Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sporadic'

English Word: sporadic

Key Russian Translations:

• спорадический /spɐ.rɐˈdʲi.tɕɪ.skʲɪj/ - [Formal, often used in academic or scientific contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is not everyday vocabulary but appears in formal writing, such as scientific reports or news articles.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding nuanced adjectives and is typically encountered in intermediate-level Russian language studies; suitable for learners with a grasp of basic grammar and vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

спорадический: /spɐ.rɐˈdʲi.tɕɪ.skʲɪj/ (The stress is on the third syllable, which is common in Russian adjectives. Note the palatalized 'дʲ' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on спорадический: This word has a borrowed structure from English/Greek roots, so its pronunciation may feel less intuitive; focus on the soft 'тɕ' sound, similar to the 'ch' in 'church'. Variations in regional accents (e.g., in Moscow vs. St. Petersburg) might slightly alter vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Occurring at irregular intervals or sporadically

Translation(s) & Context:

• спорадический - Used in formal contexts to describe events or phenomena that happen unpredictably, such as in scientific, medical, or statistical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В городе происходят спорадические дожди, что затрудняет планирование.

  In the city, there are sporadic rains, which make planning difficult.

• Спородические вспышки активности вулкана беспокоят местных жителей.

  Sporadic bursts of volcanic activity worry the local residents.

• Его спорадические визиты в офис вызывают недоразумения среди коллег.

  His sporadic visits to the office cause misunderstandings among colleagues.

• В истории этой страны спорадические реформы не приводили к стабильности.

  In the history of this country, sporadic reforms have not led to stability.

• Спородические тренировки не помогут улучшить физическую форму; нужна регулярность.

  Sporadic workouts won't help improve physical fitness; regularity is needed.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Спородический" is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ический, with no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: This adjective declines regularly according to Russian grammar rules. For example, in the genitive case, it becomes "спорадического" for masculine singular.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • редкий - (less frequent, implies rarity more than irregularity)
  • нерегулярный - (emphasizes lack of regularity, often in schedules)
• Antonyms:
  • регулярный - (regular, predictable)
  • постоянный - (constant, ongoing)

Related Phrases:

• Спородические проявления - Sporadic manifestations (refers to irregular occurrences of symptoms or events in medical or scientific contexts).
• Спородический характер - Sporadic nature (used to describe something with an inconsistent pattern, e.g., in historical analysis).
• Спородические визиты - Sporadic visits (common in everyday language for irregular social or professional interactions).

Usage Notes:

"Спородический" directly corresponds to the English "sporadic" in meaning, but it's more commonly used in formal Russian rather than casual conversation. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, so always adjust accordingly (e.g., "спорадическая проблема" for a feminine noun). When choosing between synonyms like "нерегулярный," opt for "спорадический" in scientific contexts for precision. Be cautious with word order; in Russian, the adjective typically precedes the noun.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "спорадический" interchangeably with "редкий" without considering context. For example, learners might say "редкий дождь" when meaning "sporadic rain," but "редкий" implies rarity rather than irregularity.

  Correct: "Спородический дождь" (Sporadic rain) - This better captures the irregular timing.

  Explanation: "Редкий" focuses on infrequency, while "спорадический" emphasizes unpredictability, so choose based on the exact nuance.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the adjective, e.g., saying "спорадический женщина" instead of "спорадическая женщина."

  Correct: "Спородическая женщина" (Sporadic woman, if referring to a female subject).

  Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement; this is a common mistake for English speakers accustomed to invariable adjectives.

Cultural Notes:

"Спородический" is a borrowed term from Greek via English, often appearing in Russian scientific and historical texts. In Russian culture, it might be used in discussions of events like sporadic uprisings in history (e.g., related to revolutions), reflecting a broader Eastern European context where irregular occurrences are common themes in literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• периодический
• нерегулярный
• эпизодический