Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Antidote'

English Word: antidote

Key Russian Translations:

• противоядие [prətʲɪvɐˈjadʲɪjə] - [Formal, Neutral]
• антидот [ɐnʲtʲɪˈdot] - [Formal, Medical/Technical]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "противоядие"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "антидот" due to technical usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

противоядие: [prətʲɪvɐˈjadʲɪjə]

Note on противоядие: Stress falls on the third syllable ("я"). The "о" in "противо" is reduced to a schwa sound in rapid speech.

антидот: [ɐnʲtʲɪˈdot]

Note on антидот: Stress on the last syllable ("дот"). Borrowed from English, so pronunciation is closer to the original.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A substance that counteracts poison

Translation(s) & Context:

• противоядие - Commonly used in general contexts to refer to an antidote for poison or venom.
• антидот - More specific to medical or scientific contexts, often used by professionals.

Usage Examples:

• Врачи ввели пациенту противоядие от змеиного укуса.

  The doctors administered an antidote to the patient for a snake bite.

• Противоядие должно быть под рукой в случае отравления.

  An antidote should be on hand in case of poisoning.

• Этот антидот эффективен против определённых токсинов.

  This antidote is effective against specific toxins.

• Без противоядия последствия могут быть фатальными.

  Without an antidote, the consequences can be fatal.

• Антидот был разработан в специализированной лаборатории.

  The antidote was developed in a specialized laboratory.

2. A remedy or solution (figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• противоядие - Used metaphorically to describe something that counters a negative situation or emotion.

Usage Examples:

• Смех — лучшее противоядие от стресса.

  Laughter is the best antidote to stress.

• Любовь стала для неё противоядием от одиночества.

  Love became her antidote to loneliness.

• Нам нужно найти противоядие от этой социальной проблемы.

  We need to find an antidote to this social problem.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

противоядие (neuter noun): Follows the second declension pattern in Russian. It is declined as follows:

антидот (masculine noun): Follows the first declension pattern. It is declined as follows:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "противоядие":

• лекарство (medicine, in broader contexts)
• средство (remedy, more general)

Note: "лекарство" and "средство" are broader and less specific to poison antidotes than "противоядие".

Antonyms for "противоядие":

• яд (poison)
• токсин (toxin)

Related Phrases:

• ввести противоядие - to administer an antidote
• искать противоядие - to look for an antidote (literal or figurative)
• специфический антидот - specific antidote (medical term)

Usage Notes:

• "противоядие" is the more common and versatile term, suitable for both literal (poison) and figurative (e.g., antidote to sadness) contexts.
• "антидот" is a loanword from English and is mostly restricted to technical, medical, or scientific discussions. It is less common in everyday speech.
• When speaking formally or in writing, "противоядие" is generally the safer choice unless the context is explicitly medical.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "антидот" in casual conversation or non-medical contexts.
  Incorrect: Мне нужно антидот от стресса.
  Correct: Мне нужно противоядие от стресса.
  Explanation: "антидот" sounds overly technical and out of place in metaphorical or casual usage.
• Error: Incorrect case endings due to unfamiliarity with Russian declension.
  Incorrect: Я купил противоядие (wrong stress or form in context).
  Correct: Я купил противоядие (ensure proper pronunciation and case).
  Explanation: Pay attention to stress and case endings, as shown in the declension table.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian folklore and literature, the concept of "противоядие" often appears in tales involving magic or poisoning, symbolizing salvation or a miraculous cure. It can carry a poetic or symbolic weight in such contexts, unlike the more clinical "антидот".

Related Concepts:

• яд (poison)
• отравление (poisoning)
• лечение (treatment)