Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'paralysis'

English Word: paralysis

Key Russian Translations:

• паралич /pɐˈralʲɪtɕ/ - [Formal, Medical term]

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

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with medical vocabulary and basic noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

паралич: /pɐˈralʲɪtɕ/

Note on паралич: The 'л' is palatalized (pronounced as a soft 'l'), which is a common feature in Russian. Stress falls on the second syllable. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter the vowel sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A loss of muscle function in part of the body, often due to injury, disease, or neurological conditions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• паралич - Used in formal medical contexts, such as describing symptoms in hospitals or scientific literature. It is a direct equivalent and applies to both temporary and permanent conditions.

Usage Examples:

• У него паралич правой руки после аварии.

  He has paralysis in his right arm after the accident.

• Паралич ног может быть вызван инфекцией.

  Paralysis of the legs can be caused by an infection.

• Врачи диагностировали паралич как следствие инсульта.

  Doctors diagnosed paralysis as a result of a stroke.

• Частичным параличем страдают многие пациенты после травмы позвоночника.

  Partial paralysis affects many patients after a spinal injury.

• Лечение паралича включает физиотерапию и медикаменты.

  Treatment for paralysis includes physical therapy and medications.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Паралич" is a masculine noun (third declension) in Russian. It follows standard patterns for nouns ending in -ич, with regular declensions across cases and numbers. It does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Note: In plural form, it is less commonly used as paralysis is often discussed in singular contexts, but the plural can refer to multiple instances or types.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • обездвиженность (immobility; more general and less clinical, often used in everyday language)
  • парализованность (a state of being paralyzed; emphasizes the condition's ongoing nature)
• Antonyms:
  • движение (movement; refers to the ability to move, contrasting with the lack thereof)
  • активность (activity; implies energy and motion)

Related Phrases:

• Частичный паралич - Partial paralysis; Used to describe incomplete loss of function, common in rehabilitation contexts.
• Полный паралич - Complete paralysis; Refers to total immobility, often in severe medical cases.
• Паралич Белла - Bell's palsy; A specific type of facial paralysis with a sudden onset.

Usage Notes:

"Паралич" directly corresponds to the English "paralysis" in medical terminology but is more formal and technical in Russian. It is primarily used in professional or clinical settings; in casual conversation, Russians might opt for descriptive phrases like "не могу двигать рукой" (I can't move my arm). Be mindful of noun declensions when using it in sentences—always adjust for case based on the sentence structure. If multiple translations exist, choose "паралич" for precise medical accuracy, but "обездвиженность" for broader, non-clinical descriptions.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget to decline "паралич" correctly. For example, incorrect: "Я боюсь паралич" (I fear paralysis) – This should be "Я боюсь паралича" in the genitive case after "боюсь". Correct usage: "Я боюсь паралича" means "I fear paralysis", while the error might stem from treating it as an indeclinable word.

• Confusing it with similar-sounding words like "паранойя" (paranoia). Incorrect example: Using "паралич" to mean mental fear, which is wrong; instead, use "паранойя" for that context. Explanation: Always verify the root meaning— "паралич" is physical, not psychological.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and media, "паралич" often appears in discussions of war injuries or historical events, such as World War II veterans' experiences. It carries a connotation of resilience and the importance of medical advancements, reflecting Russia's emphasis on public health and disability support systems.

Related Concepts:

• инсульт (stroke)
• травма (injury)
• неврология (neurology)