Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'insomniac'

English Word: insomniac

Key Russian Translations:

• бессонник /bʲɪˈsonʲnʲɪk/ - [Informal; Used in everyday or medical contexts to describe a person with chronic insomnia]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; it appears more in medical or literary contexts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 according to CEFR; Requires understanding of health-related vocabulary and basic noun inflections.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бессонник: /bʲɪˈsonʲnʲɪk/

Note on бессонник: The stress falls on the third syllable ("son"), and the initial "b" is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft "s" sound as in "measure."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who suffers from insomnia or has difficulty sleeping.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бессонник - Used in informal discussions about health, literature, or personal experiences; often implies a chronic condition rather than a temporary one.

Usage Examples:

• Он бессонник и проводит ночи за чтением книг.

  He is an insomniac and spends nights reading books. (This example shows the word in a casual, descriptive context.)

• Моя подруга — бессонник, поэтому она всегда устаёт днём.

  My friend is an insomniac, so she always gets tired during the day. (Illustrates the word in a relational or everyday scenario.)

• Врачи рекомендуют бессонникам упражнения перед сном.

  Doctors recommend exercises before bed for insomniacs. (Demonstrates usage in a medical or advisory context.)

• Этот бессонник работает ночью, чтобы избежать дневной суеты.

  This insomniac works at night to avoid the daytime hustle. (Shows the word in a lifestyle or adaptive context.)

• Бессонник в нашей семье — это дедушка, который смотрит телевизор до рассвета.

  The insomniac in our family is grandfather, who watches TV until dawn. (Highlights familial or humorous usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Бессонник" is a masculine noun (second declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It changes based on case, number, and gender agreement. Below is a table of its declensions for singular forms:

Note: The plural form is rarely used for this word, as it typically refers to individuals. If pluralized, it would be "бессонники" in the nominative case, following standard patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • страдалец от бессонницы (sufferer from insomnia; more descriptive and formal, often used in medical contexts)
  • невротик (neurotic; implies a broader psychological aspect, with a slight negative connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • спящий (sleeping person; used to contrast with someone who sleeps well)
  • соня (heavy sleeper; informal, often humorous)

Related Phrases:

• страдать от бессонницы (to suffer from insomnia) - A common phrase used to describe the condition itself, often in health discussions.
• бессонная ночь (sleepless night) - Refers to a single instance of insomnia, which can relate to an insomniac's experiences.
• бороться с бессонницей (to fight against insomnia) - Implies active measures, relevant for someone described as a бессонник.

Usage Notes:

"Бессонник" directly corresponds to the English "insomniac" as a noun, but it's less common in Russian and may sound somewhat literary or medical. Use it in informal contexts to describe someone with chronic sleep issues, but prefer phrases like "страдающий бессонницей" in formal writing. Be mindful of gender agreement; it defaults to masculine, so adjust adjectives accordingly (e.g., "усталый бессонник" for a tired insomniac). If the person is female, you might say "бессонница" as a shorthand, though it's not precise.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "бессонник" with "бессонница" (which means "insomnia" itself, not the person). Incorrect: "Она бессонница." (Wrong, as it implies she is the condition.) Correct: "Она бессонник." or better, "Она страдает бессонницей." Explanation: Always treat "бессонник" as a person, not the state.
• Mistake: Mispronouncing the word by stressing the wrong syllable, e.g., saying /bʲɪsonʲˈnʲɪk/ instead of /bʲɪˈsonʲnʲɪk/. Explanation: This can make the word harder to understand; practice with native audio to get the palatalization right.
• Mistake: Overusing it in casual speech. Incorrect: Using it for temporary sleeplessness. Correct: Reserve it for chronic cases, as in "Он бессонник" for someone with ongoing issues.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, insomnia (and thus terms like "бессонник") is often linked to the stresses of daily life, such as long winters or historical hardships. It appears in literature, like in works by Dostoevsky, where characters' sleepless nights symbolize inner turmoil or existential struggles, adding a poetic depth to the word beyond its medical definition.

Related Concepts:

• бессонница (insomnia)
• сон (sleep)
• усталость (fatigue)
• невроз (neurosis)