Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'therapist'

English Word: therapist

Key Russian Translations:

• психотерапевт [pʲɪxətʲɪrɐˈpʲɛft] - [Formal, used in professional medical and psychological contexts]
• терапевт [tʲɪrɐˈpʲɛft] - [Formal, more general for therapists in physical or medical settings, but less specific for mental health]

Frequency: Medium (Common in healthcare discussions, but not everyday conversation; appears frequently in medical literature and professional settings)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with medical vocabulary and Russian noun declensions. For 'психотерапевт', it's B2; for 'терапевт', it's also B2 due to its specialized use.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

психотерапевт: [pʲɪxətʲɪrɐˈpʲɛft]

терапевт: [tʲɪrɐˈpʲɛft]

Note on психотерапевт: The stress falls on the third syllable ('ра'), and the 'х' is pronounced as a guttural 'kh' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations may occur in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A professional who provides therapy, particularly in mental health or psychological contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• психотерапевт - Used in formal settings like clinics or therapy sessions, emphasizing psychological treatment.
• терапевт - Applied in broader therapeutic contexts, such as physical therapy, but can overlap; avoid if strictly mental health is meant.

Usage Examples:

• Я хожу к психотерапевту, чтобы обсудить свои проблемы.

  I go to a therapist to discuss my issues. (This example shows the word in a personal, ongoing context.)

• Психотерапевт помог мне справиться со стрессом во время пандемии.

  The therapist helped me cope with stress during the pandemic. (Illustrates use in a crisis situation.)

• В России многие люди обращаются к психотерапевту за помощью в семейных делах.

  In Russia, many people turn to a therapist for help with family matters. (Demonstrates cultural application in everyday life.)

• Терапевт в клинике назначил мне курс лечения.

  The therapist at the clinic prescribed me a treatment course. (Shows the word in a medical, non-psychological context.)

• Мой психотерапевт использует когнитивно-поведенческую терапию.

  My therapist uses cognitive-behavioral therapy. (Highlights a specific therapeutic method.)

Meaning 2: A general term for someone who treats or heals, often in non-psychological fields like physical therapy.

Translation(s) & Context:

• терапевт - Common in healthcare settings for physical or general therapy; use when mental health is not the focus.
• психотерапевт - Less applicable here; reserve for psychological aspects.

Usage Examples:

• Терапевт в спортивном центре помогает athlete восстанавливаться после травм.

  The therapist at the sports center helps the athlete recover from injuries. (This shows use in a physical rehabilitation context.)

• Я записался к терапевту для массажа спины.

  I scheduled an appointment with a therapist for a back massage. (Illustrates informal, wellness-related usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'психотерапевт' and 'терапевт' are masculine nouns in Russian, belonging to the second declension. They follow standard noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. 'Психотерапевт' is generally invariable in plural forms in modern usage, but 'терапевт' can inflect more regularly.

Note: These words do not change based on verb conjugations but must agree in case with other elements in the sentence.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • психолог (psikholog) - Similar to therapist but focuses more on counseling; often interchangeable in casual contexts.
  • консультант (konsultant) - Used for advisory roles, with a less formal connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • пациент (patsient) - Refers to the person receiving therapy, creating an opposite role.

Related Phrases:

• психотерапевтическая сессия - A therapy session; used in professional settings to describe meetings with a therapist.
• курс терапии - A course of therapy; implies a series of treatments.
• семейный терапевт - Family therapist; focuses on relational dynamics.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'психотерапевт' directly corresponds to a mental health therapist and is preferred in formal or medical English contexts, while 'терапевт' is broader and might not convey the psychological nuance. Always consider the context: use 'психотерапевт' for emotional or mental health issues. Grammatically, these nouns must agree in case and number with surrounding words. For English learners, choose 'психотерапевт' when translating 'therapist' in psychological scenarios to avoid ambiguity. In informal speech, Russians might use 'психолог' interchangeably, but it's less precise.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'психотерапевт' with 'терапевт': English learners often use 'терапевт' for any therapist, leading to incorrect translations. For example, Incorrect: "Я иду к терапевту за психологической помощью" (I am going to a therapist for psychological help) – This implies a general doctor. Correct: "Я иду к психотерапевту за психологической помощью." Explanation: 'Терапевт' typically means a physician, so specify 'психотерапевт' for mental health.

• Improper declension: Forgetting to change the case, e.g., saying "Я разговариваю с психотерапевт" instead of "Я разговариваю с психотерапевтом" in the instrumental case. Explanation: Always decline based on sentence structure to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, seeking a 'психотерапевт' has historically been stigmatized due to Soviet-era attitudes toward mental health, but it's becoming more accepted today. Therapy often integrates with broader social support systems, like family or community, reflecting collectivist values in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• психология (psychology)
• психиатр (psychiatrist)
• консультация (consultation)