Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'insomnia'

English Word: insomnia

Key Russian Translations:

• бессонница /bʲɪˈsonʲɪtsə/ - [Medical term, Formal]

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

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with medical vocabulary and basic noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бессонница: /bʲɪˈsonʲɪtsə/

Note on бессонница: The stress falls on the third syllable ("son"), which is common in Russian feminine nouns. Pronunciation may vary slightly by regional dialect, with a soft "s" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бессонница - Used in medical, psychological, and everyday contexts to describe chronic or temporary sleep issues; appropriate in both formal (e.g., doctor's appointments) and informal settings (e.g., casual conversations about health).

Usage Examples:

• Я страдаю от бессонницы уже несколько недель.

  I have been suffering from insomnia for several weeks. (This example shows the noun in a personal health context, with the verb "страдать от" indicating ongoing struggle.)

• Бессонница может быть вызвана стрессом или неправильным режимом дня.

  Insomnia can be caused by stress or an irregular daily routine. (Here, the noun is used in a general explanatory sentence, demonstrating its role in discussing causes.)

• Чтобы бороться с бессонницей, попробуйте медитацию перед сном.

  To combat insomnia, try meditation before bed. (This illustrates the noun in an advisory context, paired with a verb like "бороться с" for action-oriented advice.)

• Её бессонница ухудшилась после переезда в новый город.

  Her insomnia worsened after moving to a new city. (This example highlights the noun with possessive structures and temporal changes, showing how it fits into narrative descriptions.)

• Бессонница часто встречается у людей с высоким уровнем тревоги.

  Insomnia is common among people with high levels of anxiety. (This demonstrates the noun in a statistical or observational context, emphasizing its association with other conditions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Бессонница is a feminine noun (from the first declension group) and follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It is invariable in its base form but changes according to case, number, and gender agreements. Below is a table of its declensions for singular forms (plural is rare, as insomnia is typically discussed in singular contexts):

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нарушение сна (disturbance of sleep) - More general term, often used interchangeably in casual contexts; implies broader sleep issues.
  • бодрствование (wakefulness) - Less common, emphasizes staying awake rather than inability to sleep; used in poetic or literary contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • спокойный сон (peaceful sleep) - Refers to restful, uninterrupted sleep; commonly used in health advice.
  • нормальный сон (normal sleep) - Indicates healthy sleeping patterns; contrasts with pathological conditions like insomnia.

Related Phrases:

• Страдать от бессонницы - (To suffer from insomnia; Used in personal narratives or medical discussions to express ongoing difficulty.)
• Лечить бессонницу - (To treat insomnia; Common in contexts involving remedies or therapy.)
• Приступ бессонницы - (An episode of insomnia; Refers to temporary occurrences, often in stressful situations.)

Usage Notes:

Бессонница directly corresponds to the English "insomnia" as a medical term but is versatile in Russian for both formal and informal use. It is typically a feminine singular noun, so ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "хроническая бессонница" for chronic insomnia). In everyday speech, Russians might use it metaphorically for general restlessness, though in professional settings, it's reserved for clinical descriptions. When choosing between synonyms like "нарушение сна," opt for бессонница if the focus is on persistent sleep loss. Be mindful of context: in casual conversations, pair it with verbs like "страдать от" for emotional emphasis.

Common Errors:

• Confusing бессонница with бодрствование: Learners might misuse бодрствование (wakefulness) thinking it means the same, but it's more about voluntary staying awake. Correct usage: Say "Я имею бессонницу" instead of "Я имею бодрствование" for "I have insomnia." Explanation: Бессонница specifically implies involuntary sleep disruption, while бодрствование suggests choice.

• Incorrect declension: English speakers often forget to decline the noun, e.g., saying "страдать от бессонница" instead of "страдать от бессонницы" (genitive case). Correct: Always adjust for case, as in "лечение бессонницы" (treatment of insomnia). Explanation: Russian requires precise grammatical agreement, which can feel unnatural for non-native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, бессонница is often linked to themes of introspection and emotional turmoil, as seen in literature like Fyodor Dostoevsky's works, where characters experience sleepless nights as a metaphor for inner conflict. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on the mind-body connection in Slavic traditions, where sleep disturbances are not just medical but symbolic of deeper existential struggles.

Related Concepts:

• тревога (anxiety)
• стресс (stress)
• снотворное (sleeping pill)