Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'distance'

English Word: distance

Key Russian Translations:

• Расстояние [rɐˈstoɪ̯ənʲɪje] - [Formal, Singular, Neutral]
• Дистанция [dʲɪˈstanʦɨjə] - [Formal, Often used in technical or sports contexts]

Frequency: High (commonly used in everyday conversation, literature, and scientific contexts in Russian).

Difficulty: A2 for basic usage; B1 for more nuanced applications, as it involves understanding noun cases and contexts.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Расстояние: [rɐˈstoɪ̯ənʲɪje]

Дистанция: [dʲɪˈstanʦɨjə]

Note on Расстояние: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical or spatial distance (e.g., the space between two points)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Расстояние - Used in general contexts for measuring space, such as in geography or daily navigation.
• Дистанция - Applied in more precise or formal settings, like racing or engineering.

Usage Examples:

• Расстояние между Москвой и Санкт-Петербургом составляет около 700 километров.

  The distance between Moscow and Saint Petersburg is about 700 kilometers.

• Из-за большого расстояния сигнал достигает нас с задержкой.

  Due to the great distance, the signal reaches us with a delay.

• Дистанция гонки была увеличена до 10 километров для большего вызова.

  The distance of the race was increased to 10 kilometers for a greater challenge.

• Мы измеряем расстояние с помощью GPS в современных автомобилях.

  We measure distance using GPS in modern cars.

2. Emotional or metaphorical distance (e.g., in relationships)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Расстояние - Used metaphorically in emotional or psychological contexts, often in literature or conversations about relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Эмоциональное расстояние между ними росло с каждым днём.

  The emotional distance between them grew with each day.

• Расстояние в отношениях можно преодолеть, если есть желание общаться.

  Distance in relationships can be overcome if there's a desire to communicate.

• Из-за расстояния они реже видятся, но связь остаётся сильной.

  Because of the distance, they see each other less often, but the connection remains strong.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "расстояние" and "дистанция" are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. "Расстояние" is more common and has regular inflections, while "дистанция" is less variable in everyday use.

Note: "Дистанция" is less commonly inflected in plural forms and may remain unchanged in informal contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Протяжённость (protyazhennost') - Emphasizes length or extent.
  • Пространство (prostranstvo) - More abstract, referring to space in general.
• Antonyms:
  • Близость (blizost') - Proximity or nearness.
  • Соприкосновение (soprikosnovenie) - Contact or touching.

Related Phrases:

• На расстоянии вытянутой руки - At arm's length; used for physical or metaphorical closeness.
• Поддерживать дистанцию - To maintain distance; often in social or professional contexts.
• Измерять расстояние - To measure distance; common in scientific or navigational phrases.

Usage Notes:

"Расстояние" is the most direct and versatile translation for "distance" in Russian, suitable for both literal and figurative uses. It corresponds closely to English in everyday scenarios but requires attention to case endings for grammatical accuracy. "Дистанция" is preferred in formal or specialized contexts, such as sports or technology, and may imply a measured or controlled distance. When choosing between translations, consider the context: use "расстояние" for emotional distance and "дистанция" for precise measurements. Always pair it with appropriate prepositions, like "до" (to) or "между" (between), to maintain natural flow in sentences.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse case endings, e.g., saying "большой расстояние" instead of "большое расстояние" (correct genitive form). Error: "Я иду на расстояние" (incorrect accusative). Correct: "Я иду на расстояние" should be "Я прохожу расстояние" for proper context. Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case, so always check the function in the sentence.

• Confusing "расстояние" with "дистанция" in informal speech, leading to overuse of "дистанция" where "расстояние" sounds more natural. Error: "Эмоциональная дистанция" might be overformal. Correct: Use "расстояние" for everyday emotional contexts. Explanation: This can make speech sound stilted; adapt based on register.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts of distance often extend to social norms, such as the idea of "personal space" being larger in urban settings like Moscow. Phrases like "на расстоянии" can evoke themes in literature, such as in Tolstoy's works, where emotional distance reflects societal divides during historical periods.

Related Concepts:

• Пространство (space)
• Время (time, often linked with distance in physics)
• Близость (proximity)