Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'by'

English Word: by

Key Russian Translations:

• к [k] - [Formal, Prepositional case usage]
• у [u] - [Informal, Indicating proximity or possession]
• через ['tʃʲerʲɪz] - [Formal/Informal, Indicating means or passage]
• около ['okələ] - [Informal, Indicating nearness in space or time]

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

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Intermediate - varies by translation and context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

к: [k]

Note on к: Short and sharp consonant sound, often used before other words without stress.

у: [u]

Note on у: A short vowel sound, often used as a standalone preposition.

через: ['tʃʲerʲɪz]

Note on через: Stress on the first syllable; the 'ч' sound is palatalized.

около: ['okələ]

Note on около: Stress on the first syllable; the middle 'о' is reduced in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Indicating Proximity or Location (near)

Translation(s) & Context:

• у - Used to indicate something or someone near a location (e.g., by the river).
• около - Often used for approximate location or time (e.g., by the house, by 5 PM).

Usage Examples:

• Я живу у реки.

  I live by the river.

• Магазин около школы.

  The shop is by the school.

• Приходи около пяти часов.

  Come by five o'clock.

2. Indicating Means or Agent (through/via)

Translation(s) & Context:

• через - Used for means of passage or intermediary (e.g., by train, by a friend).

Usage Examples:

• Я поехал через лес.

  I went by way of the forest.

• Сообщение передано через друга.

  The message was sent by a friend.

3. Indicating Direction or Destination (to/towards)

Translation(s) & Context:

• к - Used to indicate direction or purpose (e.g., by the deadline, towards someone).

Usage Examples:

• Подойди к окну.

  Come by the window.

• Сделай это к завтрашнему дню.

  Do it by tomorrow.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

к, у, через, около: These are prepositions in Russian and do not inflect. Their form remains constant regardless of the noun or pronoun they govern. However, they often require specific cases for the nouns they are paired with:

• к - Requires Dative case (e.g., к другу - to a friend).
• у - Requires Genitive case (e.g., у дома - by the house).
• через - Requires Accusative case (e.g., через реку - across the river).
• около - Requires Genitive case (e.g., около школы - by the school).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for около (near):

• рядом
• возле

Note: "рядом" often implies closer proximity than "около", while "возле" can be more formal.

Antonyms for около (near):

• далеко

Related Phrases:

• у меня - Literally "by me", meaning "I have" in possessive constructions.
• через день - "Every other day", indicating frequency.
• около полуночи - "Around midnight", used for approximate time.

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "к", "у", "через", and "около" depends heavily on context and the case of the noun that follows. English "by" has a wide range of meanings, so selecting the correct Russian preposition is crucial.
• "у" often conveys possession in addition to proximity, which may confuse English speakers (e.g., "у меня есть" = "I have").
• "через" can imply both physical passage and metaphorical means, similar to "through" or "via" in English.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "около" when "у" is more appropriate for possession or proximity.
  Incorrect: "Около меня книга." (Intended: I have a book.)
  Correct: "У меня книга." (I have a book.)
  Explanation: "Около" implies physical nearness, not possession.
• Error: Forgetting the required case after prepositions.
  Incorrect: "Я иду к дом." (Intended: I am going to the house.)
  Correct: "Я иду к дому." (Dative case required after "к".)

Cultural Notes:

The preposition "у" is deeply tied to the Russian concept of possession, which differs from English. Instead of saying "I have", Russians often use "by me" (у меня), reflecting a cultural nuance of ownership as something near or associated with a person rather than directly possessed.

Related Concepts:

• рядом (nearby)
• возле (next to)
• до (until, up to)