Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'precipice'

English Word: precipice

Key Russian Translations:

• пропасть [prɐˈpastʲ] - [General use, can be formal or informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, news, and everyday discussions about danger or geography)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and basic noun inflections in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пропасть: [prɐˈpastʲ]

Note on пропасть: The stress falls on the second syllable ("pastʲ"). Pronounce the 'р' as a rolled 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal meaning: A steep cliff, overhang, or deep abyss in a geographical sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пропасть - Used in contexts describing natural landscapes, such as mountains or canyons; common in formal descriptions or travel writing.

Usage Examples:

• Они стояли на краю пропасти, любуясь видами долины.

  They stood on the edge of the precipice, admiring the views of the valley.

• Путешественники осторожно спускались по склону к пропасти.

  The travelers carefully descended the slope toward the precipice.

• В горах мы увидели огромную пропасть, которая отделяла два пика.

  In the mountains, we saw a huge precipice that separated the two peaks.

• Пропасть была так глубока, что эхо отражалось от стен.

  The precipice was so deep that echoes bounced off the walls.

Figurative meaning: A dangerous situation, crisis, or point of no return, often used metaphorically.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пропасть - Applied in abstract or emotional contexts, such as politics, personal decisions, or warnings; informal in everyday speech but formal in writing.

Usage Examples:

• Страна стояла на краю пропасти экономического кризиса.

  The country was on the edge of a precipice of economic crisis.

• Его решение о смене работы поставило его на пропасть неопределенности.

  His decision to change jobs put him on a precipice of uncertainty.

• В отношениях они достигли пропасти, где доверие было утрачено.

  In their relationship, they reached a precipice where trust was lost.

• Политик предупредил, что без реформ страна скатится в пропасть.

  The politician warned that without reforms, the country would slide into a precipice.

• После ошибки она оказалась на пропасти, но смогла восстановиться.

  After the mistake, she found herself on a precipice but managed to recover.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Пропасть" is a feminine noun in the third declension. It follows regular inflection patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The word is invariable in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • обрыв (obryv) - Similar to a cliff edge, often used for abrupt drops; more specific to vertical breaks.
  • яма (yama) - Refers to a pit or hole, less dramatic than пропасть but interchangeable in some contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • равнина (ravnina) - Flat plain, contrasting the steepness.
  • плато (plato) - Plateau, indicating a stable, elevated area without drops.

Related Phrases:

• На краю пропасти - On the edge of the precipice; used metaphorically for a critical situation.
• Скатиться в пропасть - To slide into the precipice; implies falling into ruin or disaster.
• Глубокая пропасть - A deep precipice; emphasizes depth in both literal and figurative senses.

Usage Notes:

"Пропасть" directly corresponds to "precipice" in its literal and metaphorical uses, but English speakers should note that Russian often pairs it with prepositions like "на краю" (on the edge) for emphasis. It's versatile across formal and informal contexts, but in metaphorical uses, it's more common in written or literary Russian. When choosing between translations like "пропасть" and "обрыв," opt for "пропасть" if the emphasis is on depth and danger rather than a simple break. Grammatically, always decline it according to the sentence's case to avoid errors.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "пропасть" with "провал" (failure or collapse): Learners might misuse "провал" thinking it means the same as "precipice," but "провал" refers to a setback. Correct usage: Use "пропасть" for physical or metaphorical cliffs; e.g., Incorrect: "Экономический провал" for "economic precipice." Correct: "Экономическая пропасть."

• Forgetting to decline the noun: In Russian, "пропасть" must change form, e.g., in genitive case it's "пропасти." Incorrect: "Бояться пропасть" (should be "пропасти" if in genitive). Correct: "Бояться пропасти" in nominative, but adjust as needed.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and literature, "пропасть" often symbolizes existential danger or irreversible decisions, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy or Dostoevsky. It reflects Russia's vast landscapes, where real precipices in mountains like the Caucasus evoke themes of fate and human vulnerability, adding a layer of dramatic intensity to metaphorical uses.

Related Concepts:

• гора (mountain)
• ущелье (gorge)
• скала (cliff or rock)