Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'regrettable'

English Word: regrettable

Key Russian Translations:

• сожалительный (/səʐəlʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj/) - [Formal]
• прискорбный (/prʲɪˈskornɨj/) - [Formal, often in official or literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal writing and speech, but less frequent in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding adjective inflections and formal vocabulary; for 'прискорбный', it may also be B2 due to nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сожалительный: /səʐəlʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj/

прискорбный: /prʲɪˈskornɨj/

Note on сожалительный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('tel'), and the 'zh' sound (/ʐ/) can be challenging for English speakers, similar to the 's' in "measure". Be mindful of soft consonants in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Expressing regret or sorrow for something unfortunate

Translation(s) & Context:

• сожалительный - Used in formal contexts to describe decisions, events, or actions that cause regret, often in written or professional settings.
• прискорбный - Applied in more official or literary scenarios, such as news reports, to emphasize something deeply regrettable.

Usage Examples:

• Это было сожалительное решение, которое повлияло на всю компанию.

  This was a regrettable decision that affected the entire company.

• Прискорбный инцидент на конференции оставил у всех неприятный осадок.

  The regrettable incident at the conference left a bad aftertaste for everyone.

• В свете новых фактов, его сожалительное поведение стало очевидным.

  In light of the new facts, his regrettable behavior became evident.

• Прискорбный исход переговоров разочаровал обе стороны.

  The regrettable outcome of the negotiations disappointed both parties.

• Сожалительное упущение в контракте привело к юридическим проблемам.

  The regrettable omission in the contract led to legal issues.

Meaning 2: Indicating something that is unfortunate or disappointing

Translation(s) & Context:

• сожалительный - In everyday formal speech, to express mild disappointment without strong emotion.
• прискорбный - Often used in media or formal announcements to highlight something more severe.

Usage Examples:

• Его сожалительное отсутствие на встрече не было оправдано.

  His regrettable absence from the meeting was not justified.

• Прискорбный факт коррупции шокировал общественность.

  The regrettable fact of corruption shocked the public.

• Сожалительное опоздание на поезд стоило ему целого дня.

  The regrettable delay of the train cost him an entire day.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'сожалительный' and 'прискорбный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections; they follow the regular pattern for hard-stem adjectives in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • жаль (zhall) - More informal, expressing pity or regret.
  • прискорбный (already listed, but similar in tone) - With a nuance of deeper sorrow.
• Antonyms:
  • приятный (priyatnyy) - Pleasant or agreeable.
  • удовлетворительный (udovletvoritel'nyy) - Satisfactory.

Related Phrases:

• Выразить сожаление - To express regret; used in apologies or formal statements.
• Прискорбные обстоятельства - Regrettable circumstances; common in legal or narrative contexts.
• Сожалительное признание - Regrettable admission; often in confessions or reflections.

Usage Notes:

'Сожалительный' directly corresponds to 'regrettable' in formal English contexts, emphasizing emotional regret, while 'прискорбный' is better for situations involving public or official disappointment. Both are typically used in written Russian rather than spoken language. When choosing between translations, opt for 'сожалительный' in personal or ethical discussions and 'прискорбный' in broader social or news-related scenarios. Grammatically, always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'сожалительный' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "сожалительный женщина" instead of "сожалительная женщина". Correct: Adjectives must agree with the noun's gender. Explanation: In Russian, adjectives change endings based on the noun, so learners often forget this agreement rule.

• Error: Confusing 'сожалительный' with 'сожалеющий' (regretting). Correct: 'Сожалеющий' implies the action of regretting, while 'сожалительный' describes the state. Example: Wrong: "Он сожалительный." (He is regretting - incorrect form). Right: "Он сожалеет." (He regrets.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing regret through words like 'сожалительный' or 'прискорбный' is often more formal and indirect, reflecting a cultural emphasis on maintaining harmony and avoiding direct confrontation. For instance, in professional settings, Russians might use these terms in official apologies or reports to soften the impact of bad news, aligning with values of collectivism and politeness.

Related Concepts:

• раскаяние (repentance)
• сожаление (regret as a noun)
• невзгоды (misfortunes)