Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Alcohol'

English Word: alcohol

Key Russian Translations:

• алкоголь [ɐlkɐˈɡolʲ] - [Formal, General Use]
• спирт [spʲirt] - [Formal, Often Scientific or Technical]
• выпивка [vɨˈpʲifkə] - [Informal, Refers to Alcoholic Drinks]

Frequency: High (especially "алкоголь" and "выпивка")

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "алкоголь" and "выпивка"); B1 (Intermediate for "спирт" due to technical usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

алкоголь: [ɐlkɐˈɡolʲ]

Note on алкоголь: Stress is on the second syllable. The 'г' is pronounced as a soft 'g' due to the following 'о'.

спирт: [spʲirt]

Note on спирт: The 'и' is short, and the 'р' is rolled slightly.

выпивка: [vɨˈpʲifkə]

Note on выпивка: Stress on the second syllable; the final 'а' is reduced to a schwa sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Alcohol as a Substance (General or Chemical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• алкоголь - Used in general contexts to refer to alcohol as a substance or category of drinks.
• спирт - Refers specifically to ethanol or alcohol in a scientific, medical, or industrial context.

Usage Examples:

• Алкоголь вреден для здоровья.

  Alcohol is harmful to health.

• В этом растворе содержится спирт.

  This solution contains alcohol (ethanol).

• Алкоголь запрещён в некоторых странах.

  Alcohol is prohibited in some countries.

2. Alcohol as Alcoholic Beverages (Colloquial)

Translation(s) & Context:

• выпивка - Informal, refers to alcoholic drinks or the act of drinking.

Usage Examples:

• На вечеринке было много выпивки.

  There was a lot of alcohol (booze) at the party.

• Давай возьмём выпивку на выходные.

  Let’s get some alcohol for the weekend.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

алкоголь (Masculine Noun):

Case	Singular
Nominative	алкоголь
Genitive	алкоголя
Dative	алкоголю
Accusative	алкоголь
Instrumental	алкоголем
Prepositional	об алкоголе

Note: "алкоголь" is usually uncountable and does not have a plural form in most contexts.

спирт (Masculine Noun): Follows similar declension patterns to "алкоголь".

выпивка (Feminine Noun): Regular feminine noun declension in singular and plural forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for алкоголь/выпивка:

• спиртное
• горячительные напитки (formal, "hot drinks")

Note: "спиртное" is more formal than "выпивка" and often used in written contexts.

Antonyms:

• безалкогольный напиток (non-alcoholic drink)

Related Phrases:

• употреблять алкоголь - to consume alcohol
• запрет на алкоголь - ban on alcohol
• выпивка на столе - booze on the table (informal)

Usage Notes:

• "алкоголь" is the most neutral and widely used term for alcohol in general contexts, suitable for both formal and informal settings.
• "спирт" is more specific and often used in technical or medical contexts (e.g., rubbing alcohol or ethanol).
• "выпивка" is colloquial and refers specifically to alcoholic beverages or the act of drinking; it should not be used in formal writing.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "спирт" to refer to alcoholic drinks in casual conversation.
  Incorrect: Давай купим спирт на вечеринку. (Let’s buy alcohol for the party.)
  Correct: Давай купим выпивку на вечеринку.
  Explanation: "спирт" implies pure ethanol or industrial alcohol, not beverages.
• Error: Misplacing stress in "алкоголь".
  Incorrect: Stress on the first syllable.
  Correct: Stress on the second syllable: алкоˈголь.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, alcohol, especially vodka, plays a significant role in social gatherings and traditions. Offering "выпивка" (drinks) is common during celebrations, and toasting with phrases like "За здоровье!" (To health!) is a cultural norm. However, excessive drinking is increasingly frowned upon in modern contexts.

Related Concepts:

• водка (vodka)
• пиво (beer)
• вино (wine)
• трезвость (sobriety)