Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sobriety'

English Word: sobriety

Key Russian Translations:

• Трезвость [trʲɪzˈvosʲtʲ] - [Formal, typically used in medical, psychological, or social contexts]
• Воздержание [vɐzˈdrʲeʐənʲje] - [Formal, Informal; often implies broader self-restraint, e.g., from alcohol]

Frequency: Medium (Common in health, recovery, and social discussions, but not as everyday as basic nouns; appears frequently in literature and media on addiction)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and abstract concepts. For 'Трезвость': B1; for 'Воздержание': B2 due to its broader implications)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Трезвость: [trʲɪzˈvosʲtʲ]

Воздержание: [vɐzˈdrʲeʐənʲje]

Note on Трезвость: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'т' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on Воздержание: The 'ж' sound is soft and similar to 'zh' in 'measure'; practice the rolling 'р' for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The state of being sober, especially abstaining from alcohol or drugs.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Трезвость - Used in formal contexts like health discussions or AA meetings; implies a state of mental and physical clarity.
• Воздержание - Applied in broader self-control scenarios, such as dietary or behavioral restraint, but can overlap with sobriety in addiction contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он поддерживает трезвость уже пять лет, посещая собрания анонимных алкоголиков.

  He has maintained sobriety for five years by attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

• Врачи рекомендуют воздержание от алкоголя для улучшения здоровья.

  Doctors recommend abstinence from alcohol to improve health.

• Трезвость — ключ к успешной реабилитации после зависимости.

  Sobriety is the key to successful rehabilitation after addiction.

• Её воздержание от вредных привычек помогло ей обрести внутренний покой.

  Her restraint from harmful habits helped her find inner peace.

• В обществе, где пьянство распространено, поддержание трезвости требует силы воли.

  In a society where drunkenness is widespread, maintaining sobriety requires willpower.

Secondary Meaning: General self-restraint or moderation in behavior.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Воздержание - Often used metaphorically for emotional or ethical restraint, less directly tied to alcohol.

Usage Examples:

• Воздержание от споров помогает сохранить дружеские отношения.

  Abstaining from arguments helps maintain friendly relationships.

• Трезвость в решениях важна для бизнес-лидеров.

  Sobriety in decision-making is important for business leaders.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Трезвость' and 'Воздержание' are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard first-declension patterns. 'Трезвость' is invariable in form for most uses but changes by case as needed.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to context for correct case usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Самоконтроль [sɐmɐkɐnˈtrolʲ] (self-control; more general and less formal)
  • Умеренность [uˌmʲerʲɪˈnʲostʲ] (moderation; implies balance in actions)
• Antonyms:
  • Пьянство [pʲjænstvə] (drunkenness; direct opposite in alcohol contexts)
  • Расхлябанность [rɐsxlaˈbannəstʲ] (laxity or indulgence; broader behavioral opposite)

Related Phrases:

• Сохранять трезвость [saxrɐˈnʲatʲ trʲɪzˈvosʲtʲ] - Maintain sobriety; used in recovery programs to emphasize ongoing effort.
• Призывать к воздержанию [prʲiˈzʲyvətʲ k vɐzˈdrʲeʐənʲju] - Call for abstinence; common in public health campaigns.
• Трезвый образ жизни [trʲɪzˈvosʲij ɐˈbrɐz ʐyˈzʲnʲi] - Sober lifestyle; refers to a healthy, alcohol-free way of living.

Usage Notes:

'Трезвость' directly corresponds to the English 'sobriety' in alcohol-related contexts and is preferred in formal settings, such as medical or legal discussions. 'Воздержание' is more versatile, covering general restraint, so choose based on context—use it for broader self-discipline. Be mindful of Russian's case system; for example, in phrases like 'поддерживать трезвость' (to support sobriety), the noun must agree in case. This word pair highlights cultural emphasis on personal responsibility in Russia, especially post-Soviet anti-alcohol initiatives.

• Grammar tip: As feminine nouns, they require adjectives to agree in gender, number, and case (e.g., 'полная трезвость' for 'complete sobriety').
• Context guidance: In informal speech, 'воздержание' might sound overly formal; opt for synonyms like 'не пить' (not to drink) in casual conversations.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'Трезвость' with 'Трезвый' (an adjective meaning 'sober'). For instance, they might incorrectly say 'Я трезвый' when meaning the state, but for the noun, use 'состояние трезвости'. Error example: *'Он имеет воздержание' (wrong, as it should be 'Он практикует воздержание' for proper verb agreement). Correct: 'Он поддерживает воздержание' – This error stems from direct word-for-word translation; always ensure the verb matches the noun's requirements in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'Трезвость' carries historical significance due to anti-alcohol campaigns in the Soviet era and modern efforts against alcoholism, often linked to national health movements. It symbolizes not just personal abstinence but collective resilience, as seen in phrases from literature like Tolstoy's works, where sobriety represents moral strength amid societal challenges.

Related Concepts:

• Здоровье [zdɐˈrɔvʲje] (health)
• Реабилитация [rʲiɐbʲɪlʲɪˈtatsɨjə] (rehabilitation)
• Самодисциплина [sɐmədʲɪsʲtʲsʲɪˈplʲinə] (self-discipline)