Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'adolescence'

English Word: adolescence

Key Russian Translations:

• подростковый возраст [pɐdrɐsˈtokʲɪj vɐzrast] - [Formal]
• юность [ˈjunəsʲtʲ] - [Informal, often poetic or literary]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in educational, psychological, and developmental contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun phrases and basic grammatical structures, though the vocabulary itself is not overly complex for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

подростковый возраст: [pɐdrɐsˈtokʲɪj vɐzrast]

Note on подростковый возраст: The stress falls on the third syllable of "подростковый" and the second syllable of "возраст." Be mindful of the palatalized 'k' sound in "токʲɪj," which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

юность: [ˈjunəsʲtʲ]

Note on юность: The initial "ю" is pronounced as a soft "yoo" sound, similar to "you" in English, but with a more rounded vowel. This word is less stressed in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The period of life between childhood and adulthood, typically involving physical and psychological changes.

Translation(s) & Context:

• подростковый возраст - Used in formal contexts like psychology, education, or medical discussions to describe the developmental stage.
• юность - Applied in informal or literary settings to evoke emotional or cultural aspects of youth.

Usage Examples:

• В подростковом возрасте дети часто сталкиваются с эмоциональными изменениями.

  In adolescence, children often face emotional changes.

• Подростковый возраст — это время, когда формируется личность.

  Adolescence is a time when personality is formed.

• Её юность прошла в маленьком городе, полная приключений.

  Her adolescence passed in a small town, full of adventures.

• Во время подросткового возраста важно поддерживать связь с родителями.

  During adolescence, it's important to maintain a connection with parents.

• Юность — период, когда молодые люди ищут свою идентичность.

  Adolescence is a period when young people search for their identity.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations involve nouns, with "возраст" (from "подростковый возраст") being a masculine noun that inflects according to Russian case and number systems. "Юность" is a feminine noun with standard inflection patterns. Below is a table for "возраст" as an example; "юность" follows similar rules but is less commonly inflected in fixed phrases.

For "юность" (feminine noun): It is invariant in many contexts but inflects as юности (genitive), юности (dative), etc. These words do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • юность (similar to the original, but more poetic)
  • подростничество (focuses on the social aspects, often in sociological contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • детство (childhood)
  • взрослость (adulthood)

Related Phrases:

• Период подросткового возраста - A phrase meaning "the period of adolescence," often used in educational or psychological discussions; refers to a specific stage in human development.
• Кризис юности - Means "crisis of adolescence," highlighting emotional turmoil; commonly used in literature or therapy contexts.
• Вход в подростковый возраст - Translates to "entering adolescence," describing the transition phase; useful in parenting guides.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "подростковый возраст" directly corresponds to the English "adolescence" in formal settings, emphasizing biological and psychological development, while "юность" carries a more cultural or emotional connotation, similar to "youth" in English poetry. Choose "подростковый возраст" for scientific or educational contexts to ensure precision, as it avoids ambiguity. Be aware of grammatical gender: "возраст" is masculine, so it requires masculine agreement in adjectives and verbs. For example, avoid using it in feminine constructs. In spoken Russian, these terms are often paired with verbs like "проходить" (to pass through) to describe experiences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing the case endings, e.g., using "подростковый возрасту" instead of "подростковый возраст" in nominative contexts. Correct: Use "возраст" in the appropriate case, such as "в подростковом возрасте" for prepositional. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with prepositions and governing words; this error stems from overgeneralizing English word order.
• Error: Treating "юность" as a neutral term when it's more literary, leading to awkward usage in formal writing. Correct: Opt for "подростковый возраст" in academic papers. Explanation: English learners might equate it directly to "adolescence," but in Russian, it implies a romanticized view, which can mismatch formal tones.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, adolescence (particularly "юность") is often romanticized in literature and art, as seen in works by authors like Turgenev or Chekhov, where it symbolizes idealism and rebellion. However, "подростковый возраст" is more clinically viewed in modern contexts, influenced by Soviet-era education reforms that emphasized structured youth development. This duality reflects Russia's historical blend of romanticism and pragmatism, helping English speakers understand why the term might evoke different emotions depending on context.

Related Concepts:

• детство (childhood)
• взрослость (adulthood)
• молодость (youth, in a broader sense)