Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sensational'

English Word: sensational

Key Russian Translations:

• сенсационный [sɪnˈsa.tsɪ.on.nɨj] - [Formal, used in media and descriptive contexts]
• удивительный [uˈdɪ.vɪ.tʲe.lʲnɨj] - [Informal, emphasizing amazement rather than sensation]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in news, entertainment, and everyday descriptions, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding adjective inflections and contextual nuances; for 'удивительный', it may be A2 for beginners due to simpler forms).

Pronunciation (Russian):

сенсационный: [sɪnˈsa.tsɪ.on.nɨj]

удивительный: [uˈdɪ.vɪ.tʲe.lʲnɨj]

Note on сенсационный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('sa'), and the 'ц' sound is a voiceless affricate, which can be challenging for English speakers; variations in casual speech may soften the ending.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Causing great excitement or surprise, often in a positive or dramatic way.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сенсационный - Used in formal contexts like news reports or reviews to describe something groundbreaking or attention-grabbing, e.g., in journalism.
• удивительный - Applied in informal or everyday situations to express wonder, but less focused on sensation than on personal amazement.

Usage Examples:

• Это была сенсационная новость, которая потрясла весь мир.

  This was a sensational news story that shook the entire world.

• Фильм оказался сенсационным хитом, собирая полные залы каждый вечер.

  The film turned out to be a sensational hit, filling theaters every evening.

• Его удивительный талант сделал выступление по-настоящему сенсационным.

  His amazing talent made the performance truly sensational.

• В ресторане подали удивительный десерт, который можно назвать сенсационным открытием.

  The restaurant served an amazing dessert that can be called a sensational discovery.

• Сенсационный репортаж о скандале вызвал бурю обсуждений в социальных сетях.

  The sensational report about the scandal sparked a storm of discussions on social media.

Secondary Meaning: Extremely good or impressive (informal usage).

Translation(s) & Context:

• удивительный - In casual conversations, to highlight something impressive without the dramatic connotation of 'сенсационный'.

Usage Examples:

• Еда в этом кафе удивительная, просто сенсационная!

  The food in this cafe is amazing, just sensational!

• Её удивительный голос сделал концерт сенсационным событием.

  Her amazing voice made the concert a sensational event.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'сенсационный' and 'удивительный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

Note: These are regular inflections. There are no irregular forms for these adjectives, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • потрясающий (more emphatic, often used for something overwhelmingly impressive)
  • восхитительный (focuses on delight, less on sensation)
• Antonyms:
  • обычный (ordinary, everyday)
  • скучный (boring, lacking excitement)

Related Phrases:

• Сенсационная новость - A sensational news story (used in media to describe breaking, attention-grabbing events).
• Удивительный поворот - An amazing twist (common in narratives or stories to indicate a surprising development).
• Сенсационный успех - Sensational success (refers to outstanding achievements in professional or personal contexts).

Usage Notes:

'Сенсационный' directly corresponds to the English 'sensational' in formal contexts like journalism, but it often implies a more dramatic or media-driven excitement. In contrast, 'удивительный' is better for everyday praise and may not carry the same hype. Always ensure adjective agreement with the noun in gender, number, and case. For English learners, choose 'сенсационный' for news-related topics and 'удивительный' for personal expressions to avoid overstatement.

• In spoken Russian, these words can vary by region; Moscow dialects might emphasize the stress more clearly.
• When translating, consider the audience: formal writing prefers 'сенсационный', while casual chats favor 'удивительный'.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse 'сенсационный' by applying it too broadly, confusing it with 'удивительный'. For example:

• Error: Using 'сенсационный' for minor surprises, e.g., "Это сенсационный обед" (meaning "This is a sensational lunch") when it's just good food.
• Correct: "Это удивительный обед" – This avoids exaggeration and fits better in casual contexts.
• Explanation: 'Сенсационный' implies widespread impact, so reserve it for significant events; overuse can sound hyperbolic in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'сенсационный' are frequently used in media and entertainment to hype events, reflecting a cultural emphasis on dramatic storytelling. For instance, Russian news outlets often label scandals or breakthroughs as 'сенсационный' to engage audiences, drawing from a history of Soviet-era propaganda where sensationalism influenced public perception.

Related Concepts:

• новость (news)
• скандал (scandal)
• успех (success)