Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'qualm'

English Word: qualm

Key Russian Translations:

• сомнение [sɐmˈnʲenʲje] - [Formal, used in contexts of moral or ethical doubt]
• тошнота [tɐʂˈnotə] - [Informal, used for physical sensations like nausea or faintness]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, psychological discussions, and everyday conversations, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced contexts for "сомнение," while "тошнота" is more straightforward at A2 for physical descriptions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сомнение: [sɐmˈnʲenʲje]

Note on сомнение: The stress falls on the second syllable ("nʲenʲje"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft "n" sound; practice with native audio for accuracy.

тошнота: [tɐʂˈnotə]

Note on тошнота: The "ш" is a retroflex fricative, similar to "sh" in "shoe," but with a rolled quality; common in medical or casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A feeling of doubt, uncertainty, or moral unease

Translation(s) & Context:

• сомнение - Typically used in formal, introspective, or philosophical contexts, such as ethical dilemmas.

Usage Examples:

• Он испытывал сомнение перед принятием решения.

  He felt a qualm before making the decision.

• Её сомнение в честности сделки заставило её передумать.

  Her qualm about the deal's honesty made her change her mind.

• В моменты сомнения лучше обратиться за советом.

  In moments of qualm, it's best to seek advice.

• Сомнение иногда является признаком зрелого мышления.

  A qualm can sometimes be a sign of mature thinking.

Meaning 2: A momentary faintness, nausea, or physical discomfort

Translation(s) & Context:

• тошнота - Informal and common in health-related or everyday conversations, often describing sudden physical sensations.

Usage Examples:

• После еды у него появилась тошнота.

  After eating, he had a qualm of nausea.

• Тошнота от качки на корабле не дала ей наслаждаться поездкой.

  The qualm from seasickness prevented her from enjoying the trip.

• Внезапная тошнота заставила его остановиться.

  A sudden qualm made him stop in his tracks.

• Тошнота после лекарства прошла через час.

  The qualm after the medicine subsided after an hour.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For сомнение (neuter noun, 2nd declension):

For тошнота (feminine noun, 1st declension, with irregularities in plural):

Note: Both words follow standard Russian declension patterns but may vary slightly in poetic or archaic usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: неуверенность (similar but more general doubt), колебание (hesitation, with a sense of indecision)
• Antonyms: уверенность (certainty, direct opposite of сомнение)

Related Phrases:

• Без сомнения - Without a doubt (used to express certainty, contrasting with the doubt implied by qualm; English explanation: Often employed in affirmative statements to emphasize conviction.)
• Вызвать сомнение - To raise doubt (a phrase for inducing uncertainty, as in "This evidence raises a qualm.")
• Преодолеть тошноту - To overcome nausea (common in health contexts; English explanation: Used when describing recovery from physical discomfort.)

Usage Notes:

"Сомнение" best matches the ethical or moral sense of "qualm" in English, while "тошнота" aligns with its physical meaning. In Russian, "сомнение" is often used in formal writing or discussions, so prefer it in professional contexts over more casual alternatives. Be cautious with word order in sentences, as Russian is flexible but follows case agreements. When choosing between translations, select based on context: use "сомнение" for psychological states and "тошнота" for bodily reactions. Synonyms like "колебание" can add nuance but may imply action rather than static doubt.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сомнение" interchangeably with "неуверенность" without considering intensity. Correct: "Сомнение" implies deeper moral qualms, while "неуверенность" is milder. Example of error: "Я имею сомнение в этом" (incorrect overuse); Correct: "Я испытываю сомнение" to specify ethical doubt.

• Error: Misdeclining nouns, e.g., using nominative "сомнение" in genitive contexts. Correct: In "из-за сомнения" (because of doubt), it's already correct, but learners often forget case changes. Explanation: Always check the case based on the preposition or sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "сомнение" often appears in literary works by authors like Dostoevsky, reflecting themes of existential crisis and moral introspection, which resonates with the Russian tradition of philosophical depth. "Тошнота" might evoke memories of harsh winters or wartime hardships, symbolizing physical endurance in Russian folklore and history.

Related Concepts:

• Уверенность (certainty)
• Колебание (hesitation)
• Тошнота от стресса (stress-induced nausea)