Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'symptom'

English Word: symptom

Key Russian Translations:

• симптом (/ˈsʲimp.təm/) - [Formal, Medical context]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in medical and everyday discussions, but not in casual conversations).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and medical vocabulary).

Pronunciation (Russian):

симптом: /ˈsʲimp.təm/

Note on симптом: The initial 'с' is palatalized, pronounced as a soft 's' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A physical or mental sign indicating the presence of a disease or condition.

Translation(s) & Context:

• симптом - Used in formal medical contexts, such as doctor-patient interactions or health reports.

Usage Examples:

• У него сильный кашель — это симптом простуды.

  He has a severe cough — this is a symptom of a cold.

• Боль в груди может быть симптомом сердечного заболевания.

  Chest pain can be a symptom of a heart condition.

• Психологические симптомы, такие как тревога, часто игнорируются.

  Psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, are often ignored.

• Врачи анализируют симптомы, чтобы поставить диагноз.

  Doctors analyze symptoms to make a diagnosis.

• Симптомы аллергии включают чихание и зуд.

  Symptoms of an allergy include sneezing and itching.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Симптом is a masculine noun in Russian, following the standard second-declension pattern for borrowed words. It inflects based on case and number, but it is relatively regular.

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • признак (priznak) - More general term for a sign or indicator, often used interchangeably in non-medical contexts.
  • явление (yavleniye) - Implies a manifestation, with a slight nuance toward observable phenomena.
• Antonyms:
  • лечение (lechyeniye) - Treatment, as it contrasts with the indication of illness.
  • здоровье (zdorov'ye) - Health, representing the absence of symptoms.

Related Phrases:

• симптомы гриппа (simptomy grippa) - Symptoms of the flu; Refers to common signs like fever and fatigue in medical discussions.
• скрытые симптомы (skrytye simptomy) - Hidden symptoms; Used when symptoms are not immediately apparent, often in diagnostic contexts.
• первый симптом (pervyi simptom) - First symptom; Indicates the initial sign of an illness, helpful in early detection narratives.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "symptom" directly translates to "симптом" and is most commonly used in formal or medical settings, aligning closely with English usage. Be mindful of declensions based on case; for example, use the genitive form "симптома" after prepositions like "из-за" (because of). When choosing between synonyms like "признак", opt for "симптом" in strictly medical contexts for precision. This word is neutral in terms of register but may sound overly technical in casual speech, where descriptive phrases are preferred.

• Grammar note: Always ensure agreement in number and case with surrounding words.
• Context tip: In everyday Russian, people might use more colloquial expressions, so "симптом" is best for professional environments.

Common Errors:

English learners often forget to decline "симптом" correctly. For example, a common mistake is saying "Я имею симптом" instead of the correct "У меня есть симптом" (I have a symptom), where "симптом" should be in the nominative case. Error: "Из-за симптом" (incorrect genitive usage). Correct: "Из-за симптома" — This error arises from direct word-for-word translation from English, so always check the required case based on the sentence structure.

• Mistake: Using "симптомы" in singular contexts. Correct: Adjust based on number, e.g., "Этот симптом" vs. "Эти симптомы".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussing symptoms is common in healthcare settings, influenced by the country's emphasis on universal healthcare. However, "симптом" itself doesn't carry strong cultural connotations; it's a neutral, borrowed term from Greek via Latin. It reflects the global nature of medical language, but in Russia, people might reference folk remedies alongside symptoms, blending traditional and modern practices.

Related Concepts:

• диагноз (diagnos)
• болезнь (bolezn')
• лечение (lechyeniye)