Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'finish'

English Word: finish

Key Russian Translations:

• завершить [zɐˈvʲerʂɨtʲ] - [Formal, used in written or official contexts]
• закончить [zɐˈkonʲtʲʃɨtʲ] - [Informal, everyday spoken language]
• финиш [ˈfʲinʲɪʂ] - [Neutral, borrowed word, often used in sports or racing contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in both everyday conversation and specialized contexts like sports or work)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and noun usage, but accessible to learners with basic grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

завершить: [zɐˈvʲerʂɨtʲ]

Note on завершить: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'ш' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. This verb often has a formal tone.

закончить: [zɐˈkonʲtʲʃɨtʲ]

Note on закончить: Stress on the second syllable; the 'ч' is soft, and this word is more versatile in informal settings.

финиш: [ˈfʲinʲɪʂ]

Note on финиш: Pronounced similarly to the English word, with a soft 'ш' at the end; no major variations.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To complete or end something (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• завершить - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as completing a project.
• закончить - Used in everyday situations, like finishing a meal or task.

Usage Examples:

• Я должен завершить отчёт к завтрашнему дню.

  I need to finish the report by tomorrow. (Shows formal context in a work setting.)

• Она закончила книгу за один вечер.

  She finished the book in one evening. (Illustrates informal, personal usage.)

• Мы завершим встречу ровно в пять.

  We will finish the meeting exactly at five. (Demonstrates scheduling in a formal environment.)

• Дети быстро закончили уроки.

  The children quickly finished their homework. (Shows everyday family context.)

Meaning 2: The end point or final stage (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• финиш - Commonly used in sports, racing, or to denote a conclusion.

Usage Examples:

• Бегун пересёк финиш первой.

  The runner crossed the finish line first. (Context: Sports event, literal usage.)

• Финиш проекта был отмечен праздником.

  The finish of the project was marked by a celebration. (Context: Professional or creative work.)

• В гонке важно держать скорость до финиша.

  In the race, it's important to maintain speed until the finish. (Context: Competitive scenario.)

• Финиш ремонта дома занял больше времени, чем ожидалось.

  The finish of the house renovation took longer than expected. (Context: Everyday life, metaphorical usage.)

• После финиша марафона участники отдыхали.

  After the finish of the marathon, the participants rested. (Context: Endurance event.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For the verb translations like 'завершить' and 'закончить', these are perfective verbs in Russian, which means they indicate a completed action. They follow standard conjugation patterns for Russian verbs.

For the noun 'финиш', it is an indeclinable noun (does not change form), so it remains the same in all cases and numbers: финиш (nominative), финиш (genitive, etc.).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • завершить - Synonyms: окончить [ɐˈkɐnʲtʲʃɨtʲ] (to end), завершить (no direct synonyms, but similar in form)
  • закончить - Synonyms: покончить [pɐˈkonʲtʲʃɨtʲ] (to finish off, with a sense of completion)
  • финиш - Synonyms: конец [ˈkonʲɛt͡s] (end), финишная черта (finish line)
• Antonyms:
  • завершить/закончить - Antonyms: начать [nɐˈt͡ʃatʲ] (to start)
  • финиш - Antonyms: старт [start] (start)

Related Phrases:

• Дойти до финиша - To reach the finish (used in racing or metaphorical contexts for achieving a goal).
• Закончить работу - To finish work (common in professional settings).
• Завершить курс - To complete a course (educational context).

Usage Notes:

'Завершить' and 'закончить' both translate to 'finish' as a verb, but 'завершить' is more formal and implies a definitive, often planned completion, while 'закончить' is casual and can be used for abrupt or everyday endings. For the noun 'финиш', it's a direct borrow from English and is most common in sports. English learners should note that Russian verbs require aspect (perfective vs. imperfective), so pair these with imperfective forms like 'завершать' for ongoing actions. Choose based on context: use 'закончить' in daily speech and 'завершить' in writing.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'финиш' in non-sports contexts where a verb is needed, e.g., saying "Я финиш проект" instead of "Я закончил проект". Correct: Use 'закончить' or 'завершить' for actions. Explanation: 'Финиш' is a noun, not a verb, so it can't stand alone as one.
• Error: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "Я завершит" instead of "Я завершу". Correct: "Я завершу". Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person and number; always check the conjugation table.
• Error: Confusing with imperfective forms, e.g., using 'закончить' when an ongoing action is meant. Correct: Use 'заканчивать' for ongoing processes. Explanation: Aspect is crucial in Russian; 'закончить' implies completion, not duration.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of 'finish' in contexts like sports (e.g., финиш in marathons) often symbolizes perseverance, as seen in events like the Moscow Marathon. Historically, Russian literature, such as in Tolstoy's works, emphasizes the idea of completing life's journeys, reflecting a cultural value on endurance and resolution.

Related Concepts:

• начать
• окончание
• завершение