Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'toothache'

English Word: toothache

Key Russian Translations:

• зубная боль /zʊbˈnaɪ̯ə ˈbolʲ/ - [Informal; Common everyday term for dental pain]

Frequency: Medium (Frequently used in health-related conversations and medical contexts)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it involves basic vocabulary related to body parts and sensations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

зубная боль: /zʊbˈnaɪ̯ə ˈbolʲ/

Note on зубная боль: The stress falls on the second syllable of "боль" (/ˈbolʲ/). Pronunciation can vary slightly by region, with softer palatalization in some dialects. Pay attention to the vowel sounds for accurate articulation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Toothache (A pain or ache in one or more teeth)

Translation(s) & Context:

• зубная боль - Used in casual, everyday situations when describing dental discomfort, such as in conversations with friends, family, or doctors.

Usage Examples:

• У меня сильная зубная боль, и я не могу есть. (I have a severe toothache, and I can't eat.)

  Translation: I have a severe toothache, and I can't eat. (This example shows the phrase in a personal health context.)

• Если у тебя зубная боль, сходи к стоматологу. (If you have a toothache, go to the dentist.)

  Translation: If you have a toothache, go to the dentist. (Illustrates advice-giving in informal settings.)

• Зубная боль может быть symptomom инфекции. (Toothache can be a symptom of an infection.)

  Translation: Toothache can be a symptom of an infection. (Demonstrates use in medical discussions.)

• После сладкого у меня началась зубная боль. (After eating sweets, I started having a toothache.)

  Translation: After eating sweets, I started having a toothache. (Shows cause-and-effect in daily life.)

• Зубная боль не проходит, нужно принять обезболивающее. (The toothache isn't going away; I need to take a painkiller.)

  Translation: The toothache isn't going away; I need to take a painkiller. (Highlights persistence and remedies in self-care scenarios.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"зубная боль" is a noun phrase consisting of the adjective "зубная" (feminine singular form of "зубной", meaning "dental") and the feminine noun "боль" (pain). It follows standard Russian inflection rules:

• For "боль" (feminine noun, first declension): It inflects by case and number. Note that "зубная" agrees with "боль" in gender, number, and case.

Note: "зубная боль" is invariant in most contexts but changes to agree with the noun in phrases. It is a regular inflection for feminine nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • боль в зубе (more literal, emphasizing location; used interchangeably in informal speech)
  • зубоболь (a less common variant, poetic or outdated)
• Antonyms:
  • здоровые зубы (healthy teeth; implies absence of pain)

Related Phrases:

• у меня зубная боль (I have a toothache) - A common way to express personal discomfort in conversations.
• сильная зубная боль (severe toothache) - Used to intensify the level of pain in medical descriptions.
• из-за зубной боли (because of a toothache) - Indicates causation in narratives about daily life interruptions.

Usage Notes:

"зубная боль" directly corresponds to the English "toothache" and is the most natural translation in Russian. It is versatile for both formal (e.g., medical consultations) and informal contexts (e.g., casual talks). Always ensure that adjectives like "зубная" agree in gender, number, and case with the noun "боль". When choosing between synonyms like "боль в зубе", opt for "зубная боль" in everyday speech for its conciseness. Be aware that in Russian, health complaints often include emotional undertones, so pair it with expressions like "очень мучает" (it's tormenting me) for emphasis.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "зуб боль" instead of "зубная боль". This is incorrect because "зуб" is a masculine noun and needs the proper adjective form.

  Correct: зубная боль. Explanation: Russian requires gender agreement; "зубная" is the feminine form to modify "боль".

• Error: Forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "у меня зубная боль" in genitive contexts without adjusting.

  Correct: In genitive, use "у меня зубной боли". Explanation: Learners often overlook declension, leading to grammatical errors in sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, dental health is a common topic due to historical access issues in rural areas. Expressions like "зубная боль" often symbolize enduring hardship, as seen in literature (e.g., in works by Chekhov), reflecting a broader cultural resilience in facing everyday pains without immediate professional help.

Related Concepts:

• стоматолог (dentist)
• зубы (teeth)
• боль (pain)