Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lung'

English Word: lung

Key Russian Translations:

• легкое [ˈlʲɛɡkəjə] - [Neutral; commonly used in medical and everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered in health-related discussions but not in casual everyday conversation as frequently as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward for new learners as it follows basic noun patterns in Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

легкое: [ˈlʲɛɡkəjə]

Note on легкое: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'л' is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Practice the soft 'l' sound as in "luxury" in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The organ in the body that helps with breathing

Translation(s) & Context:

• легкое - Used in medical, anatomical, or general health contexts; neutral and applicable in both formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Мои лёгкие болят после пробежки.

  My lungs hurt after jogging. (This example shows the noun in a singular context, describing a personal health issue.)

• Человеческие лёгкие состоят из множества альвеол.

  Human lungs consist of many alveoli. (Illustrates the plural form in an educational or scientific context.)

• Курение вредно для лёгких.

  Smoking is harmful to the lungs. (Demonstrates use in a warning or advisory sentence, emphasizing health risks.)

• Врач проверил мои лёгкие на рентгене.

  The doctor checked my lungs with an X-ray. (Shows the word in a medical procedure context.)

• Лёгкие помогают нам дышать чистым воздухом.

  Lungs help us breathe clean air. (Highlights the function in a general explanatory sentence.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"легкое" is a neuter noun in Russian, which means it follows the standard declension patterns for neuter nouns. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and follows regular patterns, making it relatively easy to learn. For plural forms, it changes as shown, which is standard for most neuter nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пульмон (more technical, used in medical jargon; implies a broader pulmonary system)
  • дыхательный орган (a descriptive phrase, less common in everyday use)
• Antonyms:
  • сердце (heart; contrasts as a different vital organ)

Related Phrases:

• Лёгкие заболевания - Lung diseases (Refers to illnesses affecting the respiratory system, commonly used in health discussions.)
• Проблемы с лёгкими - Problems with the lungs (Indicates issues like asthma or infections, in everyday conversational contexts.)
• Здоровье лёгких - Lung health (A phrase used in wellness or preventive care advice.)

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "легкое" directly corresponds to the English "lung" as a body organ, but it's important to note that Russian nouns have grammatical gender (neuter in this case), which affects sentence structure. For example, use the correct case when describing possession or location, such as in "у меня болит лёгкое" (my lung hurts). In formal contexts, like medical reports, it's often used in the plural form "лёгкие" to refer to both lungs collectively. Choose "легкое" over synonyms like "пульмон" for general conversations, as it's more neutral and widely understood. Be mindful of stress and palatalization for accurate pronunciation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "болит легкие" instead of "болят лёгкие" in plural form. Correct: "Болят лёгкие" (Lungs hurt). Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the noun's number; "болит" is singular, so it doesn't match the plural "лёгкие".

• Error: Mispronouncing the palatalized 'л' as a hard 'l', making it sound like "legkoye" instead of [ˈlʲɛɡkəjə]. Correct: Practice with native audio to soften the 'л'. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in spoken Russian, where palatalization distinguishes words.

• Error: Forgetting to adjust for gender in adjectives, e.g., saying "больное легкие" instead of "больные лёгкие". Correct: "Больные лёгкие" (sick lungs). Explanation: Adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions about "лёгкие" often tie into broader health awareness, especially given Russia's history with environmental issues like pollution in industrial areas. For instance, phrases related to lung health might evoke campaigns against smoking, which has been a significant public health concern, reflecting cultural attitudes toward personal and environmental well-being.

Related Concepts:

• сердце (heart)
• дыхание (breathing)
• альвеолы (alveoli)