Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'health'

English Word: health

Key Russian Translations:

• здоровье [zdɐˈrovʲjɪ] - [Formal, commonly used in medical and everyday contexts]

Frequency: High (A frequently used word in daily conversations, health-related discussions, and media in Russian-speaking regions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves basic noun declensions, which may challenge beginners, but the vocabulary itself is straightforward)

Pronunciation (Russian):

здоровье: [zdɐˈrovʲjɪ]

Note on здоровье: The stress falls on the second syllable ('ro'), and the 'ь' at the end indicates a soft consonant, which can be tricky for English speakers—pronounce it as a softened 'ye' sound. Be mindful of the palatalized 'v' in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

General meaning: The state of being free from illness or injury, encompassing physical, mental, and overall well-being.

Translation(s) & Context:

• здоровье - Used in formal and informal contexts for general health discussions, such as in medical settings or personal conversations about wellness.

Usage Examples:

• Я регулярно занимаюсь спортом, чтобы поддерживать своё здоровье.

  I regularly exercise to maintain my health.

• Здоровье нации зависит от качества медицинской системы.

  The health of the nation depends on the quality of the medical system.

• Врачи советуют больше внимания уделять своему психическому здоровью.

  Doctors advise paying more attention to one's mental health.

• После болезни он восстановил своё здоровье с помощью правильного питания.

  After his illness, he restored his health through proper nutrition.

• Здоровье — это не только отсутствие болезней, но и гармония тела и души.

  Health is not just the absence of diseases, but also the harmony of body and soul.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Здоровье" is a neuter noun in Russian, which follows the standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. It is invariable in the plural form and has regular endings across cases. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: As a neuter noun, it does not have gender-specific forms, and its plural is less common in everyday use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • благополучие (blagopoluchie) - More formal, emphasizing overall well-being or prosperity.
  • самочувствие (samochuvstvie) - Focuses on personal feelings of health, often in informal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • болезнь (bolezn') - Refers to illness or disease.
  • недомогание (nedomaganie) - Implies discomfort or minor ailments.

Related Phrases:

• Хорошее здоровье (Good health) - A common phrase used in greetings or to wish someone well; implies robust physical condition.
• Поддерживать здоровье (To maintain health) - Refers to habits or activities that sustain well-being, often in health advice contexts.
• Здоровье прежде всего (Health above all) - An idiomatic expression emphasizing the priority of health over other matters.

Usage Notes:

"Здоровье" directly corresponds to the English "health" in most contexts, but it is a neuter noun that must be declined according to Russian case systems. For English speakers, remember to use it with appropriate prepositions, such as "о здоровье" for "about health." It is versatile across formal (e.g., medical reports) and informal settings (e.g., casual conversations), but avoid using it in highly technical contexts where more specific terms like "физическое здоровье" (physical health) might be needed. When choosing among translations, opt for "здоровье" as the default unless the context emphasizes emotional or mental aspects, where "самочувствие" could be more appropriate.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect declension: English learners often forget to change the ending in different cases. For example, saying "Я думаю о здоровье" instead of the correct "Я думаю о здоровье" (wait, that's correct), but a common mistake is using the nominative in all cases, like "Я беспокоюсь здоровье" instead of "Я беспокоюсь о здоровье" (I worry about health). Correct usage: Always pair it with the right preposition and case, e.g., genitive after "о."

• Overgeneralization: Mistaking it for a plural noun and adding unnecessary endings, such as saying "здоровией" incorrectly in instrumental case when it should be "здоровьем." Explanation: Russian nouns have strict rules; practice with tables to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "здоровье" carries a deep connotation beyond physical health, often linked to holistic well-being influenced by traditions like banya (sauna rituals) or herbal remedies. It's common in toasts during celebrations, such as "За ваше здоровье!" (To your health!), reflecting a cultural emphasis on community and resilience, especially in light of historical hardships.

Related Concepts:

• медицина (medicine)
• физическая форма (physical fitness)
• психология (psychology)