Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nourishment'

English Word: nourishment

Key Russian Translations:

• питание [pʲɪˈtanʲɪje] - [Formal, commonly used in health, nutrition, and scientific contexts]
• питательность [pʲɪˈtatʲelʲnəstʲ] - [Formal, emphasizing the quality or nutritive value]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday health discussions, medical texts, and educational materials, but not as ubiquitous as basic food-related terms).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to health, per CEFR standards. For 'питание', it's straightforward; for 'питательность', it may edge toward B2 due to abstract connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

питание: [pʲɪˈtanʲɪje]

питательность: [pʲɪˈtatʲelʲnəstʲ]

Note on питание: The stress is on the second syllable; be cautious with the palatalized 'т' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. A common variant in casual speech might soften the ending.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The process of providing with food or nutrients for growth, health, or maintenance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• питание - Used in contexts related to daily nutrition, diet plans, or biological processes, such as in medical or educational settings.
• питательность - Applied when discussing the inherent nutritive quality of food, e.g., in nutritional science or product labeling.

Usage Examples:

• Правильное питание помогает поддерживать здоровье и энергию на протяжении дня.

  Proper nourishment helps maintain health and energy throughout the day.

• В рационе ребенка должно быть сбалансированное питание, богатое витаминами.

  A child's diet should include balanced nourishment rich in vitamins.

• Питательность овощей часто недооценивается в повседневной еде.

  The nutritive value of vegetables is often underestimated in everyday eating.

• Без адекватного питания организм не может функционировать эффективно.

  Without adequate nourishment, the body cannot function effectively.

• Современные диеты фокусируются на повышении питательности продуктов.

  Modern diets focus on enhancing the nourishment quality of foods.

2. The state of being nourished or the substances that provide nourishment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• питание - In a more abstract sense, referring to the overall state, such as in wellness contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Состояние питания у пациентов с хроническими заболеваниями требует постоянного мониторинга.

  The state of nourishment in patients with chronic illnesses requires constant monitoring.

• Естественное питание из местных продуктов способствует лучшему самочувствию.

  Natural nourishment from local products contributes to better well-being.

• Питание в экстремальных условиях может быть основано на консервированных товарах.

  Nourishment in extreme conditions might rely on canned goods.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'питание' and 'питательность' are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. 'Питание' is a neuter noun of the second declension and can inflect based on case and number. 'Питательность' is also neuter and follows similar rules but is less commonly inflected in everyday use.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners. In plural, 'питание' is used for multiple instances, e.g., different types of nourishment.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • питательность (slight nuance: focuses on quality rather than process)
  • кормление (more literal, often used for feeding animals or infants)
  • прокорм (emphasizes provision of sustenance in survival contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • голод (hunger; implies lack of nourishment)
  • недоедание (undernourishment; used in health contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Здоровое питание - Healthy nourishment; refers to balanced diets for well-being.
• Правильное питание - Proper nourishment; often used in nutritional advice.
• Ежедневное питание - Daily nourishment; common in routine meal planning.
• Питание для спортсменов - Nourishment for athletes; highlights specialized diets.

Usage Notes:

'Питание' directly corresponds to the broader English concept of nourishment as a process or provision, while 'питательность' aligns more with the nutritive aspect. In formal Russian, prefer 'питание' in medical or educational contexts, but use 'питательность' when discussing food quality. Be mindful of grammatical gender and case agreements; for example, always use the correct declension in sentences like "Я думаю о питании" (I am thinking about nourishment). When multiple translations exist, choose based on context: 'питание' for everyday use and 'питательность' for scientific discussions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'питание' with 'еда' (food), leading to misuse in formal contexts. Incorrect: "Еда важна для питания" (intended as "Food is important for nourishment", but this is redundant). Correct: "Питание включает здоровую еду". Explanation: 'Питание' encompasses the process, not just the items, so avoid overlapping terms unnecessarily.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative 'питание' in genitive contexts. Incorrect: "Я нуждаюсь в питание" (should be "питании"). Correct: "Я нуждаюсь в питании". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'питание' often ties to traditional values of family meals and home-cooked food, influenced by historical contexts like Soviet-era rationing. For instance, concepts of nourishment emphasize collective well-being, as seen in communal dining during holidays, reflecting a deeper cultural focus on sustenance as a social bond rather than individual health alone.

Related Concepts:

• витамины (vitamins)
• диета (diet)
• здоровая еда (healthy food)
• метаболизм (metabolism)