Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'after'

English Word: after

Key Russian Translations:

• после [ˈposlʲɪ] - [Formal, Informal, General Use]
• за [za] - [Informal, Specific Contexts like "after someone"]

Frequency: High (especially "после")

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "после"); B1 (Intermediate for "за" due to contextual usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

после: [ˈposlʲɪ]

Note on после: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "е" sounds like "ye" in "yes."

за: [za]

Note on за: A short, clear pronunciation with stress on the single syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Indicating Time or Sequence (after an event)

Translation(s) & Context:

• после - Used to indicate something happening subsequent to a time or event (e.g., after lunch, after a meeting).

Usage Examples:

• После ужина я читаю книгу.

  After dinner, I read a book.

• Мы встретимся после работы.

  We will meet after work.

• После школы дети играют во дворе.

  After school, the children play in the yard.

2. Following in Position or Order (after someone/something)

Translation(s) & Context:

• за - Used to indicate following someone or something in a spatial or sequential sense (e.g., after someone in line).

Usage Examples:

• Я стою за ним в очереди.

  I am standing after him in the line.

• Иди за мной!

  Follow after me!

Russian Forms/Inflections:

после: This is a preposition and does not inflect. It is always used with the genitive case (e.g., после ужина - after dinner).

за: This is also a preposition and does not inflect. Depending on context, it can take the instrumental case (for spatial "behind/after") or accusative case (for motion or purpose).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for после:

• вслед за (in specific contexts like "following after")

Note: "вслед за" is more literary or specific to following someone directly.

Antonyms for после:

• до (before)

Related Phrases:

• после этого - "after that"; commonly used to refer to a subsequent event.
• день за днём - "day after day"; used to describe repetitive sequences.
• за кем-то - "after someone"; often used in the context of following or pursuing.

Usage Notes:

• "после" is the most common translation for "after" when referring to time or sequence. It is almost always followed by a noun in the genitive case.
• "за" is context-specific and often implies a physical or sequential following. It can be tricky for English speakers due to its varied meanings (e.g., "behind," "for," or "after").
• Be mindful of the case requirements after each preposition to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "после" with the wrong case (e.g., *после работа instead of после работы). Explanation: "после" requires the genitive case; "работа" (work) becomes "работы" in genitive.
• Error: Confusing "за" with "после" in temporal contexts (e.g., *за ужином instead of после ужина for "after dinner"). Explanation: "за" is not typically used for time sequences; use "после" instead.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of "after" in time often carries a sense of completion or transition, especially with "после." For example, "после войны" (after the war) might evoke strong historical or emotional connotations due to Russia's history with major conflicts.

Related Concepts:

• до (before)
• вслед (following)
• потом (later)