Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'infection'

English Word: infection

Key Russian Translations:

• инфекция (ɪnˈfʲektsʲɪjə) - [Formal, Medical Context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in medical and health-related discussions, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves medical terminology; requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and vocabulary in health contexts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

инфекция: ɪnˈfʲektsʲɪjə

Note on инфекция: The stress falls on the third syllable ('tsʲɪjə'). Be mindful of the palatalized 'fʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms, often leading to disease.

Translation(s) & Context:

• инфекция - Used in formal medical or scientific contexts, such as discussing diseases or health issues.

Usage Examples:

• У меня инфекция горла, и я вынужден остаться дома. (U menya infektsiya gorla, i ya vynuzhden ostat'sya doma.)

  I have a throat infection, and I'm forced to stay home. (This example shows the word in a personal health context, with the noun in nominative case.)

• Врач прописал антибиотики для лечения инфекции. (Vrach propisal antibiotiki dlya lecheniya infektsii.)

  The doctor prescribed antibiotics for treating the infection. (Here, it demonstrates the word in genitive case within a medical treatment scenario.)

• Инфекция распространилась по всему региону из-за плохой гигиены. (Infektsiya rasprostranilas' po vsemu regionu iz-za plokhoj gigieny.)

  The infection spread throughout the region due to poor hygiene. (This illustrates usage in a broader epidemiological context, with the word in nominative case.)

• Чтобы предотвратить инфекцию, всегда мойте руки. (Chtoby predotвратit' infektsiyu, vsegda mojte ruki.)

  To prevent infection, always wash your hands. (This example shows preventive usage, with the word in accusative case.)

• Симптомы инфекции включают лихорадку и слабость. (Simptomy infektsii vklyuchayut likhoradku i slabost'.)

  Symptoms of the infection include fever and weakness. (This highlights the word in genitive case within a symptom description.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Инфекция" is a feminine noun of the first declension (second group in some classifications). It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • инфекционное заболевание (infektsionnoye zabolevaniye) - More specific, often used interchangeably but emphasizes the disease aspect.
  • заражение (zarazheniye) - Informal synonym, implying contamination or transmission.
• Antonyms:
  • здоровье (zdorov'ye) - Health, contrasting with the presence of disease.
  • иммунитет (immunitet) - Immunity, as it prevents infection.

Related Phrases:

• Инфекция верхних дыхательных путей (Infektsiya verkhnikh dykhatel'nykh putey) - Upper respiratory infection; commonly used in medical diagnostics.
• Бактериальная инфекция (Bakterial'naya infektsiya) - Bacterial infection; refers to infections caused by bacteria, often in contrast to viral ones.
• Профилактика инфекции (Profilaktika infektsii) - Infection prevention; a phrase used in public health campaigns.

Usage Notes:

"Инфекция" directly corresponds to the English "infection" in medical contexts and is typically used in formal settings like hospitals or scientific discussions. It is a feminine noun, so adjectives and verbs must agree in gender and case (e.g., "тяжелая инфекция" for "severe infection"). English learners should note that Russian often requires specifying the type of infection (e.g., bacterial vs. viral) for clarity. When choosing between synonyms like "заражение," opt for "инфекция" in professional contexts for precision, as it is more neutral and widely accepted.

Common Errors:

• Confusing case endings: English speakers might incorrectly use the nominative form in all contexts, e.g., saying "лечить инфекция" instead of "лечить инфекцию" (correct accusative). Explanation: Russian requires proper declension; always check the case based on the sentence structure.

• Mispronouncing the word: Learners often soften the 'f' sound incorrectly or place stress on the wrong syllable, e.g., pronouncing it as "in-FEK-tsiya" instead of "in-fek-TSʲI-ya." Correct usage: Practice with native audio to master the palatalization and stress.

• Overgeneralizing: Mistaking it for all types of illnesses, e.g., using it for non-infectious conditions like allergies. Correct: Reserve it for pathogen-related issues; use "заболевание" for general diseases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and healthcare, terms like "инфекция" are prominent in public health campaigns, especially given Russia's history with epidemics like tuberculosis. It carries a practical connotation in everyday life, emphasizing preventive measures in densely populated areas, reflecting a cultural focus on communal health and hygiene.

Related Concepts:

• вирус (virus)
• бактерия (bacteria)
• эпидемия (epidemic)
• вакцина (vaccine)