Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'physician'

English Word: physician

Key Russian Translations:

• врач [vrátʃ] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in medical and professional contexts, but not as frequent in casual daily language)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to health)

Pronunciation (Russian):

врач: [vrátʃ]

Note on врач: The 'ч' sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch." Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A qualified medical doctor or physician who provides healthcare services.

Translation(s) & Context:

• врач - Used in formal, professional, or medical contexts to refer to a general practitioner or specialist doctor; common in healthcare discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я записался к врачу на завтра. (I scheduled an appointment with the physician for tomorrow.)

  I scheduled an appointment with the physician for tomorrow. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case in a simple scheduling context.)

• Врач провёл осмотр и прописал лекарства. (The physician conducted an examination and prescribed medication.)

  The physician conducted an examination and prescribed medication. (Illustrates the noun in a sentence with a verb, emphasizing professional actions.)

• Мой семейный врач всегда внимателен. (My family physician is always attentive.)

  My family physician is always attentive. (Demonstrates possessive use and a more personal context.)

• Врач в поликлинике консультирует пациентов ежедневно. (The physician at the clinic consults patients daily.)

  The physician at the clinic consults patients daily. (Shows the noun in a locative context, referring to a workplace.)

• Если у вас высокая температура, обратитесь к врачу. (If you have a high fever, consult a physician.)

  If you have a high fever, consult a physician. (This example is in an advisory context, common in health advice.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Врач is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions in the singular form (plural is less common but follows standard patterns).

Note: The plural form (врачи) follows similar declension rules but is used when referring to multiple physicians.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • доктор (doktor) - More informal, often used interchangeably but can imply a specialist.
  • медик (medik) - Less common, emphasizes medical training but is broader.
• Antonyms:
  • пациент (patsient) - Refers to a patient, contrasting with the caregiver role.

Related Phrases:

• Семейный врач (Semeynyy vrach) - Family physician; a doctor who provides ongoing care for a family.
• Врач общей практики (Vrach obshchey praktiki) - General practitioner; used for a primary care physician.
• Консультировать у врача (Konsultirovat' u vracha) - To consult with a physician; common in advice-giving contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "врач" directly corresponds to "physician" in formal English contexts, emphasizing a qualified medical professional rather than a general "doctor." It is typically used in neutral or formal language and is gender-neutral, though context can imply gender. When choosing between translations like "врач" and "доктор," opt for "врач" in medical or official settings. Be mindful of case changes based on sentence structure, as Russian requires agreement with other elements. For example, it's often paired with verbs like "осмотреть" (to examine) in healthcare discussions.

• Usage in sentences: Always decline the noun according to its grammatical role.
• Contextual tips: In everyday Russian, "врач" might be used more in written or professional contexts, while "доктор" is conversational.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse case endings, such as using the nominative "врач" in all situations. For example:

• Incorrect: "Я иду к врач" (Wrong: Missing the correct dative form.)
• Correct: "Я иду к врачу" (Proper dative case for "to the physician").
• Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on their role in the sentence; forgetting this can lead to grammatical errors.
• Another common error: Confusing with "доктор" and using it inappropriately in formal contexts, e.g., saying "доктор" in a medical report when "врач" is more precise.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "врач" holds a respected position due to the emphasis on public healthcare in Russia, stemming from the Soviet-era system. Physicians are often seen as authoritative figures in community health, and there's a cultural norm of seeking medical advice promptly, as reflected in phrases like "Лучше перестраховаться и пойти к врачу" (Better to be safe and see a physician). This underscores the value placed on preventive care in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• медсестра (medsestra) - Nurse
• пациент (patsient) - Patient
• клиника (klinika) - Clinic
• лечение (lecheniye) - Treatment