Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'narcotic'

English Word: narcotic

Key Russian Translations:

• наркотик [ˈnɑrkətʲɪk] - [Formal, used in medical, legal, and everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions about health, law, and social issues, but not in casual daily conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with basic Russian vocabulary and grammar, as it involves specific terminology)

Pronunciation (Russian):

наркотик: [ˈnɑrkətʲɪk]

Note on наркотик: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'т' is pronounced as a soft 't' (palatalized), which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Pronunciation may vary slightly by dialect.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A drug or substance that induces stupor, dulls the senses, or is addictive (e.g., in medical or illegal contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• наркотик - Used in formal and informal settings to refer to controlled substances, often with negative connotations in legal or health discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он употребляет наркотики, что привело к серьезным проблемам со здоровьем.

  He uses narcotics, which has led to serious health problems.

• Врачи прописывают наркотики для облегчения сильной боли у пациентов.

  Doctors prescribe narcotics to alleviate severe pain in patients.

• Правительство ввело строгие законы против распространения наркотиков в стране.

  The government has introduced strict laws against the distribution of narcotics in the country.

• Молодежь должна быть осведомлена о рисках, связанных с наркотиками.

  Youth should be informed about the risks associated with narcotics.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Наркотик" is a masculine noun in Russian, and it follows the standard second declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It is inflected based on case, number, and gender agreements. Below is a table of its declensions in the singular form:

In plural form, it becomes "наркотики" and follows the standard plural declension. This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • наркотическое вещество (narkoticheskoye veshchestvo) - More descriptive, used in scientific contexts.
  • опиат (opiat) - Specifically for opium-derived drugs.
• Antonyms:
  • лекарство (lekarstvo) - Medicine, implying non-addictive or therapeutic substances without abuse potential.

Related Phrases:

• злоупотребление наркотиками - Drug abuse; refers to excessive or harmful use of narcotics.
• борьба с наркотиками - Fight against drugs; commonly used in policy or campaign contexts.
• зависимость от наркотиков - Narcotic addiction; highlights dependency issues.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "наркотик" directly corresponds to "narcotic" in English, encompassing both legal medical uses and illegal substances. It is important to note the formal context; in everyday speech, it often carries a negative connotation related to addiction or crime. When using this word, ensure agreement with Russian grammar, such as proper declension in sentences (e.g., "Я боюсь наркотиков" for "I fear narcotics"). If multiple translations exist, choose based on specificity: "наркотик" is general, while "опиат" is more precise for opioids. Avoid casual use in professional settings to prevent misunderstandings.

Common Errors:

• English learners often mistakenly use "наркотик" in the wrong case, such as saying "Я имею наркотик" instead of "Я имею наркотик" (correct for accusative, but context matters). Correct: "У меня есть наркотик" for possession, which uses the nominative in this structure.

• Confusing it with "наркоз" (anesthesia), which is related but refers specifically to surgical sedation. Error example: Using "наркотик" for general anesthesia; correct: "Под наркозом" (Under anesthesia).

• Forgetting gender agreement; "наркотик" is masculine, so adjectives must agree, e.g., "опасный наркотик" (dangerous narcotic), not "опасная наркотик".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and society, "наркотик" is often associated with strict anti-drug policies due to historical and ongoing issues with substance abuse. Russia has one of the world's toughest stances on narcotics, influenced by Soviet-era regulations and modern campaigns against drug trafficking. This word can evoke strong emotional responses, as drug addiction is a sensitive topic linked to public health initiatives and social stigma.

Related Concepts:

• аддикция (addiction)
• токсикомания (toxicomania or substance abuse)
• реабилитация (rehabilitation)