Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'infirmity'

English Word: infirmity

Key Russian Translations:

• недуг [ˈnʲedʊk] - [Formal, often used in medical or literary contexts]
• слабость [ˈslabəsʲtʲ] - [Informal, applicable in everyday or psychological discussions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in health-related texts, literature, and conversations, but not in casual daily speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level; requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and contexts, with some vocabulary building)

Pronunciation (Russian):

недуг: [ˈnʲedʊk] (The stress is on the first syllable; note the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers)

Note on недуг: The 'дʊk' ending involves a soft 'д' sound, similar to the 'd' in 'dew'. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

слабость: [ˈslabəsʲtʲ] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'сʲтʲ' ending features a soft 'с' and 'т', common in feminine nouns)

Note on слабость: Pay attention to the soft sign 'ь' which affects the preceding consonant, making it palatalized—a frequent challenge for learners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Physical weakness or illness, often due to age or disease

Translation(s) & Context:

• недуг - Used in formal medical or descriptive contexts, such as discussing chronic conditions.
• слабость - Applied in informal settings, like everyday health complaints or personal narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Его недуг не позволял ему подниматься по лестнице.

  His infirmity did not allow him to climb the stairs.

• Из-за слабости она решила отложить поездку.

  Due to her infirmity, she decided to postpone the trip.

• В старости многие сталкиваются с подобными недугами.

  In old age, many people face such infirmities.

• Эта слабость проявилась после долгой болезни.

  This infirmity appeared after a long illness.

Meaning 2: Moral or character weakness, such as a flaw in personality

Translation(s) & Context:

• недуг - Less common here, but used metaphorically in literary or philosophical discussions.
• слабость - More frequent, especially in psychological or ethical contexts, like personal vulnerabilities.

Usage Examples:

• Его слабость к азартным играм разрушила семью.

  His infirmity for gambling destroyed the family.

• Этот недуг характера часто приводит к неудачам в жизни.

  This infirmity of character often leads to failures in life.

• Слабость воли – это распространенный недуг среди молодых людей.

  Weakness of will is a common infirmity among young people.

• Она боролась со своей слабостью, чтобы достичь успеха.

  She struggled with her infirmity to achieve success.

• Недуг честолюбия сделал его изгоем в обществе.

  The infirmity of ambition made him an outcast in society.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "недуг" and "слабость" are Russian nouns. "Недуг" is a masculine noun (3rd declension), while "слабость" is a feminine noun (1st declension). Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender.

Note: These follow standard Russian inflection patterns. "Недуг" has irregular plural forms in some cases, while "слабость" is more regular for feminine nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • болезнь (illness; more general and clinical)
  • немочь (infirmity; archaic, often poetic)
  • нездоровье (poor health; everyday synonym for слабость)
• Antonyms:
  • сила (strength; direct opposite in physical contexts)
  • здоровье (health; contrasts with both translations)

Related Phrases:

• Душевный недуг - A mental or emotional infirmity (refers to psychological issues).
• Физическая слабость - Physical infirmity (commonly used in health discussions).
• Болезнь как недуг души - Illness as an infirmity of the soul (metaphorical phrase in literature).

Usage Notes:

"Недуг" is more formal and literary, often aligning with "infirmity" in a historical or medical sense, while "слабость" is versatile for both physical and moral weaknesses. Choose "недуг" for precise, elevated language in writing or professional contexts, and "слабость" for conversational English equivalents. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as these nouns affect adjectives and verbs. For example, in Russian, adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "недуг" with "болезнь": Learners might overuse "болезнь" (illness) for "infirmity," but "недуг" implies a chronic or inherent weakness. Error: "У него болезнь" (when "недуг" is more appropriate for a long-term condition). Correct: "У него недуг." Explanation: "Болезнь" is for acute illnesses, while "недуг" suits ongoing infirmities.
• Misinflecting nouns: Forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "из-за недуг" instead of "из-за недуга." Error: "Из-за недуг." Correct: "Из-за недуга." Explanation: Russian requires genitive case after prepositions like "из-за."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as works by Dostoevsky, "недуг" often carries a deeper philosophical connotation, symbolizing not just physical infirmity but existential or spiritual flaws. This reflects a cultural emphasis on the human condition and suffering in Russian philosophy and art.

Related Concepts:

• болезнь
• немочь
• здоровье