Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'worthless'

English Word: worthless

Key Russian Translations:

• Бесполезный [bʲɪs.pɐˈlʲez.nɨj] - [Informal, Everyday use for objects or ideas]
• Ненужный [nʲɪˈnuʐ.nɨj] - [Formal, Emphasizing lack of necessity]

Frequency: Medium (Common in daily conversations but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "good" or "bad")

Difficulty: B1 Intermediate (Requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions; for "Бесполезный," it's straightforward for learners familiar with basic grammar, while "Ненужный" may vary slightly in context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Бесполезный: [bʲɪs.pɐˈlʲez.nɨj]

Ненужный: [nʲɪˈnuʐ.nɨj]

Note on Бесполезный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("lʲez"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants; pronounce it with a clear "y" sound in "lʲez." Variations in regional accents may soften the "s" sound.

Note on Ненужный: Stress on the second syllable ("nuʐ"); be careful with the palatalized "nʲ," which is common in Russian but absent in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Of no use or value (Referring to something that lacks practical worth or utility)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Бесполезный - Often used in informal settings to describe everyday items or ideas that don't serve a purpose, such as a broken tool.
• Ненужный - Applied in more formal or professional contexts, like discarding unnecessary documents.

Usage Examples:

• Эта старая машина бесполезная; она не заводится.

  This old car is worthless; it won't start.

• Для этой задачи ненужный подход только усложнит ситуацию.

  For this task, a worthless approach will only complicate the situation.

• Бесполезные советы от друзей иногда раздражают.

  Worthless advice from friends can sometimes be annoying.

• Ненужные вещи в доме занимают место без пользы.

  Worthless things in the house take up space without any benefit.

• В этом контракте есть бесполезные пункты, которые не влияют на сделку.

  In this contract, there are worthless clauses that don't affect the deal.

Meaning 2: Lacking intrinsic value (Often metaphorical, as in something emotionally or morally insignificant)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Бесполезный - In emotional contexts, like describing a failed relationship.
• Ненужный - In formal writing, such as criticizing outdated traditions.

Usage Examples:

• Его обещания оказались бесполезными, как и раньше.

  His promises turned out to be worthless, as before.

• Ненужные эмоции в работе только мешают продуктивности.

  Worthless emotions at work only hinder productivity.

• Бесполезный спор не приведёт к решению проблемы.

  A worthless argument won't lead to solving the problem.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Бесполезный" and "Ненужный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they decline based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a regular pattern for most cases, but learners should note the endings. Below is a table for "Бесполезный" as an example; "Ненужный" follows similar rules.

For "Ненужный," the inflections are identical in pattern. These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them relatively easy to learn once the basic declension rules are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Бесцельный (aimless; more focused on lack of purpose), Мертвый (dead, in a figurative sense for ideas)
• Antonyms: Полезный (useful; direct opposite in everyday contexts), Ценный (valuable; emphasizes worth)

Related Phrases:

• Бесполезная трата времени - A worthless waste of time; used to express frustration over unproductive activities.
• Ненужный груз - Worthless baggage; often metaphorical for emotional or physical burdens.
• Бесполезные хлопоты - Worthless fuss; refers to unnecessary efforts in daily life.

Usage Notes:

"Worthless" in English directly corresponds to "Бесполезный" in informal Russian speech, but "Ненужный" is preferred in formal or written contexts to convey a sense of superfluity. Be mindful of the adjective's declension based on the noun it modifies—always match gender, number, and case. For example, use "Бесполезный" for masculine nouns and "Бесполезная" for feminine ones. When choosing between translations, opt for "Бесполезный" in casual conversations and "Ненужный" in professional settings like business or academia to avoid sounding too colloquial.

Common Errors:

• Common mistake: Confusing "Бесполезный" with "Бесценный," which means "priceless" (extremely valuable). Incorrect: "Эта книга бесценная" to mean worthless. Correct: "Эта книга бесполезная." Explanation: "Бесценный" implies high value, so learners must check the root words for accurate meaning.

• Another error: Forgetting to decline the adjective, e.g., saying "Бесполезный дом" in genitive case as "Бесполезный дома" instead of "Бесполезного дома." Correct form: Always decline properly to maintain grammatical agreement.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "Бесполезный" often carry a pragmatic connotation, reflecting the value placed on efficiency in daily life, especially in historical contexts like Soviet-era resourcefulness. For instance, during times of scarcity, items deemed "worthless" might still be repurposed, highlighting a cultural aversion to waste.

Related Concepts:

• Полезный
• Ценный
• Бесцельный