Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sterility'

English Word: sterility

Key Russian Translations:

• стерильность (/stɛˈrʲilʲnəsʲtʲ/) - [Formal, Medical context]
• бесплодие (/bʲɪsˈpɫədʲɪjɛ/) - [Formal, Biological or reproductive context]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in medical, scientific, and health-related discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with medical terminology and basic Russian noun declensions; for стерильность: B2, for бесплодие: B2 due to similar grammatical structures)

Pronunciation (Russian):

стерильность: /stɛˈrʲilʲnəsʲtʲ/

Note on стерильность: The stress is on the third syllable; be mindful of the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

бесплодие: /bʲɪsˈpɫədʲɪjɛ/

Note on бесплодие: The initial 'б' is soft; pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech, emphasizing the 'е' at the end.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The state of being free from living microorganisms; aseptic condition.

Translation(s) & Context:

• стерильность - Used in medical or laboratory settings to describe environments or equipment that are pathogen-free, such as in hospitals or scientific research.

Usage Examples:

• В лаборатории поддерживается стерильность для предотвращения загрязнений.

  In the laboratory, sterility is maintained to prevent contamination.

• Стерильность инструментов гарантирует безопасность операции.

  The sterility of the instruments ensures the safety of the operation.

• Нарушение стерильности может привести к инфекции.

  A breach of sterility can lead to infection.

• В условиях стерильности бактерии не выживают.

  In conditions of sterility, bacteria do not survive.

• Поддержание стерильности важно в фармацевтической промышленности.

  Maintaining sterility is crucial in the pharmaceutical industry.

Meaning 2: The inability to produce offspring; infertility in humans or animals.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бесплодие - Applied in reproductive health contexts, often discussing medical conditions or treatments, and can be sensitive or formal in discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Бесплодие может быть вызвано различными факторами, включая генетику.

  Sterility can be caused by various factors, including genetics.

• Лечение бесплодия часто включает современные медицинские технологии.

  Treatment for sterility often involves modern medical technologies.

• Бесплодие затрагивает многие пары, ищущие помощь специалистов.

  Sterility affects many couples seeking specialist help.

• В некоторых случаях бесплодие является наследственным.

  In some cases, sterility is hereditary.

• Обсуждение бесплодия требует деликатного подхода в разговорах.

  Discussing sterility requires a delicate approach in conversations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "стерильность" and "бесплодие" are feminine nouns in Russian, following the standard first declension pattern for abstract nouns. They undergo regular declensions based on case, number, and gender, but as singular abstract concepts, they are most commonly used in the singular form without plural variations.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, but their endings change predictably as shown. In plural forms, they are rarely used due to their abstract nature.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • стерильность: чистота (chistota) - More general, referring to purity, but less specific to medical contexts.
  • бесплодие: неплодность (neplodnost') - Similar, but often used in agricultural or botanical contexts with slight differences in connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • стерильность: заражённость (zarazhennost') - Referring to contamination or infection.
  • бесплодие: плодовитость (plodovitost') - Meaning fertility or the ability to reproduce.

Related Phrases:

• Стерильная среда - A sterile environment; used in medical or lab settings to ensure safety.
• Лечение бесплодия - Treatment for sterility; common in discussions of reproductive health.
• Поддержание стерильности - Maintaining sterility; emphasizes ongoing processes in hygiene protocols.

Usage Notes:

"Стерильность" directly corresponds to the medical aspect of "sterility" in English, making it ideal for scientific or clinical contexts, while "бесплодие" aligns more with reproductive infertility. Always consider the formal register, as both terms are typically used in professional settings rather than casual speech. In Russian, these nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying adjectives or verbs. For example, choose "стерильность" over "бесплодие" when discussing environmental cleanliness, but use "бесплодие" for personal health issues. Grammatically, they follow standard feminine noun patterns, so pay attention to case endings in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "стерильность" with "чистота": English learners might use "чистота" (purity) interchangeably, but it's less precise. Error: "Эта комната чистота." Correct: "Эта комната имеет стерильность." Explanation: "Чистота" implies general cleanliness, not the absence of microorganisms.
• Misdeclining the nouns: Forgetting case endings, e.g., saying "без стерильность" instead of "без стерильности" (without sterility). Error: "Я боюсь бесплодие." Correct: "Я боюсь бесплодия." Explanation: The genitive case is required after prepositions like "без" or in possessive contexts.
• Overgeneralizing translations: Assuming "бесплодие" only applies to humans; it can also refer to animals or plants, leading to awkward phrasing. Error: "У растения бесплодие от холода." Correct: "У растения бесплодие из-за холода." Explanation: Ensure the sentence structure fits natural Russian flow.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions around "бесплодие" (infertility) can be highly sensitive due to historical and social emphasis on family and reproduction. Terms like this are often linked to advancements in Soviet-era medicine, where sterility in medical contexts was a focus for public health initiatives. Understanding these nuances helps English speakers navigate conversations with cultural empathy.

Related Concepts:

• инфекция (infection)
• плодовитость (fertility)
• гигиена (hygiene)