Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mumps'

English Word: mumps

Key Russian Translations:

• свинка [ˈsvʲinkə] - [Formal, Medical]

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

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should recognize it in context, but mastering its inflections may require practice, based on CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

свинка: [ˈsvʲinkə]

Note on свинка: The pronunciation features a palatalized 's' sound ([svʲ]), which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds similar to the 's' in "measure" but softer. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A contagious viral disease causing swelling in the salivary glands.

Translation(s) & Context:

• свинка - Used in formal medical contexts, such as doctor-patient discussions or health education materials in Russian-speaking regions.

Usage Examples:

• У меня свинка, и я должен оставаться дома.

  I have mumps, and I need to stay home. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, emphasizing personal health.)

• Дети часто заболевают свинкой в детском саду.

  Children often get mumps in kindergarten. (Illustrates usage in a general statement about common occurrences among children.)

• Врач диагностировал свинку на основе симптомов.

  The doctor diagnosed mumps based on the symptoms. (Demonstrates the word in a medical diagnostic context, with a focus on professional language.)

• Свинка может привести к осложнениям, если не лечить.

  Mumps can lead to complications if not treated. (Shows the word in a warning or advisory sentence, highlighting potential risks.)

• Мой брат переболел свинкой в прошлом году.

  My brother had mumps last year. (This example varies the context to personal narrative, using past tense for storytelling.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Свинка" is a feminine noun (first declension) in Russian, which means it follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in -a. It is inflected based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once the basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: параотит [pərɐɐˈtʲit] (more technical, used in scientific contexts; it refers specifically to the medical condition without the colloquial connotation of "свинка").
• Antonyms: Not applicable (as "mumps" is a specific disease and does not have direct antonyms; health-related terms like "здоровье" [health] could be contrasted conceptually, but they are not direct opposites).

Related Phrases:

• Переболеть свинкой - To have recovered from mumps (used to describe past illness and immunity).
• Симптомы свинки - Symptoms of mumps (common in medical discussions).
• Вакцина от свинки - Vaccine for mumps (refers to preventive measures, often in public health contexts).

Usage Notes:

"Свинка" is the most direct and idiomatic translation of "mumps" in Russian, primarily used in formal or medical settings. It corresponds closely to the English term but may carry a slightly more colloquial tone in everyday speech. English learners should note that Russian requires attention to gender and case agreement; for example, adjectives or verbs must agree with "свинка" as a feminine noun. When choosing between translations like "свинка" and "параотит," opt for "свинка" in general conversations and "параотит" in scientific or professional contexts. Be mindful of regional variations in Russia, where dialectical differences might affect pronunciation but not the core meaning.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "свинка" as a masculine noun (e.g., incorrect inflection like "свинка" in genitive as "свинки" but treating it as if it were masculine). Correct: Always inflect based on its feminine gender. For example, wrong: "Я видел свинку" (implying incorrect agreement); Right: "Я видел свинку" is actually correct in accusative, but learners often mix cases. Explanation: Russian nouns have strict gender rules, so practice declension tables to avoid this.

• Error: Confusing "свинка" with "свиная" (which means "pork-related"). Correct: Use "свинка" only for the disease. For example, wrong: "Свиная болезнь" for mumps; Right: "Свинка как болезнь." Explanation: This mix-up stems from the root "свин-" meaning "pig," but in context, "свинка" is exclusively medical.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "свинка" is often discussed in the context of childhood illnesses, similar to how measles or chickenpox are viewed in English-speaking countries. It may evoke memories of school health programs or family experiences, especially with the prevalence of vaccination campaigns in the former Soviet Union. However, it doesn't carry strong symbolic or historical connotations beyond its medical definition.

Related Concepts:

• параотит
• ветрянка (chickenpox)
• грипп (flu)