Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'powerful'

English Word: powerful

Key Russian Translations:

• мощный /ˈmoʂnɨj/ - [Formal, often used for mechanical or physical power]
• сильный /ˈsʲilʲnɨj/ - [Informal, general contexts, including emotional or abstract power]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in discussions of technology, politics, and personal attributes)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - For "мощный", it involves basic adjective inflections; for "сильный", it's straightforward but requires understanding contextual nuances.

Pronunciation (Russian):

мощный: /ˈmoʂnɨj/

Note on мощный: The 'щ' sound is a soft, voiceless palatal fricative (like 'sh' in 'sheep' but softer), which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the first syllable.

сильный: /ˈsʲilʲnɨj/

Note on сильный: The 'ы' vowel is a central unrounded sound, similar to the 'i' in 'bit' but more neutral; the initial 'с' is soft due to the following 'и'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Having great physical or mechanical strength

Translation(s) & Context:

• мощный - Used in contexts involving engines, machines, or physical force, such as describing a car or tool.

Usage Examples:

• Эта машина очень мощная и может разгоняться до 200 км/ч.

  This car is very powerful and can accelerate up to 200 km/h.

• Мощный двигатель позволяет самолету преодолевать большие расстояния.

  The powerful engine allows the plane to cover great distances.

• В современном мире мощные компьютеры стали необходимостью.

  In the modern world, powerful computers have become a necessity.

• Мощный удар молнии осветил ночное небо.

  The powerful lightning strike illuminated the night sky.

Meaning 2: Having great influence, authority, or impact

Translation(s) & Context:

• сильный - Applied in abstract or emotional contexts, like describing a leader or an argument.

Usage Examples:

• Сильный лидер может изменить ход истории.

  A powerful leader can change the course of history.

• Ее сильный голос вдохновил толпу на протест.

  Her powerful voice inspired the crowd to protest.

• Сильный ветер разрушил старые здания в городе.

  The powerful wind destroyed old buildings in the city.

• Эта сильная речь убедила аудиторию в необходимости изменений.

  This powerful speech convinced the audience of the need for change.

• Сильный эмоциональный опыт оставил неизгладимое впечатление.

  A powerful emotional experience left an indelible impression.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "мощный" and "сильный" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow regular patterns for most forms.

Note: These are regular short-form adjectives. In comparative forms, "мощнее" (more powerful) and "сильнее" are used, with superlatives like "самый мощный".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • могучий - Similar to "мощный", emphasizing mighty or formidable power.
  • влиятельный - For abstract influence, akin to "сильный" in leadership contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • слабый - Weak, directly opposite in physical or emotional strength.
  • бессилие - Powerless, more noun-based but related to lack of power.

Related Phrases:

• мощный удар - A powerful blow; used in contexts like sports or combat.
• сильный ветер - Strong wind; common in weather descriptions.
• мощная экономика - Powerful economy; refers to robust financial systems.
• сильная воля - Strong will; implies determination and resilience in personal development.

Usage Notes:

"Powerful" in English often corresponds to "мощный" for tangible, physical strength (e.g., machinery) and "сильный" for broader or abstract applications (e.g., emotions or influence). In Russian, choose based on context: "мощный" is more formal and technical, while "сильный" fits everyday conversation. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. For example, in formal writing, "мощный" might be preferred in scientific texts, whereas "сильный" is versatile across registers.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "мощный" in emotional contexts where "сильный" is more appropriate, e.g., saying "мощный лидер" instead of "сильный лидер". Correct: "сильный лидер" conveys influential leadership better. Explanation: "Мощный" implies raw power, which can sound odd for people or ideas.

• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., using "мощный" with a feminine noun without changing to "мощная". Incorrect: "Эта машина мощный" (wrong gender). Correct: "Эта машина мощная". Explanation: Russian requires agreement, so always adjust the ending based on the noun's attributes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "сильный" often carry connotations of resilience and endurance, reflecting historical themes of overcoming adversity (e.g., in literature like Tolstoy's works). "Мощный" might evoke industrial might, tied to Russia's emphasis on engineering and military prowess, such as in references to Soviet-era technology.

Related Concepts:

• сила (strength)
• власть (power, authority)
• могущество (might)