strain
gb/stɹˈeɪn/ us/stɹˈeɪn/
A2
English
~ 2800
megterhelés, feszültség, megerőltet, meghúz, erőlködik, leszűr, törzs, fajta
NOUN
B1
1
megterhelés
B1
feszültség
B1
Usage pattern:
under [strain]
The long hours at work put a strain on their relationship.
A munkahelyen töltött hosszú órák megterhelték a kapcsolatukat.
Carrying the heavy boxes caused a strain in his back.
A nehéz dobozok cipelése megterhelte a hátát.
The economic crisis has placed a great strain on small businesses.
Learner examples
The test caused a lot of strain for me.
A teszt nagy megterhelést jelentett számomra.
Working too much can cause mental strain.
A túl sok munka mentális megterhelést okozhat.
Her injury put a strain on her walking.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'strain' with 'string' due to similar pronunciation.
Meaning
physical or mental pressure
Collocations
under strain
|cause strain
|emotional strain
|mental strain
|relieve strain
Synonyms
stress (Often used interchangeably, but 'stress' is more common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
relief (Represents the removal or easing of pressure or tension.)
Themes
emotions
|health
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A feeling of stress or pressure in the body or mind.
A state of being under physical, mental, or emotional pressure or tension.
VERB
A2
2
megerőltet
B1
meghúz
B1
Usage pattern:
to strain [a muscle/body part]
She strained her ankle while running.
Futás közben megerőltette a bokáját.
Be careful not to strain your back when lifting heavy objects.
Vigyázz, nehogy megerőltesd a hátadat, amikor nehéz tárgyakat emelsz.
He strained a muscle in his shoulder during the game.
Learner examples
I strained my leg playing soccer.
Focizás közben megerőltettem a lábamat.
He strained his back lifting the box.
A doboz felemelése közben megerőltette a hátát.
She strained her neck turning too fast.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'strain' with 'sprain', but they refer to different types of injuries.
Meaning
injure by overuse
Collocations
strain a muscle
|strain your back
|badly strained
Synonyms
sprain (Similar but refers specifically to ligaments rather than muscles.)
Antonyms
heal (Means to recover from an injury.)
Themes
health
|sports
|body
Definition
To hurt a muscle by using it too much or stretching it too far.
To injure a muscle, tendon, or ligament by overexertion or stretching too far.
VERB
B1
3
erőlködik
B1
Usage pattern:
to strain to [do something]
He strained to lift the heavy suitcase.
Erőlködött, hogy felemelje a nehéz bőröndöt.
She strained to hear what they were saying in the next room.
Erőlködött, hogy meghallja, mit mondanak a szomszéd szobában.
They strained every nerve to finish the project on time.
Learner examples
I strained to open the jar.
Erőlködtem, hogy kinyissam a befőttesüveget.
She strained to see the sign in the dark.
Erőlködött, hogy lássa a táblát a sötétben.
He strained to hear the music from outside.
Meaning
make a strong effort
Collocations
strain to hear
|strain to see
|strain every nerve
Synonyms
struggle (Implies difficulty and resistance, not just effort.)
Antonyms
relax (Implies ease and lack of effort.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To try very hard to do something, sometimes too hard.
To use great physical or mental effort to do something, often to the point of discomfort.
VERB
A2
4
leszűr
B1
Usage pattern:
to strain [liquid/food]
Strain the pasta before adding the sauce.
Szűrd le a tésztát, mielőtt hozzáadod a szószt.
She strained the soup to remove the vegetables.
Leszűrte a levest, hogy eltávolítsa belőle a zöldségeket.
After boiling the rice, strain off any excess water.
Learner examples
Strain the tea before drinking it.
Szűrd le a teát, mielőtt megiszod.
He strained the juice to take out the seeds.
Leszűrte a gyümölcslevet, hogy eltávolítsa belőle a magokat.
We strained the pasta after cooking it.
Meaning
separate liquid from solids
Collocations
strain the pasta
|strain the sauce
|finely strain
Synonyms
filter (A broader term for removing unwanted material from liquids or gases.)
Antonyms
mix (Means to combine ingredients rather than separate them.)
Themes
cooking
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
To remove solids from a liquid by pouring it through something with small holes.
To pour a liquid through a sieve, colander, or similar device to remove solid parts.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
5
Scientists are studying a new strain of the flu virus.
A kutatók az influenzavírus egy új törzsét vizsgálják.
This strain of wheat grows well in dry climates.
Ez a búzafajta jól fejlődik száraz éghajlaton.
The bacteria developed a resistant strain after years of antibiotic use.
Learner examples
There is a new strain of virus this year.
Idén egy új vírustörzs jelent meg.
This strain of rice grows fast.
Ez a rizsfajta gyorsan nő.
Doctors found a new strain of bacteria.
Meaning
type within a species
Collocations
new strain
|virus strain
|resistant strain
Synonyms
variant (Commonly used for viruses and other microorganisms.)
Antonyms
species (A broader classification that can contain many strains.)
Themes
science
Definition
A special type of plant, animal, or germ that is different from others of the same kind.
A genetic variant or subtype of an animal, plant, or microorganism within a species.
Grammar
Dictionary form
strain
IPA
GB/stɹˈeɪn/
US/stɹˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
strain (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (strain)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: strain
- Plural: strain, strains
Verb
- Base: strain
- 3rd Person Singular: strains
- Present Participle: straining
- Past: strained
Word family
Expressions
strain at the leash
1/stɹˈeɪn ˈæt ðə lˈiʃ/
idiom
be eager and impatient to start
To be very ready and wanting to start doing something quickly.
Examples
- The young athletes were straining at the leash before the competition began.
- She was straining at the leash to start her new job.
strain at the leash
1/stɹˈeɪn ˈæt ðə lˈiʃ/
idiom
eager but held back
To want to start quickly but be stopped from doing it.
Examples
- The team was straining at the leash to launch the new product.
- After months of training, she was straining at the leash to compete again.
- Investors are straining at the leash for signs of growth.
strain every nerve
1/stɹˈeɪn ˈɛvɹi nˈɚv/
idiom
make every possible effort
To try as hard as you can to do something.
Examples
- She strained every nerve to finish the race before sunset.
- They strained every nerve to meet the deadline.
under strain
1/ˈʌndɚ stɹˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
experiencing stress or pressure
Feeling stress or pressure because of problems or hard work.
Examples
- The team's defense was under strain during the final minutes of the match.
- His marriage has been under strain since he lost his job.