Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sterile'

English Word: sterile

Key Russian Translations:

• стерильный [ˈstʲerʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, Medical contexts]
• бесплодный [bʲɪˈsplo.dnɨj] - [Formal, Often for infertility or barrenness]

Frequency: Medium (Common in medical and scientific discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian adjectives and specific terminology; бесплодный may be slightly easier at B1 due to its broader emotional connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

стерильный: [ˈstʲerʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on стерильный: The stress falls on the first syllable; the soft 'л' sound can be challenging for English speakers, similar to the 'l' in "million."

бесплодный: [bʲɪˈsplo.dnɨj]

Note on бесплодный: The 'б' is soft and unaspirated; pay attention to the vowel shifts in inflected forms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Free from bacteria or other living microorganisms (e.g., in medical or scientific contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• стерильный - Used in formal medical or laboratory settings, emphasizing cleanliness and prevention of infection.

Usage Examples:

• Врачи всегда используют стерильный инструменты во время операций.

  Doctors always use sterile instruments during surgeries.

• Эта комната должна быть стерильной для хранения медицинских образцов.

  This room must be sterile for storing medical samples.

• Стерильный бинт необходим для обработки ран в полевых условиях.

  A sterile bandage is necessary for treating wounds in field conditions.

• В лаборатории все оборудование проходит стерильный процесс.

  In the laboratory, all equipment undergoes a sterile process.

2. Incapable of producing offspring or barren (e.g., in biological or metaphorical contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• бесплодный - Often used for infertility in humans, animals, or land; can carry emotional or poetic connotations.
• стерильный - Less common for this meaning, but applicable in veterinary or scientific discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Из-за болезни собака стала бесплодной и не может иметь щенков.

  Due to the illness, the dog became sterile and cannot have puppies.

• Бесплодная земля в пустыне не позволяет выращивать урожай.

  The barren land in the desert does not allow for growing crops.

• Врачи обсудили бесплодный брак с парой, ища возможные решения.

  The doctors discussed the infertile marriage with the couple, seeking possible solutions.

• Стерильный метод применяется для предотвращения бесплодности в скотоводстве.

  The sterile method is applied to prevent infertility in livestock farming.

• Бесплодные попытки изменить ситуацию привели к разочарованию.

  The futile attempts to change the situation led to disappointment.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives and follow standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which are regular for most forms. стерильный is an invariable adjective in some contexts but typically declines. бесплодный declines fully based on gender, number, and case.

Note: These adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number, and case. бесплодный has no irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • аseптический (aspetičeskij) - Similar to стерильный, but more specific to aseptic techniques; used in medical contexts.
  • непроизводительный (neproizvoditel'nyj) - For бесплодный, implying unproductive or infertile in a broader sense.
• Antonyms:
  • загрязненный (zagryaznennyj) - Opposite of стерильный, meaning contaminated.
  • плодородный (plodorodnyj) - Opposite of бесплодный, meaning fertile or productive.

Related Phrases:

• Стерильный пакет - A sterile package; commonly used in healthcare for sealed medical items.
• Бесплодная земля - Barren land; refers to soil that cannot support growth, often in agricultural discussions.
• Стерильный метод - Sterile method; a technique in sterilization processes, like in surgery or food production.
• Бесплодные усилия - Futile efforts; an idiomatic expression for attempts that lead nowhere.

Usage Notes:

стерильный directly corresponds to the medical sense of "sterile" in English and is preferred in scientific contexts, while бесплодный aligns more with biological or metaphorical infertility. Use стерильный for anything related to hygiene or bacteria-free environments, as it's more neutral and formal. бесплодный can carry emotional weight, so it's suitable for discussions on personal or environmental barrenness. Be mindful of case agreement in Russian sentences, as adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case. When choosing between translations, opt for стерильный in technical writing and бесплодный in narrative or poetic contexts.

Common Errors:

• Confusing стерильный with бесплодный: English learners often misuse стерильный for infertility, saying "Он стерильный" instead of "Он бесплодный." Error: Он стерильный (implying he's bacteria-free). Correct: Он бесплодный (meaning he's infertile). Explanation: стерильный relates to sterility in a hygienic sense, not reproduction.
• Incorrect declension: For example, using стерильный in the wrong case, like "в стерильный комнате" instead of "в стерильной комнате." Error: в стерильный комнате. Correct: в стерильной комнате. Explanation: Adjectives must agree with the noun's case; here, it should be genitive or prepositional form.
• Overgeneralizing: Learners might assume бесплодный only means "barren land," missing its use for human infertility. Error: Using it only for nature. Correct: Apply to personal contexts like "бесплодный брак." Explanation: Expand usage based on context to avoid limiting the word's versatility.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, бесплодный often appears in literature and folklore to symbolize unfulfilled potential or existential emptiness, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy. This reflects a broader Slavic emphasis on fertility and nature in traditional narratives, where barrenness can represent tragedy or divine punishment, helping English users appreciate the word's deeper emotional layers beyond its literal meaning.

Related Concepts:

• антисептик (antiseptik)
• плодородность (plodorodnost')
• заражение (zarazhenie)