Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pill'

English Word: pill

Key Russian Translations:

• таблетка [təˈblʲetkə] - [Formal, Common noun]
• пилюля [pʲɪˈlʲulʲə] - [Informal, Slightly archaic or poetic, used in literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday health-related conversations, medical contexts, and pharmacy discussions in Russian-speaking regions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp basic vocabulary for health and daily routines, though mastering inflections may require practice)

Pronunciation (Russian):

таблетка: [təˈblʲetkə] (The stress is on the third syllable; note the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization.)

пилюля: [pʲɪˈlʲulʲə] (Stress on the second syllable; the initial 'п' is aspirated, and the soft 'л' adds a subtle glide.)

Note on таблетка: Pay attention to the vowel reduction in unstressed syllables, common in Russian; the 'e' in the first syllable is often pronounced as a schwa [ə].

Note on пилюля: This word is less common in modern spoken Russian and may vary in pronunciation in dialects, with a softer ending in some regions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A small, solid dose of medicine, often swallowed whole.

Translation(s) & Context:

• таблетка - Used in formal medical or everyday contexts, such as describing over-the-counter medications or prescriptions.
• пилюля - Applied in informal or historical contexts, like in literature or when referring to traditional remedies.

Usage Examples:

• Я принял таблетку от головной боли перед сном.

  I took a pill for the headache before bed. (This example shows the word in a simple daily routine, emphasizing health management.)

• Врач прописал мне пилюлю для улучшения сна.

  The doctor prescribed me a pill to improve sleep. (Here, it illustrates a formal medical prescription, highlighting the word's use in professional settings.)

• Эти таблетки лежат в сумке, на случай простуды.

  These pills are in my bag, in case of a cold. (This demonstrates the plural form and preventive use in casual conversation.)

• Она проглотила пилюлю, не запивая водой, что было ошибкой.

  She swallowed the pill without washing it down with water, which was a mistake. (This example shows the word in a narrative context, noting potential errors in usage.)

• Таблетка от аллергии помогла мне быстро.

  The allergy pill helped me quickly. (This varies the structure to show the word in a positive outcome scenario.)

Secondary Meaning: Informal reference to a contraceptive pill or similar.

Translation(s) & Context:

• таблетка - Common in discussions about birth control, often in private or medical conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Многие женщины используют таблетку для контроля рождаемости.

  Many women use the pill for birth control. (This example contexts the word in modern health discussions.)

• Ей нужно принимать таблетку ежедневно в одно и то же время.

  She needs to take the pill every day at the same time. (This highlights routine and timing in usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Таблетка" is a feminine noun (3rd declension), which undergoes regular inflection based on case, number, and gender. "Пилюля" is also feminine and follows similar patterns but is less commonly used.

For "таблетка", here is a table of its basic inflections:

"Пилюля" inflects similarly but is invariant in some dialects: Nominative Singular - пилюля; Plural - пилюли. These forms are regular, but "таблетка" is more frequently encountered in spoken Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • препарат (preparat) - More general term for any medicinal preparation; used in formal contexts.
  • лекарство (lʲɪˈkarsvə) - Broad synonym for medicine, but less specific to solid forms.
• Antonyms:
  • яд (yat) - Poison, as an opposite in the context of harmful substances.

Related Phrases:

• Принимать таблетку (Prinimat' tabletku) - To take a pill; commonly used in daily health routines.
• Таблетка от боли (Tabletka ot boli) - Painkiller pill; refers to analgesics in medical contexts.
• Запивать таблетку водой (Zapivat' tabletku vodoy) - To wash down a pill with water; emphasizes proper ingestion methods.

Usage Notes:

• The English word "pill" most directly corresponds to "таблетка" in Russian for modern usage, especially in pharmaceutical contexts, but "пилюля" may be chosen for a more archaic or literary tone.
• In formal settings, such as doctor-patient interactions, "таблетка" is preferred due to its neutrality and widespread understanding.
• Grammar note: Always consider the noun's gender and case; for example, use the accusative form "таблетку" when the object is direct in a sentence.
• When multiple translations exist, select based on context: "пилюля" for historical or poetic references, but avoid it in everyday speech to prevent sounding outdated.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse the inflections, e.g., using "таблетка" in the wrong case: Incorrect - "Я имею таблетка" (wrong accusative); Correct - "Я имею таблетку". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always adjust based on the sentence structure.
• Another error is overgeneralizing to "пилюля" in casual talk: Incorrect - Using "пилюля" for a simple aspirin; Correct - Stick to "таблетка" for contemporary medicine. Explanation: "Пилюля" can sound overly formal or archaic, leading to miscommunication in modern contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "таблетка" is a staple in discussions about self-medication, reflecting the historical emphasis on home remedies due to past healthcare limitations. It also appears in literature, like in works by Chekhov, symbolizing modern life's reliance on quick fixes, which contrasts with traditional herbal treatments.

Related Concepts:

• лекарство (medicine in general)
• аптека (pharmacy)
• болезнь (illness)