Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'staggering'

English Word: staggering

Key Russian Translations:

• потрясающий [pɐˈtrʲasajʉʂɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Singular]
• шататься [ʂɐˈtatʲsə] - [Verb, Informal, Intransitive]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for adjectives like "потрясающий"; C1 for verbs like "шататься" due to irregular verb forms and contextual nuances)

Pronunciation (Russian):

потрясающий: [pɐˈtrʲasajʉʂɨj]

Note on потрясающий: The stress falls on the second syllable ("trʲa"), which is common in Russian adjectives. Be cautious with the palatalized 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

шататься: [ʂɐˈtatʲsə]

Note on шататься: The initial 'sh' sound is a voiceless retroflex fricative, similar to the 'sh' in "she" but more guttural. This verb often involves reflexive forms, affecting pronunciation in context.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Adjective meaning: Astonishing, overwhelming, or impressive in scale

Translation(s) & Context:

• потрясающий - Used in formal or descriptive contexts to express something that evokes strong admiration or shock, such as in literature or reviews.

Usage Examples:

• Это потрясающий вид на город с высоты птичьего полета.

  This is a staggering view of the city from a bird's-eye perspective.

• Его потрясающее выступление на концерте заставило публику аплодировать стоя.

  His staggering performance at the concert made the audience applaud standing.

• Потрясающая сумма инвестиций была выделена на проект.

  A staggering amount of investment was allocated to the project.

• В музее выставлена потрясающая коллекция древних артефактов.

  The museum displays a staggering collection of ancient artifacts.

• Ее потрясающее мастерство в живописи известно во всем мире.

  Her staggering skill in painting is known worldwide.

Verb meaning: To move unsteadily, stagger, or sway

Translation(s) & Context:

• шататься - Typically used in informal or narrative contexts to describe physical instability, such as after drinking or in poor health.

Usage Examples:

• После долгой прогулки он начал шататься от усталости.

  After a long walk, he began staggering from exhaustion.

• Ветер был так силен, что деревья шатались из стороны в сторону.

  The wind was so strong that the trees were staggering from side to side.

• Он шатался по улице, пытаясь сохранить равновесие.

  He was staggering down the street, trying to keep his balance.

• После операции пациент шатался, пока не привык к ходункам.

  After the surgery, the patient was staggering until he got used to the walker.

• Дети шатались на качелях, смеясь и крича.

  The children were staggering on the swings, laughing and shouting.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "потрясающий" (adjective): This is a first-declension adjective, which follows regular patterns in Russian. It agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies.

For "шататься" (verb): This is an imperfective verb that is reflexive (ends in -ся). It conjugates irregularly in some aspects. Below is a basic conjugation table for present tense:

Note: This verb does not change in perfective forms; use "шатнуть" for perfective aspects.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: удивительный (udivitel'nyy) - More neutral, used for something simply surprising; ошеломляющий (oshelomlyayushchiy) - Implies a stronger, more sudden impact.
• Antonyms: обычный (obychnyy) - Common or ordinary; заурядный (zauryadnyy) - Mundane or unremarkable.

Related Phrases:

• Потрясающе красивый - Staggeringly beautiful (used to describe visually impressive scenes, with a connotation of awe).
• Шататься по улицам - To stagger through the streets (informal phrase for wandering aimlessly, often implying intoxication or confusion).
• Потрясающая новость - A staggering news (for shocking announcements in media contexts).

Usage Notes:

"Потрясающий" directly corresponds to the adjective form of "staggering" in English, emphasizing emotional impact, but it's more formal and less slangy than English equivalents. Use it in written or professional contexts rather than casual speech. For the verb "шататься," it's reflexive and implies involuntary movement, so avoid it for deliberate actions. When choosing between translations, opt for "потрясающий" for abstract qualities and "шататься" for physical actions. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree with nouns in gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "потрясающий" as a verb, e.g., saying "Я потрясающий" instead of "Я потрясаю" (incorrect). Correct: "потрясающий" is only an adjective; for verbal actions, use "шататься" or rephrase. Explanation: English learners often confuse parts of speech, leading to grammatical errors in Russian sentences.
• Mistake: Forgetting the reflexive "-ся" in "шататься," e.g., saying "шатать" (which means to shake something else). Correct: Always include "-ся" for self-referential actions. Explanation: This changes the meaning entirely, as "шатать" is transitive.

Cultural Notes:

"Потрясающий" often carries a positive connotation in Russian culture, reflecting the Russian appreciation for grandeur and emotional depth, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works. It can evoke a sense of romanticism or hyperbole, which is common in Russian expressions of admiration, differing from more restrained English usage.

Related Concepts:

• Удивительный
• Ошеломляющий
• Колебаться