Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bleed'

English Word: Bleed

Key Russian Translations:

• кровоточить [krəvɐˈtoʧɪtʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Used for physical bleeding]
• истекать кровью [ɪsʲtʲɪˈkatʲ ˈkrovʲju] - [Formal, Often used in severe contexts]
• течь [tʲɪʧ] - [Informal, Used for liquids including blood or metaphorically]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "кровоточить" and "течь"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "истекать кровью"

Pronunciation (Russian):

кровоточить: [krəvɐˈtoʧɪtʲ]

Note on кровоточить: Stress on the second syllable; the "ч" sound is similar to 'ch' in "church".

истекать кровью: [ɪsʲtʲɪˈkatʲ ˈkrovʲju]

Note on истекать кровью: Stress on the second syllable of "истекать" and first syllable of "кровью".

течь: [tʲɪʧ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical Bleeding (from a wound)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кровоточить - Used for wounds or injuries that bleed.
• истекать кровью - Used in more dramatic or severe contexts, e.g., heavy bleeding.

Usage Examples:

• Рана на руке кровоточит.

  The wound on the arm is bleeding.

• Он истекал кровью после аварии.

  He was bleeding heavily after the accident.

• Нос кровоточит уже несколько минут.

  The nose has been bleeding for several minutes.

2. Metaphorical or Non-Physical Bleeding (e.g., ink, color, or emotions)

Translation(s) & Context:

• течь - Used for liquids like ink or colors bleeding through paper, or metaphorically.

Usage Examples:

• Чернила текут через бумагу.

  The ink is bleeding through the paper.

• Его сердце течет от боли.

  His heart bleeds from pain (figurative).

Russian Forms/Inflections:

кровоточить (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation in present, past, and future tenses.

Person	Present	Past (Masculine/Feminine/Neuter)	Future
1st Singular	кровоточу	кровоточил/кровоточила/кровоточило	буду кровоточить
3rd Plural	кровоточат	кровоточили	будут кровоточить

истекать кровью (Verb Phrase, Imperfective): Conjugation based on "истекать"; "кровью" remains unchanged (instrumental case of "кровь").

течь (Verb, Imperfective): Irregular verb with vowel alternation in conjugation (e.g., течет in 3rd singular).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for кровоточить:

• сочаиться кровью (less common, poetic)

Synonyms for течь (metaphorical):

• протекать (used for leaks or flow)

Antonyms:

• заживать (to heal, for wounds)

Related Phrases:

• кровоточить без остановки - To bleed nonstop.
• истекать кровью до смерти - To bleed to death.
• течь ручьем - To flow like a stream (often used for blood or tears).

Usage Notes:

• "кровоточить" is the most direct and common translation for physical bleeding, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
• "истекать кровью" implies severe or life-threatening bleeding and is more formal or literary.
• "течь" is broader and can refer to any flowing liquid, including blood, but is also used metaphorically (e.g., "heart bleeds"). Use it cautiously to avoid ambiguity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "течь" for all contexts of "bleed" without considering the metaphorical vs. physical distinction.
  Incorrect: Его рана течет. (Sounds odd for a wound.)
  Correct: Его рана кровоточит.
• Error: Misconjugating "течь" by not accounting for its irregularity.
  Incorrect: Он течу.
  Correct: Он течет.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature and poetry, "истекать кровью" is often used to evoke dramatic imagery of sacrifice or suffering. The metaphorical use of "течь" (e.g., "сердце течет") is common in expressions of deep emotional pain, akin to "bleeding heart" in English.

Related Concepts:

• кровь (blood)
• рана (wound)
• боль (pain)