Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'precarious'

English Word: precarious

Key Russian Translations:

• неустойчивый [nʲɪʊˈstɐjvʲɪj] - [Adjective, Formal, Singular/Plural]
• рискованный [rʲɪˈskovənɨj] - [Adjective, Informal, Often used in everyday risk assessment]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in discussions of stability, risk, and uncertainty, but not in casual everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and contextual nuances. For 'неустойчивый', it's B2; for 'рискованный', it's also B2 due to similar inflection patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неустойчивый: [nʲɪʊˈstɐjvʲɪj] (Stress on the third syllable; the 'й' sound is a soft palatal approximant, which can be tricky for English speakers.)

рискованный: [rʲɪˈskovənɨj] (Stress on the second syllable; note the rolled 'r' and the soft 'н' in some dialects.)

Note on неустойчивый: Be cautious with the initial 'н' sound, which is nasal and can vary slightly in speed of speech. In formal contexts, enunciate clearly to avoid confusion with similar words.

Note on рискованный: This word often has a more casual tone; the ending 'ый' softens in pronunciation when spoken quickly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Unstable or insecure (Referring to something not securely positioned or likely to change.)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неустойчивый - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as describing physical or emotional instability.

Usage Examples:

• Его положение в компании было неустойчивым из-за частых изменений в управлении.

  His position in the company was precarious due to frequent changes in management.

• Неустойчивое равновесие на рынке делает инвестиции рискованными.

  The precarious balance in the market makes investments risky.

• В горах мы столкнулись с неустойчивым снегом, что потребовало осторожности.

  In the mountains, we encountered precarious snow conditions, which required caution.

• Неустойчивое здоровье пожилого человека вызывало беспокойство у семьи.

  The precarious health of the elderly person caused concern for the family.

Meaning 2: Dangerous or risky (Implying potential harm or uncertainty in decision-making.)

Translation(s) & Context:

• рискованный - Applied in informal scenarios, such as adventurous or speculative activities.

Usage Examples:

• Его рискованный план инвестиций мог привести к большим потерям.

  His precarious investment plan could lead to significant losses.

• Рискованный поход в непогоду был отменён из соображений безопасности.

  The precarious hike in bad weather was canceled for safety reasons.

• В рискованном положении она решила довериться интуиции.

  In her precarious situation, she decided to trust her intuition.

• Рискованные эксперименты в лаборатории требуют строгого контроля.

  Precarious experiments in the lab require strict oversight.

• Его рискованный стиль вождения часто приводил к авариям.

  His precarious driving style often led to accidents.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'неустойчивый' and 'рискованный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most words, but they can be irregular in some cases. Here is a breakdown for each:

For 'неустойчивый' (a typical first-declension adjective):

For 'рискованный', the inflections are similar but follow standard patterns without irregularities.

Note: These adjectives do not change in predicative position (e.g., after 'быть' - to be), making them invariant in some contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нестабильный (Similar to 'неустойчивый', but often used for broader instability; more formal contexts)
  • ненадёжный (Emphasizes unreliability, with a slight connotation of betrayal)
• Antonyms:
  • стабильный (Stable, reliable in long-term contexts)
  • надёжный (Dependable, often in personal or mechanical reliability)

Related Phrases:

• неустойчивое равновесие - A precarious balance, often used in physics or politics to describe fragile situations.
• рискованный шаг - A precarious step, referring to a risky decision in business or personal life.
• в неустойчивом положении - In a precarious position, for describing vulnerability in social or economic contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Неустойчивый' is the more precise translation for 'precarious' in formal or descriptive contexts, such as academic or professional writing, while 'рискованный' suits informal conversations about personal risks. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which is a key difference from English. When choosing between translations, opt for 'неустойчивый' for physical instability and 'рискованный' for decision-making scenarios. Additionally, these words are neutral in tone but can carry negative connotations, so context is crucial to avoid misinterpretation.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'неустойчивый' with 'нестабильный': English learners often use 'нестабильный' interchangeably, but it's broader and less specific to immediate danger. Error: "Его положение нестабильным" (incorrect if emphasizing precarity). Correct: "Его положение неустойчивым". Explanation: 'Неустойчивый' implies a temporary or physical instability, while 'нестабильный' suggests long-term fluctuation.
• Neglecting adjective agreement: For example, saying "неустойчивый дом" for a feminine noun like "квартира" as "неустойчивый квартира" (error). Correct: "неустойчивая квартира". Explanation: Always match the adjective's ending to the noun's gender and case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'неустойчивый' often reflect the historical context of instability in Russia's political and economic landscape, such as during periods of reform. This can add a layer of resonance in discussions about social change, where 'precarious' situations evoke themes of resilience and adaptability in everyday life.

Related Concepts:

• устойчивость (Stability)
• риск (Risk)
• небезопасность (Insecurity)