Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fortnight'

English Word: fortnight

Key Russian Translations:

• две недели [dvʲe ˈnʲedʲelʲi] - [Informal, Common phrase; used in everyday conversation for a period of two weeks]

Frequency: Medium (The concept is common in contexts involving scheduling or time estimation, but 'fortnight' itself is not frequently used in Russian; equivalents appear in daily life.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level; involves basic time expressions and noun phrases, but requires understanding of Russian numeral and noun agreement.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

две недели: [dvʲe ˈnʲedʲelʲi]

Note on две недели: The stress falls on the second syllable of "недели" ([ˈnʲedʲelʲi]), and the "две" is pronounced with a soft 'v' sound. Palatalization is key, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A period of two weeks

Translation(s) & Context:

• две недели - Used in informal contexts for general time references, such as planning events or describing durations.

Usage Examples:

• Я вернусь через две недели.

  I will return in two weeks.

• Мы встречаемся каждые две недели для обсуждения проекта.

  We meet every two weeks to discuss the project.

• Отпуск продлится две недели.

  The vacation will last two weeks.

• Две недели — это достаточное время, чтобы освоить новый навык.

  Two weeks is enough time to master a new skill.

• После двух недель интенсивных тренировок я заметил улучшения.

  After two weeks of intensive training, I noticed improvements.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Две недели" is a phrase consisting of the numeral "две" (two, feminine form) and the noun "недели" (weeks, plural nominative case). As a feminine plural noun, "неделя" follows standard second-declension patterns for feminine nouns ending in -я.

Key inflections for "неделя":

Note: "Две" agrees in gender and case with "недели" (feminine plural). The phrase is invariant in basic usage but changes with case, e.g., "в двух неделях" (in two weeks, prepositional case).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: четырнадцать дней (fourteen days; more literal but less common), полторы недели (one and a half weeks; for slightly shorter periods)
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as this is a time duration; however, for contrast, consider "одна неделя" (one week) for a shorter period.

Related Phrases:

• через две недели - In two weeks; used for future scheduling.
• каждые две недели - Every two weeks; common in routines or subscriptions.
• в течение двух недель - Within two weeks; implies a timeframe for completion.

Usage Notes:

Russians typically do not use a direct equivalent to "fortnight" as a single word; instead, "две недели" is the standard phrase. It corresponds closely to British English "fortnight" but is more versatile in American contexts. Use it in informal settings for daily conversations, and ensure numeral-noun agreement (e.g., "две" for feminine nouns like "недели"). When choosing between translations, opt for "две недели" in spoken language and "четырнадцать дней" in formal writing for precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "две неделя" (singular form) instead of "две недели" (plural). Correct: Always use plural for "weeks" in this context. Explanation: English speakers might forget Russian noun agreement, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Translating directly as "фортнайт" (a borrowed term, but uncommon). Correct: Use "две недели" to sound natural. Explanation: This anglicism might confuse native speakers and is not idiomatic in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

The concept of a "fortnight" is more prevalent in British English and may not resonate as strongly in Russian culture, where weeks are often referenced in pairs for scheduling (e.g., bi-weekly events). However, in modern Russia, influenced by global business, phrases like "две недели" are used in professional contexts without specific cultural connotations.

Related Concepts:

• месяц (month)
• год (year)
• день (day)