Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Alcoholism'

English Word: alcoholism

Key Russian Translations:

• алкоголизм [ˌalkəɡaˈlʲizm] - [Formal, Medical]
• запой [zɐˈpoj] - [Informal, Refers to binge drinking]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "алкоголизм"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "запой" due to colloquial usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

алкоголизм: [ˌalkəɡaˈlʲizm]

Note on алкоголизм: Stress falls on the third syllable; the 'г' is pronounced as a voiced fricative [ɡ].

запой: [zɐˈpoj]

Note on запой: Stress on the second syllable; the 'о' is reduced to [ɐ] in unstressed position.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Chronic addiction to alcohol (Medical/Clinical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• алкоголизм - Used in formal, medical, or academic contexts to describe the condition of alcoholism.

Usage Examples:

• Алкоголизм является серьёзной проблемой общественного здоровья.

  Alcoholism is a serious public health problem.

• Он страдает от алкоголизма уже много лет.

  He has been suffering from alcoholism for many years.

• Врачи борются с последствиями алкоголизма.

  Doctors are dealing with the consequences of alcoholism.

2. Binge drinking or temporary excessive drinking (Colloquial sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• запой - Used informally to describe a period of heavy drinking, often implying loss of control.

Usage Examples:

• После праздников он ушёл в запой.

  After the holidays, he went on a drinking binge.

• Запой длился несколько дней, и он не мог остановиться.

  The binge lasted several days, and he couldn’t stop.

• Его запои стали проблемой для всей семьи.

  His drinking binges became a problem for the whole family.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

алкоголизм (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate):

Case	Singular
Nominative	алкоголизм
Genitive	алкоголизма
Dative	алкоголизму
Accusative	алкоголизм
Instrumental	алкоголизмом
Prepositional	об алкоголизме

Note: No plural form as it is an abstract concept.

запой (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	запой	запои
Genitive	запоя	запоев
Dative	запою	запоям
Accusative	запой	запои
Instrumental	запоем	запоями
Prepositional	о запое	о запоях

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for алкоголизм:

• алкогольная зависимость (more formal, "alcohol dependency")

Synonyms for запой:

• пьянство (general drunkenness, less specific)

Antonyms:

• трезвость (sobriety)

Related Phrases:

• борьба с алкоголизмом - "fight against alcoholism" (used in social or medical contexts)
• уйти в запой - "to go on a binge" (colloquial, describes starting a period of heavy drinking)
• выход из запоя - "coming out of a binge" (refers to sobering up after heavy drinking)

Usage Notes:

• "алкоголизм" is the direct and most accurate translation of "alcoholism" in a clinical or formal sense. It is used in medical, academic, or serious discussions.
• "запой" does not refer to the chronic condition of alcoholism but rather to episodes of heavy, uncontrollable drinking. It is more colloquial and often carries a negative or judgmental tone.
• Be cautious when using "запой" as it may imply a temporary state rather than a long-term condition, which could lead to misunderstanding if used in a medical context.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "запой" to describe chronic alcoholism.
  Incorrect: Он болен запоем. ("He is sick with binge drinking.")
  Correct: Он болен алкоголизмом. ("He is sick with alcoholism.")
  Explanation: "запой" refers to a specific episode or period of drinking, not the chronic condition.
• Error: Misusing "алкоголизм" in informal contexts.
  Incorrect: После праздника у него был алкоголизм. ("After the holiday, he had alcoholism.")
  Correct: После праздника у него был запой. ("After the holiday, he went on a binge.")
  Explanation: "алкоголизм" implies a long-term condition, not a temporary state.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions about alcoholism or excessive drinking can be sensitive due to historical and social factors. The term "запой" often carries a stigma and is associated with personal or familial hardship. Alcohol consumption, especially in social settings, has deep cultural roots in Russia, and terms like "запой" may evoke strong emotional responses or judgments.

Related Concepts:

• трезвость (sobriety)
• пьянство (drunkenness)
• наркомания (drug addiction)