Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hangnail'

English Word: hangnail

Key Russian Translations:

• заусенец /zaʊˈsɛnɛts/ - [Formal, Singular, Used in medical or everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is not extremely common in everyday Russian conversation but appears in health-related discussions.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1/B2) - Learners at this level should understand basic medical vocabulary, but mastering inflections requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions.

Pronunciation (Russian):

заусенец: /zaʊˈsɛnɛts/

Note on заусенец: The stress falls on the second syllable ("sɛ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian-specific vowel shifts. Pronounce it with a soft "z" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The torn or ragged skin near a fingernail or toenail

Translation(s) & Context:

• заусенец - Typically used in formal or informal contexts when discussing minor skin irritations, such as in medical consultations or casual conversations about personal care.

Usage Examples:

• У меня заусенец на большом пальце руки, и он очень болит.

  I have a hangnail on my thumb, and it hurts a lot.

• Она аккуратно обрезала заусенец, чтобы избежать инфекции.

  She carefully trimmed the hangnail to avoid infection.

• Заусенцы часто появляются из-за сухой кожи в зимнее время.

  Hangnails often appear due to dry skin in the winter.

• Если игнорировать заусенец, он может привести к воспалению.

  If you ignore a hangnail, it can lead to inflammation.

• Врач посоветовал использовать увлажняющий крем, чтобы предотвратить заусенцы.

  The doctor recommended using moisturizing cream to prevent hangnails.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Заусенец" is a masculine noun of the third declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with changes in cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • кожный задир (skin tear) - More descriptive, often used in informal contexts.
  • рваная кожа (torn skin) - A general term, less specific to nails.
• Antonyms: N/A (This word does not have direct antonyms, as it refers to a specific condition rather than a concept with opposites.)

Related Phrases:

• Лечить заусенец - Treat a hangnail (Used in contexts of first aid or home remedies.)
• Заусенец на ногтях - Hangnail on the nails (Common in beauty or health discussions.)
• Предотвратить заусенцы - Prevent hangnails (Often appears in advice about skincare routines.)

Usage Notes:

"Заусенец" directly corresponds to "hangnail" in English, referring specifically to the torn skin around nails. It is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal (e.g., medical settings) and informal contexts (e.g., everyday talk). When choosing this translation, note that Russian speakers might prefer more descriptive phrases if the context involves broader skin issues. Grammatically, always decline it according to the noun's case, as shown in the inflections table, to ensure sentence accuracy. For multiple instances, use the plural form.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the word without proper declension, e.g., saying "У меня заусенец на палец" instead of "У меня заусенец на пальце".

  Correct: "У меня заусенец на пальце" (The noun must agree in case; here, it's prepositional.)

  Explanation: Russian nouns change based on their role in the sentence, so forgetting declension can make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

• Error: Confusing it with similar terms like "мозоль" (callus), leading to misuse in descriptions.

  Correct: Use "заусенец" only for nail-related tears, not for other skin growths.

  Explanation: This mix-up happens because both involve skin, but they refer to different conditions, so context is key.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, minor ailments like hangnails are often addressed through home remedies, such as using natural oils or herbs, reflecting a broader emphasis on self-care in traditional medicine. While not a culturally loaded term, it ties into everyday health practices in Russia, where access to professional care might vary by region.

Related Concepts:

• ноготь (nail)
• кожа (skin)
• инфекция (infection)