Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Brain'

English Word: brain

Key Russian Translations:

• мозг [mɒzk] - [Formal, Informal, Singular]
• мозги [mɒzˈɡʲi] - [Informal, Plural, Often used metaphorically for 'intelligence' or in expressions]

Frequency: High (commonly used in both formal and informal contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "мозг"; B1 for metaphorical uses of "мозги")

Pronunciation (Russian):

мозг: [mɒzk]

Note on мозг: The 'o' is pronounced as a short, open vowel, and the 'z' is voiced. Stress is on the single syllable.

мозги: [mɒzˈɡʲi]

Note on мозги: Stress falls on the second syllable, and the 'г' is softened before 'и'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Anatomical Meaning (Physical Brain)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мозг - Used in medical, scientific, or neutral contexts to refer to the physical organ.

Usage Examples:

• Мозг человека очень сложный орган.

  The human brain is a very complex organ.

• Повреждение мозга может быть опасным.

  Brain damage can be dangerous.

• Ученые изучают мозг, чтобы понять мышление.

  Scientists study the brain to understand thinking.

2. Metaphorical Meaning (Intelligence, Mind)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мозги - Informal, often used to refer to someone's intelligence, thinking ability, or in idiomatic expressions.
• мозг - Less common in metaphorical use but can appear in formal discussions about intellect.

Usage Examples:

• У тебя мозги работают отлично!

  Your brain works great! (You’re very smart!)

• Не морочь мне мозги!

  Don’t mess with my head! (Don’t confuse me!)

• Он — мозг нашей команды.

  He is the brain of our team. (He’s the mastermind.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

мозг (Singular, Masculine Noun):

мозги (Plural, Masculine Noun): Used only in plural form for metaphorical meanings. Declension follows standard plural masculine patterns (e.g., Genitive: мозгов, Instrumental: мозгами).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for мозг (anatomical):

• головной мозг (formal, 'cerebral brain')

Synonyms for мозги (metaphorical):

• ум (mind, intellect)
• разум (reason, intellect)

Antonyms: None directly applicable for the anatomical sense; for metaphorical use, antonyms could include "глупость" (stupidity).

Related Phrases:

• выносить мозг - To annoy or pester someone (lit. 'to take out the brain')
• ломать мозги - To rack one’s brain, to think hard about something
• мозговой штурм - Brainstorm (lit. 'brain storm')

Usage Notes:

• "Мозг" is the standard term for the physical brain and is appropriate in formal and neutral contexts.
• "Мозги" is informal and often used in colloquial expressions to refer to intelligence or to express frustration (e.g., "не морочь мозги").
• Be mindful of context when choosing between singular and plural forms, as "мозги" can sometimes sound dismissive or slangy.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "мозги" in formal contexts. Incorrect: "Мозги человека состоят из нейронов." Correct: "Мозг человека состоит из нейронов." (The human brain consists of neurons.) Explanation: "Мозги" sounds too informal for scientific or formal writing.
• Error: Misusing idiomatic expressions. Incorrect: "Я ломаю мозг." Correct: "Я ломаю мозги." Explanation: Idioms like "ломать мозги" always use the plural form.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the brain (мозг/мозги) is often metaphorically linked to intelligence and problem-solving, much like in English. However, expressions like "выносить мозг" (to annoy someone) are uniquely Russian and reflect a playful or exasperated tone in communication.

Related Concepts:

• ум (mind)
• разум (reason)
• интеллект (intellect)