Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'perilous'

English Word: perilous

Key Russian Translations:

• опасный /ɐˈpasnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective]
• рискованный /rʲɪskɐˈvanɨj/ - [Informal, Contextual]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian speech, literature, and media to describe risks or dangers.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2) - Learners at this level should grasp basic adjective forms, but mastering inflections may require practice.

Pronunciation (Russian):

опасный: /ɐˈpasnɨj/ (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'о' is pronounced as a reduced vowel, similar to "uh".)

рискованный: /rʲɪskɐˈvanɨj/ (Note on рискованный: Pay attention to the palatalized 'р' sound, which is a common feature in Russian adjectives.)

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Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Dangerous or full of risk

Translation(s) & Context:

• опасный - Used in formal contexts to describe situations, objects, or activities that pose a threat, such as in safety instructions or news reports.
• рискованный - Applied in informal or adventurous scenarios, like describing extreme sports or business ventures.

Usage Examples:

• Эта дорога очень опасная в дождливую погоду.

  This road is very perilous in rainy weather.

• Рискованный проект может привести к большим потерям.

  A perilous project might lead to significant losses.

• В горах опасные тропы требуют специального оборудования.

  In the mountains, perilous paths require special equipment.

• Его рискованная затея закончилась успехом, несмотря на все трудности.

  His perilous venture ended in success despite all the difficulties.

• Опасные химикаты должны храниться в специальных контейнерах.

  Perilous chemicals must be stored in special containers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "опасный" and "рискованный" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

For "опасный" (an example of a regular adjective):

"рискованный" follows the same inflection pattern as "опасный" since it is also a first-declension adjective. There are no irregular forms for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • рискованный (similar to 'perilous' but with a connotation of adventure)
  • небезопасный (more neutral, used when something is not entirely safe)
  • угрожающий (implies an active threat, often in contexts like warnings)
• Antonyms:
  • безопасный (safe)
  • надежный (reliable, implying no risk)

Related Phrases:

• опасная ситуация - A perilous situation; used to describe emergencies or high-risk events.
• рискованный шаг - A perilous step; refers to a bold or dangerous decision in personal or professional life.
• в опасной близости - In perilous proximity; indicates being too close to danger, like in safety protocols.

Usage Notes:

"Опасный" directly corresponds to "perilous" in formal contexts, emphasizing inherent danger, while "рискованный" is better for situations involving calculated risks. In Russian, always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. For example, use "опасная" for feminine nouns. When translating "perilous," choose based on context: formal writing prefers "опасный," while conversational speech might opt for "рискованный." Be cautious with regional variations; these words are standard across Russian dialects.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "опасный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "опасный женщина" instead of "опасная женщина" (for a feminine noun).

  Correct: "Опасная женщина" - Explanation: Adjectives must agree in gender; this mistake often occurs due to English's lack of gender agreement.

• Error: Confusing "рискованный" with "рисковый," which implies recklessness more than peril.

  Correct: Use "рискованный" for calculated peril; Explanation: "Рисковый" can sound more negative, so context matters to avoid miscommunication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "опасный" often appear in contexts related to historical events, such as wartime dangers or extreme weather in vast landscapes. This reflects Russia's emphasis on resilience and caution in everyday life, where acknowledging peril is common in literature and media, like in the works of Tolstoy or modern safety campaigns.

Related Concepts:

• риск (risk)
• угроза (threat)
• безопасность (safety)