Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unable'

English Word: unable

Key Russian Translations:

• неспособный (/nʲɪˈspɐsəbnɨj/) - [Formal, Adjective]
• не в состоянии (/nʲe v sɐˈstoʲənʲɪj/) - [Informal, Phrase, Used in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its forms are commonly encountered in written and spoken Russian, especially in descriptive contexts, but not as frequent as basic everyday vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can understand and use these forms with some practice, as they involve basic adjective inflections and common phrases.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неспособный: /nʲɪˈspɐsəbnɨj/ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on неспособный: This word has a soft 'н' that affects the preceding vowel, making it sound more fluid in native speech. Pay attention to the vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.

Audio: []

не в состоянии: /nʲe v sɐˈstoʲənʲɪj/ (Emphasize the 'в' as a soft 'v' sound; the phrase is pronounced fluidly in conversation.)

Note on не в состоянии: This is a fixed phrase, so pronunciation remains consistent, but the intonation often rises at the end in questions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Lacking the ability or capacity to do something (adjective form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неспособный - Used in formal descriptions, such as in literature or professional settings, to describe someone or something incapable.
• не в состоянии - Informal context, often in spoken language to express temporary inability, like in daily conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Он неспособный справиться с этой задачей из-за отсутствия опыта.

  He is unable to handle this task due to lack of experience.

• Из-за болезни я не в состоянии работать сегодня.

  Due to illness, I am unable to work today.

• Эта машина неспособная развивать высокую скорость на неровной дороге.

  This car is unable to reach high speeds on uneven roads.

• Мы не в состоянии оплатить все счета в этом месяце.

  We are unable to pay all the bills this month.

Meaning 2: General incapacity or incompetence

Translation(s) & Context:

• неспособный - In contexts implying a more permanent trait, such as in psychological or evaluative descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Неспособный лидер может привести компанию к краху.

  An unable leader can lead the company to ruin.

• Ребёнок оказался неспособным к математике, но преуспел в искусстве.

  The child was unable in math but excelled in art.

• Неспособные к адаптации сотрудники часто уходят из компании.

  Employees unable to adapt often leave the company.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "неспособный" (an adjective), it follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which are regular but depend on gender, number, and case. It is an adjective of the first declension group.

For "не в состоянии", it is a fixed phrase and does not inflect; it remains unchanged in all contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • непригодный (neprigodnyy) - Similar but often implies unsuitability for a specific purpose.
  • бессильный (bessil'nyy) - Emphasizes powerlessness or weakness.
• Antonyms:
  • способный (sposobnyy)
  • в состоянии (v sostoianii)

Related Phrases:

• не в силах (ne v silakh) - Meaning: Unable due to lack of strength; used in contexts of physical or emotional exhaustion.
• неспособен к чему-либо (nesposoben k chemu-libo) - Meaning: Unable to do something; a common extension for specifying inability.
• не имеющий возможности (ne imeyushchiy vozmozhnosti) - Meaning: Unable because of lack of opportunity; often in formal writing.

Usage Notes:

"Неспособный" directly corresponds to the English adjective "unable" in formal contexts, but it's more commonly used to describe inherent incapability rather than temporary states. Choose "не в состоянии" for everyday, informal situations where "unable" implies a current limitation. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender and case agreements when using adjectives like "неспособный". For example, it must agree with the noun it modifies. If multiple translations are available, select based on context: formal writing vs. spoken language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "неспособный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "неспособный женщина" instead of "неспособная женщина".

  Correct: Ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case. Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun they describe, unlike English.

• Error: Confusing "не в состоянии" with "неспособный" in formal texts, leading to overly casual phrasing.

  Correct: Use "неспособный" in written or professional contexts. Explanation: "Не в состоянии" is more idiomatic for speech but can sound informal in writing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of inability like "неспособный" can carry a connotation of personal failure or societal judgment, especially in educational or professional settings. This reflects a cultural emphasis on resilience and capability, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where characters' inabilities often symbolize deeper flaws.

Related Concepts:

• способность (sposobnost')
• бессильность (bessil'nost')
• непригодность (neprigodnost')