Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spasm'

English Word: spasm

Key Russian Translations:

• спазм [spazm] - [Medical term, Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in medical and health-related discussions, but not everyday conversation)

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

спазм: [spazm]

Note on спазм: The pronunciation is straightforward with a soft 's' sound, but be aware of the unstressed 'a' which may reduce in fast speech. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, often associated with pain or discomfort.

Translation(s) & Context:

• спазм - Used in medical, health, or everyday contexts describing physical sensations, such as in clinical reports or casual health talks.

Usage Examples:

• У меня случился спазм в спине после тренировки.

  I had a spasm in my back after the workout.

• Спазм мышц может быть вызван стрессом или переутомлением.

  A muscle spasm can be caused by stress or overexertion.

• Чтобы снять спазм, примените теплый компресс.

  To relieve the spasm, apply a warm compress.

• Врач диагностировал спазм в желудке как симптом гастрита.

  The doctor diagnosed a spasm in the stomach as a symptom of gastritis.

• Спазм в горле иногда возникает от аллергии.

  A spasm in the throat sometimes occurs due to allergies.

Meaning 2: A sudden burst of activity or emotion (metaphorical use).

Translation(s) & Context:

• спазм - Less common, used metaphorically in literary or informal contexts, e.g., emotional outbursts.

Usage Examples:

• Его речь была спазмом гнева.

  His speech was a spasm of anger.

• Спазм творчества настиг поэта в полночь.

  A spasm of creativity struck the poet at midnight.

• В спазме отчаяния она бросила всё и уехала.

  In a spasm of despair, she dropped everything and left.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Спазм" is a masculine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with changes in cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • судорога (sudden contraction, often more intense; used interchangeably in medical contexts)
  • контрактура (contracture, implying a longer-lasting state)
• Antonyms:
  • расслабление (relaxation; implies the opposite state of tension)

Related Phrases:

• Мышечный спазм - Muscle spasm; commonly used in fitness or medical discussions.
• Спазм сосудов - Vascular spasm; refers to blood vessel constriction, often in cardiology contexts.
• Головной спазм - Head spasm; informal for headaches involving muscle tension.

Usage Notes:

"Спазм" directly corresponds to the English "spasm" in medical contexts, but it's primarily formal and technical. In everyday Russian, speakers might use it in health-related conversations, such as at a doctor's office or in fitness routines. Be cautious with metaphorical uses, as they are less common and may sound literary. When choosing between synonyms like "судорога," opt for "спазм" if the contraction is brief and non-epileptic. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules to fit sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "спазм" with "судорога": Learners might use "судорога" for all muscle issues, but "спазм" is more precise for non-convulsive contractions. Incorrect: "У меня судорога в ноге" (if it's not a seizure). Correct: "У меня спазм в ноге." Explanation: "Судорога" implies a more severe, twitching movement, while "спазм" is for localized, temporary pain.

• Forgetting declension: English speakers often leave it in nominative form, e.g., saying "болит спазм" instead of "болит спазм" in proper context, but actually, it should be "от спазма" in genitive for phrases like "pain from spasm." Correct usage: "Боль от спазма."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions around "спазм" often tie into broader health and wellness themes, influenced by Soviet-era medicine. For instance, it's commonly referenced in traditional remedies or modern fitness culture, reflecting a societal emphasis on physical endurance and stoicism in the face of discomfort.

Related Concepts:

• боль (pain)
• мышца (muscle)
• лечение (treatment)