Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'suicide'

English Word: suicide

Key Russian Translations:

• самоубийство /sə.məʊ.ʊˈbɪj.stvə/ - [Formal, Neutral]

Frequency: Medium (The term is not everyday but appears in discussions on mental health, news, and literature.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding abstract concepts and sensitive topics; learners should be familiar with basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to psychology.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

самоубийство: /sə.məʊ.ʊˈbɪj.stvə/

Note on самоубийство: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ʊˈbɪj"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian-specific vowel reductions in unstressed positions. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of intentionally causing one's own death

Translation(s) & Context:

• самоубийство - Used in formal contexts like medical reports, news articles, or psychological discussions to describe the act itself. Often appears in neutral or serious writing.

Usage Examples:

• Он покончил жизнь самоубийством из-за депрессии.

  He committed suicide due to depression. (This example shows the word in a narrative context, emphasizing cause and effect.)

• Самоубийство является серьезной проблемой в современном обществе.

  Suicide is a serious problem in modern society. (Here, it's used in a general statement, highlighting social issues.)

• После расставания она боролась с мыслями о самоубийстве.

  After the breakup, she struggled with thoughts of suicide. (This demonstrates the word in a personal, emotional context.)

• Врачи обсудили факторы, ведущие к самоубийству, на конференции.

  Doctors discussed factors leading to suicide at the conference. (Illustrates formal, professional usage in discussions.)

• Самоубийство в литературе часто символизирует отчаяние.

  Suicide in literature often symbolizes despair. (This shows the word in an artistic or analytical context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Самоубийство" is a neuter noun in Russian, which means it follows the standard declension patterns for third-declension neuter nouns. It is not irregular but requires attention to case changes based on sentence structure.

Note: The plural form is less common and used when referring to multiple instances or types of suicide.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • суицид - More clinical and borrowed from English/French; often used in modern psychological contexts.
  • самоистребление - Less common, with a connotation of self-destruction in a broader sense.
• Antonyms:
  • жизнь (life) - Represents the opposite concept, emphasizing survival or vitality.
  • выживание (survival) - Used in contexts of enduring challenges without self-harm.

Related Phrases:

• покончить жизнь самоубийством - To commit suicide; a fixed expression often used in formal or literary contexts to describe the act.
• мысль о самоубийстве - Thoughts of suicide; commonly used in psychological discussions to indicate suicidal ideation.
• предотвратить самоубийство - To prevent suicide; appears in preventive health campaigns.

Usage Notes:

This term corresponds directly to the English "suicide" as a noun, but in Russian, it's important to use it sensitively due to cultural stigmas around mental health. "Самоубийство" is neutral and formal, making it suitable for professional or written contexts rather than casual conversation. When choosing between synonyms like "суицид," opt for it in medical or international settings for a more modern feel. Always consider the grammatical case based on the sentence structure, as Russian requires agreement with other elements.

Common Errors:

• Confusing it with "убийство" (murder): Learners might misuse "убийство" thinking it means any killing, but it specifically implies killing by another person. Correct usage: Say "самоубийство" for self-inflicted death. Example of error: "Он сделал убийство" (incorrect for suicide); Correct: "Он совершил самоубийство."

• Forgetting declensions: English speakers often forget to change the case, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Error: "О самоубийство" (incorrect); Correct: "О самоубийстве" in prepositional case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions of "самоубийство" are often linked to historical events like the high suicide rates in literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov) or societal issues such as mental health stigma during the Soviet era. It's a sensitive topic, and using the word requires empathy, as Russian society has been grappling with increasing awareness of mental health only in recent years.

Related Concepts:

• депрессия (depression)
• психическое здоровье (mental health)
• кризис (crisis)