Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'survival'

English Word: survival

Key Russian Translations:

• выживание /vɨʐɨˈvanʲɪje/ - [General, Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in contexts like literature, survival stories, and scientific discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic vocabulary related to life and adversity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

выживание: /vɨʐɨˈvanʲɪje/

Note on выживание: The stress is on the third syllable ('va-'). Be cautious with the 'ы' sound, which is a back vowel unique to Russian and often challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The act or process of continuing to live or exist, especially after a dangerous or difficult situation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• выживание - Used in formal contexts like survival training, wilderness scenarios, or metaphorical discussions about enduring hardships.

Usage Examples:

• В дикой природе выживание зависит от навыков адаптации к окружающей среде.

  In the wild, survival depends on skills for adapting to the environment.

• После аварии, выживание экипажа стало чудом.

  After the accident, the crew's survival became a miracle.

• Выживание в современном мире требует не только физической силы, но и психологической устойчивости.

  Survival in the modern world requires not only physical strength but also psychological resilience.

• Во время войны выживание населения зависело от гуманитарной помощи.

  During the war, the survival of the population depended on humanitarian aid.

Meaning 2: The ability or capacity to endure and thrive in challenging conditions (e.g., in biology or psychology).

Translation(s) & Context:

• выживаемость - Often used in scientific or medical contexts, such as discussing species evolution or patient outcomes.

Usage Examples:

• Выживаемость видов в изменяющемся климате – ключевой вопрос экологии.

  The survival of species in a changing climate is a key issue in ecology.

• Выживаемость пациентов после операции значительно повысилась благодаря новым технологиям.

  Patient survival after surgery has significantly increased due to new technologies.

• Психологическая выживаемость в стрессовых ситуациях зависит от личных стратегий coping.

  Psychological survival in stressful situations depends on personal coping strategies.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Выживание" is a neuter noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard patterns for neuter nouns ending in -ие. Below is a table of its declensions:

For "выживаемость" (a feminine noun), it follows similar declension patterns but is less commonly inflected in everyday use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пережиток (more historical connotation, implying something that has endured over time)
  • выживаемость (focuses on the ability to survive, often in scientific contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • гибель (death or destruction)
  • погибель (perishment, with a more dramatic tone)

Related Phrases:

• борьба за выживание - Struggle for survival; used in contexts of competition or adversity, e.g., in business or nature.
• выживание в экстремальных условиях - Survival in extreme conditions; common in adventure or emergency scenarios.
• инстинкт выживания - Survival instinct; refers to innate behaviors for self-preservation.

Usage Notes:

"Выживание" directly corresponds to the English "survival" as a noun, but it's more formal and less colloquial in Russian. Use it in written or professional contexts rather than casual speech. For example, choose "выживание" over synonyms when emphasizing endurance in life-threatening situations. Be mindful of declensions based on sentence structure, as Russian requires agreement in case. If the context is scientific, "выживаемость" might be more appropriate for discussing rates or probabilities.

• In metaphorical uses, such as "emotional survival," pair it with adjectives like "психологическое выживание" for clarity.
• Grammar note: Always ensure the noun agrees with its modifiers and the sentence's case requirements.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "выживание" with "выживать" (the verb form, meaning "to survive"). For instance, they might incorrectly use "выживание" as a verb, saying "Я выживание" instead of "Я выживаю" (I am surviving). Correct usage: Use "выживание" only as a noun. Another error is improper declension, e.g., saying "в выживание" (wrong genitive) instead of "в выживании" for "in survival." Always check the case based on prepositions like "в" (in, which requires prepositional case).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "выживание" often carries connotations from historical events like World War II or the Great Patriotic War, where themes of endurance and resilience are prominent in literature (e.g., in works by authors like Boris Pasternak). It symbolizes the Russian spirit of perseverance against adversity, such as in harsh winters or economic hardships, making it a word deeply tied to national identity and folklore.

Related Concepts:

• адаптация (adaptation)
• жизнестойкость (resilience)
• пережить (to endure)