Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'void'

English Word: void

Key Russian Translations:

• пустой [ˈpustəj] - [Adjective, Informal/Neutral, Used in everyday contexts]
• недействительный [nʲɪdʲɪˈstvʲɪtʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Used in legal or official contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in both spoken and written Russian, especially in descriptive language).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level; requires basic understanding of adjective declensions and context-specific usage for learners at this CEFR level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

пустой: [ˈpustəj]

Note on пустой: The stress falls on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 't' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations may occur in fast speech.

недействительный: [nʲɪdʲɪˈstvʲɪtʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on недействительный: This word has a complex consonant cluster; practice the palatalized 'n' and 'd' sounds. Regional accents might soften the ending.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Empty or lacking content (e.g., physical or abstract void)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пустой - Used in everyday descriptions of physical spaces or abstract emptiness, such as an empty room or a void feeling.
• недействительный - Less common here; typically for invalid or null states, but can imply a void in formal contexts like contracts.

Usage Examples:

• Русский комната была совершенно пустой, без мебели и украшений.

  The room was completely void, without furniture or decorations.

• После его ухода, в её сердце образовалась пустая пустота.

  After his departure, a void formed in her heart.

• Этот контейнер пустой, поэтому его можно использовать для хранения.

  This container is void, so it can be used for storage.

• Пустой взгляд в окно указывал на его внутреннюю пустоту.

  The void stare out the window indicated his inner void.

Meaning 2: Invalid or legally null (e.g., a void contract)

Translation(s) & Context:

• недействительный - Primarily used in formal, legal, or administrative contexts to denote something that is void or unenforceable.
• пустой - Rarely used here; might appear in informal speech to mean "null" in a non-legal sense.

Usage Examples:

• Договор был признан недействительным из-за отсутствия подписей.

  The contract was declared void due to the lack of signatures.

• Её старая виза стала недействительной после истечения срока.

  Her old visa became void after it expired.

• Этот чек недействительный, потому что он был выписан на неверное имя.

  This check is void because it was written to the wrong name.

• В случае ошибки, транзакция может быть объявлена пустой.

  In case of an error, the transaction can be declared void (informal usage).

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "пустой" and "недействительный" are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives follow standard patterns with some irregularities.

For "пустой" (common adjective):

For "недействительный" (similar pattern, but longer and less common):

It follows the same declension rules as other hard-stem adjectives. Note: It does not change in short form usage, which is invariant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пустой - Similar to свободный (free, unoccupied), but with a focus on emptiness rather than availability.
  • недействительный - Synonymous with аннулированный (annulled), often used interchangeably in legal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • полный (full) - Opposite of пустой in physical contexts.
  • действительный (valid) - Opposite of недействительный in legal contexts.

Related Phrases:

• пустой дом - An empty house; used to describe abandoned or unoccupied residences.
• недействительный паспорт - A void passport; common in travel and administrative scenarios.
• пустая трата времени - A waste of time; implies a void or meaningless activity.

Usage Notes:

"Пустой" directly corresponds to the English "void" in contexts of emptiness, but it's more versatile for physical descriptions. "Недействительный" aligns with legal "void," such as in contracts, and should be used in formal settings to avoid misunderstandings. Always consider the gender and case agreement in sentences. For multiple translations, choose based on context: opt for "пустой" in casual speech and "недействительный" in official documents.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "пустой" in legal contexts where "недействительный" is appropriate, e.g., saying "пустой договор" instead of "недействительный договор." Correct: The latter is precise; explanation: "Пустой" implies physical emptiness, not legal invalidity, which can lead to confusion in formal writing.

• Error: Forgetting adjective declensions, e.g., using "пустой" in all cases regardless of gender. Correct: Adjust to "пустая" for feminine nouns; explanation: Russian requires agreement, so mismatched forms sound unnatural to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "void" or emptiness (пустота) often carries philosophical connotations, influenced by literature like Tolstoy's works, where it symbolizes existential absence. This can add depth to everyday usage, making it more than just a literal description.

Related Concepts:

• пустота (emptiness)
• свободное пространство (free space)
• аннулирование (annulment)