Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'potency'

English Word: potency

Key Russian Translations:

• потенция [pɐˈtɛnʦɨjə] - [Formal, Medical/Biological contexts]
• сила [ˈsʲilə] - [Informal, General contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in professional and medical discussions but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of medical terminology and noun inflections for accurate use)

Pronunciation (Russian):

потенция: [pɐˈtɛnʦɨjə]

Note on потенция: The stress falls on the second syllable; the 'ц' sound is a voiceless alveolar affricate, which may be challenging for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation can occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The power or strength of something, especially in a medical or biological context (e.g., effectiveness of a drug).

Translation(s) & Context:

• потенция - Used in formal medical discussions to refer to the inherent strength or capability, such as in pharmacology.
• сила - Applied in more general contexts, like describing the potency of a substance in everyday language.

Usage Examples:

• В этом лекарстве высокая потенция, что позволяет быстро справляться с инфекцией.

  In this medicine, there is high potency, which allows it to quickly deal with infection.

• Потенция этого химического вещества делает его опасным для окружающей среды.

  The potency of this chemical substance makes it dangerous for the environment.

• В научных экспериментах мы измеряем силу или потенцию различных веществ.

  In scientific experiments, we measure the strength or potency of various substances.

• Если сила этого растения недостаточна, оно не выживет в суровом климате.

  If the potency of this plant is insufficient, it won't survive in the harsh climate.

• Потенция антибиотика снижается со временем, поэтому важно следить за сроком годности.

  The potency of the antibiotic decreases over time, so it's important to monitor the expiration date.

Meaning 2: Specifically, sexual potency or virility.

Translation(s) & Context:

• потенция - Predominantly used in medical or psychological contexts related to sexual health.

Usage Examples:

• Проблемы с потенцией могут быть вызваны стрессом или заболеваниями.

  Problems with potency can be caused by stress or illnesses.

• Врачи часто обсуждают потенцию в контексте общего здоровья.

  Doctors often discuss potency in the context of overall health.

• Потенция у мужчин может снижаться с возрастом, но это не всегда норма.

  Potency in men can decrease with age, but it's not always the norm.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For the noun 'потенция' (feminine, 1st declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It is a regular noun with changes based on case and number.

For 'сила' (also feminine, but with its own patterns), it is invariant in some forms but follows standard rules: Nominative singular: сила; Genitive singular: силы; etc. No major irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сила (sila) - General strength, often interchangeable in non-medical contexts.
  • эффективность (effektivnost') - Focuses on effectiveness, with subtle differences in implying results over raw power.
• Antonyms:
  • слабость (slabost') - Weakness, directly opposite in contexts of power or capability.
  • неэффективность (neeffektivnost') - Inefficiency, used when potency is lacking in effectiveness.

Related Phrases:

• Высокая потенция (High potency) - Refers to strong effectiveness, often in medical contexts; used to describe powerful drugs or substances.
• Потеря потенции (Loss of potency) - Indicates a decline in strength or effectiveness, common in discussions of aging or degradation.
• Сила воли (Strength of will) - A metaphorical phrase where 'сила' relates to potency in mental resilience; implies inner power.

Usage Notes:

'Потенция' is a direct and precise translation for 'potency' in medical or scientific contexts, but it carries a strong connotation of sexual or biological power in Russian, which may not always align with the broader English usage. In informal settings, 'сила' is safer for general strength. Always consider the audience: use formal terms in professional writing. Grammatically, as a feminine noun, it requires agreement in gender, number, and case with adjectives and verbs.

• When choosing between translations, opt for 'потенция' for technical accuracy and 'сила' for everyday language to avoid cultural misunderstandings.
• In Russian, potency-related discussions often involve euphemisms due to cultural sensitivities around health topics.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'потенция' with 'потенциал' (potential), leading to misuse. For example:

• Error: Using 'потенция' to mean future capability, e.g., "У него большая потенция в бизнесе" (incorrectly implying sexual potency instead of potential).
• Correct: "У него большой потенциал в бизнесе" - This avoids the error by using the right word for potential.
• Another common mistake is incorrect inflection, e.g., saying 'потенция' in the wrong case, like using nominative in a genitive context: Error - "Из-за потенция" (should be "Из-за потенции"). Explanation: Always match the case for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions around 'потенция' (especially in its sexual sense) are often tied to traditional views on masculinity and health, influenced by historical and societal norms. It may carry more stigma than in English-speaking contexts, so sensitivity is key when using it in conversations or writing.

Related Concepts:

• потенциал (potentsial)
• эффективность (effektivnost')
• сила воли (sila voli)