Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'antigen'

English Word: antigen

Key Russian Translations:

• антиген [ɐnˈtʲigʲɪn] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in scientific, medical, and academic contexts; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: C1 (Advanced level, suitable for learners with a strong background in biology or medicine, as it involves specialized vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

антиген: [ɐnˈtʲigʲɪn]

Note on антиген: The stress is on the second syllable ('tʲigʲ'). Pay attention to the palatalized 'tʲ' and 'gʲ' sounds, which are common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation can occur based on regional dialects, but this is the standard Moscow variant.

Audio: Listen to pronunciation

Meanings and Usage:

A substance that triggers an immune response in the body (Biological/Immunological context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• антиген - Used in formal scientific discussions, such as in immunology or virology, to describe molecules that provoke antibody production.

Usage Examples:

• Вакцина содержит антиген вируса гриппа, что стимулирует иммунный ответ.

  The vaccine contains the influenza virus antigen, which stimulates an immune response.

• Антиген в крови пациента был обнаружен во время лабораторного анализа.

  The antigen in the patient's blood was detected during laboratory analysis.

• Исследователи изучают, как антиген взаимодействует с клетками иммунной системы.

  Researchers are studying how the antigen interacts with immune system cells.

• В случае аллергии антиген может вызвать сильную реакцию организма.

  In the case of an allergy, the antigen can cause a strong reaction in the body.

• Медицинские тесты часто используют антиген для диагностики инфекционных заболеваний.

  Medical tests often use antigens for diagnosing infectious diseases.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Антиген" is a masculine noun (мужской род) borrowed from English/Greek roots, and it follows standard Russian declension patterns for nouns ending in a consonant. It is a regular noun with no irregularities, but as a scientific term, it is often used in its base form. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: In scientific writing, the nominative form is most common, and inflections are used based on grammatical context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • иммуноген (immunogen) - Often used interchangeably in broader immunological contexts, but slightly more general.
  • антигенный фактор (antigenic factor) - Emphasizes the factor aspect in specific research scenarios.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "антиген" is a specific scientific term without a clear opposite. However, in some contexts, "антитело" (antibody) could be seen as a related but opposing concept.

Related Phrases:

• Иммунный ответ на антиген - Refers to the immune response triggered by an antigen; commonly used in medical discussions.
• Антигенный тест - An antigen test; a rapid diagnostic method for detecting infections, such as COVID-19.
• Выявление антигена в образце - Detection of antigen in a sample; used in laboratory procedures to explain testing protocols.

Usage Notes:

"Антиген" is a direct loanword from English/Greek origins and is used almost exclusively in formal, scientific, or medical contexts in Russian. It corresponds precisely to the English "antigen" in immunology, but English speakers should note that Russian sentences often require specific case endings for grammatical agreement (e.g., genitive for possession). When choosing between translations, stick with "антиген" for accuracy in biological contexts. Be aware of its specialized vocabulary level, and avoid using it in casual conversation. In Russian media or education, it's frequently paired with terms like "иммунитет" for comprehensive explanations.

Common Errors:

• Mispronouncing the word as [an-ti-gen] without palatalization, leading to [ɐnˈtiɡɛn] instead of [ɐnˈtʲigʲɪn]. Correct: [ɐnˈtʲigʲɪn] - Focus on the soft consonants for natural pronunciation.
• Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "иммунный ответ антиген" instead of "иммунный ответ на антиген". Correct: Always use the appropriate preposition and case; here, "на" with prepositional case.
• Confusing it with "антитело" (antibody) in sentences, which might lead to logical errors in explanations. Correct: Remember that "антиген" is the trigger, while "антитело" is the response.

Cultural Notes:

While "антиген" itself is a neutral scientific term without strong cultural connotations, its usage in Russian reflects the country's emphasis on medical research and public health, especially in the context of epidemics like COVID-19. In Russian education and media, discussions around antigens often tie into broader themes of scientific advancement, influenced by historical figures like Ilya Mechnikoff, a pioneer in immunology.

Related Concepts:

• антитело (antibody)
• иммунитет (immunity)
• вирус (virus)
• вакцина (vaccine)