Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'amongst'

English Word: amongst

Key Russian Translations:

• среди [ˈsrʲedʲɪ] - [Neutral, Commonly Used]
• между [ˈmʲeʐdʊ] - [Neutral, Often Used for Physical or Abstract Placement]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner to Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

среди: [ˈsrʲedʲɪ]

Note on среди: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'р' is rolled, typical in Russian pronunciation.

между: [ˈmʲeʐdʊ]

Note on между: Stress on the first syllable. The 'ж' sound is a voiced fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. In the middle of or surrounded by (people, things, or ideas)

Translation(s) & Context:

• среди - Used when referring to being in the midst of a group or category (e.g., people, objects, or abstract concepts).

Usage Examples:

• Она стояла среди друзей.

  She stood amongst friends.

• Среди книг я нашел старую фотографию.

  Amongst the books, I found an old photograph.

• Это мнение популярно среди молодежи.

  This opinion is popular amongst the youth.

2. Between or in the space separating (often physical objects)

Translation(s) & Context:

• между - Used when indicating a position between two or more entities, often with a sense of separation or choice.

Usage Examples:

• Дом стоит между двумя деревьями.

  The house stands amongst (between) two trees.

• Разделите конфеты между детьми.

  Divide the candies amongst the children.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

среди: This is a preposition and does not inflect. It is always used in this form and typically governs the genitive case for nouns that follow it.

между: Similarly, this is a preposition and does not inflect. It can govern both the genitive and instrumental cases depending on the context (genitive for static position, instrumental for movement or figurative separation).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for среди:

• посреди (more emphatic, often physical center)
• в кругу (in the circle of, often for social contexts)

Note: 'посреди' often implies a more central position, while 'в кругу' is more figurative, used for social or familial contexts.

Synonyms for между:

• промеж (less common, often dialectal or archaic)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as prepositions like these do not typically have direct opposites.

Related Phrases:

• среди нас - "amongst us" (used to refer to someone or something within a group)
• среди прочего - "amongst other things" (used to list or mention in passing)
• между делом - "amongst other things" or "in passing" (used for casual or incidental actions)

Usage Notes:

• Both 'среди' and 'между' can translate 'amongst,' but they are not always interchangeable. 'Среди' is more common when referring to being part of a group or category, while 'между' often implies a spatial or relational separation between entities.

• Be mindful of the case governance: 'среди' always requires the genitive case, whereas 'между' can take genitive or instrumental depending on the context.

• In formal or written Russian, 'среди' is often preferred for abstract or collective contexts (e.g., "amongst ideas"), while 'между' is more concrete (e.g., "amongst two options").

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'между' when referring to a group without clear separation. Example: *между друзьями* (incorrect for "amongst friends"). Correct: 'среди друзей'.

• Error: Incorrect case usage after prepositions. Example: *среди друга* (incorrect, nominative case). Correct: 'среди друзей' (genitive case).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of being "amongst" others (especially with 'среди') often carries a sense of community or shared experience, reflecting the cultural emphasis on collective identity in many social contexts. Phrases like 'среди своих' ("amongst one’s own") are commonly used to denote familiarity and belonging.

Related Concepts:

• вместе (together)
• рядом (nearby)
• около (around, near)