Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spine'

English Word: spine

Key Russian Translations:

• позвоночник [pɐzvɐˈnot͡ɕnʲɪk] - [Formal, Medical]

Frequency: Medium (Common in medical and anatomical discussions but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and scientific vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

позвоночник: [pɐzvɐˈnot͡ɕnʲɪk]

Note on позвоночник: The stress falls on the third syllable ("no-"), and the 'ч' is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a clear 'v' sound in the middle.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The backbone or spinal column (anatomical structure)

Translation(s) & Context:

• позвоночник - Used in formal medical, biological, or everyday health contexts, such as discussing injuries or anatomy.

Usage Examples:

• У него сильная боль в позвоночнике после падения.

  He has severe pain in his spine after the fall. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence describing a medical issue.)

• Врачи изучили рентген позвоночника пациента.

  Doctors examined the patient's spine X-ray. (Illustrates usage in a professional medical context with genitive case.)

• Позвоночник человека состоит из 33-34 позвонков.

  The human spine consists of 33-34 vertebrae. (Demonstrates the word in an educational or factual statement.)

• Она занимается йогой, чтобы укрепить позвоночник.

  She practices yoga to strengthen her spine. (Shows the word in a context related to fitness and health.)

• Повреждение позвоночника может привести к параличу.

  Spine damage can lead to paralysis. (Highlights usage in warnings or risk assessments.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Позвоночник" is a masculine noun (third declension in Russian). It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This noun is invariable in terms of gender but changes regularly with cases. For other translations like "корешок" (if applicable), it would follow a different pattern as a masculine noun with a diminutive suffix.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хребет [xʲrʲeˈbʲet] - Often used interchangeably in everyday or poetic contexts, but slightly more general.
  • спинной столб [ˈspʲinnoj ˈstoɫb] - A compound phrase for more descriptive anatomical references.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "spine" is a specific body part. However, related opposites might include "конечности" [kɐˈnʲet͡ɕnəstʲi] (limbs), implying peripheral body parts.

Related Phrases:

• спинной мозг - Spinal cord; used in neurological contexts to refer to the extension of the central nervous system.
• укрепить позвоночник - To strengthen the spine; common in fitness or health advice.
• позвоночная грыжа - Spinal hernia; a phrase for discussing specific medical conditions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "позвоночник" directly corresponds to the English "spine" in anatomical contexts and is the most precise translation. It is typically used in formal settings like medicine or education. Be mindful of case endings when constructing sentences; for example, use the genitive case (позвоночника) after prepositions like "в" (in). If the context is a book's spine, "корешок" might be more appropriate, but for body-related meanings, stick with "позвоночник." English learners should note that Russian often pairs this word with adjectives for specificity, e.g., "позвоночный столб" for spinal column.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse case endings, e.g., saying "болит позвоночник" (incorrect for "the spine hurts") instead of "болит позвоночник" (actually correct here, as it's nominative), but in phrases like "проблемы с позвоночником" (problems with the spine), the instrumental case is implied. Correct: "У меня проблемы с позвоночником." Error: Forgetting the preposition, e.g., "Я имею проблемы позвоночник" (wrong structure).

• Confusing with synonyms: Learners might overuse "хребет" in medical contexts where "позвоночник" is more accurate, as "хребет" can sound archaic or poetic. Correct usage: Use "позвоночник" in scientific writing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions around the "позвоночник" often tie into broader themes of health and resilience, especially in literature or folklore where the spine symbolizes strength (e.g., in stories about warriors). However, it doesn't carry unique cultural idioms beyond standard medical references.

Related Concepts:

• позвонок (vertebra)
• кости (bones)
• мышцы спины (back muscles)