Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stunning'

English Word: stunning

Key Russian Translations:

• потрясающий /pɐˈtrʲasəjʉʂʲij/ - [Informal; commonly used in everyday speech for something visually or emotionally impressive]
• удивительный /ʊˈdʲivʲitʲelʲnɨj/ - [Formal; preferred in written or professional contexts for emphasizing wonder or astonishment]
• ослепительный /ɐslʲɪˈpʲitʲɪlʲnɨj/ - [Neutral; often used specifically for visual beauty, like in descriptions of appearances]

Frequency: Medium; the word and its translations are commonly encountered in descriptive language, literature, and casual conversations, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR); involves understanding adjective forms and contexts. For "потрясающий," it's B1; for "удивительный," it might be A2 if basic forms are learned, but full usage is B1.

Pronunciation (Russian):

потрясающий: /pɐˈtrʲasəjʉʂʲij/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'r' is rolled, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

удивительный: /ʊˈdʲivʲitʲelʲnɨj/ (Soft 'd' sound; pronounce with a clear emphasis on the first syllable.)

ослепительный: /ɐslʲɪˈpʲitʲɪlʲnɨj/ (Note on ослепительный: The initial 'o' is pronounced as a schwa, and the word implies a dazzling effect; be cautious of the soft 'l' sound.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Extremely impressive, attractive, or astonishing (adjective form, often describing visuals, emotions, or experiences)

Translation(s) & Context:

• потрясающий - Used in informal, everyday contexts, such as complimenting art, fashion, or events; implies strong positive emotion.
• удивительный - Applied in formal or narrative contexts, like literature or descriptions, to highlight rarity or wonder without exaggeration.
• ослепительный - Best for contexts involving physical beauty or brightness, such as in fashion or nature descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Это платье потрясающее! Оно идеально подчеркивает твою фигуру.

  This dress is stunning! It perfectly highlights your figure.

• Вид на горы был удивительным, особенно на закате.

  The view of the mountains was stunning, especially at sunset.

• Ее ослепительная улыбка завоевала сердца всех в комнате.

  Her stunning smile won the hearts of everyone in the room.

• Потрясающий концерт оставил у меня незабываемые впечатления.

  The stunning concert left me with unforgettable impressions.

• Удивительный дизайн этого здания поражает своей оригинальностью.

  The stunning design of this building impresses with its originality.

Meaning: Overwhelming or shocking in a positive way (less common, emphasizing intensity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• потрясающий - In emotional or high-energy contexts, like reactions to surprises.
• ослепительный - For contexts involving sensory overload, such as bright lights or intense beauty.

Usage Examples:

• Его потрясающее выступление на сцене заставило публику аплодировать стоя.

  His stunning performance on stage made the audience applaud standing.

• Ослепительный фейерверк осветил ночное небо.

  The stunning fireworks lit up the night sky.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard adjective patterns, with some irregularities in spelling for "потрясающий." Below is a table for "потрясающий" as an example:

For "удивительный" and "ослепительный," they follow similar regular patterns without major irregularities. These adjectives do not change in short form contexts but must agree with the noun they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • удивительный (similar to "stunning" but more neutral; used for intellectual wonder)
  • великолепный (implies grandeur, often interchangeable in formal settings)
  • замечательный (less intense, for generally positive descriptions)
• Antonyms:
  • скучный (boring; directly opposes the excitement of "stunning")
  • непривлекательный (unattractive; for visual contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Потрясающий вид - A stunning view; used in travel or nature descriptions.
• Удивительный подарок - A stunning gift; implies surprise and delight in personal contexts.
• Ослепительная красота - Stunning beauty; common in artistic or poetic expressions.

Usage Notes:

"Stunning" corresponds closely to "потрясающий" in informal English-Russian exchanges, but choose "удивительный" for more polished or literary contexts to avoid sounding overly casual. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in Russian sentences, as adjectives must match the noun (e.g., use feminine forms with feminine nouns). In spoken Russian, "потрясающий" can express enthusiasm but may feel hyperbolic in professional settings.

• Multiple translations: Opt for "ослепительный" when emphasizing visual elements, like in fashion or photography.
• Grammar note: Always place the adjective before the noun in Russian, unlike some English structures.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "потрясающий" in formal writing without adjusting for context. Incorrect: Встреча была потрясающий. Correct: Встреча была потрясающей. Explanation: Adjectives must agree in case, gender, and number; here, it should be genitive feminine.
• Error: Confusing with "удивительный" and overusing it for visual beauty. Incorrect: Его улыбка удивительный. Correct: Его улыбка ослепительная. Explanation: "Удивительный" focuses on surprise, not visual appeal, so select based on nuance.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "потрясающий" are often used in expressions of admiration for art, nature, or personal achievements, reflecting a deep appreciation for beauty and emotion. This aligns with Russia's rich literary tradition, where such adjectives enhance dramatic narratives, as seen in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov.

Related Concepts:

• красивый (beautiful)
• восхитительный (delightful)
• эпический (epic, for grand scales)