Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hereditary'

English Word: hereditary

Key Russian Translations:

• наследственный /nəsˈlʲedstvʲɪnːɨj/ - [Formal, used in scientific, medical, and legal contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in specialized fields like medicine, biology, and law, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and contextual usage, based on CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

наследственный: /nəsˈlʲedstvʲɪnːɨj/

Note on наследственный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("led"), and the "щ" sound is a soft, palatalized "sh" which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to traits, diseases, or properties passed down through genetics or inheritance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• наследственный - Used in formal contexts such as medical reports, biological discussions, or legal documents discussing inherited rights or characteristics.

Usage Examples:

• У него наследственное заболевание, которое передаётся по семейной линии.

  He has a hereditary disease that is passed down through the family line.

• Наследственные гены определяют цвет глаз у детей.

  Hereditary genes determine eye color in children.

• В этой династии титул является наследственным, передаваясь от отца к сыну.

  In this dynasty, the title is hereditary, passed from father to son.

• Исследования показывают, что некоторые таланты могут быть наследственными.

  Studies show that some talents can be hereditary.

Meaning 2: Pertaining to something inherited in a non-biological sense, such as titles or property.

Translation(s) & Context:

• наследственный - Applied in historical or legal contexts, such as monarchies or estates, to denote something passed down through generations.

Usage Examples:

• Наследственный трон перешёл к младшему брату короля.

  The hereditary throne passed to the king's younger brother.

• В некоторых культурах наследственные обычаи сохраняются веками.

  In some cultures, hereditary customs are preserved for centuries.

• Этот дом является наследственным имуществом семьи.

  This house is the family's hereditary property.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Наследственный" is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward once the basic adjective patterns are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • генетический (geneticheskiy) - Often used interchangeably in biological contexts, but more specific to genetics.
  • родовой (rodovoy) - Implies family lineage, with a slight emphasis on ancestral heritage.
• Antonyms:
  • приобретённый (priobretennyy) - Acquired through experience or environment, not inherited.
  • внешний (vneshniy) - External or non-inherited, often in contrast to innate traits.

Related Phrases:

• наследственный фактор - A hereditary factor, often used in genetics to refer to inherited elements.
• наследственный иммунитет - Hereditary immunity, referring to innate disease resistance passed down genetically.
• наследственный титул - Hereditary title, as in nobility or monarchies, with a connotation of historical tradition.

Usage Notes:

"Наследственный" directly corresponds to "hereditary" in English, particularly in contexts involving genetics, biology, or inheritance laws. It is typically formal and should be used in written or professional settings rather than casual conversation. When choosing between translations like "наследственный" and "генетический," opt for the former if the emphasis is on familial transmission, and the latter for purely scientific genetic discussions. Be mindful of Russian adjective agreement: always decline it to match the noun's gender, number, and case for grammatical accuracy.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget to decline "наследственный" correctly, e.g., using the nominative form in all cases. Incorrect: "О болезни наследственный" (should be "О наследственной болезни" in the prepositional case). Correct: Ensure proper inflection as shown in the inflections table above; this maintains sentence agreement and avoids confusion.

• Confusing it with synonyms: Learners might overuse "генетический" when "наследственный" is more appropriate for non-biological inheritance. For example, saying "генетический титул" instead of "наследственный титул" could imply a genetic mutation rather than a passed-down title.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, the concept of "hereditary" (наследственный) is deeply tied to the aristocratic and imperial eras, such as the tsarist system where titles and lands were passed down through families. This reflects a broader emphasis on lineage in Russian society, influencing literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy) and modern discussions on genetics and social mobility.

Related Concepts:

• генетика (genetics)
• родословная (family tree or pedigree)
• династия (dynasty)