Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'laxative'

English Word: laxative

Key Russian Translations:

• слабительное [sləbʲɪˈtʲelʲnəje] - [Formal, Medical context]
• послабляющее средство [pəsləbʲlʲæˈjuʂɨje srɛdstvə] - [Informal, Everyday usage]

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

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves medical terminology; learners at this level can grasp it with basic vocabulary knowledge).

Pronunciation (Russian):

слабительное: [sləbʲɪˈtʲelʲnəje]

послабляющее средство: [pəsləbʲlʲæˈjuʂɨje srɛdstvə]

Note on слабительное: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tʲelʲ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants; pronounce it smoothly without overemphasizing the 'bʲ' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A substance used to promote bowel movements, typically in the context of constipation relief.

Translation(s) & Context:

• слабительное - Used in formal medical settings, such as prescriptions or health advice, to refer to laxatives in general.
• послабляющее средство - Applied in informal or everyday contexts, like home remedies, to describe milder laxative options.

Usage Examples:

• Врач прописал мне слабительное для лечения хронического запора.

  The doctor prescribed me a laxative for treating chronic constipation.

• Я использую послабляющее средство, чтобы избежать проблем с пищеварением во время поездки.

  I use a laxative to avoid digestive issues during travel.

• Слабительное можно купить в аптеке без рецепта, но лучше проконсультироваться с специалистом.

  A laxative can be bought at the pharmacy without a prescription, but it's better to consult a specialist.

• После приема послабляющего средства я почувствовал облегчение.

  After taking the laxative, I felt relief.

• В некоторых случаях слабительное применяется в комплексной терапии желудочно-кишечных заболеваний.

  In some cases, a laxative is used in comprehensive therapy for gastrointestinal disorders.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"слабительное" is a neuter noun in Russian, which follows standard second-declension patterns. It is inflected based on case and number. "послабляющее средство" is a noun phrase where "послабляющее" is an adjective agreeing with "средство" (neuter noun).

For "слабительное" (neuter singular):

For "послабляющее средство", the adjective "послабляющее" changes to agree: e.g., Genitive: послабляющего средства. This follows regular adjective declension rules, making it straightforward for intermediate learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • препарат для слабления (A milder term for over-the-counter options)
  • лаксативное средство (Direct borrowing from English influence, used in modern contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • закрепляющее средство (Used for substances that prevent bowel movements, e.g., in diarrhea treatment)

Related Phrases:

• слабительное средство для кишечника - A laxative specifically for the intestines; used in contexts of targeted digestive health.
• натуральное послабляющее - Natural laxative; common in discussions about herbal remedies.
• принимать слабительное регулярно - To take a laxative regularly; implies a routine for chronic conditions.

Usage Notes:

The Russian translations like "слабительное" directly correspond to the English "laxative" in medical contexts, but "послабляющее средство" is preferred in everyday language for its less clinical tone. Always consider the formality: use "слабительное" in professional settings, such as hospitals, and avoid it in casual conversations. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree with the noun in gender, number, and case. When choosing between translations, opt for "послабляющее средство" if discussing home remedies, as it sounds more accessible.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "слабительное" as an adjective without proper agreement, e.g., saying "я пью слабительное" incorrectly when it should be part of a phrase like "я пью слабительное средство". Correct: "я принимаю слабительное". Explanation: "слабительное" is a noun, not an adjective, so learners often confuse it with verb forms.
• Mistake: Pronouncing it as [slab-i-TEEL-noe] instead of [sləbʲɪˈtʲelʲnəje], leading to misunderstandings. Correct pronunciation and usage: Practice with native audio to master the soft consonants.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions around laxatives like "слабительное" are often tied to traditional herbal remedies, such as using senna or dried fruits, reflecting a holistic approach to health influenced by folklore medicine. This contrasts with Western pharmaceutical reliance, emphasizing natural solutions in everyday Russian health practices.

Related Concepts:

• констипация (constipation)
• диарея (diarrhea)
• желудочно-кишечный тракт (gastrointestinal tract)