Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'plausible'

English Word: plausible

Key Russian Translations:

• правдоподобный [prəvdɐˈpɐdbnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• убедительный [ʊbʲɪˈdʲitʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Informal, Adjective, Used in persuasive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions, literature, and everyday conversations, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and adjective inflections in Russian. For 'правдоподобный', it's B2; for 'убедительный', it's also B2 due to similar grammatical complexity.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

правдоподобный: [prəvdɐˈpɐdbnɨj]

Note on правдоподобный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

убедительный: [ʊbʲɪˈdʲitʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on убедительный: Pronounce the 'у' as a short 'oo' sound; the palatalized 'т' adds a soft glide, common in Russian adjectives.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Seemingly reasonable or probable (e.g., in arguments or stories)

Translation(s) & Context:

• правдоподобный - Used in formal contexts like literature or academic discussions to describe something that appears believable.
• убедительный - Applied in informal or persuasive settings, such as debates, to indicate something convincing.

Usage Examples:

• Его объяснение было правдоподобным, но я всё равно сомневался.

  His explanation was plausible, but I still doubted it.

• Эта история звучит убедительной, но требует доказательств.

  This story sounds plausible, but it requires evidence.

• В фильме все детали были тщательно продуманы, чтобы сделать сюжет правдоподобным.

  In the movie, all the details were carefully planned to make the plot plausible.

• Её аргументы были убедительными во время переговоров.

  Her arguments were plausible during the negotiations.

• Правдоподобный сценарий помог избежать ненужных вопросов.

  The plausible scenario helped avoid unnecessary questions.

Meaning 2: Capable of being believed or accepted as true (e.g., in scientific or logical contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• правдоподобный - Common in scientific or analytical contexts where evidence is key.
• убедительный - Used when emphasizing persuasion in everyday or professional speech.

Usage Examples:

• Теория эволюции является правдоподобной на основе научных данных.

  The theory of evolution is plausible based on scientific data.

• Его alibi звучало убедительным, но полиция проверила факты.

  His alibi sounded plausible, but the police checked the facts.

• Правдоподобный план инвестиций убедил инвесторов.

  The plausible investment plan convinced the investors.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'правдоподобный' and 'убедительный' are adjectives in Russian, which typically follow regular adjectival inflections based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify.

Note: These are regular first-declension adjectives with no irregularities. For example, in accusative case, they change based on animacy, but the base form is straightforward.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вероятный (Similar to 'правдоподобный', but more about probability)
  • достоверный (Emphasizes reliability, often used interchangeably with 'убедительный')
• Antonyms:
  • невероятный (Unlikely or improbable)
  • неубедительный (Unconvincing)

Related Phrases:

• Правдоподобная история - A plausible story (Used in narrative contexts to describe believable tales.)
• Убедительный аргумент - A plausible argument (Common in debates or legal settings for persuasive points.)
• Сделать правдоподобным - To make plausible (Refers to enhancing credibility in writing or speech.)

Usage Notes:

'Плausible' in English often translates to 'правдоподобный' in more neutral or factual contexts, while 'убедительный' is better for situations involving persuasion. Be mindful of the adjective agreement in Russian sentences; always match gender, number, and case with the noun. For example, use 'правдоподобный план' for a masculine noun. In formal writing, 'правдоподобный' is preferred, but in casual conversations, 'убедительный' might feel more natural.

• Context tip: If the focus is on logic, choose 'правдоподобный'; for emotional appeal, opt for 'убедительный'.
• Grammar note: These adjectives can be used predicatively or attributively, e.g., 'План правдоподобный' (The plan is plausible).

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse these by directly translating without considering context. For instance, they might say 'неубедительный' when meaning 'implausible', but confuse it with 'not convincing'. Error: Using 'правдоподобный' in persuasive speech where 'убедительный' is more appropriate. Correct: Instead of "Это правдоподобный аргумент в споре" (which works but is less dynamic), say "Это убедительный аргумент в споре" for emphasis. Explanation: 'Правдоподобный' implies logical probability, while 'убедительный' adds a layer of emotional or rhetorical force.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'правдоподобный' are often tied to literature and philosophy, influenced by authors like Tolstoy, who emphasized realistic narratives. 'Убедительный' reflects the value placed on rhetoric in Russian debates and education, stemming from a history of intellectual discourse in forums like the 19th-century salons.

Related Concepts:

• вероятность (probability)
• аргументация (argumentation)
• доказательство (proof)