Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reactive'

English Word: reactive

Key Russian Translations:

• реактивный /rʲɪˈakʲtʲɪvnɨj/ - [Formal, Scientific context, such as chemistry or physics]
• реагирующий /rʲɪˈaɡʲɪrujʊɕʲtɕ/ - [Informal, Everyday usage, particularly in psychology or general responses]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific and technical texts, but less frequent in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and contextual usage; 'реактивный' is B2, while 'реагирующий' may be B1 for simpler forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

реактивный: /rʲɪˈakʲtʲɪvnɨj/

реагирующий: /rʲɪˈaɡʲɪrujʊɕʲtɕ/

Note on реактивный: The stress is on the third syllable; be mindful of the palatalized 'k' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in fast speech may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: In chemistry or physics, describing something that tends to react or respond to stimuli.

Translation(s) & Context:

• реактивный - Used in formal scientific writing or discussions about chemical reactions.
• реагирующий - Applied in more dynamic contexts, like experimental settings or everyday explanations.

Usage Examples:

• Этот химический элемент является реактивным и легко вступает в реакции с кислородом.

  This chemical element is reactive and easily enters into reactions with oxygen.

• В эксперименте мы использовали реактивные материалы, чтобы ускорить процесс.

  In the experiment, we used reactive materials to speed up the process.

• Его реактивная природа делает его полезным в производстве взрывчатых веществ.

  Its reactive nature makes it useful in the production of explosives.

• Реагирующий организм быстро адаптируется к изменениям окружающей среды.

  A reactive organism quickly adapts to changes in the environment.

Meaning 2: In psychology or general behavior, describing something or someone that responds quickly to external factors.

Translation(s) & Context:

• реагирующий - Common in informal or psychological contexts, emphasizing responsiveness.
• реактивный - Less common here, but used in formal analyses.

Usage Examples:

• Дети часто бывают реагирующими к новым игрушкам, проявляя немедленный интерес.

  Children are often reactive to new toys, showing immediate interest.

• Её реагирующий стиль общения помогает в быстрой адаптации к социальным ситуациям.

  Her reactive communication style helps in quickly adapting to social situations.

• Реактивный подход в терапии фокусируется на немедленных ответах пациента.

  A reactive approach in therapy focuses on the patient's immediate responses.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'реактивный' and 'реагирующий' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives follow standard patterns, but 'реагирующий' as a present active participle can have more variations.

Note: These follow regular adjective inflections. 'Реагирующий' may not change in informal speech but is invariant in some fixed phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • чувствительный (sensitive; often used for emotional reactivity)
  • отзывчивый (responsive; implies quick positive reaction)
• Antonyms:
  • инертный (inert; no reaction in chemical contexts)
  • пассивный (passive; in behavioral contexts)

Note: 'Чувствительный' may imply emotional nuance, while 'отзывчивый' is more positive in social settings.

Related Phrases:

• Реактивные вещества - Reactive substances; Refers to chemicals that readily undergo reactions.
• Быть реактивным - To be reactive; Used in psychology to describe immediate responses to stimuli.
• Реагирующая система - Reactive system; Common in technology for systems that respond to inputs.

Usage Notes:

• Choose 'реактивный' for precise, scientific contexts where the English 'reactive' aligns with chemical properties, as it maintains a formal tone.
• 'Реагирующий' is more versatile for everyday or psychological uses, but avoid it in technical writing to prevent sounding informal.
• Grammar note: Always inflect these adjectives to agree with the noun's gender, number, and case; e.g., use 'реактивная' for feminine nouns.
• In spoken Russian, stress the correct syllable to avoid confusion with similar words like 'активный' (active).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'реактивный' in psychological contexts without inflection, e.g., saying "он реактивный" when it should be "он реактивен" in some cases (though 'реактивный' is correct as an adjective).
  Correct: Он является реактивным в стрессовых ситуациях. (He is reactive in stressful situations.)
  Explanation: English learners often forget adjective agreement; ensure it matches the subject.
• Error: Confusing with 'активный' (active), leading to misuse like "реактивный человек" when meaning 'energetic person'.
  Correct: Use 'активный' for energy; 'реактивный' for responsiveness.
  Explanation: These words overlap semantically, so context is key to avoid mistranslation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and science, terms like 'реактивный' are heavily influenced by Soviet-era chemistry and physics advancements. For instance, reactive materials played a key role in space exploration (e.g., rocket fuels), symbolizing innovation and resilience. This historical context can add depth when discussing 'reactive' in educational or professional settings.

Related Concepts:

• активный
• инертный
• адаптивный