Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'asphyxia'

English Word: asphyxia

Key Russian Translations:

• удушье [ʊˈduʂʲje] - [Formal, Medical context]
• асфиксия [ɐsˈfʲiksʲɪjə] - [Formal, Directly borrowed from English, used in scientific literature]

Frequency: Low (This term is specialized and primarily appears in medical or emergency contexts, not in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves medical vocabulary and requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions; for удушье, it's straightforward for learners with basic grammar knowledge, while асфиксия may be easier due to its borrowed nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

удушье: [ʊˈduʂʲje]

Note on удушье: The stress falls on the second syllable ("du"), and the "ш" sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a clear "ye" at the end.

Audio: []

асфиксия: [ɐsˈfʲiksʲɪjə]

Note on асфиксия: This is a loanword, so it's pronounced similarly to the English "asphyxia," but with a softer "f" sound in Russian. The stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The condition of being deprived of oxygen, leading to unconsciousness or death (e.g., due to strangulation, drowning, or gas poisoning).

Translation(s) & Context:

• удушье - Used in formal medical reports or discussions about respiratory failure; common in emergency medicine contexts.
• асфиксия - Employed in scientific, academic, or translated texts; often seen in modern Russian medical literature as a direct equivalent.

Usage Examples:

• Врачи диагностировали удушье у пациента после несчастного случая. (Vrachi diagnostirovali udush'ye u patsienta posle neschastnogo sluchaya.)

  Doctors diagnosed asphyxia in the patient after the accident.

• Асфиксия может возникать из-за длительного воздействия ядовитых газов. (Asfikisiya mozhet voznikayat iz-za dlinogo vozdeystviya yadovitykh gazov.)

  Asphyxia can occur due to prolonged exposure to poisonous gases.

• Ребёнок избежал удушья благодаря быстрому вмешательству спасателей. (Rebënok izbezhal udush'ya blagodarya bystremu vmeshatelstvu spastateley.)

  The child avoided asphyxia thanks to the quick intervention of rescuers.

• В случае асфиксии немедленно обеспечьте пострадавшему доступ к свежему воздуху. (V sluchae asfikisii nemedlenno obespech'te postradavshemu dostup k svezhemu vozduhu.)

  In case of asphyxia, immediately provide the victim with access to fresh air.

• Удушье часто упоминается в отчетах о пожарах как причина смерти. (Udush'ye chasto upominayetsya v otchetakh o pozharakh kak prichina smerti.)

  Asphyxia is often cited in fire reports as a cause of death.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Удушье" is a neuter noun in the second declension, which follows regular patterns. "Асфиксия" is also a feminine noun (borrowed from Greek via English) and generally follows feminine declension rules, though as a loanword, it may not always inflect in informal use.

Note: These nouns do not have plural forms in most contexts, as "asphyxia" is typically uncountable in English and Russian equivalents are used similarly. If pluralized, it would be irregular and context-dependent.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • задушение [zəˈduʂenʲje] - More general term for strangulation or suffocation, often used interchangeably but with a focus on external pressure.
  • удушение [ʊdʊˈʂenʲje] - Similar to удушье, but slightly more poetic or literary in tone.
• Antonyms:
  • дыхание [ˈdɨxənʲje] - Breathing, the opposite process of oxygen deprivation.
  • вентиляция [vʲɛnʲtʲɪˈlatsɨjə] - Ventilation, referring to the supply of air.

Related Phrases:

• остановка дыхания (ostanovka dykhaniya) - Stopping of breathing; used in medical emergencies to describe a precursor to asphyxia.
• кислородное голодание (kislordotnoe golodanie) - Oxygen starvation; a phrase that explains the physiological effects of asphyxia.
• удушье от дыма (udush'ye ot dyma) - Asphyxia from smoke; common in fire safety contexts.

Usage Notes:

Asphyxia corresponds closely to "удушье" in everyday Russian medical discourse, while "асфиксия" is preferred in formal or translated texts. Use "удушье" in general conversations about health, as it feels more natural and less foreign. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these terms often require proper case agreement (e.g., genitive for causes: "от удушья"). For English learners, choose "удушье" for broader applicability and "асфиксия" when discussing scientific topics. Avoid using these in informal settings unless necessary, as they carry a formal tone.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "удушье" with "удушение" and using them interchangeably without considering nuance. Correct: "Удушье" for the state of asphyxia; "удушение" for the act. Example: Incorrect - "Я испытал удушение" (meaning the act); Correct - "Я испытал удушье" (for the condition).
• Mistake: Forgetting case endings, e.g., saying "от удушье" instead of "от удушья." Correct: Always adjust for genitive case in phrases like "death from asphyxia." This error can make sentences grammatically incorrect in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and media, terms like "удушье" are often referenced in discussions of industrial accidents or wartime experiences, reflecting Russia's history with events like World War II or Chernobyl. It underscores the importance of safety in everyday life, and awareness campaigns in Russia frequently use these words to educate on first aid, highlighting a cultural emphasis on community resilience.

Related Concepts:

• инфаркт (infarkt) - Heart attack, often linked to respiratory issues.
• травма (travma) - Injury, which could lead to asphyxia.
• реанимация (reanimatsiya) - Resuscitation, a common response to asphyxia.