Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'acrophobia'

English Word: acrophobia

Key Russian Translations:

• акрофобия /ɐkrɐˈfobʲɪə/ - [Formal, Medical Context]

Frequency: Medium (Primarily used in psychological, medical, or specialized discussions; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1) - This term is technical and requires familiarity with medical vocabulary and Russian noun declensions for accurate usage.

Pronunciation (Russian):

акрофобия: /ɐkrɐˈfobʲɪə/

Note on акрофобия: The stress falls on the third syllable ("fo-"). Pronunciation can vary slightly by region, with a softer 'б' sound in some dialects. Pay attention to the palatalized 'бʲ' for authenticity.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Fear of Heights (Primary Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• акрофобия - Used in formal medical or psychological contexts to describe an irrational fear of heights, often in professional discussions or therapy sessions.

Usage Examples:

• У меня акрофобия, поэтому я никогда не поднимаюсь на высокие здания.

  I have acrophobia, so I never go up tall buildings.

• Акрофобия может быть причиной панических атак у некоторых людей.

  Acrophobia can be the cause of panic attacks in some people.

• Лечение акрофобии часто включает постепенное привыкание к высоте.

  Treatment for acrophobia often involves gradual exposure to heights.

• Её акрофобия проявилась во время поездки в горы, где она не смогла смотреть вниз.

  Her acrophobia manifested during a mountain trip, where she couldn't look down.

• Врачи диагностировали у него акрофобию после нескольких инцидентов с лифтами.

  Doctors diagnosed him with acrophobia after several incidents with elevators.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Акрофобия" is a feminine noun (feminine singular) in Russian, derived from Greek roots, and follows the standard first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -ия. It is relatively regular but requires attention to case changes in sentences.

Note: The plural form is less commonly used, as phobias are typically discussed in singular contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: страх высоты (general fear of heights; less technical), высотобоязнь (more colloquial alternative)
• Antonyms: любовь к высоте (love of heights; implies the opposite emotional response)

Explanation: "Страх высоты" is a broader synonym that might be used in everyday language, while "высотобоязнь" shares a similar connotation but is slightly more informal.

Related Phrases:

• Лечение акрофобии - Treatment for acrophobia (Used in medical contexts to discuss therapy options).
• Симптомы акрофобии - Symptoms of acrophobia (Common in psychological discussions to list effects like dizziness).
• Преодолеть акрофобию - To overcome acrophobia (Motivational phrase in self-help scenarios).

Usage Notes:

This Russian translation directly corresponds to the English "acrophobia" as a specific phobia in psychological terminology. It is typically used in formal settings, such as medical reports or therapy sessions, and should be paired with appropriate case endings based on sentence structure (e.g., in genitive for possession: "у меня акрофобии"). English learners should note that Russian phobias often incorporate foreign roots, making them advanced vocabulary. When choosing between synonyms like "страх высоты," opt for "акрофобия" in professional contexts for precision, but use the simpler alternative in casual conversations to avoid sounding overly technical.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the word without proper declension, e.g., saying "у меня акрофобия" in a context requiring genitive, which might sound incomplete.

  Correct Usage: У меня акрофобия (nominative is fine here), but in phrases like "страх от акрофобия," it should be "страх от акрофобии" (genitive).

  Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case; beginners often forget this, leading to grammatical errors that native speakers might find awkward.

• Error: Confusing it with similar terms, e.g., using "агорафобия" (fear of open spaces) instead.

  Correct Usage: Always verify the specific phobia; for "acrophobia," stick to "акрофобия."

  Explanation: These terms are specific, and mixing them up can change the meaning entirely in medical discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phobias like acrophobia are often discussed in the context of urban living or outdoor activities, such as hiking in the Caucasus Mountains. While not uniquely cultural, the term reflects the influence of Western psychology on Russian medical language, especially post-Soviet era, where such concepts were integrated into everyday health conversations.

Related Concepts:

• агорафобия (agoraphobia)
• клаустрофобия (claustrophobia)
• социофобия (social phobia)