Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'precipitous'

English Word: precipitous

Key Russian Translations:

• крутой (/kruˈtoj/) - [Adjective, used for describing something steep or sheer, often in physical contexts; Formal]
• резкий (/ˈrɛʂkʲɪj/) - [Adjective, used for describing something sudden, hasty, or abrupt, often in abstract or decision-making contexts; Informal]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear regularly in everyday Russian, especially in descriptive or narrative texts, but not as common as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should grasp the basic usage, but understanding nuances and inflections may require practice. For 'крутой', it's straightforward; for 'резкий', contextual application might be slightly more challenging.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

крутой: /kruˈtoj/ (The stress is on the second syllable; note the rolled 'r' sound, which is common in Russian.)

Note on крутой: Be cautious with the vowel sounds; the 'у' is pronounced as a short 'u' like in "book". Variations in regional accents may soften the consonants.

резкий: /ˈrɛʂkʲɪj/ (Stress on the first syllable; the 'щ' sound is a soft, hissing 'sh' combined with 'ch'.)

Note on резкий: This word often involves palatalization, where the 'к' becomes softer; practice with native speakers to master the flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Steep or sheer (Referring to physical inclines or drops)

Translation(s) & Context:

• крутой - Used in geographical or descriptive contexts, such as describing mountains or cliffs; common in formal writing or everyday conversation about nature.

Usage Examples:

• Гора имеет крутой склон, что делает подъем опасным.

  The mountain has a precipitous slope, making the ascent dangerous.

• Дорога вниз была крутой и извилистой.

  The road down was precipitous and winding.

• В горах мы увидели крутой обрыв над рекой.

  In the mountains, we saw a precipitous drop over the river.

• Крутой берег озера привлекает альпинистов.

  The precipitous bank of the lake attracts climbers.

Meaning 2: Sudden or hasty (Referring to actions, decisions, or changes)

Translation(s) & Context:

• резкий - Used in emotional or decision-making contexts, such as abrupt changes in behavior or plans; more common in informal speech or literature.

Usage Examples:

• Его резкое решение уйти с работы шокировало всех.

  His precipitous decision to quit his job shocked everyone.

• Резкий поворот в погоде привел к отмене мероприятия.

  The precipitous change in weather led to the event's cancellation.

• Она сделала резкий шаг вперед в своей карьере.

  She took a precipitous step forward in her career.

• Резкий спад в экономике был неожиданным.

  The precipitous decline in the economy was unforeseen.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'крутой' and 'резкий' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard adjectival declension patterns.

For 'крутой' (irregular in some forms due to its root):

For 'резкий' (more regular):

Note: These adjectives do not change in comparative forms without additional suffixes (e.g., круче for 'steepier').

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • крутой: отвесный (steep, vertical; often used interchangeably in physical descriptions, but 'отвесный' implies a more vertical angle)
  • резкий: поспешный (hasty; implies speed without full consideration, similar to 'precipitous' in decision-making)
• Antonyms:
  • крутой: пологий (gentle, gradual; used for slopes that are not steep)
  • резкий: постепенный (gradual; contrasts with sudden changes)

Related Phrases:

• крутой спуск - A steep descent (Used in contexts like skiing or hiking to describe challenging terrain.)
• резкий поворот - A sharp turn (Common in driving or metaphorical situations, e.g., in life decisions.)
• крутой подъем - A precipitous ascent (Often refers to mountains or career advancements.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'крутой' is the preferred translation for the physical sense of 'precipitous' (e.g., a steep cliff), while 'резкий' better captures the abstract sense (e.g., a hasty action). Always consider the context: 'крутой' is neutral and widely used, but 'резкий' can imply negativity, such as recklessness. When using these adjectives, ensure they agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. For English learners, start with simple sentences and practice inflections to avoid errors in formal writing.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'крутой' for abstract situations, e.g., saying "крутой решение" instead of "резкое решение". Correct: Резкое решение (A precipitous decision). Explanation: 'Крутой' is primarily physical; misuse can confuse the meaning.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjectival agreement, e.g., saying "крутой гора" for a feminine noun. Correct: Крутая гора. Explanation: Russian requires adjectives to match the noun's gender, so always check the noun's form.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'крутой' are often used in literature and folklore to describe Russia's vast, rugged landscapes, such as the Ural Mountains. This evokes a sense of adventure and resilience, reflecting historical themes of exploration and endurance in Russian history.

Related Concepts:

• отвесный
• пологий
• поспешный