Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'elapse'

English Word: elapse

Key Russian Translations:

• проходить [prɐˈxodʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Used in general contexts for the passage of time]
• истекать [ɪsʲˈtʲekətʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Used specifically for time limits or expiration]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday and written Russian, especially in narratives or discussions about time.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations, but basic forms are accessible to learners with some experience.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

проходить: [prɐˈxodʲɪtʲ]

истекать: [ɪsʲˈtʲekətʲ]

Note on проходить: The stress falls on the second syllable ('хо́'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to vowel reduction in unstressed syllables. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The passage or going by of time.

Translation(s) & Context:

• проходить - Used in contexts describing the natural flow of time, such as in stories or daily conversations (e.g., in formal writing or narratives).
• истекать - Used for time limits, deadlines, or expiration, often in legal or official contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Время проходит быстро, когда ты занят работой.

  Time elapses quickly when you're busy with work.

• Год истёк, и контракт нужно продлить.

  The year has elapsed, and the contract needs to be renewed.

• Несколько часов прошло с момента нашего разговора.

  Several hours have elapsed since our conversation.

• Время проходит незаметно во время отпуска.

  Time elapses unnoticed during a vacation.

• Срок истёк, и теперь нам нужно подать новую заявку.

  The deadline has elapsed, and now we need to submit a new application.

Secondary Meaning: To expire or run out (e.g., in the context of deadlines).

Translation(s) & Context:

• истекать - Emphasizes the end of a period, common in bureaucratic or timed events.
• проходить - Less common here, but can be used metaphorically for time-based expiration.

Usage Examples:

• Срок действия визы истёк на прошлой неделе.

  The validity of the visa has elapsed last week.

• Время для подачи документов прошло, но мы можем попробовать продлить.

  The time for submitting documents has elapsed, but we can try to extend it.

• Гарантийный срок истёк, поэтому ремонт будет платным.

  The warranty period has elapsed, so the repair will be chargeable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are verbs and follow standard Russian conjugation patterns. "Проходить" is an imperfective verb, while "истекать" can be imperfective. Russian verbs inflect based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Below is a table for "проходить" in the present tense as an example:

For "истекать", it is irregular in some forms: Present tense includes истекаю (istekáyu) for 1st person singular. These verbs do not change in gender but must agree in number and person.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • происходить (proishodit' – to occur or pass, with a focus on events)
  • миновать (minovat' – to pass by, often for time or opportunities)
• Antonyms:
  • начинаться (nachinatsya – to begin)
  • продолжаться (prodolzhat'sya – to continue)

Related Phrases:

• Время летит (Vremya letit) - Time flies; a common idiom for when time elapses quickly.
• Проходить сквозь пальцы (Prokhodit' skvoz' pal'tsy) - To slip through one's fingers; refers to time or opportunities elapsing without notice.
• Истекший срок (Istekshiy srok) - Expired term; used in formal contexts like contracts.

Usage Notes:

"Проходить" is the more versatile translation for "elapse" in everyday contexts, while "истекать" is preferred for precise, time-bound situations like deadlines. In Russian, these verbs must be conjugated according to the subject, and aspect (imperfective for ongoing actions) is key. English speakers should note that Russian often requires specifying the time frame explicitly. Choose "проходить" for narrative flow and "истекать" for legal or official language to match the context accurately.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "проходить" interchangeably with "истекать" without considering context. For example, learners might say "Время истекает быстро" when meaning general passage, but it's incorrect as "истекать" implies expiration.
  Correct: "Время проходит быстро" (Time elapses quickly).
  Explanation: "Истекать" is for finite ends, so it can confuse the nuance of ongoing time.
• Mistake: Forgetting verb conjugation, e.g., saying "проходить" in all forms instead of "проходит" for third person.
  Correct: "Время проходит" (Time elapses) vs. incorrect "Время проходить".
  Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject, unlike English, where "elapse" remains the same.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of time elapsing is often tied to philosophical or literary expressions, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy. Phrases like "время летит" reflect a cultural emphasis on the fleeting nature of life, influenced by Russia's historical context of rapid changes and winters that seem to "elapse" endlessly.

Related Concepts:

• время (vremya - time)
• период (period - period)
• срок (srok - term or deadline)