Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unhealthy'

English Word: unhealthy

Key Russian Translations:

• нездоровый /nʲɪzˈdo.rə.vɨj/ - [Informal, Adjective, Used in everyday contexts for physical or mental health]
• вредный /ˈvrʲed.nɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective, Used when referring to harmful effects, e.g., on diet or habits]

Frequency: Medium (Common in health-related discussions, medical contexts, and daily conversations)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic adjective inflections, but "нездоровый" is straightforward for learners familiar with common patterns)

Pronunciation (Russian):

нездоровый: /nʲɪzˈdo.rə.vɨj/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'з' is pronounced as a voiced 'z' sound.)

вредный: /ˈvrʲed.nɨj/ (Stress on the first syllable; note the palatalized 'р' which can be tricky for non-native speakers.)

Note on нездоровый: This word has a soft 'з' sound due to the following vowel, and the ending may vary slightly in fast speech. Variations in regional accents (e.g., in Moscow vs. St. Petersburg) can affect vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not in good physical or mental health

Translation(s) & Context:

• нездоровый - Used in contexts describing poor health, such as illness or weakness; common in medical or personal discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он выглядит нездоровым после бессонной ночи.

  He looks unhealthy after a sleepless night.

• Её нездоровый вид беспокоит врачей.

  Her unhealthy appearance worries the doctors.

• Дети, ведущие нездоровый образ жизни, часто болеют.

  Children leading an unhealthy lifestyle often get sick.

• Нездоровый рацион может привести к проблемам с сердцем.

  An unhealthy diet can lead to heart problems.

• Этот нездоровый климат не подходит для аллергиков.

  This unhealthy climate isn't suitable for people with allergies.

Meaning 2: Harmful or detrimental (e.g., to habits or environment)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вредный - Applied to things that cause damage, like unhealthy food or behaviors; often used in formal advice or warnings.

Usage Examples:

• Курение — это вредный привычка для здоровья.

  Smoking is an unhealthy habit for your health.

• Вредный воздух в городе делает людей нездоровыми.

  The unhealthy air in the city makes people ill.

• Она избегает вредных продуктов, чтобы оставаться в форме.

  She avoids unhealthy foods to stay in shape.

• Вредный образ жизни может сократить продолжительность жизни.

  An unhealthy lifestyle can shorten your lifespan.

• Этот вредный химикат делает воду нездоровой для питья.

  This unhealthy chemical makes the water unsafe to drink.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "нездоровый" and "вредный" are adjectives, which inflect for gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns, though "нездоровый" has some irregularities in its root.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form contexts but must agree in all cases. "Вредный" is regular, while "нездоровый" may have slight variations in spoken language.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • болезненный (more specific to illness, with a connotation of pain)
  • несвежий (used for food or air, implying staleness)
• Antonyms:
  • здоровый (healthy, direct opposite)
  • полезный (beneficial, especially for "вредный")

Related Phrases:

• нездоровый образ жизни - Unhealthy lifestyle (refers to poor habits like smoking or poor diet).
• вредный эффект - Unhealthy effect (used in contexts like environmental or medical impacts).
• нездоровый климат - Unhealthy climate (describes areas with poor air quality or extreme conditions).

Usage Notes:

"Нездоровый" directly corresponds to "unhealthy" in physical health contexts and is versatile for everyday use, while "вредный" is better for emphasizing harm or toxicity. Choose "нездоровый" for descriptive health states and "вредный" in formal or advisory scenarios, such as health campaigns. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in Russian sentences, as English speakers often forget gender and case. For example, it's common in informal speech but less so in written Russian.

• In plural forms, ensure the adjective matches the noun's number and case for grammatical accuracy.
• Avoid overusing these words in positive contexts; they carry negative connotations.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse adjective inflections, such as using the masculine form "нездоровый" with a feminine noun (e.g., saying "нездоровый женщина" instead of "нездоровая женщина"). Correct usage: "Она нездоровая" (She is unhealthy). Another error is confusing "вредный" with "нездоровый"; for instance, saying "вредный еда" for unhealthy food, when "нездоровый" might be more appropriate. Always check the context: "вредный" implies active harm, while "нездоровый" describes a state.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "нездоровый" are often linked to broader discussions on health and wellness, influenced by historical events like the Soviet-era emphasis on physical fitness. For example, maintaining a "здоровый" (healthy) lifestyle is a common cultural ideal, making "unhealthy" habits a point of social concern, especially in family or community settings.

Related Concepts:

• здоровье
• болезнь
• диета