Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'passive'

English Word: passive

Key Russian Translations:

• пассивный [ˈpasʲɪvnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Used in general descriptions]
• пассив [ˈpasʲɪf] - [Noun, Formal, Used in grammatical or technical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in educational, technical, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective and noun forms, suitable for learners with some grammatical knowledge. For 'пассивный' as an adjective: B2; for 'пассив' as a noun: B1 if in simple contexts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пассивный: [ˈpasʲɪvnɨj]

пассив: [ˈpasʲɪf]

Note on пассивный: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'ы' sound can be tricky for English speakers, similar to a short 'i' in "bit" but with a slight palatalization.

Note on пассив: Pronounced with a soft 's' sound; be mindful of the final consonant cluster.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: As an adjective, describing something inactive, not taking action, or resistant to change.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пассивный - Used in formal contexts like psychology, economics, or daily life to describe a lack of initiative (e.g., in business or personal behavior).

Usage Examples:

• Его пассивный подход к работе часто приводит к проблемам. (His passive approach to work often leads to problems.)

  Translation: His passive approach to work often leads to problems.

• В этой игре пассивные игроки редко выигрывают. (In this game, passive players rarely win.)

  Translation: In this game, passive players rarely win.

• Пассивный отдых на пляже — это то, что мне нужно. (Passive rest on the beach is exactly what I need.)

  Translation: Passive rest on the beach is exactly what I need.

• Она выбрала пассивный стиль инвестирования для стабильности. (She chose a passive investment style for stability.)

  Translation: She chose a passive investment style for stability.

Meaning 2: As a noun, referring to the passive voice in grammar or a state of inactivity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пассив - Primarily used in linguistic or educational contexts to denote the passive voice, or in finance to mean liabilities.

Usage Examples:

• В русском языке пассив часто используется для подчеркивания объекта. (In the Russian language, the passive is often used to emphasize the object.)

  Translation: In the Russian language, the passive is often used to emphasize the object.

• Финансовый пассив компании вырос за последний год. (The financial passive of the company has grown over the last year.)

  Translation: The financial passive of the company has grown over the last year.

• Урок о пассиве помог мне лучше понять грамматику. (The lesson on the passive helped me understand grammar better.)

  Translation: The lesson on the passive helped me understand grammar better.

• Пассив в предложении делает текст более формальным. (The passive in a sentence makes the text more formal.)

  Translation: The passive in a sentence makes the text more formal.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'пассивный' (adjective): It follows the standard pattern of Russian adjectives, which inflect for gender, number, and case. It is a regular adjective derived from a foreign word.

For 'пассив' (noun): It is a masculine noun of the second declension and inflects regularly for case and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пассивный: инертный (inertnyy) - More emphasis on complete lack of movement.
  • пассив: страдательный залог (stradatel'nyy zalog) - Specifically in grammar.
• Antonyms:
  • пассивный: активный (aktivnyy)
  • пассив: актив (aktiv)

Related Phrases:

• пассивный доход (passive income) - Refers to earnings from investments without active involvement.
• пассивная агрессия (passive aggression) - Describes indirect hostility or resistance.
• страдательный залог в пассиве (passive voice in grammar) - A phrase used in linguistic discussions to explain sentence structure.

Usage Notes:

'Passive' translates to 'пассивный' when used as an adjective, aligning closely with English in contexts like behavior or systems, but it's more formal in Russian. For the noun form 'пассив', it's exact in grammatical contexts and finance. Choose 'пассивный' for everyday descriptions and 'пассив' for technical ones. Be aware of Russian's case system, which affects how these words integrate into sentences. In informal speech, synonyms like 'инертный' might be preferred for nuance.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'пассивный' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Я пассивный" in a context requiring the genitive case.
  Correct: "Я имею пассивный подход" (I have a passive approach).
  Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in case, gender, and number, unlike English adjectives.
• Mistake: Confusing 'пассив' with 'пассивный' in grammar discussions, e.g., saying "пассивный залог" instead of "пассив".
  Correct: Use "пассив" for the grammatical term.
  Explanation: 'Пассив' is the noun for the voice, while 'пассивный' is an adjective, leading to semantic errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of 'passive' behavior, as in 'пассивный', often carries a negative connotation, implying laziness or avoidance, which contrasts with the value placed on initiative and collectivism in Russian society. In grammar, 'пассив' reflects influences from Western linguistic traditions, highlighting Russia's engagement with global education.

Related Concepts:

• активный (active)
• инертность (inertia)
• страдательный (suffering or passive in grammar)