Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Back'

English Word: Back

Key Russian Translations:

• спина [ˈspʲinə] - [Physical back of a person or animal]
• задняя часть [ˈzadnʲəjə ˈtɕastʲ] - [Back part of an object]
• обратно [ɐbˈratnə] - [Adverb: Returning to a previous place or state]

Frequency: High (All translations are commonly used in different contexts)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate, depending on context and usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

спина: [ˈspʲinə]

Note on спина: The stress falls on the first syllable. The "и" is pronounced as a short "i" sound.

задняя часть: [ˈzadnʲəjə ˈtɕastʲ]

Note on задняя часть: Stress is on the first syllable of both words. "часть" has a soft "ч" sound.

обратно: [ɐbˈratnə]

Note on обратно: Stress is on the second syllable. The initial "о" is reduced to a schwa sound [ɐ].

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical Back (Body Part)

Translation(s) & Context:

• спина - Refers to the anatomical back of a human or animal.

Usage Examples:

• У меня болит спина после работы.

  My back hurts after work.

• Он повернулся спиной к нам.

  He turned his back to us.

• Кот спит, свернувшись на спине.

  The cat is sleeping, curled up on its back.

2. Back Part (Of an Object)

Translation(s) & Context:

• задняя часть - Refers to the rear or back side of an object or space.

Usage Examples:

• Задняя часть машины повреждена.

  The back part of the car is damaged.

• В задней части комнаты стоит шкаф.

  There is a wardrobe at the back of the room.

3. Returning or Going Back

Translation(s) & Context:

• обратно - Used as an adverb to indicate returning to a previous place or state.

Usage Examples:

• Я вернусь обратно через час.

  I will come back in an hour.

• Он посмотрел на меня, а потом отвернулся обратно.

  He looked at me and then turned back.

• Положи книгу обратно на полку.

  Put the book back on the shelf.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

спина (Noun, Feminine):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	спина	спины
Genitive	спины	спин
Dative	спине	спинам
Accusative	спину	спины
Instrumental	спиной	спинами
Prepositional	спине	спинах

задняя часть (Compound Noun, Feminine): Both words decline based on their grammatical role. "задняя" is an adjective agreeing with "часть" (feminine noun). Declension follows standard feminine noun and adjective rules.

обратно (Adverb): This is an invariable word and does not change form regardless of context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for спина:

• хребет (more anatomical or figurative)
• тыл (figurative, often military context)

Antonyms for спина:

• грудь (chest, front of the body)

Synonyms for обратно:

• назад (back, often used interchangeably)

Antonyms for обратно:

• вперёд (forward)

Related Phrases:

• повернуться спиной - To turn one's back (literal or figurative, e.g., to ignore someone).
• идти обратно - To go back (to a previous location).
• задняя сторона медали - The flip side of the coin (figurative, the other side of an issue).

Usage Notes:

• "спина" is strictly used for the physical back of a person or animal. It cannot be used for objects.
• "задняя часть" is more formal and specific, often used for describing parts of objects, vehicles, or spaces. In casual speech, "зад" (rear) might be used alone.
• "обратно" and "назад" are often interchangeable as adverbs meaning "back," but "обратно" can imply a return to an original state or place more explicitly.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "спина" to refer to the back of an object.
  Incorrect: Задняя спина машины.
  Correct: Задняя часть машины.
  Explanation: "спина" is reserved for living beings. Use "задняя часть" for inanimate objects.
• Error: Misusing "обратно" in contexts where direction (not return) is implied.
  Incorrect: Иди обратно (meaning "go backward").
  Correct: Иди назад.
  Explanation: "обратно" implies returning to a starting point, while "назад" can simply mean moving backward.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, turning one's "спина" (back) to someone can be seen as a sign of disrespect or rejection, more so than in some other cultures. Phrases like "повернуться спиной" often carry emotional or symbolic weight beyond the literal meaning.

Related Concepts:

• назад (backward, back)
• тыл (rear, often in military or figurative contexts)
• возвращение (return)