Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hamstring'

English Word: hamstring

Key Russian Translations:

• подколенное сухожилие [pɐdkɐˈlʲonnəje sʊˈxoʐɨlʲije] - [Formal, Medical context]
• ослабить [ɐslɐˈbʲitʲ] - [Informal, Figurative use, e.g., when meaning to weaken or disable]

Frequency: Low (This term is primarily used in specialized contexts like medicine, sports, or anatomy, and is not common in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for the noun form; C1 for the verb form, as it involves understanding nuanced figurative language and Russian inflection patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

подколенное сухожилие: [pɐdkɐˈlʲonnəje sʊˈxoʐɨlʲije]

ослабить: [ɐslɐˈbʲitʲ]

Note on ослабить: The stress falls on the second syllable, and the verb has palatalization in the root, which can be tricky for learners; it's often pronounced with a soft 'b' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Anatomical term (Noun: Refers to the tendon at the back of the thigh)

Translation(s) & Context:

• подколенное сухожилие - Used in formal medical, anatomical, or sports-related discussions, often in professional settings like hospitals or fitness contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Во время тренировки я повредил подколенное сухожилие.

  During the workout, I injured my hamstring.

• Подколенное сухожилие — это важная часть мышц бедра, которая часто страдает от перенапряжения.

  The hamstring is an important part of the thigh muscles, which often suffers from overexertion.

• Врачи рекомендовали отдых после растяжения подколенного сухожилия.

  Doctors recommended rest after a strain in the hamstring.

• Атлеты должны регулярно растягивать подколенное сухожилие, чтобы избежать травм.

  Athletes should regularly stretch their hamstrings to avoid injuries.

Figurative use (Verb: To weaken or disable someone or something)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ослабить - Used in informal or metaphorical contexts, such as in business, politics, or literature, to describe rendering something ineffective.

Usage Examples:

• Эта стратегия ослабит конкурентов на рынке.

  This strategy will hamstring the competitors in the market.

• Бюрократия может ослабить любую инициативу.

  Bureaucracy can hamstring any initiative.

• Война ослабит экономику страны.

  The war will hamstring the country's economy.

• Он попытался ослабить оппонента, распространяя ложные слухи.

  He tried to hamstring his opponent by spreading false rumors.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For подколенное сухожилие (a noun, neuter gender):

This is a compound noun that follows standard Russian declension patterns for neuter nouns ending in -е. It is inflected based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its basic inflections:

For ослабить (a verb, imperfective aspect):

This is a first-conjugation verb with regular patterns. It conjugates based on tense, person, and number. Example conjugations in present tense:

Note: The verb has an imperfective aspect; its perfective counterpart is "ослабить" (already used here, but can vary).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бицепс бедра (for the noun; specifically anatomical)
  • парализовать (for the verb; implies complete disabling, often more severe than ослабить)
• Antonyms:
  • укрепить (to strengthen, opposite of weakening)
  • восстановить (to restore, especially in a medical context)

Related Phrases:

• растяжение подколенного сухожилия - Strain of the hamstring; used in medical reports to describe injuries.
• ослабить позиции - To weaken positions; a common business phrase implying strategic disadvantage.
• подрезать крылья - To clip wings (figurative synonym for hampering, often used in motivational or literary contexts).

Usage Notes:

The English word "hamstring" translates to Russian as "подколенное сухожилие" in literal anatomical contexts and "ослабить" in figurative ones. Choose "подколенное сухожилие" for formal or technical discussions, as it's precise and avoids ambiguity. For the verb form, "ослабить" is versatile but ensure it fits the context—it's more about gradual weakening rather than immediate disablement. Be mindful of Russian case requirements; for example, in sentences, the noun must agree in case with its modifiers. In informal speech, native speakers might opt for simpler terms like "мышца бедра" for everyday conversations.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse the case of "подколенное сухожилие," e.g., saying "Я имею подколенное сухожилие" (incorrect accusative) instead of "Я имею подколенное сухожилие" (correct, but in context, it should be genitive in some phrases like "боль в подколенном сухожилии"). Correct usage: "У меня болит подколенное сухожилие" – The noun needs to match the prepositional case here.

• Confusing the verb aspects: Using "ослабить" when a perfective verb is needed, e.g., "Я ослабил проект" (meaning "I weakened the project over time") versus the intended "Я ослаблю проект" for future action. Explanation: Russian verbs have aspect, so pair it correctly with the timeline.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "ослабить" in a figurative sense often appear in literature and proverbs, reflecting historical themes of resilience against adversity, such as in wartime stories. For instance, it's reminiscent of Soviet-era narratives where characters "hamstring" enemies metaphorically, emphasizing strategic cunning over physical might.

Related Concepts:

• мышцы бедра (thigh muscles)
• травмы спортсмена (sports injuries)
• стратегическое ослабление (strategic weakening)