Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unwell'

English Word: unwell

Key Russian Translations:

• болен [ˈbolʲɪn] - [Informal, used in everyday conversation for temporary illness]
• нездоров [nʲɪzˈdorəf] - [Formal, used in more polite or medical contexts for general unwellness]

Frequency: Medium (Common in health-related discussions, but not as frequent as basic everyday words)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and their inflections, suitable for learners with basic grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

болен: [ˈbolʲɪn]

нездоров: [nʲɪzˈdorəf]

Note on болен: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. A common variant in casual speech is [ˈbolʲin].

Note on нездоров: Stress on the second syllable; the 'з' is pronounced as a voiced 'z', and the word may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Feeling ill, not in good health, or experiencing temporary discomfort (e.g., due to sickness).

Translation(s) & Context:

• болен - Used in informal settings, such as daily conversations or when describing minor ailments; context: everyday health complaints.
• нездоров - Used in formal or professional contexts, like medical consultations; context: broader sense of unwellness, including chronic issues.

Usage Examples:

• Я болен и не могу пойти на работу сегодня. (Ya bolen i ne mogu poyti na rabotu segodnya.)

  English: I am unwell and cannot go to work today. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence for stating personal health.)

• Она чувствует себя нездоровой после долгого перелёта. (Ona chuvstvuet sebya nezdorovoy posle dolgogo pereklyota.)

  English: She feels unwell after the long flight. (Illustrates use in a narrative context with travel-related fatigue.)

• Если ты болен, лучше останься дома. (Yesli ty bolen, luchshe ostansya doma.)

  English: If you are unwell, it's better to stay home. (Demonstrates conditional sentence structure in advice-giving.)

• Врач сказал, что он нездоров и нуждается в отдыхе. (Vrach skazal, chto on nezdorov i nuzhdaetsya v otdykhe.)

  English: The doctor said that he is unwell and needs rest. (Shows formal usage in a medical scenario.)

• Мы все были больны после еды в том ресторане. (My vse byli bolny posle yedy v tom restorane.)

  English: We were all unwell after eating at that restaurant. (Highlights plural usage in a group context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "болен" and "нездоров" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify, following standard patterns for short-form adjectives (like "болен"). They do not have irregular inflections but must match the noun's attributes.

Note: These are short-form adjectives; in full form, they become "больной" and "нездоровый," which inflect more extensively. If the word is used predicatively (as in the examples), it remains uninflected for case but still agrees in gender and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • больной [ˈbolʲnoj] - Similar to "болен" but more general; often used for chronic conditions.
  • нездоровый [nʲɪzˈdorəvɨj] - Emphasizes unhealthiness, with a slight connotation of poor habits.
• Antonyms:
  • здоровый [zdɐˈrovɨj] - Meaning healthy or well.
  • в хорошем состоянии [v xorowem sastayanii] - Literally "in good condition," for broader wellness.

Related Phrases:

• Я чувствую себя плохо - (I feel unwell; literal: "I feel myself badly") - Used to express general discomfort in casual conversations.
• У него плохое самочувствие - (He has poor well-being; literal: "He has bad self-feeling") - A common phrase in medical or daily health contexts.
• Болезнь настигла его внезапно - (Illness struck him suddenly; literal: "Sickness overtook him suddenly") - For describing sudden unwellness.

Usage Notes:

"Unwell" corresponds most closely to "болен" in informal English-Russian exchanges, but "нездоров" is preferred in formal writing or when discussing ongoing health issues. Be mindful of context: Russians often use these words with verbs like "чувствовать себя" (to feel oneself) to soften the statement. For example, choose "болен" for temporary states and "нездоров" for more persistent ones. Grammatically, always ensure the adjective agrees with the subject in gender, number, and case to avoid errors.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "болен" in formal contexts without agreement, e.g., saying "Я болен" when referring to a feminine subject. Correct: For a feminine subject, say "Я больна" (Ya bolna). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with the noun or pronoun; this is a common oversight for English speakers used to invariable adjectives.
• Mistake: Confusing "болен" with "больной," leading to overuse of the full form. Correct: Use short form "болен" predicatively, e.g., "Я болен," not "Я больной." Explanation: "Больной" is attributive and means "sick person," so it's not always interchangeable.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing that one is "unwell" like "болен" often involves understatement or politeness, especially in social settings. For instance, Russians might downplay illness to avoid burdening others, reflecting cultural values of resilience and community support, as seen in proverbs like "Болезнь не тетка, не приведёт в порядок" (Illness isn't an aunt; it won't tidy things up), emphasizing the disruptive nature of health issues.

Related Concepts:

• болезнь (illness)
• самочувствие (well-being)
• лечение (treatment)