Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'during'

English Word: during

Key Russian Translations:

• во время (/və vrʲemʲə/) - [Formal, used for specific events or periods]
• в течение (/v tʲɪt͡ɕenʲɪjʲi/) - [Formal, used for durations or ongoing processes]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and formal writing, but requires contextual understanding).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; involves mastering prepositions and time expressions, which can be challenging for beginners due to contextual nuances. For "во время", it's similar; for "в течение", it may vary slightly based on sentence structure).

Pronunciation (Russian):

во время: /və vrʲemʲə/

Note on во время: The stress falls on the second syllable of "время" (/vrʲemʲə/), and the initial "в" is often reduced in casual speech. Pay attention to the soft "р" sound.

в течение: /v tʲɪt͡ɕenʲɪjʲi/

Note on в течение: The "ч" is a soft palatal fricative, and the word is typically stressed on "тече". Pronunciation can vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Indicating the period of time in which an event occurs or a state exists.

Translation(s) & Context:

• во время - Used in contexts involving specific, defined events or moments (e.g., during a meeting).
• в течение - Used for ongoing durations, such as a span of time (e.g., during the entire day).

Usage Examples:

• Во время встречи мы обсудили важные вопросы.

  During the meeting, we discussed important issues.

• В течение лета я планирую путешествовать по Европе.

  During the summer, I plan to travel around Europe.

• Во время дождя улицы быстро заполняются водой.

  During the rain, the streets quickly fill with water.

• В течение недели я должен закончить этот проект.

  During the week, I need to finish this project.

• Во время отпуска она научилась готовить традиционные блюда.

  During her vacation, she learned to cook traditional dishes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Во время" and "в течение" are prepositional phrases rather than single inflected words, but their components can inflect. "Время" (in "во время") is a neuter noun that follows standard third-declension patterns, while "течение" (in "в течение") is also neuter and inflects as a second-declension noun.

For "время" (noun in "во время"):

For "течение" (noun in "в течение"):

These phrases themselves do not inflect as units but adapt based on the nouns they contain. For unchanging elements like prepositions "во" and "в", they remain constant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • при (pri) - Used for "during" in the context of simultaneous events, but more specific to "at the time of".
  • во (vo) - A shorter form sometimes used in informal contexts for "in" or "during".
• Antonyms:
  • после (posle) - Meaning "after", contrasting with ongoing periods.
  • до (do) - Meaning "before", opposing the idea of simultaneity.

Related Phrases:

• В течение дня - During the day (refers to the entire daytime period).
• Во время войны - During the war (used for historical or specific events).
• В течение нескольких часов - During several hours (emphasizes duration).

Usage Notes:

"Во время" is best for pinpointing events within a defined timeframe, similar to English "during a specific occasion," while "в течение" suits extended periods, akin to "over the course of." English speakers should note that Russian prepositions often require the genitive case, so always check the noun that follows. For formal writing, "в течение" is preferred for professional contexts, whereas "во время" works in narratives. When choosing between translations, consider if the emphasis is on a momentary event or a continuous span.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "во время" for extended durations, e.g., saying "Во время недели" instead of "В течение недели". Correct: "В течение недели" (During the week). Explanation: "Во время" implies a specific point, not a full period, leading to awkward phrasing.

• Error: Omitting the genitive case, e.g., "Во время день" instead of "Во время дня". Correct: Always use genitive, as in "Во время дня". Explanation: Russian grammar requires nouns after prepositions like this to inflect correctly, which English speakers might overlook.

Cultural Notes:

Expressions like "во время войны" (during the war) are common in Russian literature and media, often evoking historical events such as World War II, which holds significant cultural weight in Russia. This can add emotional or patriotic connotations, reminding users that time-related phrases in Russian are frequently tied to the nation's complex history.

Related Concepts:

• время (vremya) - Time
• период (period) - Period
• момент (moment) - Moment