Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'painkiller'

English Word: painkiller

Key Russian Translations:

• анальгетик [ɐnɐlˈɡʲetʲɪk] - [Formal, Medical contexts]
• обезболивающее [ɐbʲɪzˈbolʲɪvəʊʂːee] - [Informal, Everyday use]

Frequency: Medium (Common in medical and health-related discussions, but not in casual everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves specialized vocabulary; learners at this level should understand basic medical terms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

анальгетик: [ɐnɐlˈɡʲetʲɪk]

Note on анальгетик: The stress falls on the third syllable ("get"), which is common in Russian loanwords from Greek; be careful with the soft 'г' sound.

Audio: []

обезболивающее: [ɐbʲɪzˈbolʲɪvəʊʂːee]

Note on обезболивающее: This word has a rolling 'ш' sound and stress on the third syllable ("bo"); it's often pronounced more fluidly in spoken Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A substance or medication used to relieve or reduce pain.

Translation(s) & Context:

• анальгетик - Typically used in formal medical settings, such as hospitals or prescriptions, to refer to pharmaceutical pain-relieving drugs.
• обезболивающее - More common in everyday contexts, like home remedies or general health discussions, and can refer to over-the-counter options.

Usage Examples:

• Я принял анальгетик, чтобы облегчить сильную зубную боль.

  I took a painkiller to ease my severe toothache.

• Это обезболивающее средство помогает при мигрени, но не стоит принимать его часто.

  This painkiller helps with migraines, but you shouldn't take it too often.

• Врач прописал мне анальгетик после операции для контроля постоперационной боли.

  The doctor prescribed me a painkiller for managing post-operative pain.

• Обезболивающее из аптеки быстро подействовало на мою головную боль.

  The painkiller from the pharmacy worked quickly on my headache.

• Я всегда ношу с собой анальгетик на случай внезапной боли в спине.

  I always carry a painkiller with me in case of sudden back pain.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns, with "анальгетик" being a masculine noun and "обезболивающее" being a neuter noun. Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining key inflections for each:

Note: These follow standard Russian declension patterns for first-declension masculine and neuter nouns. There are no irregular forms for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • болеутоляющее - Similar to обезболивающее, often used interchangeably in casual contexts.
  • анальгезирующее - A more technical synonym, emphasizing the analgesic effect.
• Antonyms:
  • раздражитель - Refers to something that causes irritation or pain, opposite in effect.

Related Phrases:

• Принимать обезболивающее - To take a painkiller; used for describing medication intake in daily life.
• Анальгетик на основе ибупрофена - Painkiller based on ibuprofen; common in pharmaceutical discussions.
• Обезболивающее средство для суставов - Pain relief for joints; specifies application in health contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Painkiller" directly corresponds to "анальгетик" in formal settings, such as medical prescriptions, while "обезболивающее" is more versatile for everyday use. Choose "анальгетик" for professional or scientific contexts to sound more precise, but "обезболивающее" is safer for general conversations. Be aware of gender agreements in sentences, as these nouns affect adjectives and verbs (e.g., "это хорошее обезболивающее" for neuter). In Russian, these terms often appear in health-related phrases, and over-the-counter availability varies by region.

• Grammar tip: Always use the correct case when describing or using these nouns in sentences.
• Context guidance: In informal speech, Russians might shorten or paraphrase, e.g., saying "боли" instead of full phrases.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "анальгетик" in casual conversation, which can sound overly formal or pretentious. Correct: Opt for "обезболивающее" in everyday talk, e.g., Wrong: "Я купил анальгетик в магазине." Correct: "Я купил обезболивающее в магазине." Explanation: "Анальгетик" is more clinical, so it fits pharmacies or doctors, not general stores.
• Mistake: Forgetting noun inflections, e.g., saying "с анальгетик" instead of "с анальгетиком" in instrumental case. Correct: "Я лечусь с анальгетиком." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook.
• Mistake: Confusing with similar terms like "антибиотик" (antibiotic). Correct: Ensure context is pain relief, not infection treatment. Explanation: These are distinct medical categories, and mixing them can lead to misunderstandings in healthcare discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, painkillers like "обезболивающее" are commonly discussed in the context of self-medication due to the prevalence of home remedies and over-the-counter access. Historically, during the Soviet era, access to pharmaceuticals was limited, leading to a cultural emphasis on natural alternatives, which influences how terms like these are used today in everyday language.

Related Concepts:

• антибиотик
• противовоспалительное
• витамины