Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'convulsion'

English Word: convulsion

Key Russian Translations:

• Судорога [ˈsudərəɡə] - [Medical/Formal, Singular]
• Судороги [ˈsudərəɡʲɪ] - [Medical/Formal, Plural]

Frequency: Medium (Common in medical and health-related discussions, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with medical terminology and basic Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Судорога: [ˈsudərəɡə]

Судороги: [ˈsudərəɡʲɪ]

Note on Судорога: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'г' is pronounced as a soft 'g' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers used to harder gutturals. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A sudden, violent involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles, often in a medical context such as seizures.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Судорога - Used in formal medical or health discussions to describe a single episode of muscle spasms, such as in epilepsy or fever.
• Судороги - Refers to multiple or recurrent convulsions, commonly in contexts involving chronic conditions.

Usage Examples:

• Во время болезни у ребенка начались судороги.

  During the illness, the child started having convulsions.

• Эпилептические судороги могут быть опасными, если не получить timely помощь.

  Epileptic convulsions can be dangerous if timely help is not received.

• После высокой температуры у пациента возникла судорога в ноге.

  After a high fever, the patient experienced a convulsion in the leg.

• Судороги во время сна иногда указывают на неврологические проблемы.

  Convulsions during sleep can sometimes indicate neurological issues.

• Врачи быстро отреагировали на судорогу, чтобы предотвратить осложнения.

  The doctors quickly responded to the convulsion to prevent complications.

Secondary meaning: Figurative use, such as a sudden upheaval or violent disturbance (less common for this word in Russian).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Судорога - Rarely used metaphorically in literary contexts to describe social or emotional turmoil, but less precise than other terms like "кризис".

Usage Examples:

• Политическая судорога в стране привела к изменениям в правительстве.

  The political convulsion in the country led to changes in the government.

• Экономическая судорога вызвала массовые протесты.

  The economic convulsion caused widespread protests.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Судорога is a feminine noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The plural forms (Судороги) follow irregular patterns in some cases, as is common in Russian second-declension nouns. This word does not change for verb aspects since it is a noun.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Конвульсия (more technical, directly borrowed from English/French, used in advanced medical contexts)
  • Спазм (general muscle spasm, less specific to violent convulsions)
• Antonyms:
  • Спокойствие (calmness, as it contrasts with sudden disturbance)

Related Phrases:

• Эпилептическая судорога - Epileptic convulsion; used in neurology to describe seizures associated with epilepsy.
• Тонико-клоническая судорога - Tonic-clonic convulsion; refers to a specific type of seizure with rhythmic jerking.
• Судорога от переутомления - Convulsion from overexertion; common in sports or physical stress contexts.

Usage Notes:

Слово "Судорога" directly corresponds to "convulsion" in medical English but is more commonly used in formal or professional settings in Russian. It is a feminine noun, so ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "сильная судорога" for "strong convulsion"). When choosing between translations like "Судорога" and "Спазм", opt for "Судорога" for more intense, involuntary episodes. Be mindful of context: in everyday conversation, Russians might use simpler terms, but in writing or medical reports, this is precise. Avoid using it metaphorically unless in literary works, as it may sound overly dramatic.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "Судорога" with "Спазм": Learners often use "Спазм" interchangeably, but "Спазм" is broader and less severe. Correct: "У него была судорога" (He had a convulsion). Incorrect: "У него был спазм" if implying a full convulsion. Explanation: "Спазм" might refer to a minor muscle twitch, while "Судорога" denotes violent contractions.

• Incorrect declension: Forgetting to change the ending in different cases, e.g., saying "Я видел судорога" instead of "Я видел судорогу" (Accusative). Correct: Always decline based on sentence role for proper grammar.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "Судорога" are often associated with historical medical literature, such as in the works of 19th-century authors like Tolstoy, who depicted epilepsy and convulsions in characters to symbolize inner turmoil or societal chaos. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on physical and emotional resilience in the face of adversity.

Related Concepts:

• Эпилепсия (epilepsy)
• Спазм (spasm)
• Кризис (crisis, for figurative uses)