Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'possible'

English Word: possible

Key Russian Translations:

• возможно /vɐzˈmoʐnə/ - [Adverb, Informal/Formal]
• возможный /vɐzˈmoʐnɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations, literature, and formal writing)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic Russian grammar and vocabulary, but straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

возможно: /vɐzˈmoʐnə/

возможный: /vɐzˈmoʐnɨj/

Note on возможно: The stress falls on the second syllable, and the 'ж' sound (like 'zh' in 'measure') can be tricky for English speakers; it softens in fast speech.

Note on возможный: Pronounce the final 'ый' as a soft 'iy' sound; common in adjectives, with potential for palatalization in certain contexts.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Something that can happen or be done (Adjective form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• возможный - Used in formal contexts to describe feasibility, e.g., in discussions about plans or hypotheticals.

Usage Examples:

• Это возможно в ближайшем будущем. (This is possible in the near future.)

  English Translation: This is possible in the near future.

• Возможный исход игры зависит от погоды. (The possible outcome of the game depends on the weather.)

  English Translation: The possible outcome of the game depends on the weather.

• В этой ситуации возможный риск слишком высок. (In this situation, the possible risk is too high.)

  English Translation: In this situation, the possible risk is too high.

• Возможный вариант — отложить встречу. (A possible option is to postpone the meeting.)

  English Translation: A possible option is to postpone the meeting.

Meaning 2: Perhaps or maybe (Adverb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• возможно - Used informally or formally to express uncertainty or potentiality, often at the beginning of a sentence.

Usage Examples:

• Возможно, мы встретимся завтра. (Possibly, we will meet tomorrow.)

  English Translation: Possibly, we will meet tomorrow. (Shows uncertainty in future plans.)

• Возможно, это не сработает, но стоит попробовать. (It might not work, but it's worth trying.)

  English Translation: It might not work, but it's worth trying. (Used in hypothetical or speculative contexts.)

• Возможно, погода улучшится к вечеру. (Perhaps the weather will improve by evening.)

  English Translation: Perhaps the weather will improve by evening. (Common in everyday weather discussions.)

• Возможно, он уже знает об этом. (He might already know about this.)

  English Translation: He might already know about this. (Expresses polite speculation.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For возможно (adverb): This word is invariable and does not change form based on gender, number, or case. It remains the same in all contexts.

For возможный (adjective): As a Russian adjective, it follows the standard pattern of first-declension adjectives. It agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. Below is a table of its basic inflections:

Note: The adjective follows regular patterns, but pay attention to soft endings in certain cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вероятно (veroyatno) - More formal, implying higher likelihood.
  • могучщий (moguchshiy) - Less common, used in poetic or archaic contexts for 'possible' as in powerful or capable.
• Antonyms:
  • невозможный (nevozmozhnyy) - Directly opposite, meaning 'impossible'.
  • невероятный (neveroyatnyy) - Meaning 'unlikely' or 'improbable'.

Related Phrases:

• Возможно, да (Возможно, да) - Meaning: Possibly yes; used in casual agreements or uncertainties.
• Насколько это возможно (Naсколько eto vozmozhno) - Meaning: As much as possible; common in instructions or requests.
• В возможных пределах (V vozmozhnykh predelakh) - Meaning: Within possible limits; used in formal or legal contexts.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'possible' translates to Russian as 'возможно' for adverbial uses (expressing potentiality) and 'возможный' for adjectival uses. Choose 'возможно' when discussing uncertainty in statements, as it often starts sentences and is versatile across formal and informal settings. 'Возможный' requires agreement with nouns, so always adjust for gender, number, and case. In Russian, these words can imply optimism or feasibility, unlike in English, where they are more neutral. Be cautious with word order: adverbs like 'возможно' typically precede the verb for emphasis.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'возможно' as an adjective (e.g., saying "возможно дом" instead of "возможный дом").
  Correct: "Возможный дом" (A possible house).
  Explanation: 'Возможно' is an adverb and cannot modify nouns directly; use 'возможный' for adjectival forms to ensure proper agreement.
• Mistake: Forgetting to decline 'возможный' in sentences (e.g., "в возможный" instead of "в возможном").
  Correct: "В возможном сценарии" (In the possible scenario).
  Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's case; this error often stems from English's lack of declension.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'возможно' often reflect a cautious optimism, especially in contexts like planning or decision-making, influenced by historical uncertainties. For instance, in literature by authors like Chekhov, 'возможно' conveys the fragility of human plans, highlighting Russia's philosophical tradition of contemplating fate and possibility.

Related Concepts:

• вероятность (veroyatnost') - Probability
• реальный (real'nyy) - Real or actual
• потенциал (potentsial) - Potential