Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'always'

English Word: always

Key Russian Translations:

• всегда [vʲɪsʲˈɡda] - [Neutral, Most Common]
• постоянно [pəstɐˈjanːə] - [Neutral, Often with a Sense of Continuity]
• вечно [ˈvʲetɕnə] - [Informal, Sometimes with Negative Connotation]

Frequency: High (especially for "всегда")

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for "всегда"; A2 (Elementary) for "постоянно" and "вечно"

Pronunciation (Russian):

всегда: [vʲɪsʲˈɡda]

Note on всегда: Stress is on the second syllable. The 'г' is pronounced as a voiced fricative in standard Russian.

постоянно: [pəstɐˈjanːə]

Note on постоянно: Stress on the third syllable. The double 'н' is pronounced with a slight prolongation.

вечно: [ˈvʲetɕnə]

Note on вечно: Stress on the first syllable. The 'ч' is a soft sound, similar to 'ch' in "church."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. At All Times (General Use)

Translation(s) & Context:

• всегда - Used in most general contexts to mean "at all times" or "every time."

Usage Examples:

• Я всегда хожу на работу пешком.

  I always walk to work.

• Он всегда помогает друзьям.

  He always helps his friends.

• Мы всегда встречаемся в этом кафе.

  We always meet at this café.

2. Continuously or Repeatedly (Emphasizing Continuity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• постоянно - Used to emphasize ongoing or repeated action, often in a neutral or slightly negative tone.

Usage Examples:

• Он постоянно опаздывает.

  He is always late.

• Она постоянно говорит о своей работе.

  She always talks about her job.

3. Forever or Excessively (Colloquial, Often Negative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вечно - Often used colloquially with a sense of irritation or exaggeration.

Usage Examples:

• Ты вечно всё забываешь!

  You always forget everything!

• Он вечно жалуется на жизнь.

  He is always complaining about life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All listed translations ("всегда," "постоянно," "вечно") are adverbs and do not inflect in Russian. They remain unchanged regardless of the grammatical context, number, or gender.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "всегда":

• неизменно (invariably, often more formal)
• ежеминутно (every minute, rare and emphatic)

Antonyms for "всегда":

• никогда (never)
• иногда (sometimes)

Related Phrases:

• всегда готов - "Always ready" (common in formal or motivational contexts, e.g., scouting mottos).
• постоянно в движении - "Always on the move" (used to describe someone very active).
• вечно молодой - "Forever young" (a poetic or sentimental expression).

Usage Notes:

• "Всегда" is the most neutral and widely applicable translation of "always," suitable for most contexts.
• "Постоянно" often implies a repetitive or continuous action and can carry a slight negative tone when describing habits or behaviors.
• "Вечно" is colloquial and frequently used with a sense of frustration or exaggeration; it is less formal and should be avoided in serious or professional writing.
• Unlike English, Russian adverbs like these do not change form, making them straightforward to use grammatically.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "вечно" in formal contexts. For example, saying "Я вечно рад вас видеть" ("I’m always glad to see you") sounds overly emotional or sarcastic. Correct Usage: Use "всегда" instead: "Я всегда рад вас видеть."
• Error: Overusing "постоянно" for general statements. For instance, "Я постоянно люблю тебя" sounds unnatural. Correct Usage: Use "всегда" for emotional or timeless statements: "Я всегда люблю тебя" ("I always love you").

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the word "вечно" can sometimes carry a stronger emotional connotation than "always" in English, often implying irritation or exaggeration. It reflects a common rhetorical style in Russian speech to emphasize feelings through hyperbole. Additionally, "всегда готов" ("always ready") is a well-known phrase associated with Soviet-era pioneer mottos, evoking a sense of duty and preparedness.

Related Concepts:

• никогда (never)
• иногда (sometimes)
• часто (often)