Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nutrition'

English Word: nutrition

Key Russian Translations:

• питание [pʲɪˈtanʲɪje] - [Neutral, commonly used in everyday, scientific, and health contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in health, education, and daily conversation, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "food").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR standards; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and vocabulary in health-related topics. If using a more technical translation like "нутриция," it may rise to B2.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

питание: [pʲɪˈtanʲɪje]

Note on питание: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tan"), and the "п" is a voiceless bilabial plosive. Palatalization of "т" and "н" is common in Russian, which may be challenging for English speakers used to non-palatalized consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth, often in the context of diet, science, or biology.

Translation(s) & Context:

• питание - Used in general contexts for nutrition as a broad concept, such as in health advice or educational settings (e.g., discussing balanced diets).

Usage Examples:

• Я изучаю правильное питание, чтобы оставаться здоровым.

  I am studying proper nutrition to stay healthy. (This example shows the word in a personal health context, with "питание" as a direct object in the accusative case.)

• В университете мы обсуждаем аспекты питания в биологии.

  At university, we discuss aspects of nutrition in biology. (Here, "питание" is used in a formal, academic setting, demonstrating its role in scientific discourse.)

• Правильное питание помогает предотвратить болезни.

  Proper nutrition helps prevent diseases. (This illustrates "питание" in a preventive health context, linked with adjectives for emphasis.)

• Дети нуждаются в сбалансированном питании для роста.

  Children need balanced nutrition for growth. (This example highlights "питание" in relation to child development, showing its use with adjectives like "сбалансированном.")

• Эксперты рекомендуют разнообразное питание для общего благополучия.

  Experts recommend varied nutrition for overall well-being. (Demonstrates "питание" in advisory contexts, emphasizing diversity in diet.)

Secondary Meaning: In specialized contexts, such as medical or nutritional science, referring to the intake and utilization of nutrients.

Translation(s) & Context:

• питание - Applied in professional settings, like nutrition counseling, but can overlap with the primary meaning (e.g., in dietary plans).

Usage Examples:

• Врачи изучают влияние питания на иммунную систему.

  Doctors study the impact of nutrition on the immune system. (This shows "питание" in a scientific-medical context, as a subject in a sentence.)

• Недостаточное питание приводит к дефициту витаминов.

  Inadequate nutrition leads to vitamin deficiencies. (Illustrates "питание" with adjectives to denote quality, in a cause-effect structure.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

питание is a neuter noun in the second declension group, which follows regular patterns in Russian grammar. It does not have irregular forms but changes based on case, number, and gender agreements.

Note: As a neuter noun, it remains unchanged in the nominative and accusative singular forms. For other translations like "нутриция," similar declension rules apply if it is used.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • диета (dyeta) - Focuses more on specific eating plans; differs from "питание" by implying restriction or balance.
  • потребление пищи (pотребleniye pishi) - Literal and broader, emphasizing food intake.
• Antonyms:
  • голод (golod) - Refers to hunger or starvation, contrasting with the idea of adequate nutrition.
  • недоедание (nedoyedaniye) - Indicates undernourishment or malnutrition.

Related Phrases:

• Правильное питание (Proper nutrition) - Refers to balanced and healthy eating habits, often used in health campaigns.
• Сбалансированное питание (Balanced nutrition) - Emphasizes a diet with all necessary nutrients for well-being.
• Здоровое питание (Healthy nutrition) - Common in everyday advice for maintaining good health.

Usage Notes:

"Питание" directly corresponds to "nutrition" in English but is more versatile, encompassing both the scientific process and everyday dietary practices. It is neutral in register and can be used in formal (e.g., medical reports) or informal contexts (e.g., casual conversations about diet). When choosing between translations, opt for "питание" for general use; reserve "нутриция" for technical fields. Grammatically, always ensure agreement with adjectives and cases, as Russian nouns inflect based on their role in the sentence.

• In sentences, "питание" often pairs with adjectives like "правильное" to specify quality.
• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; for example, English "nutrition" in a meal context might need "питание" in Russian, but in biochemistry, consider context-specific terms.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "питание" with "еда" (food), using it interchangeably. For instance, a common mistake is saying "Я ем питание" (I eat nutrition) instead of the correct "Я ем еду" (I eat food), as "питание" refers to the process, not the act of eating. Correct usage: "Я занимаюсь питанием" (I deal with nutrition). Another error is improper declension, like using nominative in all cases; e.g., incorrect: "О питание" (wrong genitive), correct: "О питании".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "питание" is often tied to traditional health practices, such as the emphasis on home-cooked meals and seasonal foods in Russian cuisine. Historically, during the Soviet era, state programs promoted "питание" as part of public health, influencing modern attitudes toward balanced diets in Russia today.

Related Concepts:

• диета (diet)
• витамины (vitamins)
• здоровье (health)