Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Constantly'

English Word: constantly

Key Russian Translations:

• постоянно [pəstɐˈjanːə] - [Neutral, Common Usage]
• непрерывно [nʲɪprʲɪˈrɨvnə] - [Formal, Emphasizes Uninterrupted Action]
• всё время [fsʲo ˈvrʲemʲə] - [Informal, Colloquial]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "постоянно" and "всё время"; B1 for "непрерывно")

Pronunciation (Russian):

постоянно: [pəstɐˈjanːə]

Note on постоянно: Stress falls on the third syllable. The double "н" is pronounced distinctly.

непрерывно: [nʲɪprʲɪˈrɨvnə]

Note on непрерывно: Stress on the third syllable. The "р" sounds are rolled softly.

всё время: [fsʲo ˈvrʲemʲə]

Note on всё время: Stress on "время". "Всё" is pronounced with a soft "sʲ".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Happening all the time or very often

Translation(s) & Context:

• постоянно - Used in neutral contexts to indicate frequent or continuous action.
• всё время - More colloquial, often used in everyday speech for "all the time".

Usage Examples:

• Он постоянно жалуется на свою работу.

  He constantly complains about his job.

• Я всё время думаю о поездке.

  I’m constantly thinking about the trip.

• Она постоянно звонит мне по вечерам.

  She constantly calls me in the evenings.

2. Without interruption

Translation(s) & Context:

• непрерывно - Used in formal or technical contexts to emphasize uninterrupted action.

Usage Examples:

• Машина работает непрерывно уже 24 часа.

  The machine has been working constantly for 24 hours.

• Мы непрерывно искали решение этой проблемы.

  We constantly searched for a solution to this problem.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

постоянно: This is an adverb derived from the adjective "постоянный" (constant). As an adverb, it does not inflect and remains unchanged regardless of context.

непрерывно: This is also an adverb derived from the adjective "непрерывный" (uninterrupted). Like "постоянно", it does not inflect.

всё время: This is a fixed phrase. "Всё" (all) and "время" (time) do not change in this expression, though "время" can inflect in other contexts as a noun.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• беспрестанно (less common, slightly formal)
• безостановочно (emphasizes no stopping)

Note: "безостановочно" is closer to "непрерывно" in formal contexts.

Antonyms:

• иногда (sometimes)
• редко (rarely)

Related Phrases:

• постоянно занят - Constantly busy (used to describe someone always occupied).
• всё время на связи - Constantly in touch (used for staying connected).
• непрерывно работать - To work constantly (formal, often in technical contexts).

Usage Notes:

• "постоянно" is the most versatile and neutral choice for "constantly", suitable for most contexts.
• "всё время" is more conversational and often used in informal speech, especially for exaggeration ("I’m constantly doing this!").
• "непрерывно" is more formal and specific, often implying no breaks or interruptions, and is common in written or technical language.
• Be mindful of the context: using "всё время" in formal writing might sound out of place, while "непрерывно" in casual speech might feel overly stiff.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "всё время" in formal contexts. Incorrect: "Машина работает всё время без перерыва." (sounds too colloquial).

  Correct: "Машина работает непрерывно без перерыва." (more appropriate for formal or technical tone).

  Explanation: "всё время" is informal and should be avoided in serious or technical discussions.

• Error: Misplacing stress in "постоянно" (e.g., stressing the first syllable).

  Correct: Stress is on "ян" [pəstɐˈjanːə].

  Explanation: Incorrect stress can make the word sound unnatural or lead to misunderstandings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, expressions like "всё время" are often used hyperbolically in casual conversation to express frustration or emphasis, similar to English "always" or "constantly". For example, saying "Ты всё время опаздываешь!" ("You’re constantly late!") might not mean literally every time but conveys irritation.

Related Concepts:

• часто (often)
• всегда (always)
• регулярно (regularly)