Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'victorious'

English Word: victorious

Key Russian Translations:

• победный [pɐˈbʲednɨj] - [Formal, commonly used in historical or military contexts]
• победоносный [pɐbʲɪdɐˈnosnɨj] - [Formal, emphasizes triumphant success, often in literary or official language]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in discussions of history, sports, and achievements, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and formal vocabulary. For 'победный', it's B2; for 'победоносный', it might lean towards C1 due to its more archaic tone.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

победный: [pɐˈbʲednɨj]

победоносный: [pɐbʲɪdɐˈnosnɨj]

Note on победный: The stress is on the second syllable, and the 'бʲ' sound is a palatalized 'b', which can be challenging for English speakers; practice with soft consonants.

Note on победоносный: This word has a rolling rhythm; the 'о' in the middle is pronounced as a short [ɐ]. Be mindful of the stress on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Achieving victory or success, often in a triumphant manner.

Translation(s) & Context:

• победный - Used in contexts involving military, sports, or historical triumphs, typically in formal writing or speech.
• победоносный - Applied to more grandiose or poetic descriptions of victory, such as in literature or official declarations.

Usage Examples:

• В битве за Москву советские войска были победными, несмотря на огромные трудности.

  In the Battle of Moscow, Soviet troops were victorious despite enormous difficulties. (Shows historical context and adjective agreement with the subject.)

• Спортсмены нашей команды вернулись домой как победные герои после олимпийских игр.

  The athletes from our team returned home as victorious heroes after the Olympic Games. (Illustrates use in sports and with plural nouns.)

• Победоносный марш армии был встречен ликованием толпы.

  The victorious march of the army was met with the cheering of the crowd. (Demonstrates a more formal, narrative style in a celebratory context.)

• Ее победный взгляд говорил о многом после напряженного соревнования.

  Her victorious gaze spoke volumes after the intense competition. (Highlights metaphorical use in everyday emotional descriptions.)

• Победоносный дух народа помог преодолеть кризисные годы.

  The victorious spirit of the people helped overcome the crisis years. (Shows abstract or motivational usage in broader contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'победный' and 'победоносный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for hard-stem adjectives, but 'победный' is regular, while 'победоносный' can feel more complex due to its length.

Note: These adjectives do not change in predicative positions (e.g., after 'быть' - to be). For feminine and neuter forms, add appropriate endings (e.g., победная for feminine singular).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • триумфальный [trʲɪʊmˈfɑlnɨj] - More emphatic, often used for celebrations; implies public triumph.
  • успешный [ʊˈspʲeʂnɨj] - General success, less formal than победный.
• Antonyms:
  • пораженный [pɐrɐˈʐɛnnɨj] - Defeated, used in contexts of loss.
  • неудачный [nʲɪʊˈdɑʧnɨj] - Unsuccessful, more neutral for failures.

Related Phrases:

• победный марш - A victorious march; refers to a ceremonial procession celebrating a win.
• победоносная армия - A victorious army; used in historical or military discussions to describe a conquering force.
• в духе победы - In the spirit of victory; a phrase for motivational contexts, implying triumphant resilience.

Usage Notes:

'Victorious' corresponds closely to 'победный' in formal English-to-Russian translations, especially for historical or competitive scenarios. However, 'победоносный' is preferred for more poetic or elevated language to convey grandeur. Be mindful of Russian adjective agreement: always match gender, number, and case with the noun (e.g., победный for masculine singular). In informal speech, simpler synonyms like 'успешный' might be used instead. When choosing between translations, opt for 'победный' in everyday contexts and 'победоносный' for literary works.

Common Errors:

• Error: Failing to decline the adjective correctly, e.g., using 'победный' in all cases instead of 'победного' in genitive. Correct: "После победного сражения" (After the victorious battle). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Overusing 'победоносный' in casual contexts, making speech sound overly formal. Correct: Use 'победный' for simplicity. Explanation: This can make the speaker seem pretentious; stick to context-appropriate vocabulary.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'победный' often evoke memories of historical events such as World War II victories (e.g., Victory Day on May 9th), symbolizing national pride and resilience. 'Победоносный' may carry a more imperial connotation, reflecting Russia's historical narratives of conquest, which can influence its use in patriotic literature or speeches.

Related Concepts:

• победа
• триумф
• геройство