Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intestine'

English Word: intestine

Key Russian Translations:

• кишка [ˈkʲiʂkə] - [Anatomical term, Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in medical, biological, or anatomical contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to human anatomy)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кишка: [ˈkʲiʂkə]

Note on кишка: The "ш" sound is a voiceless retroflex fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the "sh" in "shoe" but with a more curled tongue. Variations in pronunciation can occur based on regional accents in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Anatomical meaning: The part of the digestive system that absorbs nutrients and eliminates waste.

Translation(s) & Context:

• кишка - Used in formal medical or scientific discussions, such as describing human or animal anatomy. Context: Educational, healthcare, or biological texts.

Usage Examples:

• Человеческий кишечник играет ключевую роль в пищеварении, поглощая питательные вещества.

  The human intestine plays a key role in digestion, absorbing nutrients.

• В случае инфекции кишки могут воспалиться, вызывая сильный дискомфорт.

  In case of infection, the intestines may become inflamed, causing severe discomfort.

• Тонкая кишка отличается от толстой кишки по длине и функциям.

  The small intestine differs from the large intestine in length and functions.

• В школьном уроке биологии мы изучали структуру кишечника у млекопитающих.

  In the school biology lesson, we studied the structure of the intestine in mammals.

• Проблемы с кишкой часто связаны с неправильным питанием или стрессом.

  Problems with the intestine are often linked to poor diet or stress.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Кишка" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, changing based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • желудочно-кишечный тракт (gastrointestinal tract) - More comprehensive term, often used in medical contexts to refer to the entire system.
  • внутренние органы (internal organs) - Broader synonym, but less specific; used when discussing anatomy generally.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "intestine" is a specific anatomical part. However, a conceptual opposite could be внешние органы (external organs), referring to body parts outside the digestive system.

Related Phrases:

• Тонкая кишка - (Small intestine; refers to the part involved in nutrient absorption; used in medical descriptions.)
• Толстая кишка - (Large intestine; involved in water absorption and waste formation; common in health discussions.)
• Кишечные инфекции - (Intestinal infections; a phrase for discussing common health issues.)

Usage Notes:

"Кишка" directly corresponds to the English "intestine" in anatomical contexts and is typically used in formal or technical settings, such as medicine, biology, or education. Be mindful of its feminine gender in Russian sentences, which affects adjective agreements (e.g., "больная кишка" for "sick intestine"). When choosing between translations, use "кишка" for specific references to the organ, but opt for "желудочно-кишечный тракт" if discussing the broader digestive system. It's neutral in tone but avoid in casual conversation; instead, use in professional scenarios. Grammatically, always decline it according to the sentence's case for natural flow.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the word without proper declension, e.g., saying "проблема с кишка" instead of "проблема с кишкой" (genitive case). Correct: "Проблема с кишкой" – This mistake arises from not recognizing the noun's case requirements in Russian.

• Error: Confusing it with similar words like "кишка" vs. "кишечник" (a less common variant for intestine). Correct: Stick to "кишка" for standard usage; "кишечник" is archaic and not preferred in modern Russian. Explanation: English learners often overgeneralize from English, but in Russian, precision in word choice prevents misunderstandings in medical contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions about the "intestine" or "кишка" are primarily linked to medical and scientific education rather than cultural idioms. However, it may appear in health-related folklore or traditional medicine, where digestive health is emphasized in diets like those in Russian cuisine (e.g., fermented foods for gut health), reflecting a broader Slavic cultural focus on holistic well-being.

Related Concepts:

• желудок (stomach)
• печень (liver)
• пищеварительная система (digestive system)