Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'phenomenal'

English Word: phenomenal

Key Russian Translations:

• феноменальный [fʲɪnɐˈmʲenəlnɨj] - [Formal, used in academic or professional contexts]
• замечательный [zɐˈmʲetʂətʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Informal, everyday conversation]
• исключительный [ɪsklʲʊˈtʂɪtʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, emphasizing rarity or uniqueness]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in written and spoken Russian, especially in media, reviews, and discussions about achievements or events)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with adjective forms and nuanced vocabulary; 'феноменальный' may be more challenging due to its loanword origin, while 'замечательный' is slightly easier at B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

феноменальный: fʲɪnɐˈmʲenəlnɨj

замечательный: zɐˈmʲetʂətʲɪlʲnɨj

исключительный: ɪsklʲʊˈtʂɪtʲɪlʲnɨj

Note on феноменальный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ('me-'), which can be tricky for learners; it's a loanword from English via French, so pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Exceptionally good, impressive, or remarkable

Translation(s) & Context:

• феноменальный - Used in formal contexts, such as scientific descriptions or reviews of performances, to denote something extraordinary.
• замечательный - Applied in informal or everyday situations, like complimenting a meal or event, to express positivity without extreme formality.
• исключительный - Employed when highlighting uniqueness, such as in legal or evaluative contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Этот фильм был феноменальным; актёры сыграли блестяще.

  This film was phenomenal; the actors performed brilliantly.

• Её выступление на концерте было замечательным, все аплодировали стоя.

  Her performance at the concert was phenomenal; everyone applauded standing.

• Это исключительный случай, когда феноменальный талант сочетается с усердием.

  This is a phenomenal case where exceptional talent combines with hard work.

• В этом году урожай был феноменальным благодаря хорошей погоде.

  This year, the harvest was phenomenal due to the good weather.

• Замечательный день для прогулки – феноменальная погода!

  A phenomenal day for a walk – the weather is amazing!

Surpassing expectations or extraordinary in scale

Translation(s) & Context:

• феноменальный - In contexts involving measurements or achievements, e.g., scientific breakthroughs.
• исключительный - When emphasizing rarity, such as in business or sports.

Usage Examples:

• Феноменальный рост экономики в прошлом году удивил экспертов.

  The phenomenal economic growth last year surprised experts.

• Исключительный успех проекта сделал его феноменальным примером инноваций.

  The exceptional success of the project made it a phenomenal example of innovation.

• Замечательный, почти феноменальный, прогресс в технологиях за последнее десятилетие.

  The remarkable, almost phenomenal, progress in technology over the last decade.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. 'Феноменальный' and similar words follow standard adjective patterns with some irregularities due to their loanword status.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections but must agree with the noun they modify. If the word is used predicatively, it may remain in its base form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • выдающийся (vydaiushchiisia) - Emphasizes prominence or distinction.
  • отличный (otlichnyi) - More casual, meaning excellent or great.
  • потрясающий (potriasaiushchii) - Conveys overwhelming impressiveness.
• Antonyms:
  • посредственный (posredstvennyi) - Meaning mediocre or average.
  • незначительный (neznachitel'nyi) - Indicating insignificant or unimportant.

Related Phrases:

• феноменальный успех - Phenomenal success; used to describe outstanding achievements in business or personal life.
• замечательный день - A phenomenal day; common in casual conversations about weather or experiences.
• исключительный случай - Exceptional case; refers to rare events in legal or scientific contexts.
• феноменальный прогресс - Phenomenal progress; often in discussions of technology or education.

Usage Notes:

'Феноменальный' directly mirrors the English 'phenomenal' as a loanword, making it ideal for formal translations, but 'замечательный' or 'исключительный' may be more natural in everyday Russian to avoid sounding overly academic. Always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. For example, use 'феноменальный' in professional settings like reviews, but opt for 'замечательный' in informal chats. When choosing among translations, consider the context: 'исключительный' highlights rarity, while 'феноменальный' emphasizes scale.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'феноменальный' in informal contexts where it sounds pretentious. Correct: Switch to 'замечательный' for casual talk, e.g., Incorrect: "Это феноменальный обед" (in a friendly meal); Correct: "Это замечательный обед". Explanation: Russian speakers prefer simpler words in daily interactions to maintain natural flow.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "феноменальный книга" instead of "феноменальная книга". Correct: Always match gender (here, feminine for 'книга'). Explanation: This is a common grammar error for English learners due to English's lack of agreement rules.
• Mistake: Mispronouncing the stress in 'феноменальный' as on the first syllable. Correct: Stress the fourth syllable. Explanation: Incorrect stress can lead to misunderstandings or make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'феноменальный' are often used in contexts celebrating national achievements, such as in sports or arts, reflecting a cultural emphasis on collective excellence. For instance, during events like the Olympics, Russian media might describe athletes' performances as 'феноменальный' to evoke national pride, though in everyday life, more modest terms are preferred to avoid ostentation.

Related Concepts:

• удивительный (udivitel'nyi)
• выдающийся (vydaiushchiisia)
• невероятный (neveroiatnyi)