Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'potent'

English Word: potent

Key Russian Translations:

• мощный [ˈmoʂnɨj] - [Formal, often used for physical or abstract power]
• сильный [ˈsʲilʲnɨj] - [Informal, versatile for strength in various contexts]
• эффективный [ɪfʲɪkˈtʲivnɨj] - [Formal, specifically for effectiveness or potency in results]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday language, literature, and technical discussions, but not as basic as everyday words)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective forms and contextual usage, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мощный: [ˈmoʂnɨj]

сильный: [ˈsʲilʲnɨj]

эффективный: [ɪfʲɪkˈtʲivnɨj]

Note on мощный: The 'щ' sound ([ʂ]) can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'sh' in 'she' but more guttural. Pronounce with emphasis on the first syllable.

Note on сильный: The 'ы' sound ([ɨ]) is a central vowel; it's softer than 'i' in 'bit' and requires tongue positioning in the center of the mouth.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Having great power, strength, or effectiveness (e.g., in physical, metaphorical, or influential contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мощный - Used in formal or technical settings, such as describing powerful machinery or influential ideas.
• сильный - Common in everyday informal speech, for personal strength or potent emotions.

Usage Examples:

• Мощный двигатель автомобиля позволяет быстро разгоняться на трассе.

  A potent car engine allows for quick acceleration on the highway.

• Сильный лидер может изменить ход истории своим решением.

  A potent leader can change the course of history with their decision.

• Этот мощный антибиотик быстро борется с инфекцией.

  This potent antibiotic fights infection rapidly.

• Сильный ветер сорвал листья с деревьев во время бури.

  The potent wind tore leaves from the trees during the storm.

• Мощный аргумент в дискуссии убедил всех присутствующих.

  The potent argument in the discussion convinced everyone present.

Meaning 2: Having a strong effect or influence, often in a concentrated form (e.g., in medicine or substances)

Translation(s) & Context:

• эффективный - Best for contexts involving efficiency or potency in outcomes, such as pharmaceuticals.
• мощный - Used when emphasizing raw power, like in chemical concentrations.

Usage Examples:

• Эффективный крем от морщин дает заметные результаты за неделю.

  The potent wrinkle cream delivers noticeable results within a week.

• Мощный яд насекомых может быть опасным для здоровья.

  The potent insect venom can be dangerous to health.

• Эффективный метод обучения помогает студентам быстро усваивать материал.

  The potent learning method helps students absorb material quickly.

• Мощный кофеин в этом напитке держит меня бодрым целый день.

  The potent caffeine in this drink keeps me alert all day.

• Эффективный антисептик уничтожает бактерии на поверхности кожи.

  The potent antiseptic kills bacteria on the skin's surface.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard first-declension patterns for adjectives, with some variations. Below is a table for мощный as an example; similar rules apply to сильный and эффективный, though they may have slight phonetic changes.

For сильный and эффективный, the inflections are regular and follow the same pattern. These adjectives do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • крепкий (krepyy) - Strong, sturdy; often used for physical durability, with a connotation of resilience.
  • могучий (moguchiy) - Mighty; implies greater grandeur than мощный, suitable for heroic contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • слабый (slabyy) - Weak; direct opposite, used in similar contexts.
  • неэффективный (neeffektivnyy) - Ineffective; specifically for the effectiveness meaning.

Related Phrases:

• Мощный удар - A powerful blow; used in sports or physical contexts to describe force.
• Сильный ветер - Potent wind; common in weather descriptions, implying significant impact.
• Эффективный метод - Effective method; refers to successful strategies in learning or problem-solving.
• Мощная машина - Powerful machine; often for vehicles or engines, emphasizing capability.

Usage Notes:

• Choose мощный for contexts emphasizing raw power or intensity, as it aligns closely with the English "potent" in physical or influential scenarios, but it's more formal.
• Сильный is versatile and informal, making it suitable for everyday conversations, though it may not capture the nuanced "effectiveness" of "potent" as well as эффективный.
• Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences; adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case.
• In formal writing or technical fields, эффективный is preferred for "potent" in the sense of efficacy, such as in medicine.
• Avoid direct word-for-word translations; consider the context to select the most appropriate Russian equivalent.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using мощный interchangeably with сильный without considering formality. For example, learners might say "сильный машина" instead of "мощная машина" in a technical context.
  Correct: "Мощная машина" (for a potent machine). Explanation: Сильный is too casual and doesn't convey the same level of power in formal settings.
• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "мощный женщина" instead of "мощная женщина".
  Correct: "Мощная женщина" (feminine form). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with the noun's gender; this is a common oversight for English speakers used to invariable adjectives.
• Error: Overusing эффективный for all meanings of "potent", leading to awkward phrasing like "эффективный ветер".
  Correct: "Сильный ветер". Explanation: Эффективный is best for results-oriented potency, not physical force.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like мощный often carry connotations of resilience and strength, reflecting historical emphasis on endurance in literature and folklore (e.g., in stories of heroes like those in Russian epics). This can add a layer of admiration or respect when describing people or objects, unlike the more neutral English "potent".

Related Concepts:

• влияние (vliyaniye) - Influence
• сила (sila) - Strength
• эффект (effekt) - Effect