Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'everything'

English Word: everything

Key Russian Translations:

• всё [fsə] - [Informal, Neuter Singular, Used in everyday contexts]
• все [fsje] - [Formal, Plural, Used for emphasis or in broader statements]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in both spoken and written Russian)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it involves basic vocabulary and simple grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

всё: [fsə]

все: [fsje]

Note on всё: The pronunciation may vary slightly by region; the 'ф' sound is soft and quick, often challenging for beginners.

Note on все: Stress on the first syllable; ensure the 'е' is pronounced as a soft 'ye' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Referring to all things or the whole of something

Translation(s) & Context:

• всё - Used in informal settings, such as casual conversations or when referring to everything in a general sense (e.g., in daily life).
• все - Applied in more formal or emphatic contexts, often implying a collective or plural reference.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил всё, что было в списке. (Ya kupil vsyo, chto bylo v spiske.)

  I bought everything that was on the list.

• Все мои друзья приедут на вечеринку. (Vsye moi druz'ya priyedut na vecherinku.)

  All my friends will come to the party.

• Всё в порядке, не волнуйся. (Vsyo v poryadke, ne volnuyes'.)

  Everything is fine, don't worry.

• Все книги в библиотеке доступны для чтения. (Vsye knigi v biblioteeke dostupny dlya chteniya.)

  All books in the library are available for reading.

• Всё, что ты сказал, правда. (Vsyo, chto ty skazal, pravda.)

  Everything you said is true.

Secondary Meaning: In expressions of totality or completion

Translation(s) & Context:

• всё - Common in idiomatic expressions for wrapping up a conversation.

Usage Examples:

• Это всё? (Eto vsyo?)

  Is that everything?

• Все готово к отъезду. (Vsye gotovo k ot'ezdu.)

  Everything is ready for departure.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "всё" and "все" are pronouns/adverbs that exhibit limited inflection based on gender, number, and case in Russian grammar.

Note: "всё" is invariant in most cases but can take endings in compound forms. "все" follows standard plural adjective/pronoun inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • весь (ves' - meaning 'all' in a distributive sense; differs by implying parts of a whole)
  • полностью (polnost'yu - adverb for 'entirely')
• Antonyms:
  • ничего (nichego - nothing)
  • отдельные (otdel'nyye - separate or individual)

Related Phrases:

• Всё равно (Vsyo ravno) - Meaning: It doesn't matter or anyway.
• Все в сборе (Vsye v sbore) - Meaning: Everyone is present or all is assembled.
• Всё как есть (Vsyo kak yest') - Meaning: Everything as it is, in its true state.

Usage Notes:

"всё" and "все" directly correspond to "everything" but are chosen based on context: use "всё" for singular/neuter references in informal speech, and "все" for plural or formal situations. Be mindful of case agreement in sentences, as Russian requires nouns to match in case. For example, avoid direct translation without adjusting for Russian grammar structures.

• In questions or exclamations, "всё" often ends statements for emphasis.
• When multiple translations exist, select based on the sentence's formality and number.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "всё" with "все" by not considering number or formality, leading to awkward phrasing. For instance:

• Error: Using "всё" in a plural context, e.g., "Всё друзья приехали" (incorrect).
• Correct: "Все друзья приехали" (All friends have arrived). Explanation: "Все" is needed for plural subjects to maintain agreement.
• Another error: Mispronouncing the soft consonants, e.g., saying [fso] instead of [fsə] for "всё", which can alter meaning in fast speech.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "Всё равно" reflect a pragmatic attitude towards life, often indicating resilience or indifference in the face of challenges, which is common in Russian literature and everyday conversations.

Related Concepts:

• весь
• ничто
• полный