Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'headache'

English Word: headache

Key Russian Translations:

• голова́ боль [ɡɐlɐˈva bɐlʲ] - [Informal, Common expression for general headache]
• мигре́нь [mʲɪˈɡrʲenʲ] - [Formal, Specifically for migraine-type headache]

Frequency: Medium (Frequently used in everyday conversations, medical contexts, and literature, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; straightforward for beginners, but understanding inflections and contextual usage requires basic grammar knowledge).

Pronunciation (Russian):

голова́ боль: [ɡɐlɐˈva bɐlʲ]

мигре́нь: [mʲɪˈɡrʲenʲ]

Note on голова́ боль: The stress on "голова́" falls on the second syllable, and "боль" has a soft 'l' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A pain or discomfort in the head, often due to stress, illness, or other factors.

Translation(s) & Context:

• голова́ боль - Used in informal daily conversations to describe a general headache, often in personal or medical settings.
• мигре́нь - Applied in more formal or medical contexts for severe, recurring headaches like migraines.

Usage Examples:

• У меня сегодня голова́ болит из-за стресса на работе.

  I have a headache today because of work stress.

• Если вы часто испытываете мигре́нь, обратитесь к врачу.

  If you often experience migraines, see a doctor.

• После долгого дня у неё началась сильная голова́ боль.

  After a long day, she developed a severe headache.

• Мигре́нь может быть вызвана изменениями погоды или определёнными продуктами.

  Migraines can be triggered by weather changes or certain foods.

• Я пью чай, чтобы облегчить эту надоедливую голова́ боль.

  I'm drinking tea to relieve this annoying headache.

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use, e.g., something causing annoyance or problems (metaphorical headache).

Translation(s) & Context:

• голова́ боль - Informally used metaphorically for problems, e.g., in everyday speech about life's hassles.

Usage Examples:

• Этот проект стал настоящей голова́ болью для команды.

  This project has become a real headache for the team.

• Бюрократия – это вечная голова́ боль для бизнеса.

  Bureaucracy is an eternal headache for business.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Голова́ боль" is a noun phrase where "боль" is a feminine noun. It follows standard Russian noun inflections for cases and numbers. "Мигре́нь" is also a feminine noun with similar inflection patterns.

Note: These are regular inflections; "боль" does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • боле́знь головы (disease of the head) - More descriptive, used in medical contexts.
  • цефале́гия (cephalalgia) - Formal, technical term for headache.
• Antonyms:
  • благополу́чие (well-being) - General opposite, implying no pain or discomfort.
  • спокойствие (calmness) - Often used metaphorically for the absence of headaches or stress.

Related Phrases:

• У меня голова́ болит – I have a headache; a common way to express personal discomfort.
• Лечи́ть мигре́нь – To treat migraines; often used in health discussions.
• Голова́ болит от шу́ма – Headache from noise; illustrates environmental triggers.

Usage Notes:

Russians often use "голова́ болит" as a set phrase in informal speech, similar to "I have a headache" in English, but it's more expressive in context. For "мигре́нь," reserve it for clinical discussions to avoid overgeneralization. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as both nouns are feminine. When choosing between translations, opt for "голова́ боль" in everyday scenarios and "мигре́нь" for specific medical conditions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "голова болит" without proper stress (e.g., saying "голова болит" instead of "голова́ болит"). Correct: Ensure the stress on "голова́" for natural pronunciation. Explanation: Incorrect stress can make the phrase sound unnatural or misunderstood.

• Error: Confusing "мигре́нь" with general headaches. Correct: Use it only for migraines, not everyday aches. Example: Wrong: "У меня мигре́нь от усталости" (if it's not a migraine); Right: "У меня голова́ болит от усталости." Explanation: This prevents exaggeration and ensures precise communication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, headaches are often linked to the fast-paced modern life in urban areas like Moscow, symbolizing stress from work or environmental factors. Expressions like "голова́ болит" can appear in literature, such as in Chekhov's works, to depict everyday struggles, reflecting a cultural emphasis on enduring personal discomfort stoically.

Related Concepts:

• стресс
• устало́сть
• боле́знь