Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Allergy'

English Word: Allergy

Key Russian Translations:

• аллергия [ɐlʲɪrˈɡʲijə] - [Formal/Neutral, Singular]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

аллергия: [ɐlʲɪrˈɡʲijə]

Note on аллергия: Stress falls on the third syllable ('ги'). The 'р' is rolled, and 'г' is pronounced like a soft 'g'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Medical Condition (Hypersensitivity to Substances)

Translation(s) & Context:

• аллергия - Used in medical and everyday contexts to describe a condition causing adverse reactions to allergens like pollen, food, or dust.

Usage Examples:

• У меня аллергия на пыльцу.

  I have an allergy to pollen.

• Аллергия на кошек очень распространена.

  Allergy to cats is very common.

• Его аллергия обостряется весной.

  His allergy worsens in spring.

• У ребёнка сильная аллергия на орехи.

  The child has a severe allergy to nuts.

• Мне нужно лекарство от аллергии.

  I need medicine for my allergy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

аллергия is a feminine noun (1st declension). It follows regular declension patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ия.

Note: This noun does not typically form a plural as it refers to a general condition.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• гиперчувствительность (more formal, medical term for hypersensitivity)

Antonyms:

• иммунитет (immunity, in the context of resistance to allergens)

Note: Synonyms like "гиперчувствительность" are used in specialized medical contexts, while "аллергия" is more common in everyday speech.

Related Phrases:

• аллергия на пищу - Food allergy (refers to allergic reactions caused by specific foods).
• сезонная аллергия - Seasonal allergy (often related to pollen during spring or summer).
• аллергическая реакция - Allergic reaction (describes the physical response to an allergen).

Usage Notes:

• "аллергия" is the standard and most widely used term for "allergy" in Russian, applicable in both formal (medical) and informal contexts.
• When specifying the type of allergy, Russians often use the preposition "на" (on) followed by the allergen in the accusative case, e.g., "аллергия на молоко" (allergy to milk).
• Unlike English, where "allergy" can sometimes be used metaphorically (e.g., "an allergy to work"), in Russian, "аллергия" is strictly used for medical conditions. Metaphorical uses might employ other expressions like "непереносимость" (intolerance).

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrect preposition usage, e.g., saying "аллергия к молоку" instead of "аллергия на молоко".
  Explanation: In Russian, "на" is the correct preposition for indicating the cause of an allergy, not "к".
• Error: Using plural form "аллергии" when referring to a single condition.
  Explanation: "аллергия" is typically used in the singular to describe the general condition, even if multiple allergens are involved.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, allergies, especially seasonal ones, are often associated with specific natural phenomena like the blooming of birch trees (берёза) in spring, which is a common allergen. Discussions about "аллергия" may frequently reference traditional remedies or preventive measures like avoiding certain foods or using herbal treatments, reflecting a blend of modern and folk medicine approaches.

Related Concepts:

• аллерген (allergen)
• астма (asthma)
• иммунитет (immunity)