Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'immunity'

English Word: immunity

Key Russian Translations:

• иммунитет [ɪm.muˈnʲi.tʲɪt] - [Formal, Used in medical and legal contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, medical, and legal discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with technical vocabulary and basic Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

иммунитет: [ɪm.muˈnʲi.tʲɪt]

Note on иммунитет: The stress falls on the third syllable ('nʲi'). Be mindful of the soft sign (ʲ) which affects the pronunciation of the preceding consonant, making it softer. This word is a loanword from Latin via English, so it may vary slightly in regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Biological/medical immunity (e.g., resistance to disease)

Translation(s) & Context:

• иммунитет - Used in contexts related to health, vaccines, or biology, often in formal or professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Вакцинация помогает развить иммунитет к вирусу.

  Vaccination helps develop immunity to the virus.

• Его иммунитет ослаблен после болезни.

  His immunity is weakened after the illness.

• Иммунитет к гриппу можно приобрести через ежегодные прививки.

  One can acquire immunity to the flu through annual vaccinations.

• У ребенка врожденный иммунитет к некоторым инфекциям.

  The child has innate immunity to certain infections.

• С возрастом иммунитет становится менее эффективным.

  With age, immunity becomes less effective.

Legal immunity (e.g., exemption from prosecution)

Translation(s) & Context:

• иммунитет - Used in legal contexts, such as diplomatic or parliamentary immunity, emphasizing protection from legal action.

Usage Examples:

• Дипломатический иммунитет защищает послов от ареста.

  Diplomatic immunity protects ambassadors from arrest.

• Суд предоставил иммунитет свидетелю для дачи показаний.

  The court granted immunity to the witness for testimony.

• Иммунитет парламентария позволяет ему высказываться свободно.

  Parliamentary immunity allows a member to speak freely.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Иммунитет" is a masculine noun (мужской род) of the second declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сопротивляемость (soproтивляемость) - Similar in medical contexts, implying resistance, but less specific.
  • защищенность (zashchishchennost') - Used metaphorically for protection, often in everyday language.
• Antonyms:
  • восприимчивость (vospriimchivost') - Susceptibility, especially to diseases.
  • уязвимость (uyazvimoct') - Vulnerability, in both physical and legal senses.

Related Phrases:

• приобретенный иммунитет - Acquired immunity; refers to immunity gained through exposure or vaccination.
• врожденный иммунитет - Innate immunity; natural immunity present from birth.
• дипломатический иммунитет - Diplomatic immunity; legal protection for diplomats.
• групповой иммунитет - Herd immunity; a concept in public health where a population becomes immune.

Usage Notes:

"Иммунитет" directly corresponds to the English "immunity" in both medical and legal contexts, but it's a borrowed term, so it's often used in formal or technical writing. In everyday Russian, simpler alternatives like "защищенность" might be preferred for non-experts. Pay attention to case endings when using it in sentences, as Russian requires agreement with other words. For legal contexts, ensure the word is paired with appropriate prepositions, such as "к" for "to" (e.g., иммунитет к чему-то). If multiple translations exist, choose based on context: "иммунитет" is versatile but may sound overly formal in casual speech.

Common Errors:

• Confusing case endings: Learners often use the nominative form "иммунитет" in all contexts. For example, incorrect: "Я думаю о иммунитет" (should be "о иммунитете" in prepositional case). Correct usage: "Я думаю о иммунитете человека."

• Misapplying in legal vs. medical contexts: Non-native speakers might overuse it without specifying, leading to ambiguity. For instance, saying "иммунитет от суда" is correct, but ensure it doesn't overlap with medical meanings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "иммунитет" gained prominence during health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing collective responsibility in public health. Historically, it also relates to legal traditions in Russia, where diplomatic immunity has roots in international agreements, reflecting Russia's engagement in global diplomacy.

Related Concepts:

• вакцина (vaccine)
• инфекция (infection)
• защита (protection)
• пандемия (pandemic)