Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dispensary'

English Word: dispensary

Key Russian Translations:

• Диспансер [dʲɪˈspansʲɪr] - [Formal, used in medical and healthcare contexts]
• Аптека [ɐpˈtʲekə] - [Formal, when referring specifically to a pharmacy or drug dispensary]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in medical discussions, healthcare settings, or formal contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR standards; requires familiarity with medical vocabulary. For 'Аптека', it may be A2 for beginners due to its basic nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Диспансер: [dʲɪˈspansʲɪr]

Аптека: [ɐpˈtʲekə]

Note on Диспансер: The initial 'Д' is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like 'dy' in "due". Stress falls on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A facility for dispensing medical supplies, treatment, or consultations (e.g., a clinic or pharmacy)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Диспансер - Used in formal medical contexts, such as specialized health clinics for ongoing treatment or check-ups.
• Аптека - Applied when the dispensary functions primarily as a pharmacy for over-the-counter drugs.

Usage Examples:

• Я записался в местный диспансер на приём к врачу. (Ya zapisalsya v mestnyy dispanser na priyom k vrachu.)

  I signed up at the local dispensary for a doctor's appointment.

• В аптеке можно купить лекарства без рецепта. (V apteke mozhno kupit' lekarstva bez retsepta.)

  At the pharmacy, you can buy medications without a prescription.

• Диспансер предоставляет бесплатные услуги для пациентов с хроническими заболеваниями. (Dispanser predostavlyayet besplatnye uslugi dlya patsientov s khronicheskimi zabolevaniyami.)

  The dispensary provides free services for patients with chronic illnesses.

• Если вам нужна помощь, обратитесь в ближайшую аптеку или диспансер. (Esli vam nuzhna pomoshch', obratites' v blizhayushchuyu apteku ili dispanser.)

  If you need help, go to the nearest pharmacy or dispensary.

• Мой друг работает в диспансере, где раздают вакцины. (Moy drug rabotaet v dispansere, gde razdajut vaktsiny.)

  My friend works at the dispensary where vaccines are distributed.

Meaning 2: A place for distributing goods or resources (less common, metaphorical use)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Диспансер - In extended contexts, such as resource distribution centers, though rare in modern Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Этот диспансер гуманитарной помощи работает круглосуточно. (Etot dispanser gumanitarnoy pomoshchi rabotaet kruglosutochno.)

  This humanitarian aid dispensary operates around the clock.

• Аптека также выступает как диспансер для медицинских образцов. (Apteka takzhe vystupaet kak dispanser dlya meditsinskikh obraztsov.)

  The pharmacy also acts as a dispensary for medical samples.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Диспансер' and 'Аптека' are masculine nouns in Russian. 'Диспансер' follows standard first-declension patterns with some irregularities due to its borrowed origin. 'Аптека' is more straightforward.

Note: 'Аптека' has regular declensions, while 'Диспансер' may vary slightly in informal speech but follows the pattern above.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Поликлиника (Poliklinika) - Similar to a general clinic; often interchangeable in broader medical contexts.
  • Медицинский центр (Meditsinsky tsentr) - More neutral term for a health facility; differs by implying a larger operation.
• Antonyms:
  • Больница (Bol'nitsa) - Hospital, which is a larger facility for inpatient care, contrasting with outpatient dispensaries.

Related Phrases:

• Медицинский диспансер (Meditsinsky dispanser) - A medical dispensary; refers to facilities providing specialized care.
• Аптека на углу (Apteka na uglu) - Pharmacy on the corner; a common phrase for locating a nearby dispensary-like outlet.
• Диспансер по психическому здоровью (Dispanser po psikhicheskomu zdorov'yu) - Mental health dispensary; highlights specialized services with cultural emphasis on mental care.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'Диспансер' directly corresponds to 'dispensary' in medical contexts, often implying state-funded or specialized clinics, which is common in the Russian healthcare system. Use 'Аптека' for retail pharmacy settings. Be mindful of formal contexts; these terms are neutral but lean formal. When choosing between translations, opt for 'Диспансер' for broader health facilities and 'Аптека' for drug dispensing. Grammatically, always decline nouns based on case, as Russian requires agreement with prepositions and verbs.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Диспансер' interchangeably with 'Аптека' without context. For example, an English learner might say "Я иду в аптеку" when meaning a full clinic. Correct: Use 'Диспансер' for non-pharmacy settings. Explanation: This confuses the specific functions, leading to miscommunication in healthcare discussions.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., saying "в Диспансер" instead of "в диспансер" (no capitalization unless at sentence start). Correct: "в диспансер". Explanation: Russian nouns must be declined properly, and capitalization rules differ from English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, 'Диспансер' often refers to state-run facilities under the public health system, which provides free or low-cost services, reflecting the country's Soviet-era healthcare legacy. This can carry connotations of accessibility and community support, unlike private pharmacies ('Аптека'), which might be seen as more commercial.

Related Concepts:

• Клиника (Klinika)
• Больница (Bol'nitsa)
• Медицинская помощь (Meditsinskaya pomoshch')