terrific
Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'terrific'
English Word: terrific
Key Russian Translations:
- замечательный [zəmʲɪˈt͡ɕatʲnɨj] - [Informal, used in everyday positive descriptions]
- отличный [ɐtˈlʲit͡ɕnɨj] - [Informal, often for high-quality or excellent things]
- великолепный [vʲɪlʲɪˈkɐlʲɪpnɨj] - [Formal, for something truly outstanding]
Frequency: High (Common in spoken Russian, especially in casual conversations)
Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic adjective usage; for 'замечательный', it's straightforward, but 'великолепный' may require more nuance)
Pronunciation (Russian):
замечательный: [zəmʲɪˈt͡ɕatʲnɨj]
Note on замечательный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('т͡ɕatʲ'), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's mobile stress patterns. Pronounce it with a soft 't͡ɕ' sound, similar to 'ch' in 'church'.
отличный: [ɐtˈlʲit͡ɕnɨj]
Note on отличный: Stress on the second syllable ('lʲit͡ɕ'); the 'lʲ' is palatalized, making it sound softer.
великолепный: [vʲɪlʲɪˈkɐlʲɪpnɨj]
Note on великолепный: Stress on the third syllable ('kɐlʲ'); this word has a more emphatic pronunciation, often used in formal contexts.
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Meanings and Usage:
Meaning 1: Excellent, very good, or outstanding (the primary sense of 'terrific' in English)
Translation(s) & Context:
- замечательный - Used in informal settings to express general enthusiasm about something positive, such as a movie or a day out.
- отличный - Applied in contexts where something is of high quality, like food or performance, often in casual speech.
- великолепный - Employed in more formal or emphatic situations, such as describing art or achievements, to convey grandeur.
Usage Examples:
-
Этот фильм замечательный, я смотрел его вчера вечером.
This film is terrific; I watched it last night.
-
Её выступление было отличным, все аплодировали стоя.
Her performance was terrific; everyone applauded standing up.
-
Этот отель великолепный, с видом на море и роскошными номерами.
This hotel is terrific, with a sea view and luxurious rooms.
-
Замечательный день для прогулки в парке, погода идеальная!
It's a terrific day for a walk in the park; the weather is perfect!
-
Отличный выбор – этот ресторан всегда предлагает замечательную еду.
Terrific choice – this restaurant always serves excellent food.
Meaning 2: Informal expression of surprise or sarcasm (e.g., 'terrific' as in 'oh great')
Translation(s) & Context:
- замечательный - Sometimes used sarcastically in informal speech to mean the opposite.
Usage Examples:
-
Замечательно, опять дождь! (Said sarcastically)
Terrific, it's raining again! (Implying annoyance)
-
Отличный план, но мы опоздали на поезд.
Terrific plan, but we're late for the train. (With ironic tone)
Russian Forms/Inflections:
All key translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard adjective patterns, with some irregularities in spelling for palatalization.
| Form | замечательный (masc.) | отличный (masc.) | великолепный (masc.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine Singular Nominative | замечательный | отличный | великолепный |
| Feminine Singular Nominative | замечательная | отличная | великолепная |
| Neuter Singular Nominative | замечательное | отличное | великолепное |
| Plural Nominative | замечательные | отличные | великолепные |
| Example in Genitive Case (e.g., of the terrific film) | замечательного фильма | отличного фильма | великолепного фильма |
Note: These adjectives are regular and do not have exceptional inflections, making them relatively easy for learners.
Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:
- Synonyms: отличный (similar to 'great'), великолепный (more emphatic, like 'splendid')
- Synonyms: прекрасный (elegant and beautiful connotation)
- Antonyms: плохой (bad, opposite in casual contexts), ужасный (terrible, for strong negativity)
Related Phrases:
- Замечательный день - A terrific day; used to describe a pleasant day in casual conversation.
- Отличный выбор - Terrific choice; common in decision-making contexts, implying a smart decision.
- Великолепный вид - Terrific view; often used for scenic or impressive sights in travel or descriptions.
Usage Notes:
'Замечательный' is the most direct informal equivalent to 'terrific' and is versatile in everyday Russian, but avoid it in very formal writing where 'великолепный' might be more appropriate for emphasis. 'Отличный' often pairs with nouns related to quality or performance. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which is a key grammatical difference. When choosing among translations, opt for 'замечательный' for general positivity and 'великолепный' for formal or exaggerated praise.
Common Errors:
Error: Using 'замечательный' in a sarcastic context without proper tone, which might confuse native speakers if not delivered with irony. Correct: Ensure facial expressions or context clarify sarcasm, as in: "Замечательный! Ещё один час в пробке." (Terrific! Another hour in traffic.) vs. Incorrect: Overusing it literally in formal emails.
Error: Failing to inflect the adjective correctly, e.g., saying "замечательный женщина" instead of "замечательная женщина". Correct: Always match gender and case, as Russian requires full agreement.
Cultural Notes:
In Russian culture, words like 'замечательный' and 'отличный' are frequently used to express enthusiasm in social interactions, reflecting a value on positivity and directness. However, sarcasm with these words is common in everyday life, similar to English, and can strengthen bonds in informal settings, such as among friends.
Related Concepts:
- хороший (good)
- прекрасный (beautiful)
- удивительный (amazing)