Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'smashing'

English Word: smashing

Key Russian Translations:

• отличный [ɐˈtlʲitɕnɨj] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday conversation]
• замечательный [zəmʲɪˈtɕatʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, suitable for written or professional contexts]
• прекрасный [prʲɪˈkrasnɨj] - [Semi-formal, often with a positive emotional connotation]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered regularly in modern Russian media and speech, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives like "хороший").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, according to CEFR; learners at this level can understand and use these adjectives in context, though mastering inflections may require practice. For 'отличный', it's slightly easier; for 'замечательный', it might edge toward B2 due to subtle nuances.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

отличный: [ɐˈtlʲitɕnɨj]

замечательный: [zəmʲɪˈtɕatʲɪlʲnɨj] (Note on замечательный: The stress falls on the third syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants; practice the 'ч' sound for accuracy.)

прекрасный: [prʲɪˈkrasnɨj] (Note on прекрасный: Emphasize the 'р' with a slight trill, common in Russian; this word has a poetic feel in speech.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Excellent, outstanding (as an adjective describing something great or impressive)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отличный - Used in informal settings, like praising an object or experience (e.g., in casual conversations about food or events).
• замечательный - Applied in more formal or descriptive contexts, such as reviews or professional feedback.
• прекрасный - Often used for aesthetic or emotional excellence, like in art or relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Этот фильм был отличный! (This film was smashing!)

  English: This film was excellent! (Context: Informal review of a movie.)

• Её платье замечательное, оно идеально подходит для вечера. (Her dress is smashing; it fits perfectly for the evening.)

  English: Her dress is remarkable; it fits perfectly for the evening. (Context: Formal compliment on appearance.)

• Прекрасный день для прогулки в парке. (It's a smashing day for a walk in the park.)

  English: It's a wonderful day for a walk in the park. (Context: Describing weather in a poetic way.)

• Отличный выбор, давай возьмём это. (Smashing choice, let's go with that.)

  English: Excellent choice, let's go with that. (Context: Decision-making in a group.)

• Замечательный ужин с друзьями сделал вечер незабываемым. (A smashing dinner with friends made the evening unforgettable.)

  English: A remarkable dinner with friends made the evening unforgettable. (Context: Reflecting on a social event.)

Meaning 2: Impressive or striking (with a sense of enthusiasm, less common in literal smashing)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отличный - In enthusiastic, everyday praise (e.g., for achievements).
• прекрасный - When emphasizing beauty or impact.

Usage Examples:

• Его выступление было отличный, все аплодировали. (His performance was smashing; everyone applauded.)

  English: His performance was outstanding; everyone applauded. (Context: Informal event feedback.)

• Прекрасный вид с горы просто завораживает. (The view from the mountain is smashing; it's utterly captivating.)

  English: The view from the mountain is impressive; it's utterly captivating. (Context: Travel description.)

• Отличный результат в соревновании! (Smashing result in the competition!)

  English: Excellent result in the competition! (Context: Sports or casual encouragement.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations ('отличный', 'замечательный', 'прекрасный') are adjectives, which follow standard Russian adjectival inflections based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and can be regular or have slight irregularities.

These adjectives are regular and follow the first declension pattern. No significant irregularities, but pay attention to soft endings in cases like Dative or Instrumental.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хороший [xɐˈroʂɨj] (good, but more neutral; less enthusiastic than 'отличный')
  • великолепный [vʲɪlʲɪˈkɫʲɛpnɨj] (magnificent, often for grandeur)
  • потрясающий [pɐˈtrʲasajʊɕɨj] (amazing, with a sense of shock; fine for informal use)
• Antonyms:
  • плохой [plɐˈxoʂɨj] (bad, direct opposite)
  • ужасный [ˈuʐasnyj] (terrible, with a strong negative connotation)

Related Phrases:

• Отличная работа! (Smashing job! - Meaning: Praise for good work; used in professional or casual encouragement.)
• Замечательный способ провести время (A smashing way to spend time - Meaning: Describing an enjoyable activity.)
• Прекрасный подарок (A smashing gift - Meaning: Referring to something thoughtful and high-quality.)

Usage Notes:

'Smashing' as an adjective corresponds most closely to 'отличный' in informal British English contexts, emphasizing enthusiasm. In Russian, choose 'замечательный' for formal situations to avoid sounding too casual. Be mindful of gender and case agreements, as Russian adjectives must match the noun (e.g., 'отличный дом' for a masculine noun). When selecting among translations, use 'прекрасный' for aesthetic or emotional depth. This word is versatile but avoid overusing it in writing to prevent repetition.

• Grammar tip: Always inflect based on the noun's attributes.
• Context guide: In phone conversations, 'отличный' can be a quick positive response, similar to English slang.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'отличный' without proper inflection, e.g., saying 'отличный книга' instead of 'отличная книга' (for a feminine noun).
  Correct: 'Отличная книга' (The smashing book). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case; this mismatch can confuse native speakers.
• Error: Confusing with verbs like 'разбивать' (to smash literally), leading to misuse in non-physical contexts.
  Correct: Use 'отличный' for praise, not 'разбить'. Explanation: 'Smashing' here is adjectival, not verbal, so avoid literal translations that imply destruction.
• Error: Overgeneralizing synonyms, e.g., using 'потрясающий' when 'отличный' is sufficient.
  Correct: Opt for 'отличный' in everyday talk. Explanation: 'Потрясающий' implies more intensity, which might exaggerate the meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'отличный' or 'замечательный' often reflect a reserved enthusiasm compared to American English. For instance, Russians might use these to politely praise without overstatement, especially in social settings, drawing from a literary tradition where adjectives convey subtle emotions, as seen in works by Pushkin.

Related Concepts:

• хороший (good)
• великолепный (magnificent)
• идеальный (ideal)