Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'striking'

English Word: striking

Key Russian Translations:

• поразительный [pərɐˈzʲitʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective; used to describe something that is impressive or attention-grabbing]
• выдающийся [vɨˈdajʊɕːɪjsjə] - [Formal, Adjective; often implies excellence or prominence, but less emphasis on surprise]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly used in descriptive contexts but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective forms and nuances in everyday Russian, per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

поразительный: [pərɐˈzʲitʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on поразительный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable; be careful with the soft 'т' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in informal speech may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Attracting attention by being unusual, extreme, or prominent (Adjective form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• поразительный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe something visually or emotionally impactful, such as a striking landscape.
• выдающийся - Applied in professional or evaluative contexts, like a striking performance in a concert.

Usage Examples:

• Этот пейзаж просто поразительный в закатном свете.

  This landscape is simply striking in the sunset light.

• Её платье было выдающимся на вечеринке, привлекающим все взгляды.

  Her dress was striking at the party, attracting everyone's attention.

• Поразительный контраст цветов делает картину незабываемой.

  The striking contrast of colors makes the painting unforgettable.

• В его речи было что-то выдающееся, что заставило аудиторию аплодировать.

  There was something striking in his speech that made the audience applaud.

• Поразительная архитектура города поражает туристов с первого взгляда.

  The striking architecture of the city impresses tourists at first sight.

Meaning 2: Related to a sudden impact or action (e.g., as in 'to strike' a match, though less common for this word)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ударяющий - Informal verb form, used in physical or metaphorical contexts like striking a pose.

Usage Examples:

• Молния ударяющая в дерево была поразительной.

  The lightning striking the tree was striking.

• Его удар был таким ударяющим, что соперник упал.

  His striking blow was so powerful that the opponent fell.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For the adjective 'поразительный', it follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns. It is an adjective of the first declension and changes based on gender, number, and case.

For 'выдающийся', it follows the same declension rules as above. Verbs like 'ударять' have their own conjugations, but are less central here.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • удивительный (more about surprise than prominence)
  • впечатляющий (emphasizes emotional impact, often in artistic contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • обычный (ordinary, lacking any striking features)
  • неприметный (unremarkable, subtle)

Related Phrases:

• Поразительно красивый - Strikingly beautiful; used to describe visually appealing scenes or objects.
• Выдающийся талант - Striking talent; often in professional or artistic evaluations.
• Поразительная скорость - Striking speed; highlights exceptional performance in sports or technology.

Usage Notes:

'Поразительный' directly corresponds to the English 'striking' in contexts of visual or emotional impact, but it's more formal in Russian and less common in casual speech. Choose 'выдающийся' for achievements or excellence. Be mindful of case agreements in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case. For example, when describing people, ensure the adjective aligns with the subject's attributes.

• In informal settings, Russians might opt for simpler synonyms to avoid sounding overly dramatic.
• When translating 'striking' as a verb (e.g., to strike), use verbs like 'ударять' carefully, as they imply physical action.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the case endings, for example, saying 'поразительный дом' in all contexts without changing to 'поразительном доме' in prepositional case. Correct usage: Incorrect: "Я вижу поразительный дом" (if not nominative); Correct: Ensure proper declension as shown in the table above. Another error is confusing it with 'удивительный', leading to overemphasis on surprise rather than prominence.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'поразительный' are frequently used in literature and art criticism, reflecting the value placed on emotional depth and aesthetic appreciation, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy, where striking descriptions evoke historical or personal significance.

Related Concepts:

• впечатляющий
• замечательный
• эпатажный (more provocative, like shockingly striking)