Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'toxin'

English Word: toxin

Key Russian Translations:

• токсин [ˈtoksʲɪn] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, medical, and technical contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with borrowed words and basic scientific vocabulary in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

токсин: [ˈtoksʲɪn]

Note on токсин: The stress falls on the first syllable. Pronunciation may vary slightly by region, with the 'к' sound being soft due to the following 'с'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms, often used in medical or biological contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• токсин - Used in formal, scientific, or medical discussions, such as in biology, chemistry, or toxicology.

Usage Examples:

• В вакцине содержится ослабленный токсин, который стимулирует иммунную систему.

  The vaccine contains a weakened toxin that stimulates the immune system.

• Токсин, выделяемый бактериями, может вызвать серьезное отравление.

  The toxin released by bacteria can cause serious poisoning.

• Ученые изучают, как токсин влияет на клетки человеческого организма.

  Scientists are studying how the toxin affects human body cells.

• В пищевых продуктах иногда обнаруживаются природные токсины, такие как в грибах.

  Natural toxins are sometimes found in food products, such as in mushrooms.

• Лечение от укуса змеи включает нейтрализацию токсин в крови.

  Treatment for a snake bite involves neutralizing the toxin in the blood.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"токсин" is a masculine noun (мужской род) borrowed from English/Greek, belonging to the second declension. It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with regular inflections for cases and numbers. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • яд (poison; more general and less specific to biological origins)
  • токсикант (toxicant; used in environmental contexts, with a slight nuance towards man-made substances)
• Antonyms:
  • антидот (antidote; directly opposes the harmful effect)
  • лекарство (medicine; implies a beneficial substance)

Related Phrases:

• Токсин в крови - Toxin in the blood; Used in medical contexts to describe poisoning.
• Природный токсин - Natural toxin; Refers to toxins from plants or animals, common in discussions about food safety.
• Бактериальный токсин - Bacterial toxin; Often used in microbiology to specify toxin sources.
• Токсин от укуса - Toxin from a bite; Applied in scenarios involving venomous animals.

Usage Notes:

"Токсин" is a direct borrowing from English and is primarily used in formal, scientific, or technical settings in Russian. It corresponds closely to the English "toxin" but may not be as commonly used in everyday speech; instead, "яд" is preferred for general poison references. When choosing between translations, opt for "токсин" in contexts involving biology or chemistry for precision. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: as a masculine noun, it must agree in gender, number, and case with accompanying words (e.g., "этот токсин" for "this toxin"). In informal conversations, speakers might simplify to avoid complex terminology.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "токсин" with "яд": Learners often use "яд" interchangeably, but "яд" is broader and less specific. Incorrect: "Это яд от бактерий." Correct: "Это токсин от бактерий." Explanation: "Токсин" specifies a biological origin, while "яд" can mean any poison, leading to imprecision in scientific contexts.

• Incorrect declension: Forgetting to change the ending in different cases, e.g., saying "в токсин" instead of "в токсине" (in the toxin). Correct form: "в токсине". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always check the context (e.g., prepositional case for locations).

• Overusing in informal settings: Using "токсин" in casual talk might sound overly formal. Incorrect usage in context: Responding in a everyday conversation with "Это токсин!" instead of "Это яд!" Explanation: Stick to "токсин" for professional or educational discussions to maintain appropriateness.

Cultural Notes:

While "токсин" itself is a neutral scientific term without strong cultural connotations, it often appears in Russian literature and media related to health crises, such as discussions on Chernobyl or food safety in rural areas. In Russian culture, there is a historical emphasis on environmental and biological threats due to events like the Soviet-era industrial accidents, which may influence how toxins are portrayed in public discourse as symbols of human vulnerability to nature and technology.

Related Concepts:

• яд
• антидот
• токсикант
• интоксикация