Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'retrograde'

English Word: retrograde

Key Russian Translations:

• ретроградный [rʲɪtrɐˈɡradnɨj] - [Formal, Technical]
• регрессивный [rʲɪˈɡrʲɛsʲɪvnɨj] - [Formal, General]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific and technical contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for learners with some familiarity with technical vocabulary; C1 for precise astronomical usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ретроградный: [rʲɪtrɐˈɡradnɨj]

регрессивный: [rʲɪˈɡrʲɛsʲɪvnɨj]

Note on ретроградный: The stress falls on the third syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian palatalized 'r' sound; it may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Astronomical or Directional Meaning (e.g., moving backward)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ретроградный - Used in scientific contexts, such as planetary motion, to describe backward movement relative to a reference point.
• регрессивный - Less common here, but applicable in metaphorical senses like regression in direction.

Usage Examples:

• В астрофизике планета Марс иногда бывает ретроградной, что влияет на её видимое движение по небу.

  In astrophysics, the planet Mars is sometimes retrograde, which affects its apparent motion across the sky.

• Из-за ретроградного движения кометы астрономы пересмотрели свои расчёты.

  Due to the retrograde motion of the comet, astronomers revised their calculations.

• Ретроградный эффект в этой орбите делает предсказания сложными.

  The retrograde effect in this orbit makes predictions challenging.

• В некоторых случаях ретроградный угол траектории указывает на возвратное движение.

  In some cases, the retrograde angle of the trajectory indicates a backward movement.

General or Degenerative Meaning (e.g., reverting to a previous state)

Translation(s) & Context:

• регрессивный - Used in medical, psychological, or social contexts to describe a decline or backward step.
• ретроградный - Occasionally used metaphorically, but less common than in astronomy.

Usage Examples:

• Регрессивные изменения в поведении ребёнка могут указывать на стресс.

  Regressive changes in a child's behavior can indicate stress.

• Этот регрессивный процесс в обществе привёл к потере прогресса.

  This regressive process in society led to a loss of progress.

• В медицине регрессивное заболевание требует немедленного вмешательства.

  In medicine, a regressive disease requires immediate intervention.

• Ретроградные тенденции в моде иногда возвращают старые стили.

  Retrograde tendencies in fashion sometimes bring back old styles.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard adjective declension patterns, which are regular but require attention to agreement with nouns.

These adjectives are regular and do not have irregular forms, but ensure agreement with the noun they modify (e.g., masculine, feminine, neuter).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • обратный (obratnyy) - More general, meaning "reverse" or "backward."
  • регрессионный (regresscionnyy) - Specifically for processes involving regression.
• Antonyms:
  • прогрессивный (progressivnyy) - Implies advancement or forward movement.
  • прямой (pryamoy) - Means "straight" or "direct," contrasting with backward motion.

Related Phrases:

• Ретроградное движение - Retrograde motion; a common phrase in astronomy referring to apparent backward planetary movement.
• Регрессивные тенденции - Regressive tendencies; used in social or psychological contexts to describe backward steps in development.
• Обратный регресс - Reverse regression; a fixed expression in scientific discussions for cycles of decline.

Usage Notes:

"Retrograde" in English often corresponds to "ретроградный" in Russian for astronomical contexts, where precision is key, but "регрессивный" is better for broader degenerative meanings. Be mindful of formal usage; these words are rarely used in informal speech. When translating, choose based on context: technical vs. metaphorical. Grammatically, always ensure adjective agreement with the noun in gender, number, and case to avoid errors in Russian sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ретроградный" interchangeably with "регрессивный" without context. For example, saying "ретроградный процесс" when "регрессивный процесс" is more appropriate for non-astronomical regression.

  Correct: Регрессивный процесс в обществе (Regressive process in society). Explanation: "Ретроградный" is specific to directional or astronomical backwardness, while "регрессивный" fits degenerative changes.

• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., using the base form in all cases. Incorrect: "Я вижу ретроградный движение" (should be "ретроградное движение").

  Correct: Я вижу ретроградное движение. Explanation: Adjectives must agree with the noun's case, as in genitive or accusative forms.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and language, terms like "ретроградный" often carry a historical connotation from Soviet-era astronomy and scientific advancements. They can metaphorically imply resistance to progress, as seen in literary works where "регрессивный" describes societal backsliding, reflecting Russia's complex history of rapid modernization and occasional reversals.

Related Concepts:

• орбита (orbita) - Orbit
• регрессия (regressiya) - Regression
• прогрессия (progressiya) - Progression