Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pernicious'

English Word: pernicious

Key Russian Translations:

• вредный [vˈrʲednɨj] - [Formal; Adjective, often used in general or scientific contexts]
• пагубный [pɐˈɡubnɨj] - [Formal; Adjective, implying insidious or long-term harm, especially in literary or philosophical discussions]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, less so in everyday spoken Russian)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of adjective inflections and nuanced vocabulary, varying by translation—e.g., 'вредный' is B1, while 'пагубный' is B2 due to its more abstract connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вредный: [vˈrʲednɨj]

Note on вредный: The stress falls on the first syllable ('vˈrʲed-'), and the 'р' is rolled, which can be challenging for English speakers. Be mindful of the soft 'е' sound.

пагубный: [pɐˈɡubnɨj]

Note on пагубный: Stress is on the second syllable ('pɐˈɡub-'), with a soft 'г' that blends into the following vowel; this word often has a more emphatic pronunciation in rhetorical speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Causing harm or injury, especially in a gradual or insidious way

Translation(s) & Context:

• вредный - Used in contexts describing everyday harmful effects, such as health or environmental issues; common in formal reports or discussions.
• пагубный - Applied to more profound, long-term damage, often in moral, social, or historical contexts; preferred in literature or philosophical texts.

Usage Examples:

• Этот вредный обычай постепенно подрывает здоровье общества.

  This pernicious custom gradually undermines the health of society.

• Пагубный эффект глобального потепления уже ощущается во всем мире.

  The pernicious effect of global warming is already felt worldwide.

• Вредный газ, выделяемый заводами, может привести к серьезным заболеваниям.

  The pernicious gas emitted by factories can lead to serious illnesses.

• Пагубные привычки в молодости часто оставляют след на всю жизнь.

  Pernicious habits in youth often leave a mark for life.

• Этот вредный вирус распространяется незаметно, нанося ущерб иммунитету.

  This pernicious virus spreads insidiously, damaging the immune system.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'вредный' and 'пагубный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives follow regular patterns for most cases, but they must agree with the nouns they modify. Below is a table for 'вредный' as an example; 'пагубный' follows similar rules.

For 'пагубный', the inflections are identical in pattern. These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward once the basic rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • опасный (opasnyy) - More general, implying immediate danger; often used interchangeably but less insidious connotation.
  • разрушительный (razrushitel'nyy) - Emphasizes destruction; suitable for contexts involving physical or societal breakdown.
• Antonyms:
  • полезный (poleznyy) - Directly opposite, meaning beneficial or helpful.
  • благоприятный (blagopriyatnyy) - Meaning favorable, often in environmental or health contexts.

Related Phrases:

• вредный эффект - Harmful effect; Used in scientific or medical discussions to describe negative outcomes.
• пагубные последствия - Pernicious consequences; Common in legal or historical contexts to highlight long-term damage.
• вредная привычка - Pernicious habit; Refers to bad routines, often in self-help or psychological settings.

Usage Notes:

'Вредный' is a direct and versatile translation for 'pernicious' in most contexts, but it lacks the subtle, insidious nuance that 'пагубный' captures, which is closer to the English word's original Latin roots. Choose 'пагубный' for formal, literary, or philosophical uses where gradual harm is emphasized. Both words are typically used in written Russian rather than casual speech, and they must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. For example, avoid using them in informal slang; instead, opt for simpler terms in everyday conversation.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'вредный' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "вредный дом" when it should be "вредный дом" in nominative, but forgetting to change to genitive in phrases like "вредного влияния" (pernicious influence). Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "вредного влияния на здоровье".

• Mistake: Confusing 'пагубный' with 'вредный' and using it in overly casual contexts, e.g., "Это пагубный еда" instead of "Это вредная еда" for simple harmful food. Correct: Reserve 'пагубный' for more serious implications to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

• Mistake: Mispronouncing the stress, e.g., stressing the wrong syllable in 'вредный'. Correct: Always stress the first syllable to maintain clarity and natural flow.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'пагубный' often carry a moral or historical weight, reflecting Russia's literary tradition (e.g., in Dostoevsky's works, where pernicious influences symbolize societal decay). This can help English speakers understand how Russian views gradual harm as tied to broader ethical or national narratives, unlike the more neutral English usage.

Related Concepts:

• вред (harm)
• опасность (danger)
• разрушение (destruction)