Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vicissitude'

English Word: vicissitude

Key Russian Translations:

• перемены (pʲɪrʲɪˈmʲenɨ) - [Formal, Plural; used in contexts discussing life changes or fluctuations]
• виражи (vʲɪˈraʐɨ) - [Informal; often applied to metaphorical 'turns' in life or events]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, philosophical discussions, and everyday conversations about life changes, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun declensions; for 'перемены', it's straightforward for intermediates, while 'виражи' may need more context for beginners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

перемены: pʲɪrʲɪˈmʲenɨ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'p' and 'r' sounds, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants.)

виражи: vʲɪˈraʐɨ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'zh' sound is like the 's' in 'measure', and the palatalized 'v' adds a soft quality.)

Note on перемены: Be cautious with the vowel reductions in fast speech; the 'e' in the first syllable can sound more like a schwa in informal contexts.

Note on виражи: This word may vary slightly in regional accents, with the final 'i' softening in some dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Unpredictable changes or fluctuations in life, circumstances, or events (e.g., the ups and downs of fortune).

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'перемены' - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe broader life changes, such as in philosophical or historical discussions.
• 'виражи' - Applied in informal or metaphorical contexts, like describing twists in a story or personal experiences.

Usage Examples:

• Жизнь полна неожиданных перемен, которые формируют наш характер.

  Life is full of unexpected vicissitudes that shape our character.

• В истории этой семьи были виражи, от богатства к нищете и обратно.

  In the history of this family, there were vicissitudes from wealth to poverty and back.

• Перемены в погоде могут повлиять на наши планы, как и в жизни.

  Vicissitudes in the weather can affect our plans, just as in life.

• Эти виражи судьбы заставили его переосмыслить свои ценности.

  These vicissitudes of fate made him rethink his values.

• В эпоху перемен важно оставаться адаптивным.

  In an era of vicissitudes, it's important to remain adaptable.

Meaning 2: A specific instance of change or a turning point (more literal or historical usage).

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'перемены' - In contexts emphasizing singular events, though it's plural by nature, often used for series of changes.
• 'виражи' - For dynamic, action-oriented changes, like in narratives or adventures.

Usage Examples:

• Эта перемены в политике привела к значительным социальным изменениям.

  This vicissitude in politics led to significant social changes.

• Во время путешествия он столкнулся с виражи, которые изменили его взгляд на мир.

  During the journey, he encountered vicissitudes that changed his view of the world.

• Перемены в экономике всегда влияют на повседневную жизнь.

  Vicissitudes in the economy always affect everyday life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Перемены' is a feminine plural noun (from the root 'перемена', meaning 'change'). It follows standard first-declension patterns for plural nouns in Russian. Below is a declension table:

'Виражи' is also a plural masculine noun (from 'вираж', meaning 'turn'). It has regular declensions similar to other masculine nouns:

Both words are invariable in terms of gender across contexts but change by case as shown.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • изменения (izmeneniya) - More neutral term for changes, often used interchangeably in formal contexts.
  • повороты (povoroty) - Emphasizes literal or metaphorical turns, with a slight connotation of direction.
• Antonyms:
  • стабильность (stabil'nost') - Stability or constancy, highlighting the opposite of fluctuation.
  • неизменность (neizmennost') - Immutability, used when something remains unchanged.

Related Phrases:

• Жизненные перемены (Zhiznennye peremeny) - Life's vicissitudes; a common phrase for discussing personal changes.
• Вираж судьбы (Virazh sud'by) - A turn of fate; used in storytelling to describe pivotal moments.
• Полные перемен (Polnye peremen) - Full of changes; implies a period or situation rich in vicissitudes.

Usage Notes:

'Перемены' directly corresponds to the plural form of 'vicissitude' in English, making it ideal for formal or literary translations, while 'виражи' is better for dynamic, narrative contexts. Use 'перемены' in written essays or philosophical discussions due to its neutral tone, but opt for 'виражи' in casual conversations. Grammatically, always consider case agreement in Russian sentences. When choosing between translations, select based on context: formal vs. informal. For example, in historical texts, 'перемены' fits better than 'виражи'.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'перемены' as a singular noun, e.g., saying "Эта перемены" instead of "Эта перемена" for a single change.

  Correct: "Эта перемена" (This vicissitude). Explanation: 'Перемены' is plural; learners often forget to adjust for number, leading to grammatical errors in Russian.

• Error: Confusing 'виражи' with 'виражи судьбы' and omitting the genitive for context, e.g., saying "Виражи в жизни" incorrectly as a direct equivalent.

  Correct: "Виражи судьбы" (Vicissitudes of fate). Explanation: This phrase requires the genitive case for precision; English speakers might overlook this, resulting in vague expressions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'перемены' often evoke themes from literature, such as in Tolstoy's works, where life's vicissitudes reflect the unpredictability of existence. This ties into the Russian philosophical tradition of resilience against fate, as seen in folk tales and Soviet-era stories, emphasizing adaptation to constant change as a national characteristic.

Related Concepts:

• судьба (sud'ba) - Fate
• изменчивость (izmenchivost') - Variability
• кризис (krizis) - Crisis