Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Amid'

English Word: amid

Key Russian Translations:

• среди [ˈsrʲedʲi] - [Formal, Informal, Used in spatial and figurative contexts]
• посреди [pəˈsrʲedʲi] - [Formal, Often used for physical location]
• в разгар [v rɐzˈɡar] - [Informal, Used for events or intense situations]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in written and spoken contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "среди" and "посреди"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "в разгар"

Pronunciation (Russian):

среди: [ˈsrʲedʲi]

Note on среди: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "р" is rolled slightly, typical of Russian phonetics.

посреди: [pəˈsrʲedʲi]

Note on посреди: Similar to "среди" but with a prefix "по-". Stress is on the second syllable.

в разгар: [v rɐzˈɡar]

Note on в разгар: Stress falls on "гар". The phrase is often used metaphorically.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. In the middle of (spatial or figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• среди - Used for both physical and abstract contexts, e.g., "amid friends" or "amid chaos".
• посреди - Primarily spatial, e.g., "amid the forest".

Usage Examples:

• Он стоял среди толпы.

  He stood amid the crowd.

• Среди ночи раздался крик.

  A scream was heard amid the night.

• Дом находится посреди поля.

  The house is located amid the field.

2. During a significant event or intense situation

Translation(s) & Context:

• в разгар - Used for events or peak moments, e.g., "amid the celebration".

Usage Examples:

• Мы приехали в разгар праздника.

  We arrived amid the celebration.

• В разгар спора он ушёл.

  He left amid the argument.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

среди and посреди: These are prepositions and do not inflect. They are always used with the genitive case for the noun they govern.

в разгар: This is a fixed phrase. "Разгар" is a masculine noun and inflects as follows:

Case	Singular
Nominative	разгар
Genitive	разгара
Dative	разгару
Accusative	разгар
Instrumental	разгаром
Prepositional	о разгаре

Note: "в разгар" always uses the accusative case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "среди" and "посреди":

• между (between, among - less formal)
• внутри (inside - for enclosed spaces)

Antonyms for "среди" and "посреди":

• вне (outside)
• далеко от (far from)

Synonyms for "в разгар":

• в разгаре (alternative form, interchangeable)

Note: Synonyms like "между" are more specific to "between" in some contexts, while "среди" is broader.

Related Phrases:

• среди друзей - among friends (used to indicate social surroundings)
• посреди дороги - in the middle of the road (physical location)
• в разгар лета - in the midst of summer (peak time of a season)

Usage Notes:

• "Среди" is the most versatile translation for "amid" and can be used in both literal and figurative senses. It is the safest choice for most contexts.
• "Посреди" is more specific to physical locations and might sound overly formal in abstract contexts.
• "В разгар" is used specifically for events or situations at their peak. It cannot be used for spatial contexts.
• All these prepositions require the genitive case for the nouns they govern, a common challenge for learners.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "в разгар" for spatial contexts, e.g., *в разгар толпы* (wrong).
  Correct: "среди толпы" (amid the crowd).
  Explanation: "В разгар" is reserved for temporal or situational peaks, not locations.
• Error: Forgetting the genitive case after "среди", e.g., *среди толпа* (wrong).
  Correct: "среди толпы".
  Explanation: "Среди" always governs the genitive case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of being "amid" something often carries a sense of community or shared experience, especially with "среди". For example, "среди друзей" (amid friends) implies a close-knit group, reflecting the cultural value placed on interpersonal connections.

Related Concepts:

• окруженный (surrounded)
• в центре (in the center)
• в середине (in the middle)