Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'earache'

English Word: earache

Key Russian Translations:

• боль в ухе (/bolʲ v uxʲe/) - [Informal, Everyday language]
• отит (/ɐˈtʲit/) - [Formal, Medical context]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in health-related conversations and medical settings, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "headache").

Difficulty: A2 (Basic level; suitable for beginners in Russian, especially those learning health vocabulary, with "боль в ухе" being straightforward and "отит" slightly more specialized).

Pronunciation (Russian):

боль в ухе: /bolʲ v uxʲe/

Note on боль в ухе: The stress falls on the first syllable of "боль" (/bolʲ/), and the "лʲ" sound is a soft L, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce "ухе" as a soft "oo-heh" in the locative case.

отит: /ɐˈtʲit/

Note on отит: Stress on the second syllable ("tʲit"), with a soft "tʲ" sound. This word is often pronounced quickly in medical contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Pain or discomfort in the ear, often due to infection or irritation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• боль в ухе - Used in casual, everyday conversations when describing minor health issues, such as to friends or family.
• отит - Employed in formal or professional settings, like doctor's visits, to refer to ear inflammation or infection.

Usage Examples:

• У меня сильная боль в ухе после полёта.

  I have a severe earache after the flight.

• Ребёнок жалуется на боль в ухе, нужно вызвать врача.

  The child is complaining of an earache; we need to call a doctor.

• Из-за простуды у меня возникла боль в ухе, но это не отит.

  Due to the cold, I developed an earache, but it's not an ear infection.

• Врач диагностировал отит и прописал капли для ушей.

  The doctor diagnosed an earache as otitis and prescribed ear drops.

• Если боль в ухе не проходит, обратитесь к специалисту по отиту.

  If the earache doesn't go away, consult a specialist for otitis.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Боль в ухе" is a phrase where "боль" is a feminine noun that inflects by case and number, while "ухе" is the prepositional/locative singular form of "ухо" (ear). "Отит" is a masculine noun that does not inflect irregularly but follows standard patterns for medical terms.

For "боль" (pain):

For "ухо" (ear, as in "ухе"):

"Отит" remains unchanged in most contexts as a neuter noun: отит (nominative), отита (genitive), etc., but it is often used in its base form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • боль в ушах (slight variation, emphasizing plural ears; used interchangeably in informal speech)
  • уhoболезнь (less common, more general term for ear-related pain)
• Antonyms:
  • здоровье уха (health of the ear; implies the absence of pain, though not a direct antonym)

Related Phrases:

• Лечить боль в ухе - (To treat an earache; used when seeking remedies for pain.)
• Симптомы отита - (Symptoms of otitis; a common phrase in medical discussions.)
• Боль в ухе от перелёта - (Earache from flying; refers to pressure-related pain during travel.)

Usage Notes:

"Боль в ухе" directly corresponds to the everyday English term "earache" and is ideal for informal contexts, while "отит" aligns more with medical diagnoses like "otitis" or "ear infection." English speakers should note that Russian often requires specifying the location (e.g., "в ухе") for clarity. Use "боль в ухе" in casual conversations and "отит" in professional settings to avoid sounding overly formal. Grammatically, ensure agreement in gender and case when combining with other words, such as verbs or adjectives.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "боль в ухе" with "боль уха," which is incorrect because "ухе" must be in the locative case to indicate "in the ear." Correct: У меня боль в ухе. Incorrect: У меня боль уха. Explanation: The preposition "в" requires the locative case.

• Another error is using "отит" interchangeably with general pain when it specifically means inflammation; this can lead to misunderstandings in medical contexts. Correct: У меня отит (for infection). Incorrect: У меня отит от усталости ( Earache from fatigue; better as: У меня боль в ухе от усталости). Explanation: Reserve "отит" for diagnosed conditions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussing health issues like earaches is common in everyday conversations, especially among families. There's a cultural emphasis on home remedies for minor ailments, such as using warm compresses for "боль в ухе," reflecting a broader tradition of self-care before seeking professional help.

Related Concepts:

• головная боль (headache)
• боль в горле (sore throat)
• уho инфекция (ear infection, a related medical term)