Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'infant'

English Word: infant

Key Russian Translations:

• младенец [ˈmladʲɪnʲɛts] - [Formal, Singular]
• ребенок [rʲɪˈbʲɛnək] - [Informal, General use for young children]

Frequency: Medium - The word is commonly used in contexts related to family, health, and early development, but not as ubiquitous as everyday terms.

Difficulty: B1 - Intermediate level, as it involves basic noun inflections and vocabulary related to family and life stages; for "младенец," it's slightly more advanced due to less common usage, while "ребенок" is A2 for beginners.

Pronunciation (Russian):

младенец: [ˈmladʲɪnʲɛts]

ребенок: [rʲɪˈbʲɛnək]

Note on младенец: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'дʲ' sound is a palatalized 'd', which can be challenging for English speakers; it softens to sound like 'dy'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A very young child, typically a newborn or baby under one year old.

Translation(s) & Context:

• младенец - Used in formal or medical contexts, such as describing newborns in hospitals or literature.
• ребенок - More general, informal term for a child, but can apply to infants in everyday conversation.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Младенец плакал всю ночь, и родители не могли его успокоить.

  English Translation: The infant cried all night, and the parents couldn't calm him down. (This example shows the word in a family context, highlighting emotional states.)

• Русский пример: В роддоме заботятся о здоровье каждого младенца.

  English Translation: In the maternity hospital, they take care of the health of every infant. (Demonstrates use in a medical or institutional setting.)

• Русский пример: Ребенок еще слишком мал, чтобы есть твердую пищу.

  English Translation: The infant is still too young to eat solid food. (Here, "ребенок" is used informally for a very young child, showing flexibility in age reference.)

• Русский пример: Младенец нуждается в особом уходе в первые месяцы жизни.

  English Translation: The infant requires special care in the first months of life. (Illustrates the word in discussions of early development.)

• Русский пример: Когда ребенок только родился, он весил всего три килограмма.

  English Translation: When the infant was just born, he weighed only three kilograms. (Shows "ребенок" in a birth-related context, emphasizing everyday language.)

Meaning 2: Figurative use, such as in legal contexts (e.g., a minor under the age of reason).

Translation(s) & Context:

• младенец - Less common, but used metaphorically in formal or literary contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В юридических документах младенец считается лицом, не способным принимать решения.

  English Translation: In legal documents, an infant is considered a person incapable of making decisions. (This example demonstrates figurative use in official contexts.)

• Русский пример: Иногда в литературе младенец символизирует innocence и новую жизнь.

  English Translation: In literature, an infant often symbolizes innocence and new life. (Shows poetic or metaphorical application.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "младенец" (a masculine noun in Russian), it follows the standard first declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It changes based on case and number:

For "ребенок" (also a masculine noun), it has irregular plural forms and follows a similar pattern but with variations in some cases:

Both words do not change for gender but are invariant in their base form when used as subjects.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • детеныш (more animal-like connotation, used for very young offspring)
  • новорожденный (specifically for newborns, emphasizing freshness)
• Antonyms:
  • взрослый (adult)
  • подросток (teenager)

Related Phrases:

• Новорожденный младенец - A newborn infant; used in medical or family contexts to describe just-born babies.
• Младенец в коляске - Infant in a stroller; common phrase for everyday scenes involving baby care.
• Ребенок раннего возраста - Child of early age; a broader phrase encompassing infants in educational or developmental discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Младенец" is the most precise translation for "infant" in formal contexts, such as medical or legal settings, while "ребенок" is more versatile for informal use but can encompass older children. English speakers should note that Russian nouns require case agreement, so "infant" as a direct object might change to genitive or accusative forms. Choose "младенец" for specificity in age (under 1 year) and "ребенок" for general child-rearing topics. Be mindful of context: in poetry or literature, these words can carry emotional or symbolic weight.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "младенец" interchangeably with "ребенок" without considering formality. For example, learners might say "Мой младенец пошел в школу" (incorrect for an infant). Correct: "Мой ребенок пошел в школу" if referring to a young child. Explanation: "Младенец" implies a very young baby, so it's inappropriate for older contexts.
• Error: Forgetting noun inflections, e.g., saying "Я вижу младенец" instead of "Я вижу младенца" (accusative case). Correct: Always adjust for case to match the sentence structure. Explanation: Russian grammar requires nouns to change based on their role, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "младенец" often appears in contexts related to Orthodox traditions, such as baptisms, where infants are seen as symbols of purity and new beginnings. This reflects a historical emphasis on family and religious rites, differing from Western views that might focus more on medical aspects.

Related Concepts:

• беременность (pregnancy)
• роды (childbirth)
• детство (childhood)