Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'midwife'

English Word: midwife

Key Russian Translations:

• акушерка [aˈkuʂɨrkə] - [Formal, typically refers to a female midwife in medical contexts]
• акушер [aˈkuʂɨr] - [Formal, gender-neutral or male midwife, though less common for 'midwife' specifically]

Frequency: Medium (This term is commonly used in medical and healthcare discussions but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1/B2) - Involves basic noun inflections and contextual usage; learners at this level should grasp it with practice, though variations in gender and formality may add complexity.

Pronunciation (Russian):

акушерка: [aˈkuʂɨrkə]

акушер: [aˈkuʂɨr]

Note on акушерка: The 'ш' sound (like 'sh' in 'she') can be challenging for English speakers; stress is on the second syllable. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'р' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person trained to assist women during childbirth, often in a hospital or home setting.

Translation(s) & Context:

• акушерка - Used in formal medical contexts, especially for female professionals; common in hospitals or prenatal care.
• акушер - Applied in broader or gender-neutral scenarios, such as in discussions of medical teams, but less directly tied to 'midwife' if gender is specified.

Usage Examples:

• В роддоме работает опытная акушерка, которая помогает женщинам во время родов.

  In the maternity hospital, an experienced midwife works, helping women during childbirth.

• Моя сестра выбрала профессию акушерки, чтобы поддерживать семьи в важные моменты.

  My sister chose the profession of midwife to support families in important moments.

• Акушерка должна иметь глубокие знания анатомии для безопасного ведения родов.

  A midwife must have deep knowledge of anatomy for safely managing childbirth.

• В сельской местности акушерка часто является первым специалистом, к которому обращаются при родах.

  In rural areas, a midwife is often the first specialist people turn to during childbirth.

• Современные акушеры используют передовые технологии для мониторинга беременности.

  Modern midwives use advanced technology to monitor pregnancy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'акушерка' (feminine noun, 1st declension) and 'акушер' (masculine noun, 2nd declension) follow standard Russian noun patterns. 'Акушерка' is the more direct equivalent for 'midwife' and inflects by case and number. Below is a table for 'акушерка' in singular and plural forms:

For 'акушер', the inflections are similar but follow masculine patterns: e.g., Nominative singular: акушер; Genitive singular: акушера; Plural: акушеры, etc. These are regular inflections with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • родовспомогательница (more formal, emphasizing assistance in childbirth; often used interchangeably with акушерка)
  • акушер-гинеколог (specialized synonym for a midwife with gynecological training)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a professional role. However, terms like врач (doctor) might contrast in a broader medical context.

Related Phrases:

• принимать роды - Refers to delivering a baby; commonly used in obstetric contexts.
• акушерская помощь - Means midwife assistance; indicates professional support during pregnancy and birth.
• подготовка к родам с акушеркой - Preparation for childbirth with a midwife; a phrase for prenatal classes or consultations.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'акушерка' directly corresponds to 'midwife' in English, particularly for female practitioners, and is preferred in formal or medical settings. Use 'акушер' if the context is gender-neutral or refers to a male. Be mindful of case inflections when constructing sentences, as Russian requires agreement with other elements. For example, choose 'акушерка' over 'акушер' when emphasizing women's health roles. This term is most common in healthcare discussions and may not appear in casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Confusing gender: English speakers might overuse 'акушер' for 'midwife', assuming it's universal. Error: "Я видел акушера на родах" (implying a male). Correct: Use 'акушерка' for female contexts. Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so match it to the actual person or standard usage to avoid inaccuracy.

• Incorrect inflection: Forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "с акушерка" instead of "с акушеркой" in instrumental case. Error: "Я работаю с акушерка." Correct: "Я работаю с акушеркой." Explanation: Always adjust for case to ensure grammatical correctness in sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, midwives like 'акушерка' play a vital role in the healthcare system, especially in maternity care, reflecting a historical emphasis on family and community support during childbirth. This profession has roots in Soviet-era medicine, where accessible maternal health was prioritized, and it continues to symbolize trust and expertise in women's health today.

Related Concepts:

• роды (childbirth)
• гинекология (gynecology)
• врач (doctor)
• беременность (pregnancy)