Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scar'

English Word: scar

Key Russian Translations:

• шрам (/ʂram/) - [Formal, Noun, Singular]
• рубец (/rubʲɛts/) - [Formal, Medical Context, Noun, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations, literature, and medical discussions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions, suitable for learners with some grasp of Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шрам: /ʂram/ (The 'ш' sound is a voiceless retroflex fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'shesh', but with a rolled quality.)

Note on шрам: Be cautious with the 'р' sound, which is a trilled 'r'; non-native speakers may confuse it with a soft 'r' as in English.

Audio: []

рубец: /rubʲɛts/ (The 'ц' is a voiceless alveolar affricate, like 'ts' in 'cats'.)

Note on рубец: This word is often used in specialized contexts, so pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects, emphasizing the palatalized 'б' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A mark on the skin left after a wound has healed

Translation(s) & Context:

• шрам - Used in general, everyday contexts, such as describing injuries or personal stories (e.g., in casual or formal conversations).
• рубец - Typically in medical or biological contexts, referring to scar tissue in a more technical sense.

Usage Examples:

• У него на лице остался шрам от детской травмы.

  He has a scar on his face from a childhood injury.

• После операции врач объяснил, что рубец заживёт со временем.

  After the surgery, the doctor explained that the scar would heal over time.

• Этот шрам напоминает мне о том приключении в горах.

  This scar reminds me of that adventure in the mountains.

• Врачи изучили рубец на коже пациента для диагностики.

  The doctors examined the scar on the patient's skin for diagnosis.

• Она скрывает шрам под макияжем, чтобы не привлекать внимание.

  She hides the scar under makeup to avoid drawing attention.

Secondary meaning: A metaphorical mark or lasting effect (e.g., emotional or historical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шрам - In figurative language, often in literature or emotional discussions (e.g., "emotional scar").

Usage Examples:

• Война оставила шрам в его душе.

  The war left a scar on his soul.

• Этот инцидент стал шрамом в истории нашей семьи.

  This incident became a scar in our family's history.

• Психолог помогает справиться с внутренними шрамами.

  The psychologist helps deal with inner scars.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'шрам' and 'рубец' are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow the standard masculine declension patterns. 'Шрам' is a common noun with regular inflections, while 'рубец' is also regular but often used in singular forms in medical contexts.

Note: These nouns do not change in plural forms as frequently, but if needed: Plural Nominative - шрамы/рубцы. They are regular and follow standard patterns without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • метка (mark, often superficial)
  • пятно (stain, if metaphorical)
• Antonyms:
  • гладкая кожа (smooth skin, implying no scar)
  • исцеление (healing, in a metaphorical sense)

'Метка' is less formal and can imply a temporary mark, while 'пятно' emphasizes a stain-like quality.

Related Phrases:

• шрам от ожога - Burn scar (Refers to scars from burns, common in medical or everyday injury contexts.)
• оставить шрам - To leave a scar (Figuratively, to cause lasting damage, e.g., emotional trauma.)
• рубец на сердце - Scar on the heart (Metaphorical phrase for emotional wounds in literature or psychology.)

Usage Notes:

• The English word 'scar' most directly corresponds to 'шрам' in general use, but 'рубец' is preferred in medical or scientific contexts to denote tissue scarring.
• Be mindful of context: 'Шрам' can be used metaphorically, similar to English, but it's less common in formal writing without emotional depth.
• Grammar note: As a masculine noun, it requires appropriate adjective agreement (e.g., большой шрам - big scar).
• When choosing between translations, opt for 'шрам' for everyday scenarios and 'рубец' for professional discussions to ensure precision.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse the genitive case, e.g., saying "шрам от" incorrectly as "шрам с" (error: "шрам с раны" instead of "шрам от раны"). Correct: Use "от" for "from" in injury contexts to indicate origin.
• Confusing 'шрам' with 'шрамка' (a diminutive form not commonly used); this can make speech sound overly informal or incorrect in standard contexts. Correct usage: Stick to 'шрам' for neutral tone.
• Overusing 'рубец' in non-medical settings, which might sound too technical; for example, saying "рубец на лице" when "шрам на лице" is more natural for casual conversation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, scars like 'шрам' are often romanticized in literature and folklore, symbolizing resilience or heroic pasts, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy. For instance, a 'шрам' might represent survival in war stories, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on endurance through adversity.

Related Concepts:

• травма (injury)
• заживление (healing)
• психологический рубец (psychological scar)