Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'suicidal'

English Word: suicidal

Key Russian Translations:

• самоубийственный /sə.mə.ʊˈbɪj.stvə.nɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal, often used in psychological or literary contexts]
• суицидальный /su.i.tsɨˈdal.nɨj/ - [Adjective, Medical or clinical, derived from international terminology]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation; it appears more in specialized discussions like psychology or media reports.)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective forms and vocabulary related to mental health. For 'самоубийственный', it's B2; for 'суицидальный', it might be C1 due to its loanword nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

самоубийственный: /sə.mə.ʊˈbɪj.stvə.nɨj/

Note on самоубийственный: This word has stress on the fourth syllable ('bɪj'), which can be tricky for learners; it often softens in casual speech but remains clear in formal settings.

Audio: []

суицидальный: /su.i.tsɨˈdal.nɨj/

Note on суицидальный: The initial 'su-' is pronounced with a soft 's' sound, similar to English 'sue', and the word is a loanword, so it retains a more international flavor.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Relating to or involving suicide, often describing behavior, thoughts, or tendencies that pose a risk to one's life.

Translation(s) & Context:

• самоубийственный - Used in formal, literary, or psychological contexts to describe actions or states that are self-destructive; common in discussions of mental health.
• суицидальный - Employed in medical or clinical settings, such as psychiatry, to denote suicide-related risks; it's more neutral and technical.

Usage Examples:

• Его самоубийственное поведение вызвало тревогу у друзей.

  His suicidal behavior caused concern among his friends. (This example shows the word in a personal, emotional context, highlighting interpersonal relationships.)

• Врачи диагностировали у пациента суицидальные мысли.

  Doctors diagnosed the patient with suicidal thoughts. (Here, it's used in a professional medical scenario, demonstrating its clinical application.)

• Самоубийственный акт в фильме шокировал зрителей.

  The suicidal act in the film shocked the audience. (This illustrates the word in a narrative or artistic context, such as literature or media.)

• Она проявила суицидальные тенденции после стресса на работе.

  She exhibited suicidal tendencies after work-related stress. (This example covers a situational context, linking to everyday life stressors.)

• В самоубийственном порыве он отказался от помощи.

  In a suicidal impulse, he refused help. (This demonstrates the word in a momentary or impulsive grammatical structure.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'самоубийственный' and 'суицидальный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns for hard-stem adjectives. Below is a table for 'самоубийственный' as an example; 'суицидальный' follows similar rules.

For 'суицидальный', the inflections are identical in pattern but may vary slightly in pronunciation due to its loanword status. These adjectives do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: опасный (dangerous) - Often used interchangeably in risk contexts; рискованный (risky) - Implies potential harm but less directly tied to suicide.
• Antonyms: безопасный (safe) - Highlights the opposite state of being out of danger.

Related Phrases:

• Самоубийственный акт - A suicidal act; refers to a deliberate self-harming behavior in extreme situations.
• Суицидальные тенденции - Suicidal tendencies; used in psychological assessments to describe ongoing patterns.
• Проявить самоубийственное поведение - To exhibit suicidal behavior; a common phrase in therapeutic discussions.

Usage Notes:

This term corresponds closely to the English 'suicidal' but carries a more formal tone in Russian. Use 'самоубийственный' for everyday or literary contexts, while 'суицидальный' is better for medical reports. Be cautious with its application due to the sensitive nature of suicide; in Russian culture, such topics are often discussed indirectly. Grammatically, ensure the adjective agrees with the noun's gender, number, and case. When choosing between translations, opt for 'суицидальный' in professional settings for its precision, but 'самоубийственный' in general conversation for a more native feel.

Common Errors:

• Error: English learners might directly translate 'suicidal' as 'суицид' (a noun meaning suicide) and use it as an adjective, e.g., saying 'суицид поведение' instead of 'суицидальное поведение'.

  Correct: Суицидальное поведение (Suicidal behavior). Explanation: Russian requires the proper adjective form to modify nouns; forgetting inflection leads to grammatical errors.

• Error: Overusing the word without context, such as in casual talk, which can sound insensitive.

  Correct: Reserve it for appropriate discussions and pair with softening language, e.g., 'возможно, самоубийственное' (possibly suicidal). Explanation: In Russian, sensitivity in language is key to avoid offending cultural norms.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, topics related to suicide are often stigmatized and discussed with great sensitivity, influenced by historical events like the Soviet era's mental health policies. Words like 'самоубийственный' may evoke strong emotions or taboos, so they are typically used in private or professional settings rather than public discourse to respect cultural norms around mental health.

Related Concepts:

• депрессия (depression)
• психическое здоровье (mental health)
• риск (risk)