Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'heroin'

English Word: heroin

Key Russian Translations:

• героин (/ɡʲɪˈrɔɪn/) - [Formal, Medical/Legal Context]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in specialized discussions like medicine, law, or news, not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Learners should be familiar with basic noun declensions and borrowing from English)

Pronunciation (Russian):

героин: /ɡʲɪˈrɔɪn/ (The 'г' is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to 'g' in 'gem' in English, but with a soft Russian pronunciation)

Note on героин: Be mindful of the soft 'гʲ' sound, which can be challenging for non-native speakers; it softens due to the following 'е'. Avoid overemphasizing the 'o' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A highly addictive opioid drug derived from morphine, often associated with illegal substance abuse.

Translation(s) & Context:

• героин - Used in formal contexts such as medical reports, legal discussions, or news articles about drug enforcement.

Usage Examples:

• Он употребляет героин уже несколько лет. (On upotrebljaet geroin uže neskolʹko let.)

  He has been using heroin for several years. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence about addiction.)

• Власти борются с распространением героина в регионе. (Vlasti borjutsja s rasprostraneniem geroina v regione.)

  Authorities are fighting the spread of heroin in the region. (Illustrates usage in a context of law enforcement and public health.)

• Героин считается одним из самых опасных наркотиков. (Geroin sčitaetsja odnim iz samyh opasnyh narkotikov.)

  Heroin is considered one of the most dangerous drugs. (Demonstrates the noun in a comparative structure.)

• Лечение от героина требует профессиональной помощи. (Lečenie ot geroina trebujet professionalʹnoj pomočii.)

  Treatment for heroin requires professional help. (Shows usage in a medical or rehabilitative context.)

• Злоупотребление героином приводит к серьёзным последствиям. (Zloupolzovanie geroinom privodit k seryoznym posledstvijam.)

  Abuse of heroin leads to serious consequences. (Highlights the noun in a phrase related to negative outcomes.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Героин" is a masculine noun (third declension) borrowed from English. It follows standard Russian noun declension patterns for inanimate objects. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The plural form is less common and used when referring to multiple instances or types of the drug. This noun does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: опиоид (opioyd - opioid), наркотик (narkotik - narcotic) - Note: "Опиоид" is more precise for the chemical class, while "наркотик" is broader and informal.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a specific substance term.

Related Phrases:

• злоупотребление героином - Abuse of heroin (Refers to misuse leading to addiction or health issues).
• торговля героином - Heroin trafficking (Common in legal and news contexts regarding illegal trade).
• лечение от героина - Treatment for heroin (Used in medical discussions about rehabilitation).

Usage Notes:

This term directly corresponds to the English "heroin" as a borrowed word, maintaining its original meaning in Russian. It is typically used in formal or professional settings, such as medical literature, law enforcement reports, or public health campaigns. Avoid using it in casual conversation due to its sensitive nature. When choosing between synonyms like "героин" and "опиоид," opt for "героин" when specificity to this drug is needed. Grammatically, ensure proper declension based on sentence structure, as Russian requires case agreement.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Incorrect pronunciation, such as saying /ɡeˈrɔɪn/ instead of /ɡʲɪˈrɔɪn/. Correct: Focus on the soft 'гʲ' sound to avoid sounding unnatural. Example of error: "Он употребляет геоин" (wrong pronunciation implied). Correct: "Он употребляет героин" with proper soft 'г'.
• Mistake: Failing to decline the noun properly, e.g., using "героин" in the genitive case as "героин" instead of "героина." Correct: In a sentence like "зависимость от героина" (addiction to heroin), the genitive form is essential for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, "героин" carries significant cultural and social connotations due to the country's history with drug epidemics, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s. It is often linked to issues of poverty, organized crime, and public health crises in certain regions, making discussions around it highly sensitive and stigmatized.

Related Concepts:

• наркотики (narkotiki - drugs)
• зависимость (zavisimostʹ - addiction)
• опиоиды (opioidy - opioids)