Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unpopular'

English Word: unpopular

Key Russian Translations:

• непопулярный (nʲɪpəpʊˈlʲarnɨj) - [Adjective, Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in everyday contexts, especially in media, politics, and discussions, but not as common as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of adjective declensions and formal vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

непопулярный: nʲɪpəpʊˈlʲarnɨj

Note on непопулярный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("lʲarnɨj"). Pronunciation can vary slightly by region, with softer palatalization in standard Moscow dialect. Pay attention to the "ы" sound, which is a back vowel unique to Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Not liked or popular by many people (e.g., in contexts of opinions, policies, or trends).

Translation(s) & Context:

• непопулярный - Used in formal or written contexts, such as news articles, political discussions, or academic writing, to describe something that lacks public support. (English context: Similar to "unpopular" in English formal speech.)

Usage Examples:

• Эта политика непопулярна среди населения из-за высоких налогов.

  This policy is unpopular among the population due to high taxes. (Demonstrates use in a political context with a reason.)

• В школе у него были непопулярные хобби, такие как коллекционирование старых монет.

  At school, he had unpopular hobbies, such as collecting old coins. (Shows use in personal or social contexts, highlighting individual differences.)

• Непопулярный фильм не собрал много зрителей в первые дни проката.

  The unpopular film didn't attract many viewers in its first days of release. (Illustrates use in entertainment or cultural discussions.)

• Её непопулярные решения как лидера вызвали протесты в обществе.

  Her unpopular decisions as a leader sparked protests in society. (Emphasizes use in leadership or decision-making scenarios.)

• В моде непопулярные цвета, такие как оранжевый, редко выбирают для одежды.

  In fashion, unpopular colors like orange are rarely chosen for clothing. (Demonstrates use in everyday topics like trends and preferences.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

непопулярный is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives ending in -ый. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners, but always ensure agreement with the noun it modifies.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • непривлекательный (neprivlekatel'nyy) - More emphasis on lack of appeal, often used in marketing or personal contexts.
  • невостребованный (nevostrebovannyy) - Implies something is not in demand, suitable for professional or economic discussions.
• Antonyms:
  • популярный (populyarnyy) - Directly opposite, meaning widely liked or famous.
  • привлекательный (privlekatel'nyy) - Means attractive or appealing, often in social or aesthetic contexts.

Related Phrases:

• непопулярное решение (nepopulyarnoe reshenie) - An unpopular decision; used in contexts like politics or management to describe choices that face opposition.
• непопулярная мера (nepopulyarnaya mera) - An unpopular measure; common in economic or policy discussions, implying a necessary but disliked action.
• стать непопулярным (stat' nepopulyarnym) - To become unpopular; a phrase for describing a shift in public opinion, often in social dynamics.

Usage Notes:

непопулярный directly corresponds to "unpopular" in English, but it's more commonly used in formal or written Russian rather than casual speech, where speakers might opt for simpler phrases like "никому не нравится" (nobody likes it). Always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it describes, as Russian requires this for grammatical correctness. When choosing between synonyms like непривлекательный, consider the context: use непопулярный for broad public disapproval, especially in media or politics. For learners, practice with news articles to see how it integrates into sentences.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget adjective agreement, e.g., incorrectly saying "непопулярный политика" instead of "непопулярная политика" (for feminine nouns). Correct usage: Ensure the ending matches the noun's gender and case.

• Confusing it with synonyms: Learners might overuse непопулярный when непривлекательный is more appropriate, e.g., saying "непопулярный дизайн" for an unappealing design, but actually, "непривлекательный дизайн" fits better. Explanation: непопулярный focuses on popularity, not aesthetics.

• Overgeneralizing in informal contexts: Using it in casual talk might sound stiff; instead of "Это непопулярно," natives say "Это не в тренде." Correct: Reserve it for formal settings to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "unpopularity" often ties to historical events, such as unpopular reforms during the Soviet era or modern political decisions. For instance, words like непопулярный are frequently used in discussions about public sentiment toward government policies, reflecting Russia's emphasis on collective opinion in media and society.

Related Concepts:

• популярность (populyarnost') - Popularity
• общественное мнение (obshchestvennoe mnenie) - Public opinion
• неприятие (nepriyatie) - Rejection or disapproval