Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scurvy'

English Word: scurvy

Key Russian Translations:

• цинга /ˈtsʲinɡə/ - [Formal, Medical]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in medical, historical, or scientific contexts; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with medical vocabulary and basic Russian noun inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

цинга: /ˈtsʲinɡə/

Note on цинга: The stress is on the first syllable (/ˈtsʲinɡə/), and the 'ц' sound is a voiceless alveolar affricate, which may be challenging for English speakers similar to the 'ts' in 'bits'. Pronunciation can vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, often associated with historical contexts like seafaring.

Translation(s) & Context:

• цинга - Used in formal medical, historical, or educational contexts to describe the condition; typically in written or professional Russian.

Usage Examples:

• У моряков в долгих плаваниях часто развивалась цинга из-за отсутствия свежих продуктов.

  Sailors on long voyages often developed scurvy due to the lack of fresh produce.

• Цинга была распространенной проблемой среди европейских исследователей в XVIII веке.

  Scurvy was a common issue among European explorers in the 18th century.

• Для профилактики цинги врачи рекомендуют ежедневный прием витамина C.

  To prevent scurvy, doctors recommend a daily intake of vitamin C.

• В исторических текстах цинга описывается как причина многих смертей в армии.

  In historical texts, scurvy is described as a cause of many deaths in the military.

• Современные случаи цинги редки, но возможны при экстремальных диетах.

  Modern cases of scurvy are rare but can occur with extreme diets.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"цинга" is a feminine noun (3rd declension) in Russian, which means it follows standard feminine noun patterns. It is not irregular but does inflect based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: As a medical term, it is often used in singular form; plural is less common but applies in contexts discussing multiple instances.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • цинготная болезнь (more descriptive, emphasizing the disease aspect; used in formal medical texts)
  • авитаминоз C (focuses on the vitamin deficiency; less common but precise in nutritional contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • здоровье (health; general opposite in a wellness context)
  • витаминный баланс (vitamin balance; contrasting the deficiency)

Related Phrases:

• профилактика цинги - Prevention of scurvy; used in health education to discuss preventive measures.
• цинга у детей - Scurvy in children; common in pediatric medical discussions.
• история цинги - History of scurvy; often appears in historical or biographical contexts.
• симптомы цинги - Symptoms of scurvy; a phrase for describing clinical signs in medical settings.

Usage Notes:

"цинга" directly corresponds to "scurvy" in English as a specific medical term, but it's most appropriate in formal or professional contexts. English learners should note that Russian medical vocabulary often requires precise inflections; for example, use the genitive case (цинги) when indicating possession, as in "признаки цинги" (signs of scurvy). If multiple translations exist, choose "цинга" for general use, but "авитаминоз C" for nutritional discussions. Be mindful of context: in everyday Russian, people might use simpler terms or avoid it altogether unless in educational settings.

• Avoid using it in informal conversations; it's not idiomatic in casual speech.
• When translating, ensure the sentence structure matches Russian grammar, which often places the noun in different cases based on prepositions.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse inflections or mispronounce the word. For example:

• Error: Using the nominative form incorrectly, e.g., saying "профилактика цинга" instead of "профилактика цинги".
  Correct: "Профилактика цинги" (prevention of scurvy). Explanation: The genitive case is required after certain prepositions like "профилактика от".
• Error: Pronouncing it as /siŋɡə/ instead of /ˈtsʲinɡə/.
  Correct Pronunciation: Focus on the Russian 'ц' sound. Explanation: This affricate is distinct from English 's', leading to confusion in auditory comprehension.
• Error: Confusing it with similar-sounding words like "цинк" (zinc).
  Correct: Use "цинга" specifically for the disease. Explanation: Contextual clues in medical texts can help differentiate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "цинга" is often linked to historical events, such as the expeditions of Russian explorers in the 18th and 19th centuries, where vitamin deficiencies were rampant due to long journeys. It symbolizes the hardships of exploration and has appeared in literature like Tolstoy's works, highlighting themes of endurance and the impact of poor nutrition on society. Understanding this adds depth, as it connects to Russia's vast geographical challenges and historical resilience.

Related Concepts:

• витамин C
• авитаминоз
• гиповитаминоз
• скорбут (an older or less common term for scurvy)