Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'risky'

English Word: risky

Key Russian Translations:

• рискованный [ˈrʲiskəvənɨj] - [Adjective, Formal; used in contexts involving calculated danger or uncertainty]
• рисковый [ˈrʲiskəvɨj] - [Adjective, Informal; commonly used in everyday speech for situations with potential hazards]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its variants appear regularly in modern Russian media, literature, and conversation, but not as frequently as basic adjectives like "хороший".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this CEFR level should grasp its usage, though full mastery of adjective declensions may require B2 for nuanced applications.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

рискованный: [ˈrʲiskəvənɨj]

рисковый: [ˈrʲiskəvɨj]

Note on рискованный: The stress falls on the first syllable, and the 'р' is rolled, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'ы' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Involving risk or potential danger, often in decision-making or activities.

Translation(s) & Context:

• рискованный - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as business or analysis, to describe ventures with high stakes.
• рисковый - Applied in informal settings, like casual conversations, to denote everyday risks without formal implications.

Usage Examples:

• Это рискованное инвестирование, которое может привести к большим потерям.

  This is a risky investment that could lead to significant losses.

• Не стоит заниматься рисковым спортом без надлежащей подготовки.

  Don't engage in risky sports without proper training.

• В её планах было много рискованных элементов, но она решила продолжить.

  Her plans included many risky elements, but she decided to proceed.

• Рисковый подход к жизни иногда приводит к неожиданным успехам.

  A risky approach to life sometimes leads to unexpected successes.

• Этот рискованный манёвр в игре мог стоить нам победы.

  This risky maneuver in the game could have cost us the victory.

Secondary Meaning: Imprudent or bold in a negative sense, implying recklessness.

Translation(s) & Context:

• рискованный - In contexts emphasizing poor judgment, such as in warnings or critiques.

Usage Examples:

• Его рискованное поведение на дороге шокировало всех.

  His risky behavior on the road shocked everyone.

• Рискованные решения в политике часто имеют непредсказуемые последствия.

  Risky decisions in politics often have unpredictable consequences.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "рискованный" and "рисковый" are adjectives, which follow standard Russian adjective declension patterns. They change based on gender, number, and case, making them regular but requiring attention to agreement with nouns.

"рискованный" and "рисковый" do not have irregular forms, but always agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • опасный (opasnyy) - More general, implying direct danger; often interchangeable in casual contexts.
  • небезопасный (nebezopasnyy) - Emphasizes lack of safety; used in formal or technical discussions.
• Antonyms:
  • безопасный (bezopasnyy) - Safe and secure, contrasting with inherent risk.
  • надёжный (nadёzhnyy) - Reliable, often in contexts of stability versus uncertainty.

Related Phrases:

• Рисковать жизнью (Riskovat' zhiznyu) - To risk one's life; used in heroic or dangerous scenarios.
• Рискованная игра (Riskovannaya igra) - A risky game; refers to high-stakes situations in games or metaphors.
• Не стоит рисковать (Ne stoit riskovat') - It's not worth risking; a common expression for advising caution.

Usage Notes:

"Рискованный" is a direct cognate to the English "risky" and is often used in translations of business or adventure contexts, but it carries a slightly more formal tone in Russian. Choose "рискованный" for written or professional English equivalents, while "рисковый" suits informal speech. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: always decline the adjective to match the noun's case, gender, and number. In Russian, this word can imply both positive excitement and negative recklessness, depending on context, unlike English where "risky" is more neutral.

• When translating from English, consider the audience: "рискованный" for formal reports, "рисковый" for everyday dialogue.
• Synonyms like "опасный" may be preferred if the risk involves physical harm rather than abstract uncertainty.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the declension of these adjectives, such as using the base form "рискованный" in all cases instead of changing it (e.g., saying "в рискованный ситуацией" instead of "в рискованной ситуации"). Correct usage: Always decline properly, as in "в рискованной ситуации" (in a risky situation). Another error is confusing it with "рисковать" (to risk), treating it as a verb; remember, these are adjectives. Example of error: "Я рискованный" (incorrect for "I am risky" – should be "Я рисковый" in informal contexts, but better phrased as "Я люблю риск").

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "рискованный" often appear in contexts of historical events, such as the Great Patriotic War or modern entrepreneurship, emphasizing the Russian admiration for bold, risk-taking individuals (e.g., in literature by authors like Dostoevsky). However, it can also reflect a cultural caution against unnecessary risks, as seen in proverbs like "Семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь" (Measure seven times, cut once), highlighting a balance between adventure and prudence.

Related Concepts:

• риск (risk)
• авантюра (adventure or risky scheme)
• непредсказуемость (unpredictability)