Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unbearable'

English Word: unbearable

Key Russian Translations:

• Невыносимый /nʲɪvɨˈnosʲɪmɨj/ - [Formal, commonly used in descriptive contexts]
• Нестерпимый /nʲɪsʲtʲɛrˈpʲimɨj/ - [Formal, often for intense emotional or physical states]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and media, but are not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and nuances in emotional expression. For "Невыносимый," it's B2; for "Нестерпимый," it's also B2 due to similar inflection patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Невыносимый: /nʲɪvɨˈnosʲɪmɨj/

Note on Невыносимый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("no"), and the initial "н" is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers. Practice the soft "н" sound as in "news" but more pronounced.

Нестерпимый: /nʲɪsʲtʲɛrˈpʲimɨj/

Note on Нестерпимый: Stress is on the second syllable ("ster"), with a soft "т" sound; this word often has a more emphatic delivery in spoken Russian to convey intensity.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Describing something that is intolerable or cannot be endured, often due to pain, heat, emotion, or annoyance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Невыносимый - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe overwhelming situations, such as extreme weather or emotional distress.
• Нестерпимый - Applied in contexts involving acute physical or emotional pain, often in more vivid or dramatic narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Эта жара невыносимая в летние дни. (This heat is unbearable on summer days.)

  Translation: This heat is unbearable on summer days. (Context: Describes environmental discomfort, showcasing the adjective in a nominative form.)

• Его нестерпимая боль заставила его кричать. (His unbearable pain made him scream.)

  Translation: His unbearable pain made him scream. (Context: Illustrates use with physical sensations, in a sentence with a direct object.)

• Невыносимый шум от соседей не дает мне спать. (The unbearable noise from the neighbors doesn't let me sleep.)

  Translation: The unbearable noise from the neighbors doesn't let me sleep. (Context: Everyday annoyance, demonstrating agreement with a masculine noun.)

• Для нее нестерпимая потеря близкого человека. (For her, the unbearable loss of a loved one.)

  Translation: For her, the unbearable loss of a loved one. (Context: Emotional context, showing the adjective in a feminine form.)

• В этой комнате невыносимый запах дыма. (In this room, there's an unbearable smell of smoke.)

  Translation: In this room, there's an unbearable smell of smoke. (Context: Sensory description, varying grammatical structure.)

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use, such as describing something overwhelmingly boring or tedious.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Невыносимый - In informal or figurative speech, to express extreme boredom or irritation.

Usage Examples:

• Это невыносимое ожидание в очереди. (This unbearable waiting in line.)

  Translation: This unbearable waiting in line. (Context: Expresses tedium in daily life.)

• Его нестерпимая болтовня утомляет всех. (His unbearable chatter tires everyone.)

  Translation: His unbearable chatter tires everyone. (Context: Social interaction, highlighting figurative use.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Невыносимый" and "Нестерпимый" are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but they can be irregular in certain forms. Below is a table for "Невыносимый" as an example; "Нестерпимый" follows similar rules.

Note: "Нестерпимый" inflects identically. These adjectives do not change in short form but can be used predicatively without full inflection in some contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Ужасный (awful; more general and less intense, often used for something frightening or terrible)
  • Непереносимый (unendurable; similar but emphasizes physical impossibility)
• Antonyms:
  • Терпимый (bearable; implies something can be endured with effort)
  • Приемлемый (acceptable; used when something is tolerable in a social context)

Related Phrases:

• Невыносимая жара (Unbearable heat; a common phrase for extreme weather conditions, often used in summer complaints.)
• Нестерпимая боль (Unbearable pain; refers to intense physical or emotional suffering, frequently in medical or dramatic contexts.)
• Невыносимый груз (Unbearable burden; figuratively for overwhelming responsibilities or emotional weight.)

Usage Notes:

"Невыносимый" and "Нестерпимый" directly correspond to "unbearable" but are more formal in Russian. Use "Невыносимый" for everyday descriptions of discomfort, while "Нестерпимый" suits more intense or literary scenarios. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. For English learners, choose based on context: "Невыносимый" for general use and "Нестерпимый" for emphasis. These words are not typically used in casual slang, so avoid in informal chats unless emphasizing drama.

Common Errors:

• Error: Failing to decline the adjective correctly, e.g., saying "Невыносимый женщина" instead of "Невыносимая женщина" (for a feminine noun).

  Correct: Невыносимая женщина. (Explanation: Adjectives must agree in gender; this mistake often stems from English's lack of declension.)

• Error: Using the wrong synonym, e.g., confusing "Невыносимый" with "Ужасный" in a physical pain context.

  Correct: For pain, use "Нестерпимый боль"; "Ужасный" implies horror rather than endurance. (Explanation: This can alter the intended meaning, making the description less precise.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Невыносимый" often appear in literature and everyday expressions to convey the harshness of Russian winters or emotional resilience, reflecting a cultural emphasis on endurance (e.g., in works by Tolstoy). They highlight the Russian value of "терпение" (patience), where something "unbearable" tests one's fortitude.

Related Concepts:

• Терпеливый (patient)
• Страдание (suffering)
• Эмоциональный (emotional)