Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scab'

English Word: scab

Key Russian Translations:

• струп [ˈstrup] - [Formal, Medical context]
• шкурник [ˈʃkurnʲik] - [Informal, Slang, Used in labor or social contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in medical and informal discussions, but not everyday vocabulary for general speakers)

Difficulty: B1 for 'струп' (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun declensions); B2 for 'шкурник' (Upper-Intermediate, due to its slang connotations and contextual usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

струп: [ˈstrup]

шкурник: [ˈʃkurnʲik]

Note on струп: The stress is on the first syllable; be cautious with the 'р' sound, which is a trilled 'r' in Russian, potentially challenging for English speakers.

Note on шкурник: The 'ш' is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'shoe'; it may have regional variations in pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A dry crust that forms over a sore or wound (Medical context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'струп' - Used in formal medical or biological descriptions, often in professional settings like hospitals or scientific texts.

Usage Examples:

• На ране образовался струп, который защищает от инфекции.

  On the wound, a scab formed that protects against infection.

• После царапины кожа зажила, и струп отпал через неделю.

  After the scratch, the skin healed, and the scab fell off after a week.

• Врачи советуют не трогать струп, чтобы избежать рубцов.

  Doctors advise not to touch the scab to avoid scarring.

• Струп на коже может быть признаком аллергии или инфекции.

  A scab on the skin can be a sign of an allergy or infection.

Meaning 2: A person who works during a strike or betrays a group (Informal, derogatory context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'шкурник' - Used in informal, social, or labor contexts to describe someone seen as a traitor, often with negative connotations in unions or protests.

Usage Examples:

• Рабочие назвали его шкурником за то, что он продолжил работать во время забастовки.

  The workers called him a scab for continuing to work during the strike.

• В профсоюзе шкурников не терпят, так как они подрывают единство.

  In the union, scabs are not tolerated because they undermine unity.

• Его репутация шкурника помешала ему найти работу в отрасли.

  His reputation as a scab prevented him from finding work in the industry.

• Шкурник может быть изгнан из коллектива за предательство.

  A scab may be ostracized from the group for betrayal.

• В исторических текстах шкурники описываются как те, кто сломал забастовку.

  In historical texts, scabs are described as those who broke the strike.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'струп' (a masculine noun in Russian):

This word follows standard Russian noun declension for masculine inanimate nouns. It has regular endings but no plural form in common usage as it typically refers to a singular occurrence.

For 'шкурник' (a masculine animate noun):

This word has regular declension for masculine animate nouns and can be pluralized. It is often used in singular form in derogatory contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • корка (korka) - Similar to 'струп' in medical contexts, but more general for any crust.
  • предатель (predatel) - For 'шкурник', implying betrayal, often in broader contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • лояльный (loyal'nyy) - Meaning loyal, opposite to the betrayal implied in 'шкурник'.
  • заживление (zazhivleniye) - For 'струп', meaning healing, as it contrasts with the presence of a scab.

Related Phrases:

• Струп на коже (Strop na kozhe) - A scab on the skin; used in medical advice to describe wound healing.
• Шкурник в забастовке (Shkurnik v zabastovke) - A scab in a strike; refers to someone undermining labor actions, with a strong negative connotation.
• Образование струпа (Obrazovaniye stropa) - Formation of a scab; common in health discussions.

Usage Notes:

'Scab' translates to 'струп' in medical contexts, which is a neutral, formal term primarily used in healthcare. For the slang meaning, 'шкурник' is more idiomatic and carries a derogatory tone, similar to 'scab' in English labor disputes. Choose 'струп' for precise anatomical descriptions and 'шкурник' for social commentary. Be aware of grammatical gender: both are masculine nouns, so they require appropriate adjectives (e.g., 'больной струп' for 'sick scab'). In formal writing, avoid 'шкурник' due to its informal and potentially offensive nature.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'струп' with 'корка' and using it interchangeably. Correct: 'Струп' specifically refers to a wound crust, while 'корка' is for any dry layer (e.g., on bread). Example of error: Saying 'корка на ране' instead of 'струп на ране'. Explanation: This dilutes precision in medical contexts.

• Error: Overusing 'шкурник' in neutral contexts. Correct: Reserve it for derogatory situations; use 'работник во время забастовки' for neutral descriptions. Example of error: 'Он шкурник' when simply meaning 'he worked during the strike'. Explanation: This can escalate tensions unnecessarily.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'шкурник' evokes strong historical connotations from Soviet-era labor movements, where strike-breakers were vilified as betrayers of the collective good. This reflects Russia's emphasis on community solidarity, making the term emotionally charged in discussions of social justice.

Related Concepts:

• заживление (zazhivleniye) - Healing
• забастовка (zabastovka) - Strike
• предательство (predatel'stvo) - Betrayal