Russian Translation(s) & Details for '{{affliction}}'

English Word: {{affliction}}

Key Russian Translations:

• страдание [strɐˈdanʲɪje] - [Formal, Singular, Used in literary or philosophical contexts]
• болезнь [bɐˈlʲeznʲ] - [Informal, Singular, Used in medical or everyday health-related contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, medical discussions, and everyday language, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic abstract concepts, but accessible to learners with some exposure to Russian grammar).

Pronunciation (Russian):

страдание: [strɐˈdanʲɪje]

Note on страдание: The stress is on the third syllable ('da'), and the palatalized 'n' sound may be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft 'n' as in 'onion'.

болезнь: [bɐˈlʲeznʲ]

Note on болезнь: The 'lʲ' is a palatalized 'l', similar to the 'l' in 'million' in English. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A state of physical or mental suffering

Translation(s) & Context:

• страдание - Used in formal, emotional, or philosophical contexts to describe enduring pain or hardship.
• болезнь - Applied in contexts involving illness or disease, often more literal and health-related.

Usage Examples:

• Его страдание от потери близкого было невыносимым.

  His affliction from the loss of a loved one was unbearable.

• Эта болезнь стала настоящим страданием для всей семьи.

  This affliction became a real suffering for the whole family.

• Врачи диагностировали редкую болезнь, которая причиняет постоянное страдание.

  Doctors diagnosed a rare affliction that causes constant suffering.

• Страдание от одиночества часто приводит к депрессии.

  Affliction from loneliness often leads to depression.

• Её болезнь превратила повседневную жизнь в сплошное страдание.

  Her affliction turned everyday life into sheer suffering.

Meaning 2: A cause of distress or trouble

Translation(s) & Context:

• страдание - Often used metaphorically in literature or discussions about life's challenges.
• болезнь - In contexts where the "affliction" is a societal or personal problem, like addiction.

Usage Examples:

• Алкоголизм стал его главным страданием в жизни.

  Alcoholism became his primary affliction in life.

• Эта болезнь общества, коррупция, приводит к всеобщему страданию.

  This societal affliction, corruption, leads to widespread suffering.

• Страдание от финансовых проблем вынудило его изменить образ жизни.

  The affliction of financial problems forced him to change his lifestyle.

• Болезнь зависимости от гаджетов – это современное страдание молодежи.

  The affliction of gadget addiction is a modern suffering for youth.

• Его страдание от несправедливости мотивировало бороться за права.

  His affliction from injustice motivated him to fight for rights.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For the noun "страдание" (neuter noun), it follows standard Russian declension patterns for third-declension neuter nouns. It is inflected based on case and number.

For "болезнь" (feminine noun), it follows first-declension patterns with irregularities in some forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мука (muka) - Similar to страдание, but often implies more intense physical pain; used in emotional contexts.
  • несчастье (neschast'ye) - General synonym for страдание, emphasizing misfortune.
• Antonyms:
  • счастье (schast'ye) - Direct opposite, meaning happiness.
  • здоровье (zdorov'ye) - Antonym for болезнь, meaning health.

Related Phrases:

• терпеть страдание - To endure suffering; used to describe patiently bearing pain or hardship.
• болезнь души - Affliction of the soul; refers to emotional or psychological issues.
• освободиться от страдания - To be freed from affliction; common in philosophical or self-help contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Страдание" is a more abstract and formal equivalent to "affliction" in English, often used in literary or introspective settings, while "болезнь" is better for concrete medical contexts. Choose based on whether the affliction is emotional/philosophical or physical. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender: "страдание" is neuter and "болезнь" is feminine, affecting adjective agreements. In everyday speech, "болезнь" might be preferred for simplicity, but "страдание" adds depth in formal writing.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "страдание" interchangeably with "болезнь" without considering context. For example, saying "Моя страдание – простуда" (My affliction is a cold) is incorrect because "страдание" sounds overly dramatic for a minor illness.

  Correct: Моя болезнь – простуда. (My affliction is a cold.)

  Explanation: "Болезнь" is more appropriate for physical ailments, while "страдание" fits broader, emotional scenarios.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun properly, e.g., using "страдание" in the genitive case as "страдание" instead of "страдания".

  Correct: От страдания (From suffering).

  Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so learners often mix up endings, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "страдание" carry deep connotations from literature and philosophy, influenced by writers like Dostoevsky, who often depicted human suffering as a path to redemption. This reflects a broader Slavic tradition of viewing affliction not just as pain, but as a profound, transformative experience, contrasting with more pragmatic Western interpretations.

Related Concepts:

• мука
• несчастье
• страх