Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'peril'

English Word: peril

Key Russian Translations:

• опасность /ɐˈpasnəsʲtʲ/ - [Formal, Singular]
• угроза /uˈɡro.zə/ - [Formal, can imply an active threat]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, news, and safety contexts, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic formal vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

опасность: /ɐˈpasnəsʲtʲ/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'sʲ' indicates a palatalized 's' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers)

угроза: /uˈɡro.zə/ (Stress on the second syllable; note the soft 'z' sound)

Note on опасность: The palatalization in /sʲtʲ/ may sound like a 'sh' to English ears; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A serious and immediate danger or risk to safety.

Translation(s) & Context:

• опасность - Used in formal contexts like warnings, reports, or descriptions of hazards; implies a potential or ongoing risk.
• угроза - Used when the peril is more active or intentional, such as in legal or security discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В этом районе существует реальная опасность наводнения из-за частых дождей.

  In this area, there exists a real peril of flooding due to frequent rains.

• Альпинисты игнорировали опасность лавины, что привело к трагедии.

  The climbers ignored the peril of an avalanche, which led to a tragedy.

• Эта угроза ядерной войны представляет глобальную опасность для человечества.

  This threat of nuclear war poses a global peril to humanity.

• В повседневной жизни мы часто недооцениваем опасность от бытовых приборов.

  In everyday life, we often underestimate the peril from household appliances.

• Для исследователей Антарктиды основная опасность — это внезапные бури.

  For Antarctic researchers, the main peril is sudden storms.

Meaning: A state of being in danger, often metaphorical.

Translation(s) & Context:

• опасность - Applied in metaphorical contexts, such as financial or emotional peril.
• угроза - Less common here, but can be used for imminent metaphorical dangers.

Usage Examples:

• Финансовая опасность банкротства заставила компанию пересмотреть стратегию.

  The financial peril of bankruptcy forced the company to rethink its strategy.

• В отношениях между странами любая опасность эскалации конфликта должна быть предотвращена.

  In relations between countries, any peril of conflict escalation must be prevented.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are feminine nouns in Russian. "Опасность" is a third-declension noun, while "угроза" follows standard first-declension patterns. They inflect based on case, number, and gender.

For "угроза", the declension is similar: Nominative singular - угроза; Genitive singular - угрозы; etc. These nouns do not have irregular forms but follow standard rules for feminine nouns ending in -а/-я.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • риск (risk; more about probability than immediate danger)
  • угроза (as above, but often implies external force)
  • небезопасность (less common, emphasizing lack of safety)
• Antonyms:
  • безопасность (safety; directly opposes the concept of peril)
  • стабильность (stability; used in contexts of security)

Related Phrases:

• в опасности - In peril; used to describe a state of danger, e.g., "Человек в опасности" (The person is in peril).
• представлять опасность - To pose a peril; e.g., "Этот вирус представляет опасность для здоровья" (This virus poses a peril to health).
• опасность войны - Peril of war; a common phrase in geopolitical discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Опасность" directly corresponds to "peril" in formal English contexts, such as risks in safety or emergencies, but it is more neutral and less dramatic than English synonyms like "hazard." Use it in written reports or official language; in casual speech, Russians might opt for simpler terms. When choosing between "опасность" and "угроза," select "угроза" if the peril involves an intentional or external threat. Grammatically, always decline it according to its case in a sentence, e.g., "из-за опасности" (because of the peril).

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "опасность" without proper declension, e.g., saying "в опасность" instead of "в опасности" (in peril). Correct: Always adjust for case; explanation: Russian nouns must agree with prepositions and sentence structure.
• Mistake: Confusing with "риск," which is more about probability; e.g., translating "financial peril" as "риск" when "опасность" is more accurate. Correct: Use "опасность банкротства"; explanation: "Риск" implies chance, while "опасность" emphasizes immediate threat.
• Mistake: Overusing in informal contexts; e.g., saying "Эта еда опасность" instead of "Эта еда опасна" (This food is perilous). Correct: "Опасность" is a noun, not an adjective; use adjectives like "опасный" for descriptions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "опасность" often appear in literature and media reflecting historical events, such as wars or natural disasters in the 20th century. For instance, Soviet-era narratives frequently used it to describe perils of industrialization or conflict, embedding a sense of resilience and caution in everyday language.

Related Concepts:

• риск
• угроза
• безопасность
• катастрофа