Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sickness'

English Word: sickness

Key Russian Translations:

• болезнь /bɐˈlʲezʲnʲ/ - [Formal, Medical contexts]
• недуг /ˈnʲedʊk/ - [Formal, Literary or poetic use]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday health discussions and medical literature, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "дом" for "house").

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; straightforward for basic learners, but inflection patterns may challenge newcomers).

Pronunciation (Russian):

болезнь: /bɐˈlʲezʲnʲ/ (Stress on the second syllable; the "лʲ" indicates a palatalized "l", which can be tricky for English speakers—sounds like a soft "l" as in "million".)

недуг: /ˈnʲedʊk/ (Stress on the first syllable; "нʲ" is a palatalized "n", similar to the "n" in "news".)

Note on болезнь: Be cautious with the palatalization; in fast speech, it might sound like /bɐlʲezʲ/ merges slightly with the following vowel. Variations exist in dialects, but standard Russian uses this form.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

General meaning: A state of illness or disease, often implying physical or mental affliction.

Translation(s) & Context:

• болезнь - Used in formal medical, everyday, or descriptive contexts, such as discussing symptoms or chronic conditions.
• недуг - Typically in literary, poetic, or formal contexts to denote a more profound or metaphorical illness.

Usage Examples:

• У меня простуда, это временная болезнь.

  I have a cold; it's a temporary sickness. (Shows basic usage in a health context.)

• Его хроническая болезнь требует постоянного лечения.

  His chronic sickness requires ongoing treatment. (Illustrates usage with adjectives and in a medical scenario.)

• В старости многие люди страдают от различных недугов.

  In old age, many people suffer from various sicknesses. (Demonstrates "недуг" in a broader, metaphorical sense.)

• Эта болезнь распространяется быстро в переполненных местах.

  This sickness spreads quickly in crowded places. (Highlights usage in discussions of epidemics.)

• Душевный недуг может быть так же опасен, как и физическая болезнь.

  A mental sickness can be as dangerous as a physical one. (Shows contrast and application in psychological contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"болезнь" is a feminine noun (1st declension), and it follows standard Russian noun inflections. It changes based on case, number, and gender agreements. "недуг" is also a masculine noun with similar patterns but less common inflections.

Note: These are regular inflections. "болезнь" does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хворь (/xvorʲ/) - More informal, often used for minor ailments; differs from "болезнь" by implying something less severe.
  • нездоровье (/nʲezdorɐvʲjɛ/) - Emphasizes poor health in a general sense, suitable for broader contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • здоровье (/zdrɐvʲjɛ/) - Directly opposite, meaning "health" or "wellness".
  • благополучие (/bləgɐpɐˈluʧʲjɛ/) - Implies overall well-being, contrasting with chronic sickness.

Related Phrases:

• Смертельная болезнь - A fatal sickness; used in serious medical discussions.
• Передающаяся болезнь - Contagious sickness; common in public health contexts.
• Душевная болезнь - Mental sickness; highlights psychological aspects.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "болезнь" is the most direct equivalent to "sickness" in formal or medical English, while "недуг" is better for literary or emphatic uses. Always consider the context: use "болезнь" for physical illnesses and pair it with adjectives for specificity (e.g., "сердечная болезнь" for heart sickness). Grammatically, ensure proper case agreement, as Russian nouns change based on sentence structure. For English learners, choose "болезнь" over "недуг" in everyday conversations to avoid overly formal tones.

Common Errors:

• Confusing case endings: English speakers might say "Я имею болезнь" instead of the correct genitive form in certain contexts, like "У меня болезнь" (I have a sickness). Error: "Я болезнь имею" (incorrect word order and case). Correct: "У меня есть болезнь." Explanation: Russian uses prepositional phrases for possession, not direct objects.

• Overusing "недуг": Beginners might translate "sickness" as "недуг" in casual talk, which sounds archaic. Error: "Моя недуг" (incorrect). Correct: "Моя болезнь." Explanation: "недуг" is not everyday vocabulary; stick to "болезнь" for natural communication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussing "sickness" like "болезнь" often ties into a stoic attitude toward health, influenced by historical events such as wars and epidemics. For instance, terms like "болезнь" can carry connotations of resilience, as seen in literature by authors like Tolstoy, where illness symbolizes deeper human struggles.

Related Concepts:

• лечение (treatment)
• симптомы (symptoms)
• эпидемия (epidemic)