Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'anymore'

English Word: anymore

Key Russian Translations:

• больше [ˈbolʲʃə] - [Neutral, Common in negative contexts]
• теперь [tʲɪˈpʲerʲ] - [Neutral, Often implies a change over time]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner to Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

больше: [ˈbolʲʃə]

Note on больше: The stress falls on the first syllable. The 'ш' sound is a soft hissing sound, unique to Russian.

теперь: [tʲɪˈpʲerʲ]

Note on теперь: Stress is on the second syllable. The 'р' is rolled slightly, and 'ь' softens the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Indicating cessation or change (no longer)

Translation(s) & Context:

• больше - Used in negative sentences to mean "no longer" or "not anymore."

Usage Examples:

• Я больше не хожу туда.

  I don’t go there anymore.

• Он больше не звонит мне.

  He doesn’t call me anymore.

• Мы больше не друзья.

  We are not friends anymore.

2. Indicating a change in situation (nowadays, these days)

Translation(s) & Context:

• теперь - Used to indicate a contrast between past and present, often meaning "now" or "anymore" in specific contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Теперь я живу в другом городе.

  I don’t live in the same city anymore (now I live in a different city).

• Теперь всё изменилось.

  Things aren’t the same anymore (now everything has changed).

Russian Forms/Inflections:

больше: This is an adverb derived from the adjective "большой" (big). It does not inflect and remains unchanged regardless of context.

теперь: This is also an adverb and does not undergo any inflection. It is used consistently in all contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for больше (in the context of "anymore"):

• долее

Note: "долее" is archaic and rarely used in modern Russian.

Synonyms for теперь:

• сейчас
• нынче

Note: "сейчас" is more immediate ("right now"), while "нынче" is somewhat formal or literary.

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as the concept of "anymore" does not have a clear opposite in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• больше не могу - "I can’t anymore" (used to express exhaustion or inability to continue).
• теперь или никогда - "now or never" (a common motivational phrase).

Usage Notes:

• "больше" is almost exclusively used in negative constructions in Russian to convey "anymore" (e.g., "больше не..." = "not anymore"). It cannot be used in positive sentences with the same meaning.
• "теперь" often implies a temporal shift and is not always a direct translation of "anymore." It is closer to "now" or "these days" and should be used when contrasting past and present.
• English speakers should be cautious not to overuse "больше" in affirmative contexts, as it might confuse native Russian speakers.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "больше" in a positive sentence to mean "anymore."

  Incorrect: Я больше хожу туда. (Intended: I go there anymore.)

  Correct: Use "теперь" or rephrase the sentence to fit the context, e.g., Теперь я хожу туда. (Now I go there.)

  Explanation: "больше" with "не" is the correct structure for "not anymore." Without "не," it means "more" (quantity).

• Error: Confusing "теперь" with "сейчас" when "anymore" implies a broader change over time.

  Incorrect: Сейчас я не делаю это. (Intended: I don’t do it anymore.)

  Correct: Теперь я не делаю это. (Now I don’t do it anymore.)

  Explanation: "сейчас" means "right now" and implies a temporary state, while "теперь" fits better for lasting changes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of "anymore" often carries an emotional undertone, especially when expressing loss or change (e.g., "больше не..." can sound nostalgic or regretful). Native speakers may emphasize this with intonation or additional context, which English speakers might miss without cultural exposure.

Related Concepts:

• уже
• всегда
• никогда