Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'immediately'

English Word: immediately

Key Russian Translations:

• немедленно [nʲɪˈmʲedlʲɪnə] - [Formal, used in official or precise contexts]
• срочно [ˈsʀoʧnə] - [Informal, often implies urgency in everyday situations]
• тотчас [ˈtotʃəs] - [Formal, literary or archaic, used for immediate action]

Frequency: Medium - The word "immediately" and its Russian equivalents are commonly used in both spoken and written Russian, especially in instructions, requests, and professional settings.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp basic usage, but nuances like formality may require B2 for full mastery. For "немедленно", it's B1; for "срочно", it's A2 due to its everyday frequency.

Pronunciation (Russian):

немедленно: [nʲɪˈmʲedlʲɪnə] - Stress on the third syllable; the 'нʲ' is a palatalized 'n', which can be tricky for English speakers.

Note on немедленно: This word has a soft 'лʲ' sound, which might sound like a 'ly' blend; practice with native speakers for accuracy.

срочно: [ˈsʀoʧnə] - Stress on the first syllable; the 'р' is a trilled 'r', common in Russian.

Note on срочно: The 'ч' is pronounced like 'ch' in "church"; it's straightforward but ensure the trill for fluency.

тотчас: [ˈtotʃəs] - Stress on the first syllable; similar 'ч' sound as above.

Note on тотчас: This is less common in modern speech, so pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Without delay or hesitation (e.g., in response to an action or command)

Translation(s) & Context:

• немедленно - Used in formal contexts like official emails or instructions, emphasizing instant action.
• срочно - Applied in informal or urgent everyday scenarios, such as phone calls or emergencies.

Usage Examples:

• Пожалуйста, ответьте немедленно на это письмо. (Please respond immediately to this letter.)

  Translation: Please respond immediately to this letter. (Shows formal written context.)

• Он срочно needed to leave the meeting. (He immediately needed to leave the meeting.)

  Translation: He immediately needed to leave the meeting. (Illustrates informal urgency in spoken language.)

• Тотчас после звонка я понял, что нужно действовать. (Immediately after the call, I realized I needed to act.)

  Translation: Immediately after the call, I realized I needed to act. (Demonstrates literary or narrative usage.)

• Врачи прибыли срочно на место происшествия. (The doctors arrived immediately at the scene of the incident.)

  Translation: The doctors arrived immediately at the scene of the incident. (Highlights emergency contexts.)

• Она немедленно согласилась на предложение. (She immediately agreed to the proposal.)

  Translation: She immediately agreed to the proposal. (Shows quick decision-making in dialogue.)

Meaning 2: Directly following an event (e.g., in sequences)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тотчас - Often in literary or descriptive contexts to indicate succession.
• немедленно - In procedural or instructional settings.

Usage Examples:

• После аварии тотчас вызвали полицию. (Immediately after the accident, they called the police.)

  Translation: Immediately after the accident, they called the police. (Emphasizes sequence in storytelling.)

• Он завершил задание и немедленно отправился домой. (He finished the task and immediately went home.)

  Translation: He finished the task and immediately went home. (Shows cause-and-effect in daily routines.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations of "immediately" in Russian, such as "немедленно", "срочно", and "тотчас", are adverbs. Adverbs in Russian typically do not inflect for gender, number, or case, meaning they remain unchanged regardless of context. However, they can vary slightly in usage based on sentence structure.

For example:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • быстро (quickly) - Similar to "срочно" but implies speed rather than instantaneity.
  • сию минуту (this minute) - Informal synonym for "немедленно", used in spoken language.
  • без промедления (without delay) - More formal and emphatic.
• Antonyms:
  • позднее (later)
  • через некоторое время (after some time)
  • не спеша (not hurriedly)

Related Phrases:

• немедленно вернуться - To return immediately; used in commands or urgent situations.
• срочно связаться - To get in touch immediately; common in professional contexts.
• тотчас же отреагировать - To react immediately; often in response to events.

Usage Notes:

"Immediately" in English directly corresponds to "немедленно" in formal Russian contexts, such as legal or official documents, while "срочно" is better for informal or urgent everyday use. Be mindful of the context: in Russian, overusing these words can sound dramatic, so reserve them for situations requiring emphasis. For grammar, these adverbs typically follow the verb they modify, e.g., "Сделайте немедленно" instead of placing it at the beginning unless for stylistic effect. When choosing between translations, opt for "немедленно" in written English equivalents and "срочно" for spoken ones.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "срочно" in formal writing, thinking it's a direct synonym. Correct: Use "немедленно" for precision. Example: Incorrect: "Срочно ответьте на письмо." Correct: "Немедленно ответьте на письмо." (Explanation: "Срочно" implies urgency but may sound too casual.)
• Mistake: Confusing with "быстро", which means "quickly" but not necessarily "immediately". Correct: Specify "немедленно" for instant action. Example: Incorrect: "Быстро приходите!" (implies speed, not instant). Correct: "Немедленно приходите!" (for immediate arrival).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "немедленно" and "срочно" reflect a value for efficiency and promptness, especially in bureaucratic or professional settings. However, in everyday life, Russians might use these terms hyperbolically for emphasis, similar to English slang, which can add a layer of expressiveness in conversations.

Related Concepts:

• время (time)
• спешка (hurry)
• реакция (reaction)