Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vulnerable'

English Word: vulnerable

Key Russian Translations:

• уязвимый [uˈjazvʲimɨj] - [Formal, used in contexts like security, psychology, or general vulnerability]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in technical, medical, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level, as it involves understanding nuanced adjectives and their inflections; requires familiarity with Russian grammar for correct usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

уязвимый: [uˈjazvʲimɨj]

Note on уязвимый: The stress falls on the second syllable ("jaz"). Be cautious with the palatalized 'z' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Capable of being physically, emotionally, or systemically wounded or attacked (e.g., in security contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• уязвимый - Used in formal or technical settings, such as describing a system's weaknesses or a person's emotional state. Common in written Russian, like in reports or articles.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Этот сервер уязвим к хакерским атакам.

  English: This server is vulnerable to hacker attacks.

• Русский: В эмоциональном плане она уязвима, но старается это скрывать.

  English: Emotionally, she is vulnerable but tries to hide it.

• Русский: Уязвимые группы населения нуждаются в особой защите.

  English: Vulnerable groups in the population need special protection.

• Русский: В условиях пандемии многие бизнесы оказались уязвимыми.

  English: In the context of the pandemic, many businesses turned out to be vulnerable.

2. Exposed to harm or risk (e.g., in a metaphorical sense, like in relationships or health).

Translation(s) & Context:

• уязвимый - Often used in psychological or social contexts, emphasizing exposure without implying weakness outright.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Дети часто бывают уязвимы к инфекционным заболеваниям.

  English: Children are often vulnerable to infectious diseases.

• Русский: В браке каждый может чувствовать себя уязвимым.

  English: In marriage, everyone can feel vulnerable.

• Русский: Уязвимая экосистема леса страдает от загрязнения.

  English: The vulnerable ecosystem of the forest suffers from pollution.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"уязвимый" is an adjective in Russian, which follows the standard adjectival inflection patterns. It agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. The base form is masculine singular nominative.

Note: The word inflects regularly, but pay attention to soft endings in certain cases. If no specific noun is modified, it remains in its base form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: слабый (slabyy) - less formal, implies general weakness; незащищенный (nezashchishchennyy) - emphasizes lack of protection.
• Antonyms: устойчивый (ustoichivyy) - stable or resistant; защищенный (zashchishchennyy) - protected or secure.

Related Phrases:

• уязвимое место - A weak spot or vulnerability in a system (used in contexts like IT or personal flaws).
• уязвимая точка - A point of vulnerability, often in strategic or emotional discussions.
• быть уязвимым к чему-либо - To be vulnerable to something, as in risks or influences.

Usage Notes:

"Уязвимый" directly corresponds to "vulnerable" in English but is more commonly used in formal or technical contexts in Russian. It carries a neutral connotation, focusing on exposure rather than inherent weakness. When choosing between translations like "слабый," opt for "уязвимый" in scenarios involving security or emotional states to avoid implying fragility. Grammatically, ensure it agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case. In spoken Russian, it's versatile across registers but less common in casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Common mistake: Using "уязвимый" interchangeably with "слабый" without considering context. For example, English learners might say "Он слабый" when meaning "He is vulnerable," but this implies physical weakness rather than exposure. Correct usage: "Он уязвимый" for emotional vulnerability. Explanation: "Слабый" focuses on inherent frailty, while "уязвимый" highlights susceptibility.

• Another error: Forgetting inflection, e.g., saying "уязвимый дом" in genitive case instead of "уязвимого дома." Correct: Use the proper form like "уязвимого дома" (of the vulnerable house). This can confuse sentence structure and lead to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "уязвимый" often appears in discussions of national security or personal resilience, influenced by historical events like wars and economic crises. It reflects a cultural emphasis on endurance, where admitting vulnerability (e.g., in literature or psychology) is seen as a step toward strength, as in works by authors like Tolstoy.

Related Concepts:

• безопасность (security)
• защищенность (protectedness)
• риск (risk)