Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'limit'

English Word: limit

Key Russian Translations:

• лимит [ˈlʲimʲɪt] - [Formal, often used in technical or legal contexts]
• предел [ˈprʲedʲɪl] - [Formal, with connotations of boundaries or extremes]
• ограничивать [əɡrəˈnʲit͡ɕʲɪtʲ] - [Verb form, Informal, used for the action of limiting]

Frequency: Medium - The word 'лимит' is commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in discussions of rules, finance, or technology, but it's not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B1 - Intermediate level, as it involves understanding noun inflections and verb conjugations; 'лимит' is straightforward for learners familiar with loanwords, while 'ограничивать' requires verb mastery.

Pronunciation (Russian):

лимит: [ˈlʲimʲɪt]

предел: [ˈprʲedʲɪl]

ограничивать: [əɡrəˈnʲit͡ɕʲɪtʲ]

Note on предел: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'e' sound can vary slightly in rapid speech; be mindful of the soft sign (ь) affecting pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. As a noun meaning a restriction or maximum amount

Translation(s) & Context:

• лимит - Used in contexts like financial limits or speed limits, e.g., in official documents or everyday conversations about boundaries.
• предел - Applied in more abstract or physical senses, such as the limit of endurance or a geographical boundary.

Usage Examples:

• Мой лимит на кредитной карте истёк. (My credit card limit has expired.)

  Translation: My credit card limit has expired. (This example shows 'лимит' in a financial context.)

• Этот предел скорости составляет 60 км/ч. (This speed limit is 60 km/h.)

  Translation: This speed limit is 60 km/h. (Illustrates 'предел' in a regulatory setting.)

• Мы достигли предела наших возможностей. (We have reached the limit of our capabilities.)

  Translation: We have reached the limit of our capabilities. (Demonstrates metaphorical use.)

• Не превышайте лимит в 100 долларов. (Do not exceed the limit of 100 dollars.)

  Translation: Do not exceed the limit of 100 dollars. (Emphasizes restriction.)

• Предел терпения у меня на исходе. (My limit of patience is running out.)

  Translation: My limit of patience is running out. (Shows emotional context.)

2. As a verb meaning to restrict or set a limit

Translation(s) & Context:

• ограничивать - Used when imposing restrictions, such as limiting access or resources, in both formal and informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Правительство ограничивает импорт товаров. (The government is limiting the import of goods.)

  Translation: The government is limiting the import of goods. (This shows 'ограничивать' in a policy context.)

• Я ограничиваю себя в сладком. (I am limiting myself in sweets.)

  Translation: I am limiting myself in sweets. (Illustrates personal discipline.)

• Эта диета ограничивает потребление жиров. (This diet limits the consumption of fats.)

  Translation: This diet limits the consumption of fats. (Demonstrates health-related usage.)

• Родители ограничивают время, проведённое детьми за экранами. (Parents are limiting the time children spend on screens.)

  Translation: Parents are limiting the time children spend on screens. (Shows familial context.)

• Компании ограничивают доступ к конфиденциальной информации. (Companies are limiting access to confidential information.)

  Translation: Companies are limiting access to confidential information. (Emphasizes security.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'лимит' (a masculine noun, often indeclinable as a loanword):

For 'предел' (also masculine):

For 'ограничивать' (verb, imperfective):

It conjugates irregularly; e.g., Present: ограничиваю, ограничиваешь, ограничивает, etc. Full conjugation follows standard Russian verb patterns for -ить verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • граница (boundary) - Often interchangeable with 'предел' in spatial contexts.
  • максимум (maximum) - Used for upper limits in quantitative scenarios.
• Antonyms:
  • бесконечность (infinity) - Contrasts with any form of limit.
  • расширение (expansion) - Opposite of restricting or limiting.

Related Phrases:

• Превысить лимит (To exceed the limit) - Refers to going beyond a set boundary, often in financial or regulatory contexts.
• Установить предел (To set a limit) - Means imposing a restriction, commonly in personal or professional settings.
• Ограничить доступ (To limit access) - Used for controlling entry or usage, e.g., in security systems.

Usage Notes:

'Лимит' is a direct loanword from English/French and is most precise for modern contexts like internet data limits or credit caps. In contrast, 'предел' carries a more literary or philosophical tone. When translating 'limit' as a verb, always use 'ограничивать' for ongoing actions. Be cautious with formality: 'лимит' is neutral, but in highly formal writing, opt for native alternatives. Grammar note: Nouns like these require correct case agreement with prepositions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'лимит' without inflection, e.g., saying "в лимит" instead of "в лимите". Correct: "в лимите" (in the limit). Explanation: Russian requires genitive or prepositional cases in such phrases.
• Error: Confusing 'ограничивать' with 'ограничить' (perfective form), e.g., using 'ограничить' for ongoing actions. Correct: Use 'ограничивать' for imperfective sense. Explanation: This changes the aspect, altering the meaning from continuous to completed action.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'предел' often appear in literature and philosophy, such as in works by Dostoevsky, symbolizing human limits and existential boundaries. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on endurance and introspection, which may not directly translate to English usage.

Related Concepts:

• контроль (control)
• норма (norm or standard)
• ограничение (restriction)