Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Detour'

English Word: detour

Key Russian Translations:

• обход [ˈobxət] - [Formal, Noun]
• объезд [ˈobʲjɪst] - [Informal, Noun]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

обход: [ˈobxət]

Note on обход: Stress falls on the first syllable; the 'х' sound is a guttural fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers.

объезд: [ˈobʲjɪst]

Note on объезд: Stress on the first syllable; the soft 'б' (indicated by 'ʲ') requires a slight palatalization, common in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A longer or alternative route to avoid something (literal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• объезд - Often used in the context of driving or traveling to avoid roadblocks or traffic.
• обход - More general, can refer to bypassing obstacles or areas, not strictly related to driving.

Usage Examples:

• Из-за аварии нам пришлось сделать объезд через соседнюю деревню.

  Due to the accident, we had to take a detour through the neighboring village.

• На карте указан обход опасной зоны.

  The map shows a detour around the dangerous area.

• Объезд занял у нас лишний час.

  The detour took us an extra hour.

• Мы выбрали обход, чтобы избежать толпы.

  We chose a detour to avoid the crowd.

• Объездная дорога была в плохом состоянии.

  The detour road was in poor condition.

2. A deviation from a direct course or plan (figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обход - Used metaphorically to describe avoiding a topic or issue indirectly.

Usage Examples:

• Он сделал обход в разговоре, чтобы не задеть её чувства.

  He took a detour in the conversation to avoid hurting her feelings.

• Её ответ был обходом прямого вопроса.

  Her answer was a detour from the direct question.

• Мы сделали обход в обсуждении, чтобы найти компромисс.

  We took a detour in the discussion to find a compromise.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

обход (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate):

объезд (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for обход/объезд:

• отклонение (deviation, more abstract)
• окольный путь (roundabout way, more descriptive)

Antonyms for обход/объезд:

• прямой путь (direct route)
• кратчайший путь (shortest path)

Related Phrases:

• сделать объезд - to take a detour (used in driving contexts)
• обходной путь - a detour route (literal or metaphorical)
• идти в обход - to go around (often used for avoiding rules or obstacles)

Usage Notes:

• While both "обход" and "объезд" can mean "detour," "объезд" is more commonly used in the context of driving or physical travel, whereas "обход" can apply to more abstract or metaphorical detours, like avoiding a topic in conversation.
• Use "объезд" when referring to road detours or bypasses, as it is the more specific term in such cases.
• Be mindful of the case endings when using these nouns in sentences, as Russian grammar requires agreement with prepositions and verbs.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "объезд" in metaphorical contexts.
  Incorrect: "Он сделал объезд в разговоре." (He took a detour in conversation.)
  Correct: "Он сделал обход в разговоре."
  Explanation: "Объезд" is tied to physical detours, especially in travel, while "обход" is broader and fits abstract uses.
• Error: Incorrect case usage after prepositions.
  Incorrect: "Мы поехали по объезд." (We drove along the detour.)
  Correct: "Мы поехали по объезду."
  Explanation: After "по," the dative case is required, so "объезд" becomes "объезду."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "обход" can sometimes carry a connotation of cleverly avoiding rules or bureaucracy, often seen as a practical skill in navigating complex systems. This metaphorical usage is more common than in English, where "detour" is primarily literal.

Related Concepts:

• маршрут (route)
• путь (path)
• дорога (road)