Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mentally'

English Word: mentally

Key Russian Translations:

• Ментально [mʲɪnˈtalʲnə] - [Formal, used in academic or medical contexts]
• Психически [pʲsʲɪˈxʲit͡ɕɪskʲi] - [Formal, preferred in everyday psychological discussions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in professional, medical, and educational contexts, but less frequent in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adverbs and formal vocabulary; 'Ментально' may be slightly easier for learners familiar with loanwords, while 'Психически' aligns with B2 due to its native roots)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Ментально: [mʲɪnˈtalʲnə]

Note on Ментально: The stress falls on the second syllable ('tal'). This word is a loanword from English/French, so pronunciation is relatively straightforward for English speakers, but be mindful of the soft 'л' sound.

Психически: [pʲsʲɪˈxʲit͡ɕɪskʲi]

Note on Психически: Stress is on the third syllable ('xʲit͡ɕ'). The 'ч' sound is palatalized, which can be challenging for beginners; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

In a mental or psychological manner (referring to the mind, intellect, or psyche)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Ментально - Used in formal, scientific, or philosophical contexts to describe mental processes, e.g., in psychology or education.
• Психически - Applied in medical or everyday contexts involving mental health, emotions, or cognitive functions.

Usage Examples:

• Он ментально подготовлен к экзамену.

  He is mentally prepared for the exam. (Shows use in educational contexts, emphasizing cognitive readiness.)

• Эта болезнь влияет на него психически.

  This illness affects him mentally. (Illustrates application in health-related discussions, highlighting emotional or psychological impact.)

• Ментально, она сильнее, чем кажется.

  Mentally, she is stronger than she appears. (Demonstrates use in personal development or motivational contexts.)

• Психически утомлённый, он нуждается в отдыхе.

  Mentally exhausted, he needs rest. (Shows combination with other words in daily life scenarios, focusing on fatigue.)

• Ментально развивать детей важно с раннего возраста.

  It is important to develop children mentally from an early age. (Exemplifies use in broader societal or parenting contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Ментально' and 'Психически' are adverbs in Russian and generally do not inflect for case, number, or gender, as is common with many adverbs. However, they can vary slightly in form based on context:

• For 'Ментально': It remains unchanged in most sentences. No conjugation or declension is required, making it straightforward for learners.
• For 'Психически': Similarly invariant, but it may appear in compound forms or with prefixes in more complex expressions (e.g., 'психически-нездоровый' for 'mentally unhealthy').

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Умственно (umstvenno) - Similar to 'ментально', but more focused on intellectual aspects; often used interchangeably in educational contexts.
  • Интеллектуально (intellektual'no) - Emphasizes cognitive or intellectual development; subtle difference in connotation toward higher-level thinking.
• Antonyms:
  • Физически (fizicheski) - Refers to physical aspects, contrasting with mental ones.
  • Эмоционально (emotsional'no) - While related, it focuses on emotions rather than pure mental processes, providing a nuanced opposition.

Related Phrases:

• Ментальное здоровье - Mental health; a common phrase in psychological discussions, referring to overall cognitive and emotional well-being.
• Психически устойчивый - Mentally stable; used to describe resilience in stressful situations.
• Ментально отсталый - Mentally challenged; a term from medical contexts, though sensitivity in usage is advised.

Usage Notes:

'Ментально' is a direct borrowing and closely mirrors the English 'mentally' in formal settings, making it ideal for translations in scientific or academic texts. However, 'Психически' is often preferred in native Russian speech for its more organic feel, especially in mental health conversations. Be cautious with context: use 'Ментально' for intellectual pursuits and 'Психически' for emotional or health-related topics. Grammatically, these adverbs typically follow the verb they modify, e.g., 'Он думает ментально' (He thinks mentally). When choosing between translations, opt for 'Психически' in everyday dialogue to sound more natural to Russian speakers.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'Ментально' with 'Физически': English learners often misuse 'Ментально' when describing physical states. Incorrect: "Он ментально устал" (if meaning physically tired). Correct: "Он психически устал" for mental exhaustion or "Он физически устал" for physical tiredness. Explanation: Russian distinguishes mental and physical states more explicitly, so context is key to avoid ambiguity.

• Overusing loanwords: Beginners might default to 'Ментально' everywhere, but in casual speech, 'Психически' is more idiomatic. Incorrect: Using 'Ментально' in a simple emotional context. Correct: "Она психически расстроена" instead of "Она ментально расстроена." Explanation: This ensures the language feels authentic and not overly influenced by English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'Психически' are increasingly prominent due to growing awareness of mental health, influenced by global movements and post-Soviet reforms. Historically, mental health was stigmatized during the Soviet era, with conditions often linked to political dissent. Today, phrases involving 'Ментально' reflect a more open dialogue, especially in urban areas, helping to bridge cultural gaps in understanding psychological well-being.

Related Concepts:

• Психология
• Эмоционально
• Интеллектуальный