Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'maternity'

English Word: maternity

Key Russian Translations:

• материнство [mɐˈtʲerʲɪnstvə] - [Formal, Abstract concept]
• роды [ˈrodɨ] - [Medical or specific childbirth context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in family, medical, and social discussions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and formal vocabulary for 'материнство', while 'роды' may be A2 for basic medical terms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

материнство: [mɐˈtʲerʲɪnstvə]

роды: [ˈrodɨ]

Note on материнство: The stress falls on the third syllable ('-rin-'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'tʲ' sound; pronounce it softly as in "measure".

Note on роды: The 'o' is pronounced as a mid-back vowel, similar to "or" in English, but shorter.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The state or period of being a mother, often referring to motherhood in a general or emotional sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• материнство - Used in formal, literary, or psychological contexts to discuss the emotional and social aspects of motherhood.

Usage Examples:

• Она наслаждается материнством после рождения ребенка.

  She is enjoying motherhood after the birth of her child.

• Материнство требует много сил и терпения.

  Motherhood requires a lot of strength and patience.

• В современном обществе материнство часто сочетается с карьерой.

  In modern society, motherhood is often combined with a career.

• Книга исследует аспекты материнства в русской культуре.

  The book explores aspects of motherhood in Russian culture.

2. The period related to pregnancy, childbirth, or medical maternity care.

Translation(s) & Context:

• роды - Used specifically in medical or healthcare contexts, such as hospitals or discussions about labor and delivery.

Usage Examples:

• Во время родов ей оказали профессиональную помощь.

  During labor, she received professional assistance.

• Подготовка к родам включает посещение курсов.

  Preparation for childbirth includes attending classes.

• Роды в государственной клинике бесплатны для граждан.

  Childbirth in public clinics is free for citizens.

• После родов женщины часто берут отпуск по уходу за ребенком.

  After childbirth, women often take maternity leave to care for the child.

• Роды могут быть естественными или с помощью кесарева сечения.

  Childbirth can be natural or via cesarean section.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are nouns, but they inflect differently based on Russian grammar rules. 'Материнство' is a neuter noun (3rd declension), while 'роды' is a plural-only noun with irregular forms.

Note: 'Материнство' follows regular neuter declension patterns, while 'роды' is irregular and always plural, which is common for abstract or collective nouns in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for материнство: материнский инстинкт (maternal instinct; more biological focus), родительство (parenthood; broader term)
• Synonyms for роды: деторождение (childbearing; formal), родовая деятельность (labor process; medical)
• Antonyms: отцовство (fatherhood), бесплодие (infertility; for broader concepts of maternity)

Related Phrases:

• Материнский капитал - A government program providing financial support for families; refers to maternity capital in Russia.
• Отпуск по материнству - Maternity leave; used in employment and legal contexts.
• Подготовка к родам - Preparation for childbirth; common in prenatal classes.
• Роды в домашних условиях - Home birth; an alternative to hospital delivery.

Usage Notes:

'Материнство' is the most direct translation for the abstract concept of maternity as motherhood, but it carries a more emotional or societal connotation in Russian, often used in literature or discussions about family roles. In contrast, 'роды' is strictly medical and should be used when referring to the physical process of childbirth. English speakers might confuse these; choose 'материнство' for emotional contexts and 'роды' for healthcare scenarios. Note that Russian nouns decline by case, so always adjust for grammar (e.g., use genitive for possession). Be aware of cultural emphasis on family in Russia, which may influence word choice.

• Grammar tip: Both words require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words.
• Context guidance: In formal writing, prefer 'материнство'; in everyday or medical speech, 'роды' is more appropriate.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse 'материнство' by treating it as interchangeable with 'роды', leading to confusion in context. For example:

• Error: Saying "Я переживаю роды" to mean "I am experiencing motherhood" (incorrect, as 'роды' means childbirth).
• Correct: "Я переживаю материнство" – This properly conveys the emotional state.
• Another error: Forgetting declension, e.g., using nominative in all cases: "После материнство" instead of "После материнства" (genitive for "after motherhood"). Explanation: Russian requires case changes to show relationships, unlike English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'материнство' is often idealized in literature and media, reflecting historical emphasis on family and women’s roles, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy. Additionally, 'роды' ties into modern policies like generous maternity leave and state support through 'Материнский капитал', which promotes higher birth rates and family welfare, contrasting with some Western systems.

Related Concepts:

• отцовство
• семейная жизнь
• деторождение
• беременность