Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lifeblood'

English Word: lifeblood

Key Russian Translations:

• жизненная кровь /ʐɨzʲnʲɪnəjə krovʲ/ - [Metaphorical, Formal; Used in contexts emphasizing essential sustenance, such as in literature or discussions about society]
• жизненный источник /ʐɨzʲnʲɪnɨj ɪstɐt͡ɕnʲɪk/ - [Informal, Plural possible; Applied in everyday conversations about core elements, like in business or personal motivation]

Frequency: Medium (This term and its translations appear regularly in Russian literature, media, and discussions, but not as commonly as basic vocabulary like "water" or "food".)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of metaphorical language and basic noun inflections. For 'жизненная кровь', it's B2; for 'жизненный источник', it's also B2 due to compound word usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

жизненная кровь: /ʐɨzʲnʲɪnəjə krovʲ/ (Note on жизненная кровь: The stress is on the second syllable of "жизненная" (/ʐɨzʲnʲÍnəjə/), and the "ж" sound is a voiced palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft, buzzing quality.)

жизненный источник: /ʐɨzʲnʲɪnɨj ɪstɐt͡ɕnʲɪk/ (Note on жизненный источник: The "й" in "жизненный" indicates a soft consonant, and the word ends with a hard "к". This compound noun may vary slightly in regional accents.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The essential element or force that sustains life, an organization, or a system (e.g., metaphorical core or vitality).

Translation(s) & Context:

• жизненная кровь - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe something indispensable, such as the economy's role in a nation's survival.
• жизненный источник - Applied in informal settings for personal or motivational topics, like a hobby that keeps someone energized.

Usage Examples:

• Для многих людей искусство является жизненной кровью, которая поддерживает их эмоциональное благополучие.

  For many people, art is the lifeblood that sustains their emotional well-being.

• Инновации — это жизненный источник любой современной компании, без которого она не сможет конкурировать.

  Innovations are the lifeblood of any modern company, without which it cannot compete.

• В этой деревне река выступает как жизненная кровь, обеспечивая воду и питание для всех жителей.

  In this village, the river acts as the lifeblood, providing water and sustenance for all residents.

• Для него музыка — это не просто хобби, а жизненный источник, который даёт силы преодолевать трудности.

  For him, music is not just a hobby, but the lifeblood that gives him strength to overcome difficulties.

• Экономика страны сильно пострадала, когда нефть, её жизненная кровь, подорожала.

  The country's economy suffered greatly when oil, its lifeblood, became more expensive.

Meaning 2: A vital component in a literal or extended sense, such as blood in the body applied metaphorically.

Translation(s) & Context:

• жизненная кровь - In contexts involving health or biology, but extended to abstract ideas like cultural heritage.
• жизненный источник - Less common here, but used for renewable resources in environmental discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Кровь — это жизненная кровь организма, без которой невозможно выживание.

  Blood is the lifeblood of the body, without which survival is impossible.

• Традиции народа являются его жизненной кровью, сохраняя культурное наследие через поколения.

  A people's traditions are its lifeblood, preserving cultural heritage across generations.

• Война лишила город его жизненного источника — воды из реки.

  The war deprived the city of its lifeblood—the water from the river.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'жизненная кровь' (a feminine noun phrase): 'Кровь' is a feminine noun that follows the standard third-declension pattern for Russian nouns. It has irregular inflections due to its historical roots. Below is a table of its key inflections:

For 'жизненный источник' (a masculine noun): 'Источник' is a masculine noun with regular second-declension inflections. It changes as follows: Nominative: источник; Genitive: источника; etc. Adjectives like 'жизненный' agree in gender, number, and case (e.g., жизненного источника in genitive).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • суть (essence; more abstract and philosophical)
  • основа (foundation; used for structural cores)
  • жизненная сила (vital force; similar metaphorical weight)
• Antonyms:
  • пустота (void; implies lack of essence)
  • гибель (destruction; opposite in survival contexts)

Related Phrases:

• жизненная кровь общества — The lifeblood of society (Refers to elements like education or economy that sustain community life).
• источник жизненной энергии — Source of vital energy (Used for motivational or health-related contexts, emphasizing renewal).
• кровь и плоть — Blood and flesh (A fixed phrase for inherent connection, often in familial or cultural idioms).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'жизненная кровь' directly mirrors the English 'lifeblood' in its metaphorical sense, making it a precise translation for formal writing or speeches. However, 'жизненный источник' is more versatile for everyday use and can imply a renewable aspect, which English 'lifeblood' does not always convey. Be cautious with gender agreement: adjectives like 'жизненная' must match the noun's gender (feminine for 'кровь'). In informal settings, Russians might opt for simpler synonyms to avoid overly dramatic language. When choosing between translations, use 'жизненная кровь' for literary or historical contexts and 'жизненный источник' for modern, practical discussions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Directly translating 'lifeblood' as 'жизнь кровь' without the adjective, which sounds incomplete and ungrammatical. Correct: Use 'жизненная кровь' to maintain the metaphorical intensity. Explanation: Russian requires adjectives to modify nouns properly for emphasis.
• Error: Forgetting noun inflections, e.g., saying 'жизненная кровь хороший' instead of 'жизненная кровь хороша' (with feminine agreement). Correct: Ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case. Explanation: This is a common mistake for English learners due to English's lack of strict agreement rules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'жизненная кровь' often evoke deep historical and literary connotations, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy, where it symbolizes the unbreakable spirit of the people. This reflects Russia's emphasis on resilience and communal bonds, especially in the face of adversity like wars or economic hardships, making it more than a literal translation—it's a nod to national identity.

Related Concepts:

• душа (soul)
• основа жизни (foundation of life)
• энергия (energy)