Bedeutung
Very strong and robust health.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The concept of 'Zakalka' (tempering) is vital. Russians believe you can 'forge' iron health by exposing yourself to extreme cold, like the Banya or winter swimming. Siberian health (Сибирское здоровье) is a regional variation that implies even greater strength than 'iron' health, due to the extreme climate. In Soviet propaganda, workers were often described as having iron health to emphasize their productivity and reliability for the state. Russian 'Bogatyrs' (epic knights) are the mythological source of this idea. Their health was seen as a gift from the earth itself.
Use it as a compliment
It's one of the best compliments you can give an older Russian person. It shows respect for their life force.
Mind the gender
Don't say 'железный здоровье' or 'железная здоровье.' It must be neuter: 'железное.'
Bedeutung
Very strong and robust health.
Use it as a compliment
It's one of the best compliments you can give an older Russian person. It shows respect for their life force.
Mind the gender
Don't say 'железный здоровье' or 'железная здоровье.' It must be neuter: 'железное.'
Combine with 'завидовать'
A very natural way to use this is 'Я завидую твоему железному здоровью' (I envy your iron health).
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct ending for the adjective.
У моего соседа железн___ здоровье.
The noun 'здоровье' is neuter, so the adjective must end in '-ое'.
Which phrase is the correct idiom for strong health?
Как сказать 'very strong health' по-русски?
Iron (железное) is the standard metal used for this idiom in Russian.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate person.
Кому лучше всего сказать: 'У вас железное здоровье!'?
The phrase is a compliment for someone who is exceptionally robust, especially for their age.
Complete the dialogue.
— Ты слышал? Иван вчера купался в ледяной реке! — Да, у него просто ...
Swimming in ice water is a classic sign of 'iron health' in Russia.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenУ моего соседа железн___ здоровье.
The noun 'здоровье' is neuter, so the adjective must end in '-ое'.
Как сказать 'very strong health' по-русски?
Iron (железное) is the standard metal used for this idiom in Russian.
Кому лучше всего сказать: 'У вас железное здоровье!'?
The phrase is a compliment for someone who is exceptionally robust, especially for their age.
— Ты слышал? Иван вчера купался в ледяной реке! — Да, у него просто ...
Swimming in ice water is a classic sign of 'iron health' in Russia.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenYes, but it's less common. It's usually used for adults or the elderly who have 'proven' their health over time.
No, a doctor would write 'клинически здоров' or 'состояние отличное.' This is a metaphorical idiom.
Historically, iron was the primary metal of strength in Russia. Steel (сталь) became popular later and was assigned to 'nerves' and 'will.'
Not directly. You would just say 'слабое здоровье' (weak health).
Not necessarily. It means they don't get sick. A thin person can have iron health.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Крепкое здоровье
synonymStrong health
Стальные нервы
similarNerves of steel
Здоровье как у быка
synonymHealth like an ox
Богатырское здоровье
specialized formKnight-like health
