Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'healthful'

English Word: healthful

Key Russian Translations:

• Полезный [pɐˈlʲeznɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in general contexts for things that promote health]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in everyday discussions about health, diet, and lifestyle, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "good").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners should understand basic adjective forms and contexts, though inflection patterns require practice).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Полезный: [pɐˈlʲeznɨj]

Note on Полезный: The stress falls on the second syllable ("lʲez"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's vowel reduction in unstressed positions. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Promoting good health or beneficial to one's well-being (e.g., in the context of food, exercise, or habits)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Полезный - Typically used for items or activities that contribute positively to health, such as nutritious food or healthy routines; common in formal and informal settings like health advice or daily conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Эта еда полезна для здоровья, так как содержит витамины и минералы.

  This food is healthful because it contains vitamins and minerals.

• Регулярные прогулки на свежем воздухе полезны для поддержания физической формы.

  Regular walks in the fresh air are healthful for maintaining physical fitness.

• Полезные привычки, такие как правильное питание, помогают предотвратить болезни.

  Healthful habits, such as proper nutrition, help prevent illnesses.

• Йога считается полезным занятием для снижения стресса.

  Yoga is considered a healthful activity for reducing stress.

• В рационе должны быть полезные продукты, чтобы сохранить энергию на весь день.

  Your diet should include healthful products to maintain energy throughout the day.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Полезный is an adjective in Russian, which follows the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives. It agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. The base form (nominative singular masculine) is "полезный". Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective is regular and follows standard rules, making it straightforward for learners once basic patterns are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Благотворный (blagotvornyy) - More formal, emphasizing positive effects, often in medical or scientific contexts.
  • Целебный (tselebnyy) - Specifically for healing or restorative properties.
• Antonyms:
  • Вредный (vrednyy) - Harmful or detrimental to health.
  • Шкодливый (shkodlivyy) - Mischievous or unhealthy in a broader sense.

Related Phrases:

• Полезные продукты - Refers to healthful foods or nutritious items, often used in dietary advice.
• Полезная привычка - A healthful habit, such as exercise or meditation, emphasized in self-improvement contexts.
• Полезный совет - A healthful tip or advice, commonly in wellness articles or conversations.

Usage Notes:

"Полезный" directly corresponds to "healthful" when emphasizing benefits to health, but it's more versatile in Russian and can apply to any beneficial thing. Use it in formal contexts like medical discussions or informal ones like daily health tips. Be mindful of agreement with nouns—always adjust for gender, number, and case. When choosing between translations, opt for "полезный" for general health promotion, but "благотворный" for more scientific scenarios. English speakers often confuse it with "здоровий" (healthy), so clarify that "полезный" focuses on the promoting aspect rather than the state of being healthy.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "полезный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Эта еда полезный" instead of "Эта еда полезная" (for feminine noun).

  Correct: "Эта еда полезная для здоровья." Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender; here, "еда" is feminine, so the adjective ends in "-ая".

• Error: Overusing "полезный" as a direct synonym for "healthy," e.g., translating "I feel healthy" as "Я чувствую полезный" instead of "Я чувствую себя здоровым".

  Correct: Use "здоровый" for describing a state of health. Explanation: "Полезный" implies something that promotes health, not the state itself, which can lead to semantic errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "полезный" are deeply tied to traditional health practices, such as the emphasis on natural remedies, herbal teas, and balanced diets in rural or folk medicine. This reflects a historical reliance on homegrown solutions for wellness, especially in contrast to Western pharmaceutical approaches, highlighting a cultural value on preventative, healthful living.

Related Concepts:

• Здоровый
• Витаминный
• Сбалансированный