Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'illness'

English Word: illness

Key Russian Translations:

• болезнь /bɐˈlʲezʲnʲ/ - [Formal, Singular, General medical context]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday conversations, medical discussions, and literature).

Difficulty: A2 (Basic level; straightforward for beginners, but understanding inflections requires familiarity with Russian noun cases).

Pronunciation (Russian):

болезнь: /bɐˈlʲezʲnʲ/

Note on болезнь: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'лʲ' represents a palatalized 'l', which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'l' in "million" but softer. Pronounce it as "ba-lyezn'" with a soft 'l' sound.

Audio: Play Pronunciation [Here, insert an audio player or link placeholder for the word "болезнь".]

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A state of poor health or a specific disease affecting the body.

Translation(s) & Context:

• болезнь - Used in formal and medical contexts to refer to a general illness or disease, often in singular form for a specific condition.

Usage Examples:

• У меня простая болезнь, но она меня беспокоит.

  I have a simple illness, but it's bothering me. (This example shows the word in a nominative case, describing a personal health issue in everyday conversation.)

• Эта болезнь распространяется быстро в холодное время года.

  This illness spreads quickly during the cold season. (Illustrates usage in a genitive context, discussing the spread of a disease in a broader environmental setting.)

• Врачи лечат хронические болезни с помощью новых методов.

  Doctors treat chronic illnesses using new methods. (Demonstrates the word in an accusative case, in a professional medical context.)

• Её болезнь заставила её остаться дома.

  Her illness forced her to stay home. (Shows possessive use, highlighting the impact of illness on daily life.)

• Многие болезни можно предотвратить вакцинацией.

  Many illnesses can be prevented through vaccination. (Plural form in instrumental case, emphasizing prevention in public health discussions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"болезнь" is a feminine noun (first declension) and undergoes regular inflection based on Russian cases. It changes based on number (singular/plural) and grammatical case. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declensions are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • недуг (/nʲɪˈduk/) - Often used in literary or poetic contexts, implying a more severe or chronic condition.
  • заболевание (/zɐbɐlʲɪˈvanʲjə/) - More formal, typically in medical terminology for specific diseases.
• Antonyms:
  • здоровье (/zɐˈdroʊvjʲe/) - Health, the opposite state of being ill.
  • благополучие (/blɐgɐpəluˈtɕɪjə/) - Well-being, emphasizing positive physical condition.

Related Phrases:

• тяжёлая болезнь - A serious illness (Used in contexts discussing severe health issues, e.g., in medical reports).
• инфекционная болезнь - Infectious illness (Common in epidemiology, referring to diseases that spread).
• хроническая болезнь - Chronic illness (Implies long-term conditions, often in healthcare discussions).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "болезнь" directly corresponds to "illness" in English but is more versatile, often encompassing both general sickness and specific diseases. It is typically used in formal contexts like medicine or writing, though it can appear in casual speech. Be mindful of case endings; for example, use the genitive form "болезни" when indicating possession or origin. When choosing between synonyms like "заболевание," opt for it in professional settings for precision. English learners should note that Russian does not use articles, so "болезнь" stands alone without "a" or "the."

• Grammar tip: Always decline based on sentence structure to avoid sounding unnatural.
• Context tip: In informal speech, Russians might use diminutives like "болезненка" for a lighter tone, but this is rare for "illness."

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse case endings, such as using the nominative "болезнь" in places where the genitive "болезни" is needed. For example:

• Incorrect: "Я боюсь болезнь" (Wrong: This implies "I am afraid of illness" but lacks proper case.)
• Correct: "Я боюсь болезни" (Proper genitive case: "I am afraid of illness." Explanation: The genitive is required after verbs like "боюсь" to indicate fear of something.)
• Another error: Confusing with "болезненный" (an adjective meaning "painful"), leading to sentences like "У меня болезненный" instead of "У меня болезнь." Correct usage: Use "болезнь" as a noun for the condition itself.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussing illness openly is common, especially in family or community settings, reflecting a collectivistic approach to health. The word "болезнь" often appears in folklore and literature, such as in stories by Chekhov, where it symbolizes human vulnerability and resilience. Historically, epidemics like those in the 19th century have shaped its usage, emphasizing prevention and communal care in modern Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• лечение (treatment)
• симптомы (symptoms)
• вирус (virus)
• профилактика (prevention)