Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'far'

English Word: far

Key Russian Translations:

• далеко (/dɐˈlʲekə/) - [Adverb, Informal, Used for distance in space or time]
• дальний (/ˈdalʲnʲɪj/) - [Adjective, Formal, Plural forms exist, Used to describe distant locations or relationships]

Frequency: High (This word and its forms are commonly used in everyday Russian conversation and writing.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; straightforward for English speakers due to basic spatial concepts, but 'дальний' requires basic adjective agreement.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

далеко: /dɐˈlʲekə/ (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'лʲ' is a soft 'l' sound, which can be challenging for beginners.)

Note on далеко: Be careful with the soft 'лʲ' sound; it's similar to the 'l' in "million" in English. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels further.

дальний: /ˈdalʲnʲɪj/ (Stress on the first syllable; the 'нʲ' is a soft 'n', common in adjectives.)

Note on дальний: This word often has a palatalized ending in spoken Russian, which affects pronunciation in inflected forms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: At a great distance (Adverbial use, as in physical or metaphorical distance)

Translation(s) & Context:

• далеко - Used in everyday contexts to indicate spatial or temporal distance, such as in directions or descriptions. (e.g., In informal speech or writing about travel.)

Usage Examples:

• Он живёт далеко от центра города.

  He lives far from the city center.

• Эта история произошла далеко в прошлом.

  This story happened far in the past.

• Не уходи далеко, пожалуйста.

  Don't go far away, please.

• Далеко ли до ближайшего магазина?

  Is it far to the nearest store?

Meaning 2: Distant or remote (Adjectival use, describing places, relationships, or objects)

Translation(s) & Context:

• дальний - Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe something at a distance, like a far relative or a distant land. (e.g., In narratives or official descriptions.)

Usage Examples:

• Дальний Восток России известен своими природными красотами.

  The Far East of Russia is known for its natural beauties.

• У меня есть дальний родственник в Сибири.

  I have a distant relative in Siberia.

• Этот дальний угол дома редко используется.

  This far corner of the house is rarely used.

• Дальний рейс требует тщательной подготовки.

  A long-distance flight requires thorough preparation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

далеко is an adverb and does not inflect; it remains unchanged in all contexts, making it simple for beginners.

дальний is an adjective and follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns. It agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. Below is a table for its key forms:

Note: This is a regular first-declension adjective, so it follows predictable patterns, but pay attention to soft endings in pronunciation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вдали (vdali) - More poetic, used for something in the distance.
  • удалённый (udalyonnyy) - Formal, often for remote locations or digital contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • близко (blizko) - Close in distance.
  • ближний (blizhniy) - Nearby or immediate.

Related Phrases:

• далеко не (daleeko ne) - Not at all; far from (e.g., used to negate expectations). English explanation: This phrase emphasizes negation, like "far from being true."
• на дальнем расстоянии (na dalnem rasstoyanii) - At a far distance. English explanation: Common in scientific or navigational contexts.
• дальний угол (dalniy ugol) - Far corner. English explanation: Used literally or metaphorically for isolated areas.

Usage Notes:

далеко directly corresponds to the English adverb "far" in most contexts, making it a straightforward translation for beginners. However, for adjectival uses, choose дальний when describing nouns, ensuring it agrees in gender, number, and case. In informal speech, далеко is preferred for questions like directions, while дальний suits formal writing. Be mindful of context: in Russian, distance can imply emotional or temporal separation, similar to English. When multiple translations exist, select based on part of speech—adverbs for actions, adjectives for descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using далеко as an adjective (e.g., saying "далеко дом" instead of "дальний дом"). Correct: "Дальний дом" (The far house). Explanation: далеко is only an adverb; adjectives must agree with nouns.
• Mistake: Forgetting case agreement with дальний (e.g., "в дальний" instead of "в дальнем" in prepositional case). Correct: "В дальнем углу" (In the far corner). Explanation: Russian adjectives change based on case, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like далеко and дальний often evoke themes of vast landscapes, such as Russia's expansive geography. For instance, "Дальний Восток" (Far East) refers to a remote region symbolizing adventure and isolation, reflecting historical Russian exploration and the country's size, which can make "far" feel more profound than in English contexts.

Related Concepts:

• вдали
• удалённость
• близкий