Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'retarded'

English Word: retarded

Key Russian Translations:

• Отсталый (Ots-tá-lyi) - [Formal, often used in medical or outdated contexts; carries sensitive connotations]
• Задержанный (Za-der-zhán-nyy) - [Informal/Neutral, primarily for non-medical delays; Plural forms vary]

Frequency: Low (This term and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation due to sensitivity; more frequent in specialized fields like psychology or medicine.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for 'Отсталый' due to its formal and potentially stigmatizing nature; C1 (Advanced) for 'Задержанный' as it involves understanding context-specific nuances in Russian grammar and cultural sensitivity.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Отсталый: /ɐtˈstalɨj/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'ы' sound is a mid-back unrounded vowel, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on Отсталый: Be cautious with pronunciation in formal settings, as the word's connotations may affect delivery. Avoid overly emphatic stress to prevent misinterpretation.

Задержанный: /zədʲɪˈrʐanːɨj/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'ж' is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to 'zh' in 'measure'.)

Note on Задержанный: This word often has soft consonants (e.g., 'дʲ'), which alter pronunciation based on regional dialects; practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Referring to intellectual or developmental delay (Outdated and sensitive English usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Отсталый - Used in formal, medical, or educational contexts to describe developmental delays, but increasingly avoided due to stigma; prefer neutral alternatives in modern speech.

Usage Examples:

• В школе есть специальные программы для отсталых детей, чтобы помочь им развиваться. (V shkole yest' spetsial'nyye programmy dlya otstalykh detey, chtoby pomoch' im razvivatsya.)

  In school, there are special programs for retarded children to help them develop. (This example shows the word in an educational context, though it's outdated and potentially offensive.)

• Медицинский диагноз подтвердил, что ребенок отсталый в развитии. (Meditsinskiy diagnoz podtverdil, chto rebyonok otstalyy v razvitiyi.)

  The medical diagnosis confirmed that the child is retarded in development. (Illustrates formal medical usage, emphasizing the need for sensitivity.)

• Общество должно поддерживать отсталых индивидов, обеспечивая равные возможности. (Obshchestvo dolzhno podderzhivat' otstalykh individov, obespechivaya ravnyye vozmozhnosti.)

  Society should support retarded individuals by providing equal opportunities. (Demonstrates societal context, highlighting advocacy and inclusion.)

• В старых текстах термин "отсталый" использовался чаще, но теперь он устарел. (V starvykh tekstakh termin "otstalyy" ispol'zovalsya chashche, no teper' on ustarel.)

  In old texts, the term "retarded" was used more often, but now it's outdated. (Shows historical usage and evolution of language.)

• Психолог объяснил, что отсталый ребенок нуждается в индивидуальном подходе. (Psikholog ob'yasnil, chto otstalyy rebyonok nuzhdayetsya v individual'nom podkhode.)

  The psychologist explained that a retarded child needs an individual approach. (Focuses on psychological contexts with a call for empathy.)

Meaning 2: Referring to something delayed or slowed (Non-medical, general usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Задержанный - Used for literal delays, such as in time or progress; common in everyday language without negative connotations.

Usage Examples:

• Поезд был задержанный из-за плохой погоды, и мы опоздали на встречу. (Poyezd byl zaderzhannyy iz-za plokhoy pogody, i my opozdali na vstrechu.)

  The train was retarded due to bad weather, and we were late for the meeting. (This example illustrates a literal delay in transportation.)

• Развитие проекта было задержанным из-за нехватки финансирования. (Razvitiye proyekta bylo zaderzhannym iz-za nekhatki finansirovaniya.)

  The development of the project was retarded due to a lack of funding. (Shows usage in professional or business contexts.)

• Задержанный ответ от клиента вызвал проблемы в расписании. (Zaderzhannyy otvet ot klienta vyzval problemy v raspisanii.)

  The retarded response from the client caused issues in the schedule. (Demonstrates interpersonal or work-related delays.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. 'Отсталый' is an adjective that follows standard patterns for hard-stem adjectives.

For 'Задержанный', it is a past passive participle acting as an adjective, with irregular inflections due to its verbal origin:

These words do not change for verb conjugations as they are adjectives, but their usage must align with noun gender and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Отсталый: Замедленный (Zamedlennyy) - Similar but less stigmatized; used for general delays.
  • Задержанный: Опоздавший (Opazdavshiy) - Implies lateness; fine for informal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Для Отсталый: Продвинутый (Prodvinutyy) - Advanced or progressive.
  • Для Задержанный: Своевременный (Svoevremennyy) - Timely or on schedule.

Related Phrases:

• Отсталый в развитии - (Ots-tá-lyy v raz-ví-tii) - Developmentally delayed; a phrase used in educational or medical discussions, often with sensitivity training.
• Задержанный рейс - (Za-der-zhán-nyy reys) - Delayed flight; common in travel contexts to describe transportation issues.
• Интеллектуально отсталый - (In-tel-lek-tu-al'-no ots-tá-lyy) - Intellectually retarded; an outdated phrase, now replaced by more neutral terms in modern Russian.

Usage Notes:

The English word "retarded" is highly sensitive and often considered offensive today, so its Russian translations like "отсталый" should be used cautiously. In Russian, "отсталый" is more common in formal or medical contexts but is falling out of favor; opt for "с задержкой развития" for inclusivity. "Задержанный" better matches non-medical delays and is safer for everyday use. Always consider the audience and context—formal settings may require precise grammar, while informal ones allow flexibility. When choosing between translations, prioritize "задержанный" for general delays to avoid stigma.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "отсталый" in casual conversation as a direct equivalent of "retarded," which can offend. Correct: Replace with "задержанный" or "с задержкой" in non-medical contexts. Example of error: "Он отсталый в работе" (wrong for simple delays). Correct: "Он задержанный в работе" – He is delayed in his work. Explanation: This avoids stigmatization and ensures cultural appropriateness.

• Error: Failing to inflect the adjective correctly, e.g., using "отсталый" in the wrong case. Correct: Match the noun's case, as in "у отсталого ребенка" (for genitive). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case, unlike English, so learners often overlook this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "отсталый" have historical roots in Soviet-era psychology and education, often linked to discussions of disability and inclusion. However, modern Russian society is moving towards more respectful language, influenced by global human rights movements, so using outdated terms can imply insensitivity or lack of awareness.

Related Concepts:

• Развитие (Razvitie) - Development
• Задержка (Zaderzhka) - Delay
• Инвалидность (Invalidnost') - Disability