Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'remedy'

English Word: remedy

Key Russian Translations:

• лекарство [lʲɪˈkars tvə] - [Formal, commonly used in medical contexts]
• средство [ˈs rʲɪdst və] - [Informal, versatile for everyday remedies or solutions]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in conversations about health, but not as frequently as basic vocabulary like "water" or "food".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and medical vocabulary; for 'лекарство', it's straightforward, while 'средство' may vary slightly in context.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лекарство: [lʲɪˈkars tvə]

Note on лекарство: The stress falls on the second syllable ("kar"), which is common in Russian neuter nouns. Pay attention to the soft 'l' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

средство: [ˈs rʲɪdst və]

Note on средство: The initial 's' is pronounced softly, and the word has a rolling 'r' that might vary regionally; stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A medicine or treatment used to cure an illness or alleviate symptoms

Translation(s) & Context:

• лекарство - Typically used in formal or medical settings, such as pharmacies or doctor visits, to refer to prescribed or over-the-counter remedies.
• средство - Often used informally for home remedies or general solutions, like natural treatments.

Usage Examples:

• Я взял лекарство от головной боли, и мне сразу стало легче.

  I took a remedy for the headache, and I felt better right away.

• Это народное средство помогает при простуде.

  This folk remedy helps with a cold.

• В аптеке я купил новое лекарство, рекомендованное врачом.

  At the pharmacy, I bought a new remedy recommended by the doctor.

• Средство из трав всегда лучше, чем химические таблетки.

  A herbal remedy is always better than chemical pills.

• Для аллергии мне прописали специальное лекарство.

  For allergies, I was prescribed a special remedy.

Meaning 2: A solution or corrective measure for a problem (e.g., legal or practical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• средство - Used in broader contexts like problem-solving or legal remedies, emphasizing a means to an end.
• лекарство - Less common here, but can metaphorically apply in formal writing.

Usage Examples:

• Это средство поможет исправить ошибку в контракте.

  This remedy will help fix the error in the contract.

• Правительственные меры являются лучшим средством против инфляции.

  Government measures are the best remedy against inflation.

• Мы нашли эффективное средство для решения проблемы с транспортом.

  We found an effective remedy for the transportation issue.

• Лекарство для экономики — это снижение налогов.

  The remedy for the economy is tax reduction. (Metaphorical use)

• В суде это средство может быть использовано для защиты прав.

  In court, this remedy can be used to protect rights.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'лекарство' and 'средство' are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. 'Лекарство' is a third-declension noun with some irregularities, while 'средство' is more regular.

Note: 'Лекарство' has an irregular genitive plural form ('лекарств'), which is common in Russian. 'Средство' is invariant in most forms and easier for beginners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • препарат (more specific to pharmaceuticals)
  • лекарственный препарат (formal, emphasizing medicinal aspect)
• Antonyms:
  • яд (poison, as it opposes healing)
  • болезнь (illness, contrasting with cure)

Related Phrases:

• Домашнее лекарство - Home remedy (A natural or DIY treatment often used in everyday health care.)
• Эффективное средство - Effective remedy (Refers to a reliable solution for problems, commonly in advertising or advice.)
• Народное средство - Folk remedy (Traditional, culturally passed-down treatments, often herbal.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'лекарство' is the most direct equivalent to 'remedy' in medical contexts, while 'средство' is broader and can apply to non-medical fixes. Choose 'лекарство' for formal or health-related discussions, and 'средство' for informal or problem-solving scenarios. Be mindful of declensions based on case; for example, use the genitive form when indicating possession (e.g., "лекарства от боли" for "remedy for pain"). English speakers often overlook the neuter gender, which affects adjective agreements.

• Context tip: In legal English, 'remedy' might translate to 'средство правовой защиты' for precision.
• Grammar note: Always adjust for number and case to avoid sounding unnatural.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'лекарство' with 'препарат', using them interchangeably, but 'препарат' is more specific to pharmaceutical drugs. Incorrect: "Я взял препарат для простуды" when a general remedy is meant—Correct: "Я взял лекарство для простуды". Another error is forgetting declensions, e.g., saying "в лекарство" instead of "в лекарстве" (in the remedy), which changes the meaning. Always check the case based on prepositions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, remedies like 'народное средство' (folk remedies) hold significant historical value, often rooted in traditional herbal medicine from rural areas. For instance, items like herbal teas or balms are commonly used and reflect a distrust of modern pharmaceuticals in some communities, emphasizing natural and homemade solutions.

Related Concepts:

• терапия (therapy)
• лечение (treatment)
• профилактика (prevention)