Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nurse'

English Word: nurse

Key Russian Translations:

• медсестра /mʲɪdˈsʲestrə/ - [Formal, Professional Context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in medical and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "doctor").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate - Requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and basic professional terminology; learners at this level can grasp it with practice).

Pronunciation (Russian):

медсестра: /mʲɪdˈsʲestrə/

Note on медсестра: The stress is on the third syllable ("sʲes-"). Pay attention to the palatalized consonants (/mʲ/ and /sʲ/), which are common in Russian and can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A trained medical professional who cares for patients in hospitals or clinics.

Translation(s) & Context:

• медсестра - Used in formal medical settings, such as hospitals, to refer to a female nurse. In informal contexts, it can be gender-neutral but typically implies female.

Usage Examples:

• Медсестра быстро измерила давление пациенту в больнице.

  The nurse quickly measured the patient's blood pressure in the hospital.

• В нашей клинике работает опытная медсестра, которая всегда помогает врачам.

  In our clinic, there is an experienced nurse who always assists the doctors.

• Медсестра должна быть внимательной и заботливой в работе с детьми.

  A nurse must be attentive and caring when working with children.

• После операции медсестра объяснила, как правильно принимать лекарства.

  After the surgery, the nurse explained how to take the medications properly.

• В сельской местности медсестра часто является первым помощником для местных жителей.

  In rural areas, a nurse is often the first point of help for local residents.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Медсестра" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows standard Russian noun declension patterns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. As a common noun, it is inflected for grammatical cases but does not have irregular forms.

Note: This word does not change in the plural for all cases as irregularly as some nouns, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • медработник (more general term for medical worker; used in broader contexts)
  • сестра милосердия (literally "sister of mercy"; implies a more historical or religious connotation, often in formal or literary settings)
• Antonyms:
  • врач (doctor; represents a higher level of medical authority)

Related Phrases:

• медсестра на дежурстве - A nurse on duty (Common in hospital settings, emphasizing shift work).
• профессиональная медсестра - Professional nurse (Highlights qualifications and expertise in medical contexts).
• медсестра в поликлинике - Nurse in a clinic (Refers to outpatient care facilities).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "медсестра" directly corresponds to the English "nurse" in medical contexts but is almost always feminine. Use it for female nurses; for males, "медбрат" (male nurse) is more appropriate. It's formal and professional, so avoid in casual conversations. When discussing nursing roles, pair it with verbs like "работать" (to work) or "помогать" (to help). Choose "медсестра" over synonyms based on specificity: use it for direct patient care, not broader medical roles.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "медсестра" for male nurses. Correct: Use "медбрат" instead. Example of error: *Медсестра John работает в больнице.* (Incorrect because it implies female.) Correct: Медбрат John работает в больнице. Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so matching the actual gender avoids confusion and maintains accuracy.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences. Correct: Always adjust for case, e.g., don't say *Я видел медсестра* (wrong accusative); say Я видел медсестру. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, nurses like "медсестра" are highly respected figures in the healthcare system, often depicted in literature and media as compassionate caregivers. This role gained prominence during historical events like World War II, symbolizing resilience and community support, which adds a layer of admiration to the term beyond its literal meaning.

Related Concepts:

• врач (doctor)
• пациент (patient)
• больница (hospital)