Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prodigious'

English Word: prodigious

Key Russian Translations:

• огромный [ɐˈɡromnɨj] - [Formal, used for emphasizing size or extent]
• удивительный [ʊdʲɪˈvʲitʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Informal, used for something remarkable or astonishing]
• невероятный [nʲɪvʲɪˈrɔɪ̯tnɨj] - [Neutral, used in contexts of disbelief or extraordinary quality]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in descriptive language, but not as frequent as basic adjectives in everyday speech)

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

огромный: [ɐˈɡromnɨj] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'o' is pronounced as a short, open vowel.)

Note on огромный: Be cautious with the soft 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it softens before vowels.

удивительный: [ʊdʲɪˈvʲitʲɪlʲnɨj] (Stress on the third syllable; palatalized consonants add to the fluidity.)

Note on удивительный: The initial 'у' is a short vowel, similar to 'oo' in "book," and the word has multiple palatalized sounds that affect pronunciation speed.

невероятный: [nʲɪvʲɪˈrɔɪ̯tnɨj] (Stress on the third syllable; the diphthong in 'ой' glides smoothly.)

Note on невероятный: The 'й' acts as a semi-vowel, making the word flow quickly; practice with native audio for natural intonation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Extraordinary in size, amount, extent, or degree (e.g., referring to something impressively large)

Translation(s) & Context:

• огромный - Used in formal descriptions of physical size or quantity, such as in scientific or literary contexts.
• невероятный - Applied in neutral settings for exaggerated or unbelievable aspects, like in news or storytelling.

Usage Examples:

• Этот дом просто огромный, он занимает целый квартал.

  This house is simply prodigious; it takes up an entire block.

• Его коллекция книг была невероятной по размерам.

  His book collection was prodigious in size.

• Огромный успех фильма удивил всех критиков.

  The prodigious success of the film surprised all the critics.

• Невероятное количество снега в этом году парализовало город.

  The prodigious amount of snow this year paralyzed the city.

Meaning 2: Remarkable or astonishing in ability, talent, or achievement (e.g., referring to exceptional skills)

Translation(s) & Context:

• удивительный - Informal and expressive, often in personal or conversational contexts to highlight wonder.
• невероятный - Used for emphasizing disbelief in achievements, such as in sports or arts.

Usage Examples:

• Её удивительный талант в музыке сделал её звездой.

  Her prodigious talent in music made her a star.

• Невероятные способности ребёнка в математике поразили учителей.

  The child's prodigious abilities in math astonished the teachers.

• Удивительный уровень его знаний по истории был очевиден на лекции.

  His prodigious level of knowledge in history was evident in the lecture.

• Невероятное мастерство художника проявилось в каждой детали картины.

  The artist's prodigious skill was evident in every detail of the painting.

• Удивительный прогресс команды в этом сезоне превзошёл ожидания.

  The team's prodigious progress this season exceeded expectations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All listed translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard first-declension adjective patterns, with some irregularities in spelling for palatalization.

Note: These adjectives do not change in predicative position (e.g., after "быть" - to be), but must agree in all other uses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • большой (bol'shoy) - Similar to "large," but less emphatic.
  • выдающийся (vydaiushchiysia) - For exceptional talent, with a focus on prominence.
  • исключительный (iskliuchitel'nyj) - Emphasizes rarity, often in formal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • маленький (malen'kiy) - Small or insignificant.
  • обычный (obychnyj) - Ordinary or average.
  • незначительный (neznachitel'nyj) - Insignificant or trivial.

Related Phrases:

• Огромный успех (ogromnyj uspekh) - Prodigious success; a common phrase in business or personal achievements.
• Удивительный поворот событий (udivitel'nyj povorot sobytiy) - A prodigious turn of events; used in narratives or surprises.
• Невероятное открытие (neveroyatnoe otkrytie) - Prodigious discovery; often in scientific contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "prodigious" translations like "огромный" are best used for tangible, measurable qualities, while "удивительный" suits more abstract or emotional contexts. Choose based on formality: "огромный" for written or professional English equivalents, and "невероятный" for conversational ones. Always ensure adjective agreement with the noun in gender, number, and case to avoid grammatical errors. For example, if describing a female subject, use the feminine form like "огромная".

• Contextual tip: In idiomatic expressions, "prodigious" might lean towards "невероятный" in modern Russian speech, especially among younger speakers.
• Grammar note: Unlike English, Russian adjectives must inflect, so learners should practice declensions to match "prodigious" in sentences accurately.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is failing to decline the adjective correctly, e.g., saying "огромный книга" instead of "огромная книга" for a feminine noun like "книга" (book). Correct usage: "Эта огромная книга впечатлила меня" (This prodigious book impressed me). Another error is overusing "невероятный" in formal contexts where "огромный" is more appropriate, leading to exaggerated tone; for instance, incorrectly saying "невероятный отчет" when "огромный отчет" (prodigious report) would be better for size emphasis.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "огромный" often carry a sense of admiration for scale, reflecting Russia's vast landscapes and history of grand achievements, such as in literature (e.g., Tolstoy's prodigious works). "Удивительный" might evoke a more personal, emotional response, aligning with Russian storytelling traditions where the extraordinary is celebrated in folklore and daily life.

Related Concepts:

• выдающийся (vydaiushchiysia) - Outstanding or eminent.
• исключительный (iskliuchitel'nyj) - Exceptional or unique.
• эпический (epicheskij) - Epic or grandiose, often in narrative contexts.