Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'addicted'

English Word: addicted

Key Russian Translations:

• зависимый [zəˈvʲɪsʲɪmɨj] - [Formal, Adjective; used in medical, psychological, or general contexts to describe dependency on substances or habits]
• пристрастный [prʲɪˈstraestnɨj] - [Informal; implies strong attachment or obsession, often with a negative connotation, but less clinical than 'зависимый']

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions about health, psychology, and everyday life, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective forms and contexts, with 'зависимый' being standard and 'пристрастный' slightly more nuanced for learners at this level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

зависимый: [zəˈvʲɪsʲɪmɨj]

пристрастный: [prʲɪˈstraestnɨj]

Note on зависимый: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 's' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Dependent on a substance, habit, or activity (e.g., drug addiction, behavioral addiction)

Translation(s) & Context:

• зависимый - Used in formal contexts like medical reports or psychological discussions; implies a clinical level of dependency.
• пристрастный - Used in informal or everyday conversations; suggests emotional or habitual obsession without necessarily implying medical intervention.

Usage Examples:

• Он зависимый от интернета и тратит часы на социальные сети.

  He is addicted to the internet and spends hours on social media.

• Многие люди становятся пристрастными к кофе, не осознавая риска.

  Many people become addicted to coffee without realizing the risks.

• Эта зависимость от сигарет может привести к серьезным проблемам со здоровьем.

  This addiction to cigarettes can lead to serious health problems.

• Она пристрастна к шопингу и часто тратит все сбережения.

  She is addicted to shopping and often spends all her savings.

• Врач диагностировал его как зависимого от наркотиков и рекомендовал лечение.

  The doctor diagnosed him as addicted to drugs and recommended treatment.

Meaning 2: Figuratively obsessed or deeply engrossed (e.g., in a non-harmful way, like being addicted to a hobby)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пристрастный - More common in casual contexts; can be positive or neutral, unlike the formal 'зависимый'.

Usage Examples:

• Он пристрастен к чтению книг и читает по ночам.

  He is addicted to reading books and reads late into the night.

• Дети часто становятся зависимыми от видеоигр в современном мире.

  Children often become addicted to video games in the modern world.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'зависимый' and 'пристрастный' are adjectives, so they inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives in Russian agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

Note: These adjectives follow regular patterns, but always check the noun's case for agreement. They do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пристрастившийся (more verb-like, implying becoming addicted)
  • маньяк (informal, for extreme obsession, with a pejorative tone)
• Antonyms:
  • свободный (free from dependency)
  • независимый (independent, not reliant)

Note: 'Пристрастный' often carries a subtle emotional nuance compared to 'зависимый', which is more neutral and clinical.

Related Phrases:

• зависимость от [something] - Dependency on [something]; e.g., used in contexts like "зависимость от алкоголя" (addiction to alcohol).
• пристрастие к [activity] - Obsession with [activity]; e.g., "пристрастие к работе" (workaholism or addiction to work).
• бороться с зависимостью - To fight addiction; a common phrase in self-help or medical contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Зависимый' is the most direct and formal equivalent to 'addicted' in English, especially for substance abuse, and is preferred in professional settings. 'Пристрастный' is better for lighter, everyday obsessions but can imply negativity. Always consider the context: in Russian, these words require gender and case agreement with the subject. For English learners, choose 'зависимый' when translating medical or psychological terms, and use 'пристрастный' for informal narratives. Be cautious with cultural sensitivities around addiction topics.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'зависимый' without proper adjective agreement, e.g., saying "Она зависимый" instead of "Она зависимая" for a feminine subject.

  Correct: "Она зависимая от интернета." (She is addicted to the internet.)

  Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case; this is a common mistake for English speakers who don't inflect adjectives.

• Error: Confusing 'пристрастный' with 'пристрастный к' and omitting the preposition, e.g., "Он пристрастный работа" instead of "Он пристрастный к работе."

  Correct: "Он пристрастный к работе."

  Explanation: Prepositions are crucial in Russian for indicating relationships; omitting them can change the meaning entirely.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions around addiction (e.g., 'зависимость') often tie into broader social issues like alcoholism, which has historical roots in Soviet-era problems. Words like 'зависимый' carry a stigma, emphasizing personal weakness, so they are used carefully in conversations to avoid judgment. This reflects a cultural value on self-control and community support in overcoming dependencies.

Related Concepts:

• алкоголизм (alcoholism)
• наркомания (drug addiction)
• мания (mania or obsession)