factor.

Usage Examples:

• Его финансовое положение стало опасным после кризиса. (Yego finansovoe polozhenie stalo opasnym posle krizisa.)

  His financial situation became parlous after the crisis.

• Рискованный маневр в игре мог стоить победы. (Riskovannyy manevr v igre mog stoimat pobedy.)

  The parlous maneuver in the game could have cost the victory.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Опасный" and "Рискованный" are adjectives in Russian, which typically inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard adjectival declension patterns.

These adjectives follow regular patterns, but pay attention to soft sign endings in certain cases. They do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Рискованный (for Опасный) - Often interchangeable in formal contexts, but implies more calculated risk.
  • Небезопасный - Similar to Опасный, used for general unsafe situations.
  • Трудный - Conveys difficulty with an element of danger, less intense than Опасный.
• Antonyms:
  • Безопасный - Safe, directly opposite to both translations.
  • Надёжный - Reliable, contrasting with the uncertainty implied.

Related Phrases:

• Опасная ситуация - A parlous situation; refers to a risky or hazardous circumstance.
• Рискованный шаг - A parlous step; used for a bold, uncertain action in decision-making.
• В опасности - In parlous straits; indicates being in danger or at risk.

Usage Notes:

"Parlous" corresponds closely to "Опасный" in informal, everyday Russian and "Рискованный" in more formal or professional contexts. Choose "Опасный" for emotional or immediate threats, while "Рискованный" suits calculated risks. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. In spoken Russian, these words can vary by region, so context is key for accurate usage.

• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; adapt based on the scenario to ensure natural flow.
• In formal writing, "Рискованный" pairs well with business or strategic discussions.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse gender agreement, e.g., saying "Опасный дом" for a feminine noun like "улица" (street), which should be "Опасная улица". Incorrect: "Я в рискованный ситуация" (wrong case); Correct: "Я в рискованной ситуации" (proper genitive). Another error is confusing with nouns, treating it as invariant—remember, Russian adjectives change forms.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Опасный" often evoke themes from literature, such as in Tolstoy's works, where perilous situations highlight human resilience. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on endurance in the face of uncertainty, stemming from historical events like wars and economic shifts.

Related Concepts:

• Небезопасность
• Риск
• Кризис