Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hunger'

English Word: hunger

Key Russian Translations:

• голод /ˈɡo.lət/ - [Formal, Noun; used for the state of lacking food or a strong desire]
• голодать /ɡɐ.lɐˈdatʲ/ - [Informal/Neutral, Verb; used to describe the act of starving or feeling extreme hunger]

Frequency: High (e.g., "голод" is a common word in everyday Russian, especially in discussions about food, health, or social issues; "голодать" is medium in frequency, often in personal contexts).

Difficulty: A2 for "голод" (Beginner level, as it's a basic noun); B1 for "голодать" (Intermediate, due to verb conjugation and contextual usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

голод: /ˈɡo.lət/ (The stress is on the first syllable; the "o" is pronounced like in "go", and the "л" is a soft L sound.)

голодать: /ɡɐ.lɐˈdatʲ/ (Stress on the last syllable; note the palatalized "тʲ" sound, which is common in Russian verbs.)

Note on голод: Be cautious with the soft "л" sound, as it's a common point of difficulty for English speakers; it can sound similar to "l" in "million".

Note on голодать: This verb often involves aspectual pairs; the imperfective form is used for ongoing actions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The physical or metaphorical state of wanting or needing food (e.g., the feeling of emptiness due to lack of nourishment).

Translation(s) & Context:

• голод - Used in formal or everyday contexts to describe hunger as a noun, such as in health discussions or literature.
• голодать - Used in informal contexts to express the verb form, like describing ongoing starvation or hunger in personal narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Я чувствую сильный голод после тренировки.

  I feel a strong hunger after the workout. (This example shows "голод" in a nominative case, describing a personal physical state.)

• Дети в деревне голодали из-за неурожая.

  The children in the village were starving due to the poor harvest. (Here, "голодать" is used in the past tense to indicate a prolonged state of hunger in a historical or social context.)

• Голод — это не только физическая проблема, но и социальная.

  Hunger is not just a physical problem, but a social one. (This demonstrates "голод" in an abstract, metaphorical sense, common in essays or speeches.)

• Он начал голодать, чтобы привлечь внимание к проблеме.

  He started starving himself to draw attention to the issue. (This uses "голодать" in a reflexive context, like a hunger strike.)

• После ужина голод ушёл, и я почувствовал облегчение.

  After dinner, the hunger went away, and I felt relief. (Illustrates "голод" with genitive case in a simple daily scenario.)

Meaning 2: A strong desire or craving for something non-food related (e.g., metaphorical hunger for knowledge or power).

Translation(s) & Context:

• голод - Applied metaphorically in literary or philosophical contexts, such as "голод знаний" (hunger for knowledge).

Usage Examples:

• Её голод к успеху сделал её успешной бизнесвумен.

  Her hunger for success made her a successful businesswoman. (This example extends "голод" metaphorically in a motivational context.)

• Голод приключений толкает его на новые путешествия.

  The hunger for adventure pushes him towards new travels. (Shows "голод" in a genitive construction for abstract desires.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "голод" (a masculine noun, 2nd declension):

For "голодать" (an imperfective verb, 1st conjugation):

Note: "голод" has regular declensions, while "голодать" follows standard verb patterns but can vary with aspects (e.g., perfective "проголодать").

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: жажда (thirst, but can metaphorically mean hunger for something); аппетит (appetite, more specific to food desires)
• Antonyms: сытость (satiety, the state of being full); пресыщение (overindulgence, for metaphorical uses)

Related Phrases:

• Ощущать голод - To feel hunger; often used in health or daily contexts.
• Голодный бунт - Hunger riot; refers to uprisings due to famine, with historical connotations.
• Голод как мотивация - Hunger as motivation; a metaphorical phrase for drive in personal development.

Usage Notes:

"Голод" directly corresponds to the noun form of "hunger" and is versatile in both literal and metaphorical uses, but it's more formal in written Russian. "Голодать" aligns with the verb "to hunger" and implies a prolonged or severe state, so use it for ongoing actions rather than momentary feelings. In casual speech, Russians might prefer "голод" in nominative for simplicity, but always check case agreements in sentences. When choosing between translations, opt for "голод" in static descriptions and "голодать" for dynamic verbs; be mindful of context to avoid confusion with famine-related historical topics.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "голод" without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "Я имею голод" instead of "Я испытываю голод".
  Correct: "Я испытываю голод" (I feel hunger). Explanation: Russian requires genitive or other cases in certain constructions; English speakers often overlook this.
• Error: Confusing "голодать" with "голод" in verb contexts, e.g., "Я голод" meaning "I am hungering".
  Correct: "Я голодал" for past tense. Explanation: "Голод" is a noun, not a verb, so always conjugate "голодать" for actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "голод" carries historical weight due to events like the Holodomor famine in the 1930s, symbolizing not just physical hunger but also resilience and social injustice. This makes it a sensitive term in discussions, often evoking empathy or national memory in literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• Еда (food)
• Голодовка (hunger strike)
• Аппетит (appetite)