Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pathogen'

English Word: pathogen

Key Russian Translations:

• патоген [pɐˈtoɡʲɪn] - [Formal, Scientific]
• возбудитель [vəzbʊˈdʲitʲɪlʲ] - [Formal, Medical]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in scientific and medical literature, but not in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with technical vocabulary, though "возбудитель" may be slightly easier for beginners due to its native Russian roots)

Pronunciation (Russian):

патоген: [pɐˈtoɡʲɪn]

Note on патоген: The stress falls on the second syllable ("to"), which is common in borrowed words; be careful with the soft 'г' sound, which is palatalized.

Audio: Play Audio for патоген

возбудитель: [vəzbʊˈdʲitʲɪlʲ]

Note on возбудитель: The word has a strong emphasis on the third syllable ("di"), and the 'зб' cluster can be tricky for non-native speakers—pronounce it as a quick, unaspirated sound.

Audio: Play Audio for возбудитель

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A biological agent, such as a bacterium or virus, that causes disease.

Translation(s) & Context:

• патоген - Used primarily in scientific or biological contexts, such as research papers or academic discussions.
• возбудитель - Common in medical settings, like clinical diagnoses or public health reports, often implying a specific infectious agent.

Usage Examples:

• Этот патоген был обнаружен в образцах воды и представляет серьезную угрозу для здоровья.

  This pathogen was discovered in water samples and poses a serious threat to health.

• Вакцинация помогает предотвратить распространение патогенов в популяции.

  Vaccination helps prevent the spread of pathogens in the population.

• Возбудитель этой болезни был идентифицирован как новый штамм вируса.

  The pathogen of this disease was identified as a new strain of virus.

• Исследователи изучают, как возбудитель адаптируется к антибиотикам в разных средах.

  Researchers are studying how the pathogen adapts to antibiotics in different environments.

• Патоген может передаваться через воздух, что делает его особенно опасным в переполненных местах.

  The pathogen can be transmitted through the air, making it particularly dangerous in crowded places.

Meaning 2: In a broader sense, any agent that initiates a pathological process (e.g., in non-biological contexts like environmental science).

Translation(s) & Context:

• возбудитель - Applied in environmental or ecological contexts, such as pollutants acting as disease agents.
• патоген - Less common here, but used when emphasizing biological origins.

Usage Examples:

• Возбудитель загрязнения в реке привел к массовому вымиранию рыбы.

  The pathogen of pollution in the river led to a mass die-off of fish.

• Патоген в почве может влиять на урожайность сельскохозяйственных культур.

  The pathogen in the soil can affect the yield of agricultural crops.

• Ученые ищут способы нейтрализовать возбудитель, ответственный за деградацию экосистемы.

  Scientists are seeking ways to neutralize the pathogen responsible for ecosystem degradation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "патоген" and "возбудитель" are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard masculine declension patterns. "Патоген" is a borrowed word and has relatively regular inflections, while "возбудитель" is a native word with predictable changes based on case and number.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to the ending changes based on case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • инфекционный агент (infektsionnyy agent) - Similar to "pathogen" but emphasizes infectious nature; used interchangeably in medical contexts.
  • микроб (mikrob) - More general, often for microorganisms, with a slightly less formal tone.
• Antonyms:
  • антиген (antigen) - Not a direct antonym, but relates to immune responses rather than disease-causing agents.
  • непатогенный агент (nepatogennyy agent) - A non-pathogenic agent, implying something harmless.

Related Phrases:

• патогенная микрофлора - Pathogenic microflora; refers to harmful microorganisms in a specific environment.
• возбудитель инфекции - Agent of infection; commonly used in epidemiology to describe disease origins.
• патоген в эпидемии - Pathogen in an epidemic; highlights the role in widespread outbreaks.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "патоген" is a direct borrowing from English/Greek and is preferred in scientific writing for precision, while "возбудитель" is more native and versatile in everyday medical discussions. Choose "патоген" for formal, academic contexts and "возбудитель" when emphasizing the agent's role in causing disease. Be mindful of grammatical gender (both are masculine), which affects adjective agreements, e.g., "опасный патоген" (dangerous pathogen). This word is rarely used in informal speech, so limit it to professional settings.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "патоген" with "патология" (pathology): Learners might misuse "патоген" to mean the study of diseases. Correct usage: "Патология изучает заболевания, а патоген их вызывает" (Pathology studies diseases, while a pathogen causes them). Error example: "Патоген - это наука о болезнях" (incorrect); Correct: "Возбудитель - это микроорганизм, вызывающий болезнь" (The pathogen is a microorganism that causes disease).

• Overgeneralizing inflections: Beginners often forget case changes, e.g., using nominative "патоген" in genitive contexts. Error example: "Изучение патоген" (incorrect for "Study of the pathogen"); Correct: "Изучение патогена".

Cultural Notes:

The concept of "pathogen" in Russian language reflects Russia's strong emphasis on medical and scientific research, influenced by historical figures like Ivan Pavlov. Terms like "возбудитель" are rooted in 19th-century microbiology advancements in Russia, such as those by Louis Pasteur's contemporaries, highlighting how language evolves with global scientific collaboration.

Related Concepts:

• вирус (virus)
• бактерия (bacteria)
• инфекция (infection)