Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sex'

English Word: sex

Key Russian Translations:

• пол [pɔl] - [Formal, used in biological or demographic contexts]
• секс [sɛks] - [Informal, used for sexual intercourse or activity]

Frequency: High for 'пол' (commonly used in everyday, official, and medical contexts); Medium for 'секс' (more frequent in casual conversations or media, but less in formal writing).

Difficulty: A1 for 'пол' (beginner level, as it's a basic noun); A2 for 'секс' (elementary level, with straightforward borrowing from English but context-dependent usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

пол: [pɔl]

Note on пол: The 'о' is pronounced as a short, open vowel similar to the 'o' in 'pot' in English; stress is on the first syllable. Be cautious with the soft 'л' sound, which is lighter than in English.

Audio: []

секс: [sɛks]

Note on секс: Pronounced with a short 'e' like in 'bed', and the 'кс' is a voiceless combination similar to 'ks' in 'box'. Stress is on the first syllable; this word is a direct borrowing and may vary slightly in regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Biological or social gender

Translation(s) & Context:

• пол - Used in formal contexts such as official documents, medical forms, or demographic surveys to refer to biological sex (e.g., male/female).

Usage Examples:

• В паспорте указан пол человека.

  In the passport, the person's sex is indicated.

• При заполнении анкеты укажите свой пол.

  When filling out the form, indicate your sex.

• Пол новорождённого определяют при рождении.

  The sex of a newborn is determined at birth.

• В опросе спрашивают о поле и возрасте.

  The survey asks about sex and age.

Meaning 2: Sexual intercourse or activity

Translation(s) & Context:

• секс - Used in informal or modern contexts, often in discussions about relationships, health, or media; can be neutral but may carry connotations in conservative settings.

Usage Examples:

• Они обсудили тему секса в отношениях.

  They discussed the topic of sex in relationships.

• Секс является частью здоровой жизни.

  Sex is a part of a healthy life.

• В фильме показано, как секс влияет на персонажей.

  The movie shows how sex affects the characters.

• Молодые люди часто говорят о сексе в интернете.

  Young people often talk about sex on the internet.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'пол' and 'секс' are nouns in Russian, but they inflect differently based on grammatical case, number, and gender. 'Пол' is a masculine noun and follows standard declension patterns, while 'секс' is often treated as an indeclinable noun in modern usage due to its foreign origin.

For 'пол' (masculine noun, singular and plural):

Note: 'Пол' changes regularly and is used in phrases like "мужской пол" (male sex). It does not have irregular forms.

For 'секс' (indeclinable noun, masculine):

'Секс' typically does not change in most cases due to its status as a loanword, remaining as 'секс' in singular forms. In plural, it is rarely used but can appear as 'сексy' in informal contexts. It is invariant in all cases: e.g., Genitive: секса (with possessive particle).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пол - род (rod; more about lineage or type)
  • секс - интим (intim; implies intimacy, often in relationships)
• Antonyms:
  • For пол: противоположный пол (protivopolozhnyy pol; opposite sex)
  • For секс: воздержание (vozderzhaniye; abstinence)

Related Phrases:

• Мужской пол - Refers to male sex or gender in biological contexts.
• Женский пол - Refers to female sex or gender.
• Безопасный секс - Safe sex; emphasizes protection in sexual activity.
• Сексуальная активность - Sexual activity; a broader phrase for discussions on health or relationships.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'пол' is the preferred term for biological sex and is neutral and formal, making it suitable for official or everyday use without connotations. 'Секс', borrowed from English, is more informal and direct, often used in modern media or personal discussions, but it may be avoided in conservative or professional settings due to potential taboos. When translating 'sex' from English, choose 'пол' for gender-related topics and 'секс' for behavioral contexts. Grammatically, always consider noun case agreements, as Russian sentences require proper inflection.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'пол' with 'секс' in context, using 'секс' when discussing gender (e.g., incorrectly saying "Мой секс - мужской" instead of "Мой пол - мужской"). Correct usage: 'Пол' for gender; explanation: 'Секс' implies activity, not identity.
• Another error is failing to decline 'пол' properly, such as using the nominative in all cases (e.g., "О пол" instead of "О поле"). Correct: Use genitive "пола" in phrases like "вопрос о поле" (question about sex).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions about 'секс' can be more reserved or taboo in public settings compared to Western contexts, often due to historical influences from Soviet-era conservatism. 'Пол' as a biological concept is straightforward and commonly referenced in administrative or scientific discussions, reflecting a more traditional view of gender roles.

Related Concepts:

• гендер (gender)
• сексуальность (sexuality)
• интимная жизнь (intimate life)