Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ruinous'

English Word: ruinous

Key Russian Translations:

• разрушительный [IPA: rɐˈzruʃɨtʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal]
• опустошительный [IPA: ɐpʊˈstoʃɨtʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, often used for more severe destruction]

Frequency: Medium (This word is moderately common in formal Russian texts, such as literature, news, and academic discussions, but less so in everyday casual speech.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and abstract concepts, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

разрушительный: [rɐˈzruʃɨtʲɪlʲnɨj]

опустошительный: [ɐpʊˈstoʃɨtʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on разрушительный: The stress falls on the third syllable (ru-), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'ш' sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on опустошительный: Emphasize the 'о' in the first syllable; the 'ш' is pronounced as a voiceless postalveolar fricative.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Causing ruin, destruction, or severe damage (e.g., in the context of buildings, economies, or events).

Translation(s) & Context:

• разрушительный - Used in formal contexts to describe something that leads to physical or metaphorical destruction, such as a ruinous war or policy.
• опустошительный - Applied in contexts emphasizing exhaustive or devastating effects, like a ruinous storm or emotional trauma.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Эта разрушительная буря оставила город в руинах.

  English Translation: This ruinous storm left the city in ruins.

• Русский пример: Его опустошительные решения привели к экономическому краху.

  English Translation: His ruinous decisions led to an economic collapse.

• Русский пример: Разрушительная сила землетрясения ощущалась на многие километры.

  English Translation: The ruinous force of the earthquake was felt for many kilometers.

• Русский пример: Опустошительная война изменила судьбы миллионов людей.

  English Translation: The ruinous war changed the fates of millions of people.

• Русский пример: Разрушительные последствия загрязнения окружающей среды нельзя игнорировать.

  English Translation: The ruinous effects of environmental pollution cannot be ignored.

Meaning 2: Resulting in financial loss or bankruptcy (e.g., in economic or business contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• разрушительный - Common in financial discussions, implying long-term destructive impact on wealth or stability.
• опустошительный - Used for more immediate and exhaustive financial devastation.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Эта разрушительная инвестиция обанкротила компанию.

  English Translation: This ruinous investment bankrupted the company.

• Русский пример: Опустошительные налоги вынудили многих фермеров покинуть свои земли.

  English Translation: The ruinous taxes forced many farmers to abandon their lands.

• Русский пример: Разрушительная инфляция разрушила сбережения целого поколения.

  English Translation: The ruinous inflation destroyed the savings of an entire generation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "разрушительный" and "опустошительный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they follow standard adjective declension patterns. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. These adjectives are not irregular but follow the first declension for hard-stem adjectives.

Note: The same declension applies to "опустошительный." These adjectives do not have irregular forms and change predictably based on the noun's attributes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • уничтожительный (unichitozhatel'nyi) - Similar but often implies complete annihilation; used in military or extreme contexts.
  • катастрофический (katastroficheskii) - Emphasizes disaster-like effects, with a nuance of suddenness.
• Antonyms:
  • созидательный (sozidatel'nyi) - Constructive or creative, directly opposing destructive forces.
  • полезный (poleznyj) - Beneficial or useful, highlighting positive impacts.

Related Phrases:

• Разрушительные силы - Refers to destructive forces, often in natural disasters or conflicts; commonly used in scientific or historical contexts.
• Опустошительная война - Means a devastating war; implies total exhaustion of resources and lives.
• Разрушительный эффект - Describes a ruinous effect, such as in environmental or economic discussions; highlights long-term consequences.

Usage Notes:

• Russian translations like "разрушительный" closely match the English "ruinous" in formal contexts, but they are more commonly used in written language than spoken. Choose "опустошительный" for scenarios emphasizing emotional or exhaustive destruction.
• These adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English.
• In business or legal contexts, "разрушительный" is preferred for precision, while in everyday speech, simpler alternatives like "плохой" (bad) might be used informally.
• When translating, consider the context: "ruinous" can be metaphorical, so pair it with Russian equivalents that capture that nuance.

Common Errors:

• Error: English speakers often forget to decline the adjective, using "разрушительный" in all cases. Correct: Always adjust for case, e.g., "в разрушительном состоянии" instead of "в разрушительный состояние".
• Error: Confusing with verbs like "разрушать" (to destroy), leading to incorrect sentence structure. Correct: Use as an adjective only, e.g., "разрушительный ураган" (ruinous hurricane), not as a verb form.
• Error: Overusing in informal speech; this sounds overly formal. Explanation: In casual Russian, opt for simpler words to avoid sounding stilted.

Cultural Notes:

Words like "разрушительный" often appear in Russian literature and history, reflecting themes of war and revolution (e.g., in Tolstoy's works or discussions of WWII). They carry a cultural weight tied to Russia's history of enduring destructive events, emphasizing resilience in the face of adversity.

Related Concepts:

• катастрофический
• апокалиптический
• деструктивный