Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unpredictability'

English Word: unpredictability

Key Russian Translations:

• Непредсказуемость [nʲɪprʲɪdskəzʊʲɪməsʲtʲ] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in discussions of behavior, weather, or systems in both everyday and professional contexts).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract nouns and basic Russian declensions, suitable for learners with intermediate vocabulary).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Непредсказуемость: [nʲɪprʲɪdskəzʊʲɪməsʲtʲ]

Note on Непредсказуемость: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("za"), and the initial "н" is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft "n" sound as in "new".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state of being unpredictable, lacking the ability to be foreseen or controlled.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Непредсказуемость - Used in formal contexts to describe uncertainty in events, systems, or human behavior, such as in scientific, psychological, or everyday discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Непредсказуемость погоды часто заставляет людей менять планы. (The unpredictability of the weather often forces people to change their plans.)

  English Translation: The unpredictability of the weather often forces people to change their plans.

• В бизнесе непредсказуемость рынка может привести к значительным потерям. (In business, the unpredictability of the market can lead to significant losses.)

  English Translation: In business, the unpredictability of the market can lead to significant losses.

• Непредсказуемость его настроения делает общение с ним сложным. (The unpredictability of his mood makes communication with him difficult.)

  English Translation: The unpredictability of his mood makes communication with him difficult.

• Учёные изучают непредсказуемость природных катастроф для лучшей подготовки. (Scientists study the unpredictability of natural disasters for better preparation.)

  English Translation: Scientists study the unpredictability of natural disasters for better preparation.

• Непредсказуемость игры делает её захватывающей для зрителей. (The unpredictability of the game makes it exciting for viewers.)

  English Translation: The unpredictability of the game makes it exciting for viewers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Непредсказуемость" is a feminine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ость, which are generally regular. Below is a table showing its inflections by case and number:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Нестабильность (nestabil'nost') - Implies instability, often used in contexts of change or fluctuation.
  • Неопределённость (neopredelennost') - Suggests vagueness or uncertainty, with a slight nuance of ambiguity.
• Antonyms:
  • Предсказуемость (predskazuemost') - Directly opposite, indicating something that can be foreseen.
  • Стабильность (stabil'nost') - Refers to steadiness and reliability.

Related Phrases:

• Непредсказуемость погоды - (Unpredictability of the weather; commonly used in meteorological discussions.)
• Непредсказуемость поведения - (Unpredictability of behavior; refers to erratic actions in psychology or daily life.)
• Непредсказуемость исхода - (Unpredictability of the outcome; often in contexts like sports or investments.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "непредсказуемость" directly corresponds to the English "unpredictability" as an abstract noun, but it is more commonly used in formal or written contexts rather than casual speech. Always ensure the noun agrees in case with its governing preposition or verb—for example, use the genitive case after words like "из-за" (because of). When choosing between synonyms like "нестабильность," opt for "непредсказуемость" when emphasizing the inability to forecast, as opposed to general instability. This word is gender-specific (feminine), so adjectives and verbs must align accordingly.

Common Errors:

• Confusing it with "непредсказуемый" (the adjective form): Learners might use "непредсказуемый" when they mean the noun. Incorrect: "Это непредсказуемый." (This is unpredictable—missing the noun form.) Correct: "Это непредсказуемость." Explanation: "Непредсказуемый" is an adjective, while "непредсказуемость" is the noun; always check the sentence structure for the right part of speech.

• Incorrect declension: Forgetting to change the ending in different cases, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Incorrect: "Из-за непредсказуемость" (should be genitive: "Из-за непредсказуемости"). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; practice with tables to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and literature, concepts like "непредсказуемость" often appear in discussions of fate or human nature, as seen in works by authors like Dostoevsky. It reflects a broader philosophical view in Russian society where uncertainty is sometimes embraced as part of life's complexity, contrasting with more structured Western approaches to planning.

Related Concepts:

• Риск (risk)
• Случайность (randomness)
• Неопределённость (uncertainty)