Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wasteful'

English Word: wasteful

Key Russian Translations:

• расточительный [rə.stɐˈt͡ɕi.tʲɪlʲ.nɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly used in discussions about resources, finances, or behavior, but not as ubiquitous as everyday adjectives.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and formal contexts.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

расточительный: [rə.stɐˈt͡ɕi.tʲɪlʲ.nɨj]

Note on расточительный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('t͡ɕi'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 't͡ɕ' sound, similar to 'ch' in 'church'. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel lengths.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Wasteful as in 'extravagant or inefficient use of resources'

Translation(s) & Context:

• расточительный - Used in formal or written contexts to describe someone or something that wastes resources unnecessarily, such as in financial or environmental discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его расточительный образ жизни привел к финансовым проблемам. (His wasteful lifestyle led to financial problems.)

  Translation: His wasteful lifestyle led to financial problems. (This example shows the adjective in a nominative context describing a noun.)

• Расточительные расходы на вечеринки неуместны в кризис. (Wasteful spending on parties is inappropriate during a crisis.)

  Translation: Wasteful spending on parties is inappropriate during a crisis. (Illustrates use in plural or general statements.)

• Эта компания известна своими расточительными методами производства. (This company is known for its wasteful production methods.)

  Translation: This company is known for its wasteful production methods. (Demonstrates application in business or industrial contexts.)

• Не будьте расточительным с водой в засушливый сезон. (Don't be wasteful with water during the dry season.)

  Translation: Don't be wasteful with water during the dry season. (Shows imperative use in advice or warnings.)

• Расточительный подход к энергии вреден для экологии. (A wasteful approach to energy is harmful to the environment.)

  Translation: A wasteful approach to energy is harmful to the environment. (Highlights abstract or conceptual usage.)

Wasteful as in 'not producing desired results'

Translation(s) & Context:

• бесполезный - Often used in informal contexts to imply something is wasteful because it's ineffective or futile.

Usage Examples:

• Его бесполезные усилия были по-настоящему расточительными. (His futile efforts were truly wasteful.)

  Translation: His futile efforts were truly wasteful. (Combines with other adjectives for emphasis.)

• Бесполезные встречи тратят время впустую. (Wasteful meetings waste time unnecessarily.)

  Translation: Wasteful meetings waste time unnecessarily. (Focuses on time management contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Расточительный" is an adjective in Russian, which means it undergoes declension based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ый. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

For "бесполезный", it follows a similar adjective pattern but is less variable in informal speech. Note that these are regular inflections; no irregular forms apply.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: тратный (more specific to spending), бесхозяйственный (implying poor management; often used in rural or economic contexts)
• Antonyms: экономный (frugal, efficient; differs by emphasizing thriftiness)

Related Phrases:

• Расточительный образ жизни - A wasteful lifestyle; often refers to excessive spending in personal habits.
• Бесполезные траты - Wasteful expenditures; used in financial planning to highlight inefficient costs.
• Расточительный расход ресурсов - Wasteful consumption of resources; common in environmental discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Расточительный" directly corresponds to "wasteful" in formal English contexts, particularly when describing inefficiency in resource use. It is more common in written Russian, such as in literature or official reports, and carries a neutral to negative connotation. When choosing between translations like "расточительный" and "бесполезный", opt for the former in economic or material contexts, and the latter for abstract futility. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun they modify. For example, avoid using it with plural nouns without proper declension.

• In informal speech, Russians might prefer simpler synonyms to avoid overly formal language.
• Grammar note: Always decline the adjective based on the noun's case to maintain sentence fluency.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "расточительный" with "тратный", using them interchangeably. For instance, a common mistake is saying "тратный время" instead of "расточительное время" in contexts of time wastage. Correct usage: "Расточительное использование времени" (Wasteful use of time). Explanation: "Тратный" specifically implies spending money, while "расточительный" is broader. Another error is forgetting declension, e.g., saying "расточительный дом" in genitive case as "расточительный дома" instead of "расточительного дома". Always check the noun's case for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being "расточительный" (wasteful) is often viewed negatively, especially in historical contexts like the Soviet era, where resource scarcity emphasized frugality. This word can evoke connotations of pre-revolutionary extravagance among the elite, making it a subtle critique in modern discussions about sustainability and economic prudence.

Related Concepts:

• экономный
• ресурсы
• экология