Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reliable'

English Word: reliable

Key Russian Translations:

• надежный (/nɐˈdʲeʐnɨj/) - [Formal, Adjective, Used in general contexts to describe dependability]
• достоверный (/dəstɐˈvʲernɨj/) - [Formal, Adjective, Often used in contexts implying accuracy or verifiability, such as in science or news]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in professional and descriptive contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B1 - Intermediate level; learners should be familiar with adjective inflections and common descriptive words by this stage. For "надежный," it's straightforward, but "достоверный" may require more nuance in usage.

Pronunciation (Russian):

надежный: /nɐˈdʲeʐnɨj/

Note on надежный: The stress is on the third syllable, and the "ж" sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a clear "zh" as in "measure."

достоверный: /dəstɐˈvʲernɨj/

Note on достоверный: Stress falls on the third syllable; the "вʲ" indicates a palatalized "v," which softens the sound before the following vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Dependable or trustworthy (general sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• надежный - Used in everyday situations to describe something or someone that can be relied upon, such as a product or a person in formal or informal settings.
• достоверный - Applied in contexts requiring verification, like reliable sources in journalism, but less common for personal traits.

Usage Examples:

• Этот механизм очень надежен и не ломается даже в экстремальных условиях.

  This mechanism is very reliable and doesn't break even in extreme conditions.

• Мой друг всегда надежен; он никогда не подводит в трудные моменты.

  My friend is always reliable; he never lets me down in difficult moments.

• В нашей компании мы предпочитаем использовать надежные поставщиков для обеспечения качества.

  In our company, we prefer to use reliable suppliers to ensure quality.

• Эта информация не надеждна, так как источник устарел.

  This information is not reliable, as the source is outdated.

Meaning 2: Accurate or verifiable (specific sense, e.g., in data or evidence)

Translation(s) & Context:

• достоверный - Best for contexts involving facts, data, or evidence, emphasizing truthfulness in formal environments like academia or legal settings.
• надежный - Can be used interchangeably but less precisely for accuracy-focused scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Достоверные данные необходимы для проведения научного исследования.

  Reliable data is necessary for conducting scientific research.

• Этот свидетель предоставил достоверные доказательства в суде.

  This witness provided reliable evidence in court.

• Мы нуждаемся в достоверном источнике, чтобы подтвердить эти факты.

  We need a reliable source to verify these facts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "надежный" and "достоверный" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a regular pattern for most forms, agreeing with the nouns they modify.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • устойчивый (/usˈtɔɪɪvɨj/) - Similar to "reliable" in stability, but often used for physical or emotional steadiness; more common in technical contexts.
  • твердый (/ˈtvʲerdɨj/) - Implies firmness or solidity, with a nuance of reliability in resolve.
• Antonyms:
  • ненадежный (/nʲɪnɐˈdʲeʐnɨj/)
  • неверный (/nʲɪˈvʲernɨj/)

Related Phrases:

• надежный партнер - A reliable partner; Used in business or personal relationships to denote trustworthiness.
• достоверная информация - Reliable information; Common in media and research contexts for verified data.
• быть надежным как скала - To be as reliable as a rock; An idiomatic expression emphasizing steadfastness in informal speech.

Usage Notes:

"Надежный" directly corresponds to the English "reliable" in most contexts, making it a versatile choice for everyday use. However, "достоверный" is more precise for situations involving accuracy, such as in scientific or legal English equivalents. Be mindful of the formal tone; "надежный" can be used informally, but always ensure adjective agreement with the noun in gender, number, and case. When choosing between translations, opt for "достоверный" if the emphasis is on verifiability rather than general dependability.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "надежный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "надежный машина" instead of "надежная машина" for "reliable car."
  Correct: "Надежная машина" – Explanation: Adjectives must agree with the noun's gender (feminine in this case), so always check the noun's form first.
• Mistake: Confusing "надежный" with "достоверный" in contexts of accuracy, e.g., translating "reliable news" as "надежный новости" when it should be "достоверные новости."
  Correct: "Достоверные новости" – Explanation: "Достоверный" better conveys factual reliability, while "надежный" might imply general trustworthiness without verification.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, reliability (as in "надежный") is highly valued, especially in personal relationships and professional settings, reflecting the historical emphasis on endurance and trust in a challenging environment. For instance, phrases like "надежный как русский медведь" (reliable as a Russian bear) playfully invoke national symbols to underscore steadfastness, though such expressions are more metaphorical than literal.

Related Concepts:

• устойчивость
• доверие
• твердость