Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vein'

English Word: vein

Key Russian Translations:

• вена [ˈvʲenə] - [Formal, Medical context]
• жила [ˈʐɨlə] - [Informal, Figurative or non-medical contexts, e.g., in mining or botany]

Frequency: Medium (Common in medical, scientific, or everyday health discussions, but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 on CEFR scale; requires basic knowledge of Russian nouns and cases. For 'вена', it's straightforward; for 'жила', slight variations in usage may increase difficulty to B2.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вена: [ˈvʲenə]

жила: [ˈʐɨlə]

Note on вена: The initial 'в' is a voiced labiodental fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds similar to 'v' in "victory". Stress is on the first syllable.

Note on жила: The 'ж' is a voiced palatal fricative, akin to the 's' in "measure"; ensure proper voicing for natural pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Anatomical vein (e.g., blood vessel)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вена - Used in formal medical or biological contexts, such as describing circulatory systems.

Usage Examples:

• У меня есть проблема с веной на руке.

  I have a problem with the vein in my arm. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case for simple description.)

• Врач осмотрел вену пациента во время операции.

  The doctor examined the patient's vein during the surgery. (Illustrates use in a professional, accusative context.)

• Эта вена видна через кожу из-за обезвоживания.

  This vein is visible through the skin due to dehydration. (Demonstrates nominative use in everyday health scenarios.)

• Вены в нашем теле транспортируют кровь обратно к сердцу.

  Veins in our body transport blood back to the heart. (Shows plural form in a general explanatory context.)

Figurative or non-anatomical vein (e.g., in botany or mining)

Translation(s) & Context:

• жила - Used informally for veins in leaves, rocks, or metaphorically, such as in literature or geology.

Usage Examples:

• В листе дерева видны тонкие жилы.

  In the tree leaf, thin veins are visible. (This highlights the noun in a botanical context with genitive case.)

• Горняки нашли богатую жилу золота в горе.

  Miners found a rich vein of gold in the mountain. (Illustrates metaphorical use in a narrative, accusative case.)

• Эти жилы в камне указывают на древние геологические процессы.

  These veins in the rock indicate ancient geological processes. (Shows plural form in scientific discussion.)

• В ее голосе была жила грусти, которую невозможно скрыть.

  In her voice, there was a vein of sadness that couldn't be hidden. (Demonstrates figurative, metaphorical use in literature.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'вена' and 'жила' are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard feminine declension patterns. 'Вена' is typically used in singular forms in medical contexts, while 'жила' can vary more widely.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections but follow standard patterns. In plural forms, context determines usage (e.g., 'вены' for multiple veins).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сосуд (sosud) - More general term for vessel; often used interchangeably in non-medical contexts.
  • проток (protók) - For channels or ducts, with subtle differences in flow-related contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • артерия (arteriya) - Opposite in function, as it carries blood away from the heart.

Related Phrases:

• Кровеносная вена - Blood-carrying vein; used in medical descriptions to specify function.
• Подкожная жила - Subcutaneous vein; common in dermatology or everyday health talks.
• Золотая жила - Golden vein; a metaphorical phrase for a rich source, like in mining or opportunities. (English explanation: Often used idiomatically to mean a lucrative opportunity.)

Usage Notes:

The English word 'vein' most directly corresponds to 'вена' in Russian for anatomical contexts, emphasizing blood vessels. In informal or figurative uses, 'жила' is preferred, such as in botany or metaphors. Always consider the context: 'вена' is formal and scientific, while 'жила' can be more versatile. Grammatically, these nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words. For English learners, choose 'вена' for precise medical translation and 'жила' for broader applications. Be mindful of prepositional phrases, as Russian often requires specific cases (e.g., use genitive after 'of').

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'вена' with 'артерия': English learners might misuse 'вена' for arteries. Incorrect: "Артерия - это вена." Correct: "Артерия - это сосуд, который несёт кровь от сердца." Explanation: 'Вена' specifically means vein, not artery; always verify the direction of blood flow.

• Improper case usage: For example, saying "Я вижу вена" instead of "Я вижу вену" (accusative case). Incorrect: "Проблема с вена." Correct: "Проблема с веной" (instrumental case). Explanation: Russian nouns change based on their role in the sentence, so pay attention to context.

• Overusing in plural: Beginners might incorrectly pluralize unnecessarily, e.g., "Вены в листе" when singular is meant. Correct: Use singular if referring to a specific vein. Explanation: Russian plurals can alter meaning, so match English intent precisely.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions about 'вена' often tie into health and folklore, such as traditional remedies for varicose veins, which are common topics in rural areas. The metaphorical 'жила' in expressions like 'золотая жила' reflects Russia's historical mining heritage, symbolizing opportunity and endurance in literature and proverbs.

Related Concepts:

• артерия
• капилляр
• сосуды