Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Ambulance'

English Word: Ambulance

Key Russian Translations:

• Скорая помощь [ˈskorəjə ˈpoməʃtʲ] - [Formal, Common Usage]
• Скорая [ˈskorəjə] - [Informal, Shortened Form]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Скорая помощь: [ˈskorəjə ˈpoməʃtʲ]

Note on Скорая помощь: Stress falls on the first syllable of both words. The "щ" in "помощь" is pronounced as a soft "shch."

Скорая: [ˈskorəjə]

Note on Скорая: Stress on the first syllable. This is a shortened, colloquial form of "Скорая помощь."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Emergency Medical Vehicle/Service

Translation(s) & Context:

• Скорая помощь - Used formally to refer to an ambulance or emergency medical service.
• Скорая - Informal, often used in everyday speech to mean the same thing.

Usage Examples:

• Вызовите скорую помощь, человеку плохо!

  Call an ambulance, the person is unwell!

• Скорая приехала через пять минут.

  The ambulance arrived in five minutes.

• Я видел, как скорая помощь увезла пострадавшего.

  I saw the ambulance take the injured person away.

• Нужно срочно позвонить в скорую!

  We need to call an ambulance urgently!

• Скорая помощь работает круглосуточно.

  The ambulance service operates 24/7.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Скорая помощь (Feminine Noun Phrase):

Скорая (Feminine Noun, Shortened Form):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Скорая помощь:

• Медицинская помощь (Broader term for medical assistance)
• Неотложка (Colloquial, informal term for ambulance)

Note: "Неотложка" is more informal and less common than "Скорая."

Antonyms:

• None directly applicable

Related Phrases:

• Вызвать скорую помощь - To call an ambulance.
• Машина скорой помощи - Ambulance vehicle.
• Номер скорой помощи - Ambulance service number (emergency number).

Usage Notes:

• "Скорая помощь" is the full and formal term for an ambulance or emergency medical service in Russian. It is used in official contexts or when clarity is needed.
• "Скорая" is a widely used informal shorthand, especially in spoken language. It is understood by all native speakers but may sound too casual in formal writing.
• Both terms are feminine in gender, which affects adjective and verb agreement in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrect case usage, e.g., saying "Вызовите скорую помочь" instead of "Вызовите скорую помощь." Explanation: "Помощь" must be in the accusative case as the direct object.
• Error: Using "Скорая" in formal writing or speech. Explanation: In official or written contexts, always prefer "Скорая помощь" to avoid sounding overly casual.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, the ambulance service is a critical part of public healthcare and is free of charge. The emergency number for calling an ambulance is "03" or "103" (depending on the region), and it is widely known. The term "Скорая помощь" reflects the urgency and importance of the service in Russian culture.

Related Concepts:

• Больница (Hospital)
• Врач (Doctor)
• Травма (Injury)
• Неотложная помощь (Emergency care)