Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hypochondriac'

English Word: hypochondriac

Key Russian Translations:

• ипохондрик [ɪ.pɐˈxɔn.drʲɪk] - [Informal; commonly used in everyday conversations to describe someone with excessive health anxiety]

Frequency: Medium (The term is not extremely common in everyday Russian speech but appears in medical, psychological, or casual discussions about health.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; learners need familiarity with borrowed words and basic noun declensions, as it is a specialized term from psychology.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ипохондрик: [ɪ.pɐˈxɔn.drʲɪk]

Note on ипохондрик: The stress falls on the third syllable ("xɔn"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the rolled 'r' sound and the soft 'd' (palatalized). Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who is abnormally anxious about their health or imagines illnesses that do not exist.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ипохондрик - Used in informal contexts, such as casual conversations or literature, to refer to someone with hypochondria; it carries a slightly humorous or pejorative connotation in modern Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Он настоящий ипохондрик и постоянно проверяет своё давление.

  He is a real hypochondriac and constantly checks his blood pressure.

• Её мать — типичный ипохондрик, который боится каждой простуды.

  Her mother is a typical hypochondriac who fears every cold.

• В этой комедии главный герой — ипохондрик, который воображает у себя редкие болезни.

  In this comedy, the main character is a hypochondriac who imagines rare illnesses in himself.

• Друзья шутят, что он ипохондрик, потому что носит с собой аптечку везде.

  Friends joke that he is a hypochondriac because he carries a first-aid kit everywhere.

• Как психолог, я часто встречаю ипохондриков, которые преувеличивают симптомы.

  As a psychologist, I often encounter hypochondriacs who exaggerate their symptoms.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"ипохондрик" is a masculine noun (from the first declension group) and follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It changes based on case, number, and gender agreement. Below is a table showing its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners, but pay attention to the soft consonant changes in certain cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: человек с ипохондрией (a person with hypochondria; more descriptive and formal), невротик (neurotic; implies broader anxiety issues)
• Antonyms: оптимист (optimist; someone who is unrealistically positive about health), стоик (stoic; someone who endures without complaint)

Brief notes: "человек с ипохондрией" is preferred in formal or medical contexts for its precision, while "невротик" might carry a broader psychological connotation.

Related Phrases:

• ипохондрический бред - Hypochondriacal delusion; a phrase used in psychiatric discussions to describe irrational health fears.
• страдать ипохондрией - To suffer from hypochondria; commonly used in self-reflection or medical advice contexts.
• быть вечным ипохондриком - To be an eternal hypochondriac; an idiomatic expression for someone who chronically worries about health.

Usage Notes:

The Russian term "ипохондрик" directly corresponds to the English "hypochondriac" but is often used informally with a touch of humor or criticism, unlike in formal English contexts. It is best suited for spoken language or literature rather than professional medical writing, where "ипохондрия" (hypochondria as a condition) might be more appropriate. When choosing between translations, opt for "ипохондрик" in casual scenarios but ensure gender agreement in sentences (e.g., use feminine forms if referring to a woman). Be mindful of cultural sensitivity, as this word can sound judgmental in Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ипохондрик" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я видел ипохондрик" instead of "Я видел ипохондрика" (accusative case). Correct: Always decline based on sentence structure. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree with case, so learners often forget this, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing it with "ипохондрия" and using it as a verb, e.g., "Он ипохондрит" (incorrect). Correct: It's a noun, so say "Он страдает ипохондрией." Explanation: English speakers might try to verbify it due to similar patterns in English, but Russian requires separate verbs like "страдать" for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a "hypochondriac" is often portrayed in literature and media as a comedic or relatable character, such as in works by Chekhov, where health anxiety reflects broader societal themes of uncertainty and introspection. This may stem from historical contexts like the Soviet era, where access to healthcare was limited, fostering a cultural norm of exaggerated health concerns.

Related Concepts:

• ипохондрия
• невроз
• психосоматика