Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'epidemic'

English Word: epidemic

Key Russian Translations:

• эпидемия [ɛpʲɪˈdʲemʲɪjə] - [Formal, Medical context]

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

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

эпидемия: [ɛpʲɪˈdʲemʲɪjə]

Note on эпидемия: The stress falls on the third syllable ("de-MI-ya"). Pay attention to the soft consonants (ʲ) which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly by region, such as in faster speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

Translation(s) & Context:

• эпидемия - Used in formal medical, scientific, and news contexts to describe outbreaks like COVID-19.

Usage Examples:

• Во время эпидемии гриппа многие люди остаются дома.

  During the flu epidemic, many people stay at home.

• Правительство ввело меры по борьбе с эпидемией.

  The government introduced measures to combat the epidemic.

• Эпидемия коронавируса изменила повседневную жизнь миллионов.

  The coronavirus epidemic has changed the daily lives of millions.

• Врачи предупреждали о возможной эпидемии задолго до ее начала.

  Doctors warned about a possible epidemic long before it started.

• Эпидемия распространилась быстро из-за низкого уровня вакцинации.

  The epidemic spread quickly due to low vaccination rates.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Эпидемия" is a feminine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ия. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пандемия (pandemia) - Used for a global epidemic; implies a larger scale.
  • зараза (zaraza) - More informal, often implies contagion or plague-like spread.
• Antonyms:
  • эндемия (endemia) - A disease regularly found among particular people or in a certain area.
  • контроль (kontrol') - Not a direct antonym, but implies management or containment of diseases.

Related Phrases:

• эпидемия гриппа - Flu epidemic; refers to widespread influenza outbreaks.
• борьба с эпидемией - Fight against the epidemic; common in public health contexts.
• эпидемия СПИДа - AIDS epidemic; historical and ongoing reference to HIV/AIDS spread.
• предотвращение эпидемии - Prevention of an epidemic; focuses on proactive measures.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "эпидемия" directly corresponds to the English "epidemic" as a noun and is most commonly used in formal, medical, or journalistic contexts. It is not typically used in casual conversation unless discussing current events. When translating, ensure the context specifies the type of disease or outbreak for accuracy. For example, if the English word implies a global scale, "пандемия" might be a better fit. Grammatically, as a feminine noun, it must agree in gender, number, and case with accompanying adjectives or verbs.

• Always check the declension when using in sentences to maintain grammatical correctness.
• In modern usage, it's often paired with specific diseases, e.g., "эпидемия COVID-19."

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "эпидемия" with "пандемия." For instance, they might incorrectly use "эпидемия" for a global event when "пандемия" is more appropriate. Error example: Saying "Это была эпидемия по всему миру" (This was an epidemic worldwide) instead of "Это была пандемия по всему миру." Correct usage: "Пандемия распространилась глобально." Explanation: "Эпидемия" is regional, while "пандемия" is worldwide, so context matters to avoid understatement or inaccuracy.

Another common mistake is improper declension, such as using the nominative form in all cases: Error: "Я боюсь эпидемия" (I am afraid epidemic) instead of "Я боюсь эпидемии" (genitive for "of the epidemic").

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and media, terms like "эпидемия" gained significant prominence during events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting historical sensitivities to infectious diseases due to Russia's vast geography and past experiences with plagues and wars. It often carries a connotation of urgency and national response, emphasizing collective action in public health crises.

Related Concepts:

• карантин (quarantine)
• вакцина (vaccine)
• инфекция (infection)
• пандемия (pandemic)