Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'awhile'

English Word: awhile

Key Russian Translations:

• некоторое время /nʲɪˈkotorə vʲrʲeˈmʲa/ - [Informal, Common in everyday speech]
• пока /pɐˈka/ - [Informal, Used in contexts implying waiting or temporary duration]

Frequency: Medium (This phrase is commonly used in conversational Russian but not as ubiquitous as basic time expressions like "сейчас").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of noun cases and time expressions. For 'пока', it's A2 for beginners due to its simplicity, but overall context-dependent.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

некоторое время: /nʲɪˈkotorə vʲrʲeˈmʲa/

пока: /pɐˈka/

Note on некоторое время: The stress falls on the second syllable of "некоторое" (/nʲɪˈkotorə/), and the word "время" has a soft 'r' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers due to Russian's palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

For a short period of time (the primary meaning of 'awhile')

Translation(s) & Context:

• некоторое время - Used in casual or narrative contexts to indicate a brief wait or duration, such as in daily conversations or storytelling.
• пока - Applied in situations involving temporary pauses, like waiting for someone, often in informal dialogue.

Usage Examples:

• Я подожду некоторое время, прежде чем уйти.

  I will wait awhile before leaving. (This shows 'awhile' in a context of delaying action.)

• Пока мы говорим, давай отдохнём некоторое время.

  While we're talking, let's rest awhile. (Illustrates 'awhile' in a conversational pause.)

• Он пробыл в городе некоторое время, но потом уехал.

  He stayed in the city awhile but then left. (Demonstrates 'awhile' for a temporary stay.)

• Подожди пока, я скоро вернусь.

  Wait awhile; I'll be back soon. (Uses 'пока' for an informal, immediate waiting scenario.)

• Пока идёт дождь, давай посидим некоторое время дома.

  While it's raining, let's stay home awhile. (Combines both translations to show flexibility in usage.)

Alternative meaning: As in 'a while ago' (less common for 'awhile')

Translation(s) & Context:

• некоторое время назад - Used in retrospective contexts, such as narrating past events.

Usage Examples:

• Я видел его некоторое время назад.

  I saw him awhile ago. (This example adapts 'awhile' to mean a recent past.)

• Некоторое время назад мы обсуждали этот вопрос.

  We discussed this awhile ago. (Shows usage in formal or narrative settings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'некоторое время' is a noun phrase where 'некоторое' is an adjective and 'время' is a neuter noun. Adjectives in Russian agree with nouns in gender, number, and case. 'Время' is neuter and typically singular, but it can inflect based on case.

For 'пока', it is an adverb and does not inflect; it remains invariant in all contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • немного времени (slightly more specific, implying a very short duration)
  • пару минут (used for even shorter, quantifiable times, in informal settings)
• Antonyms:
  • сразу (immediately, contrasting with any delay)
  • немедленно (at once, emphasizing no waiting period)

Related Phrases:

• в течение некоторого времени - For a while during a process; meaning: Used to describe ongoing actions over a period.
• подождать немного - Wait awhile; meaning: Common in polite requests for patience.
• пока не поздно - While there's still time; meaning: Implies urgency in a temporary context.

Usage Notes:

• Russian translations like 'некоторое время' directly correspond to 'awhile' in expressing temporary duration, but they are more explicit and often require case agreement with surrounding words.
• Use 'пока' for informal, immediate contexts, such as phone conversations, where 'awhile' might mean a quick pause.
• In formal writing, opt for 'некоторое время' to match the neutral tone of 'awhile', and be mindful of noun cases to avoid grammatical errors.
• When choosing between translations, consider the context: 'пока' is better for dynamic situations, while 'некоторое время' suits descriptive narratives.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse the case of 'время', e.g., saying "некоторое время назад" incorrectly as "некоторого время назад" (wrong genitive form). Correct: Use genitive "некоторого времени назад". Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement, so always adjust the adjective to match the noun's case.
• Confusing 'пока' with 'время', leading to over-literal translations like "I waited awhile" as "Я ждал пока" without context, which might imply "while" instead. Correct: Use "Я ждал некоторое время". Explanation: 'Пока' can mean "while" in subordinate clauses, so clarify the intended meaning to avoid ambiguity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions like 'некоторое время' reflect a more patient approach to time, often seen in social interactions where waiting is common. For instance, in Russian hospitality, guests might be told to "подождать некоторое время" during meals or events, emphasizing the value of patience over haste.

Related Concepts:

• время (time)
• подождать (to wait)
• пока (while)