Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'alcoholic'

English Word: alcoholic

Key Russian Translations:

• алкоголик [ɐlkɐˈɡolʲɪk] - [Informal, Noun, Refers to a person]
• алкогольный [ɐlkɐˈɡolʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Refers to something related to alcohol]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in both formal and informal contexts)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate, varies by usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

алкоголик: [ɐlkɐˈɡolʲɪk]

Note on алкоголик: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'г' is pronounced as a hard 'g'.

алкогольный: [ɐlkɐˈɡolʲnɨj]

Note on алкогольный: Stress falls on the third syllable. The ending changes based on gender and case.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person addicted to alcohol (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• алкоголик - Used to describe a person with alcohol addiction, often in a casual or derogatory sense.

Usage Examples:

• Он стал алкоголиком после потери работы.

  He became an alcoholic after losing his job.

• Не называй его алкоголиком, это обидно.

  Don’t call him an alcoholic, it’s offensive.

• Многие алкоголики не признают свою проблему.

  Many alcoholics don’t acknowledge their problem.

2. Related to alcohol (Adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• алкогольный - Used in formal or technical contexts to describe something containing or related to alcohol.

Usage Examples:

• Алкогольные напитки запрещены для несовершеннолетних.

  Alcoholic beverages are prohibited for minors.

• Это алкогольное отравление требует срочной помощи.

  This alcohol poisoning requires urgent care.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

алкоголик (Noun, Masculine): Follows the standard masculine declension pattern.

алкогольный (Adjective): Changes based on gender, number, and case. Examples: алкогольный (masc.), алкогольная (fem.), алкогольное (neut.), алкогольные (pl.).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for алкоголик:

• пьяница (more informal, often derogatory)
• запойный (emphasizes binge drinking)

Synonyms for алкогольный:

• спиртной (often used for beverages)

Antonyms for алкоголик:

• трезвенник (a person who abstains from alcohol)

Related Phrases:

• алкогольная зависимость - Alcohol dependency or addiction.
• алкогольный напиток - Alcoholic beverage.
• стать алкоголиком - To become an alcoholic.

Usage Notes:

• The term алкоголик is often used informally and can carry a negative or judgmental tone. In formal or medical contexts, terms like "человек с алкогольной зависимостью" (a person with alcohol dependency) may be preferred.
• The adjective алкогольный is neutral and widely used in formal writing or speech, such as in legal or medical contexts.
• Be cautious when using алкоголик directly to someone’s face, as it can be considered rude or offensive.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using алкогольный to refer to a person. Incorrect: Он алкогольный. This sounds unnatural in Russian.
• Correction: Use алкоголик for a person. Correct: Он алкоголик.
• Error: Mispronouncing алкоголик by stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., first syllable instead of third).
• Correction: Stress the third syllable: [ɐlkɐˈɡolʲɪk].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, alcohol consumption and attitudes toward it can vary widely. While drinking is often associated with social gatherings and traditions, terms like алкоголик carry a strong stigma and are tied to negative stereotypes. Public discussion of alcoholism is often sensitive, and euphemisms may be used in polite conversation.

Related Concepts:

• пьянство (drunkenness)
• трезвость (sobriety)
• спирт (spirit/alcohol)