Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nerve'

English Word: nerve

Key Russian Translations:

• нерв /nɛrv/ - [Formal, Anatomical context]
• смелость /ˈsmʲɪləsʲtʲ/ - [Informal, For bravery or audacity]
• храбрость /xrɐˈbrosʲtʲ/ - [Formal, Emphasizing courage]

Frequency: Medium (e.g., "нерв" is commonly used in medical and everyday discussions, while "смелость" and "храбрость" appear in emotional or literary contexts)

Difficulty: B1 for "нерв" (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun declensions); B2 for "смелость" and "храбрость" (Upper-Intermediate, due to nuanced emotional usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

нерв: /nɛrv/ (Stress on the first syllable; the "р" is a rolled 'r' sound, common in Russian.)

смелость: /ˈsmʲɪləsʲtʲ/ (The "с" is soft; note the palatalization, which can be tricky for English speakers.)

Note on смелость: This word often has a soft "л" sound, and pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech; practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Note on храбрость: The initial "х" is a guttural sound like in Scottish "loch"; it's a common point of difficulty for learners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Anatomical nerve (e.g., part of the nervous system)

Translation(s) & Context:

• нерв - Used in medical, scientific, or everyday contexts when referring to biological nerves, such as in anatomy or health discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Врач осмотрел поврежденный нерв в руке пациента.

  The doctor examined the damaged nerve in the patient's arm.

• Нервы передают сигналы от мозга к мышцам.

  Nerves transmit signals from the brain to the muscles.

• При стрессах нервы могут воспаляться, вызывая боль.

  Under stress, nerves can become inflamed, causing pain.

• Учёные изучают, как нервы влияют на эмоциональное состояние.

  Scientists study how nerves affect emotional states.

Courage or audacity (e.g., "nerve" as in boldness)

Translation(s) & Context:

• смелость - Informal contexts, like everyday conversations about bravery or cheekiness.
• храбрость - More formal or heroic contexts, such as in literature or historical descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Ему потребовалась смелость, чтобы прыгнуть с парашютом.

  He needed nerve to jump with a parachute.

• Её смелость в переговорах удивила всех коллег.

  Her nerve in negotiations surprised all her colleagues.

• Храбрость солдата во время битвы стала легендой.

  The soldier's nerve during the battle became legendary.

• Иногда смелость граничит с безрассудством, как в его решении.

  Sometimes nerve borders on recklessness, as in his decision.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"нерв" is a masculine noun in Russian, following the standard second declension pattern with regular inflections. It does not have irregular forms but changes based on case and number.

For "смелость" and "храбрость", both are feminine abstract nouns with regular declensions similar to other nouns ending in -ость. They are invariable in terms of gender but change by case as follows (example for "смелость"):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нерв - Сила воли (sila voli, for inner strength, but less anatomical)
  • смелость - Отвага (otvaga, similar but with a heroic connotation)
  • храбрость - Мужество (muzhestvo, emphasizing manly courage; fine nuance in gender-specific contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • For смелость: Трусость (trusost', meaning cowardice)
  • For храбрость: Страх (strakh, meaning fear)

Related Phrases:

• Потерять нервы - Lose one's nerve (used in stressful situations, implying a breakdown).
• Собрать смелость - Gather nerve (common in motivational contexts, like before a challenge).
• Нерв войны - Nerve of war (an idiom for a critical element in conflict, similar to "nerve center").
• Храбрость в бою - Nerve in battle (phrase for battlefield courage, often in historical or military discussions).

Usage Notes:

"Нерв" directly corresponds to the anatomical meaning of "nerve" in English and is neutral in tone, making it suitable for formal contexts like medicine. For the bravery sense, "смелость" is more everyday and informal, while "храбрость" is preferred in literary or epic scenarios. Be cautious with word choice based on context—e.g., use "смелость" for personal audacity but "храбрость" for heroic acts. Grammatically, these nouns require proper case agreement with prepositions, such as "в смелости" (in nerve). English learners should note that Russian often pairs these with verbs like "показать" (to show) for emphasis.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "нерв" in plural form incorrectly, e.g., saying "нервов" when singular is needed. Correct: "Я чувствую боль в нерве" (I feel pain in the nerve) instead of "в нервах" (which implies multiple nerves). Explanation: Russian nouns must match the context's number and case.
• Mistake: Confusing "смелость" with "храбрость" in informal speech, leading to overly formal language. Correct: Use "смелость" in casual talks, e.g., "У него есть смелость" (He has nerve), not "храбрость" which sounds archaic. Explanation: This can make speech sound unnatural; choose based on register.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "храбрость" often carry historical connotations from literature (e.g., in Tolstoy's works) or wartime heroism, reflecting Russia's emphasis on resilience and endurance. "Смелость" might appear in modern contexts like adventure sports, symbolizing personal growth amid challenges, which aligns with contemporary Russian values of individualism.

Related Concepts:

• Эмоции (emotsii, emotions)
• Психика (psikhika, psyche)
• Мужество (muzhestvo, fortitude)