Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'finally'

English Word: finally

Key Russian Translations:

• наконец (/nəˈkɐnʲɛts/) - [Formal, Informal; Used to express conclusion or end of a process]
• в конце концов (/v ˈkɐnʲt͡sʲɛ kɐnʲˈt͡sɐf/) - [Formal; Used in argumentative or summarizing contexts, often for 'in the end' or 'ultimately']
• наконец-то (/nəˈkɐnʲɛts tə/) - [Informal; Emphasizes relief or impatience, similar to 'at long last']

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are commonly used in everyday conversation, literature, and formal writing, but not as ubiquitous as basic connectors like "and" or "but".

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp the basic usage, but mastering nuances in context may require practice. For "наконец", it's B1; for "в конце концов", it might lean towards B2 due to its more formal structure.

Pronunciation (Russian):

наконец: /nəˈkɐnʲɛts/

в конце концов: /v ˈkɐnʲt͡sʲɛ kɐnʲˈt͡sɐf/

наконец-то: /nəˈkɐnʲɛts tə/

Note on наконец: The stress falls on the second syllable, and the 'ц' sound is a voiceless alveolar affricate, which can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds like 'ts' in 'cats'. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: At last or after a long time (indicating the end of waiting or a process)

Translation(s) & Context:

• наконец - Used in everyday situations to express relief after delays, such as in conversations about waiting for something.
• наконец-то - Informal variant, often in spoken language to add emphasis on frustration or joy.

Usage Examples:

• Наконец, мы приехали в Москву после долгой поездки.

  Finally, we arrived in Moscow after a long trip.

• Наконец-то погода улучшилась, и мы можем пойти на прогулку.

  Finally, the weather has improved, and we can go for a walk.

• После множества попыток, наконец, он сдал экзамен.

  After many attempts, he finally passed the exam.

• Наконец, все собрались за столом для семейного ужина.

  Finally, everyone gathered at the table for a family dinner.

• Наконец-то я нашел книгу, которую искал в библиотеке.

  Finally, I found the book I was looking for in the library.

Meaning: Ultimately or in conclusion (indicating a final result or summary)

Translation(s) & Context:

• в конце концов - Used in formal discussions, essays, or debates to wrap up an argument.
• наконец - Can be used in less formal contexts for similar purposes.

Usage Examples:

• В конце концов, решение было принято в пользу команды.

  Finally, the decision was made in favor of the team.

• После всех споров, наконец, мы согласились на компромисс.

  After all the arguments, we finally agreed on a compromise.

• В конце концов, успех зависит от упорного труда.

  Finally, success depends on persistent effort.

• Наконец, в своем выступлении, оратор подвел итоги.

  Finally, in his speech, the speaker summarized the points.

• В конце концов-то, это был правильный выбор.

  Finally, it was the right choice.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most key translations like "наконец" and "наконец-то" are adverbs, which do not inflect in Russian. They remain unchanged regardless of gender, number, case, or tense. However, "в конце концов" is a fixed phrase and also invariant.

For completeness, if used in compound structures, adverbs like these do not change, but surrounding words might. No table is needed due to lack of inflection, but here's a simple overview:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • наконец (similar to наконец, but more emphatic in some contexts)
  • в итоге (used for summarizing, often in formal writing)
  • в конечном счете (more formal, implying ultimate outcome)
• Antonyms:
  • изначально (meaning 'initially')
  • сначала (meaning 'at first')

Related Phrases:

• наконец-то и дело - A phrase meaning "at long last" or "finally something is happening," often used to express impatience in informal settings.
• в конце концов разобраться - Meaning "to finally sort things out," used in problem-solving contexts.
• наконец обрести покой - Translates to "to finally find peace," common in literary or emotional discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Finally" in English often corresponds to "наконец" in Russian for everyday expressions of relief or conclusion, but choose "в конце концов" for more formal or argumentative contexts to mirror a logical wrap-up. Be mindful of register: "наконец-то" is casual and adds emotional weight, making it ideal for spoken language. Grammatically, these are adverbs and don't require agreement with other words, but they typically appear at the beginning or end of a sentence for emphasis. When selecting among translations, prioritize "наконец" for simplicity in intermediate learning.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "наконец" interchangeably with "конец" (meaning "end" as a noun), leading to confusion in meaning. Incorrect: "Конец, мы приехали" (This implies "The end, we arrived," which is nonsensical). Correct: "Наконец, мы приехали." Explanation: "Наконец" is an adverb, not a noun, so ensure it's used as a sentence modifier.
• Mistake: Overusing "в конце концов" in informal speech, which sounds overly formal. Incorrect: In a casual chat: "В конце концов, давай пойдем." Correct: "Наконец, давай пойдем." Explanation: Reserve "в конце концов" for essays or debates to avoid sounding stilted.
• Mistake: Misplacing stress in pronunciation, e.g., stressing the wrong syllable in "наконец," which can alter perceived meaning. Explanation: Always stress the second syllable to maintain clarity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "наконец" often appear in literature and everyday expressions to convey the Russian concept of "stoic patience" in the face of delays or hardships, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy. It reflects a cultural emphasis on endurance, where finally achieving something is a moment of triumph.

Related Concepts:

• потом (then)
• в итоге (in the end)
• заключение (conclusion)