Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'risk'

English Word: risk

Key Russian Translations:

• риск [rʲisk] - [Formal, Noun, Used in business and general contexts]
• рисковать [rʲɪskəvətʲ] - [Informal/Neutral, Verb, Used for actions involving danger]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in finance, health, and decision-making discussions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun and verb inflections, per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

риск: [rʲisk] (The 'р' is a rolled 'r' sound, and the stress is on the first syllable.)

рисковать: [rʲɪskəvətʲ] (Stress on the second syllable; the ending '-овать' softens the pronunciation in casual speech.)

Note on риск: Be cautious with the palatalized 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's softer than in English.

Note on рисковать: This verb often has a more emphatic pronunciation in spoken Russian, especially in narrative contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The possibility of something bad happening (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• риск - Used in formal contexts like finance or health risks, where the concept involves uncertainty and potential loss.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В инвестициях всегда есть риск потери капитала.

  English: In investments, there is always a risk of losing capital.

• Русский: Этот риск можно минимизировать с помощью страхования.

  English: This risk can be minimized through insurance.

• Русский: В повседневной жизни мы сталкиваемся с различными рисками.

  English: In everyday life, we encounter various risks.

• Русский: Финансовый риск часто обсуждается в бизнес-новостях.

  English: Financial risk is often discussed in business news.

Meaning 2: To expose something to danger or uncertainty (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• рисковать - Applied in scenarios involving personal choice, such as gambling or heroic actions, often with an element of bravery.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Он рисковал всем, чтобы добиться успеха.

  English: He risked everything to achieve success.

• Русский: Не рискуй здоровьем ради развлечений.

  English: Don't risk your health for entertainment.

• Русский: В экстремальных видах спорта люди часто рискуют жизнью.

  English: In extreme sports, people often risk their lives.

• Русский: Она рисковала репутацией, раскрывая правду.

  English: She risked her reputation by revealing the truth.

• Русский: Бизнесмены рискуют инвестициями в нестабильные рынки.

  English: Businessmen risk their investments in unstable markets.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For риск (a masculine noun), it follows standard Russian noun declension patterns:

For рисковать (a first-conjugation verb), it has regular conjugations across tenses and persons:

Note: This verb is regular, so it doesn't have irregular forms, making it easier for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: опасность (danger, more general threat), угроза (threat, implying potential harm) - "Опасность" is often used interchangeably but emphasizes immediate peril.
• Antonyms: безопасность (safety, complete absence of risk), гарантия (guarantee, implying no uncertainty)

Related Phrases:

• Взять на себя риск - (To take on the risk; used in decision-making contexts where one assumes responsibility for potential losses.)
• Минимизировать риск - (To minimize the risk; common in business or health discussions.)
• Рискнуть всем - (To risk everything; an idiomatic expression for high-stakes gambles.)

Usage Notes:

"Риск" directly corresponds to the English "risk" as a noun and is neutral in tone, making it suitable for formal writing. "Рисковать" as a verb aligns with "to risk" but often carries a connotation of boldness in Russian culture. Choose "риск" for static concepts and "рисковать" for actions. Be mindful of context: in informal speech, these words might appear in proverbs or everyday conversations, but avoid them in highly poetic or archaic Russian.

• Grammar note: Always inflect nouns and verbs according to case and tense for grammatical accuracy.
• Selection guide: If the English "risk" is abstract, use "риск"; if it's an action, use "рисковать".

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing "рисковать" with "рискнуть" (to dare or take a quick risk). For example, learners might say: Incorrect: "Я рискнул пойти один" (meaning "I dared to go alone"), but if intending a prolonged action, it should be "рисковал". Correct usage: "Я рисковал, инвестируя в акции" (I was risking by investing in stocks). Another error is improper inflection, e.g., using "риск" in the wrong case, like "в риск" instead of "в риске".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "риск" and "рисковать" often appear in literature and folklore, symbolizing heroism or folly, as seen in stories like those of Pushkin or in Soviet-era adventures. Risk-taking is romanticized in contexts like exploration or war, reflecting historical events such as the Great Patriotic War, where individuals "рисковали" for the greater good.

Related Concepts:

• опасность
• угроза
• авантюра