Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Backwards'

English Word: backwards

Key Russian Translations:

• назад [nɐˈzat] - [Neutral, Used for physical movement or direction]
• обратно [ɐˈbratnə] - [Neutral, Often used for returning or reversal]
• задом наперёд [ˈzadəm nɐˈpʲerʲot] - [Informal, Used for literal or figurative 'backwards' movement]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in various contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for 'назад' and 'обратно'; B1 for 'задом наперёд')

Pronunciation (Russian):

назад: [nɐˈzat]

Note on назад: Stress is on the second syllable; the 'з' is voiced like 'z' in 'zoo'.

обратно: [ɐˈbratnə]

Note on обратно: Stress on the second syllable; the final 'о' is reduced to a schwa sound.

задом наперёд: [ˈzadəm nɐˈpʲerʲot]

Note on задом наперёд: Two stresses due to phrase structure; 'п' is palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical Movement (Direction)

Translation(s) & Context:

• назад - Used for moving or looking in the opposite direction of forward.
• обратно - Often implies returning to a previous location or state.

Usage Examples:

• Он пошёл назад, чтобы найти потерянный кошелёк.

  He went backwards to find the lost wallet.

• Мы вернулись обратно домой после прогулки.

  We went back home after the walk.

• Машина медленно двигалась назад.

  The car slowly moved backwards.

2. Figurative or Reversed Order

Translation(s) & Context:

• задом наперёд - Used for something done in reverse or incorrectly.
• обратно - Can imply reversal of a process or idea.

Usage Examples:

• Ты надел рубашку задом наперёд!

  You put on your shirt backwards!

• Он прочитал текст обратно, начиная с конца.

  He read the text backwards, starting from the end.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

назад: This is an adverb and does not inflect. It remains unchanged regardless of context.

обратно: This is also an adverb and does not inflect. It is used consistently in all contexts.

задом наперёд: This is a fixed phrase. 'Задом' is the instrumental case of 'зад' (back/rear), and 'наперёд' is an adverb. Neither component inflects within this expression.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• вспять (archaic, for reversal or going back)
• наоборот (for reversal of order or idea)

Note: 'вспять' is rarely used in modern Russian; 'наоборот' often implies a conceptual reversal rather than physical movement.

Antonyms:

• вперёд (forward)
• дальше (further)

Related Phrases:

• идти назад - to go back (physically or metaphorically)
• обратный путь - the way back (return journey)
• задом наперёд думать - to think backwards (to think illogically, informal)

Usage Notes:

• 'назад' is the most common and neutral term for physical movement in the opposite direction of forward. It can also imply returning to a previous state or time (e.g., "год назад" = a year ago).
• 'обратно' often carries the nuance of returning to an original point or reversing a process. It is frequently used with verbs like "вернуться" (to return).
• 'задом наперёд' is more colloquial and often used literally for reversed clothing or figuratively for doing something incorrectly. Avoid overusing it in formal contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'задом наперёд' in formal writing or speech. Wrong: "Я прочитал документ задом наперёд." Correct: "Я прочитал документ с конца." (I read the document from the end.)
• Error: Confusing 'назад' and 'обратно' when implying a return. Wrong: "Я пошёл назад в магазин." Correct: "Я вернулся обратно в магазин." (I went back to the store.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of "backwards" can carry a negative connotation in informal expressions like 'задом наперёд,' often implying clumsiness or error. Additionally, "идти назад" can metaphorically refer to regression or outdated thinking, which is a common trope in discussions of progress or modernity.

Related Concepts:

• вперёд (forward)
• наоборот (opposite, conversely)
• регресс (regression)