Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stupendous'

English Word: stupendous

Key Russian Translations:

• потрясающий (/pətrʲaˈsajuʂʲij/) - [Informal, Adjective]
• удивительный (/ʊˈdʲivʲitʲʲilʲnɨj/) - [Formal, Adjective]

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

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions and contextual nuances, suitable for upper-intermediate learners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

потрясающий: /pətrʲaˈsajuʂʲij/ (Note the stress on the third syllable; the 'р' is rolled, and 'я' is a soft vowel sound.)

удивительный: /ʊˈdʲivʲitʲʲilʲnɨj/ (Emphasize the soft 'дʲ' and the final 'ый' sound, which can vary slightly in rapid speech.)

Note on потрясающий: This word has a emphatic, exclamatory tone in informal settings; be cautious with the 'ш' sound, which is retroflex and may be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Amazing, astonishing (used to describe something extraordinarily impressive or surprising)

Translation(s) & Context:

• потрясающий - Used in informal contexts to express awe, such as in casual conversations or reviews.
• удивительный - Preferred in more formal or descriptive writing, emphasizing wonder without exaggeration.

Usage Examples:

• Это потрясающий вид с горы! (This is a stupendous view from the mountain!)

  English Translation: This is a stupendous view from the mountain!

• Её выступление было удивительным, все были в восторге. (Her performance was stupendous; everyone was thrilled.)

  English Translation: Her performance was stupendous; everyone was thrilled.

• Потрясающий фильм, который стоит посмотреть. (A stupendous film that's worth watching.)

  English Translation: A stupendous film that's worth watching.

• Удивительный талант этого художника поражает воображение. (The stupendous talent of this artist captivates the imagination.)

  English Translation: The stupendous talent of this artist captivates the imagination.

• В этом ресторане подают потрясающую еду, но цены высокие. (They serve stupendous food at this restaurant, but the prices are high.)

  English Translation: They serve stupendous food at this restaurant, but the prices are high.

Meaning 2: Enormous or immense (less common, referring to size or scale)

Translation(s) & Context:

• огромный (/ɐˈɡromnɨj/) - Used when emphasizing scale in a neutral or formal context.

Usage Examples:

• Строительство этого моста было потрясающим проектом. (The construction of this bridge was a stupendous project.)

  English Translation: The construction of this bridge was a stupendous project.

• Удивительный размер этой планеты поражает учёных. (The stupendous size of this planet astonishes scientists.)

  English Translation: The stupendous size of this planet astonishes scientists.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most key translations like "потрясающий" and "удивительный" are adjectives, which follow standard Russian adjective declension patterns. They change based on gender, number, and case. "Огромный" also declines similarly.

For "потрясающий" (an adjective):

Note: "Удивительный" follows the same pattern. These adjectives do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • удивительный (similar but more neutral; used in formal contexts)
  • впечатляющий (emphasizes impact, often in professional settings)
• Antonyms:
  • ужасный (terrible, opposite in quality)
  • скучный (boring, contrasting emotional response)

Related Phrases:

• Потрясающий успех (Stupendous success) - Refers to an outstanding achievement in personal or professional contexts.
• Удивительный поворот событий (A stupendous turn of events) - Used for surprising plot twists in stories or real life.
• Потрясающе красиво (Stupendously beautiful) - An emphatic phrase for describing aesthetics in art or nature.

Usage Notes:

"Потрясающий" directly corresponds to the informal, exclamatory use of "stupendous" in English, making it ideal for everyday praise, but avoid it in formal writing where "удивительный" is more appropriate. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in Russian sentences. For multiple translations, choose based on context: use "огромный" for size-related meanings. Russian adjectives often require agreement with the noun they modify, which can differ from English word order.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "потрясающий" in formal contexts without adjustment. Correct: Opt for "удивительный" in official documents. Example of error: *Потрясающий отчет* (in a business report). Correct: Удивительный отчет.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the adjective. Correct: Ensure it matches the noun's case, e.g., don't say *потрясающий книгу* (incorrect accusative); say потрясающую книгу.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "потрясающий" often carry an emotional, hyperbolic flair, reflecting the language's expressiveness in literature and daily life. This aligns with Russia's rich tradition of storytelling, where exaggeration enhances drama, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy.

Related Concepts:

• впечатляющий (impressive)
• замечательный (remarkable)
• невероятный (incredible)