Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'limit'

English Word: limit

Key Russian Translations:

• лимит [ˈlʲimʲɪt] - [Formal; Noun, used in contexts like quotas or boundaries]
• ограничивать [ɐˈɡranʲɪt͡ɕɪtʲ] - [Formal; Verb, used to describe restricting or setting limits]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts like business, science, and regulations, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun and verb forms, with "лимит" being straightforward for learners at this level, while "ограничивать" involves verb conjugation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лимит: [ˈlʲimʲɪt] (The stress is on the first syllable; note that the "л" is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian nouns borrowed from English.)

Note on лимит: Be cautious with the soft "л" sound, as it may vary slightly in different Russian dialects; it's pronounced more softly than in English.

Audio: []

ограничивать: [ɐˈɡranʲɪt͡ɕɪtʲ] (Stress on the second syllable; the "ч" is a soft palatal fricative.)

Note on ограничивать: This verb has a infinitive form with a harder consonant cluster; practice the "гр" blend for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A boundary or maximum amount (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• лимит - Used in formal contexts like financial limits or restrictions, e.g., in banking or regulations.

Usage Examples:

• У нас есть лимит на расход средств в этом месяце.

  We have a limit on spending this month.

• Превышение лимита может привести к штрафам.

  Exceeding the limit can lead to fines.

• Этот лимит установлен для безопасности.

  This limit is set for safety reasons.

• Какой лимит скорости на этой дороге?

  What is the speed limit on this road?

Meaning 2: To restrict or set a boundary (Verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ограничивать - Used in contexts involving control or reduction, such as in policies or personal decisions.

Usage Examples:

• Правительство старается ограничивать импорт товаров.

  The government is trying to limit the import of goods.

• Я ограничиваю себя в употреблении сахара для здоровья.

  I am limiting myself in sugar consumption for health reasons.

• Эта политика ограничивает доступ к ресурсам.

  This policy limits access to resources.

• Не ограничивай свои возможности слишком рано.

  Don't limit your opportunities too early.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "лимит" (a masculine noun, borrowed from English, it follows standard patterns but is invariable in some cases):

For "ограничивать" (a verb, it is a first-conjugation verb with imperfective aspect):

Note: This verb has a perfective counterpart "ограничить," which is used for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • предел (boundary, edge; more poetic or literary than лимит)
  • ограничение (restriction; broader term for controls)
• Antonyms:
  • бесконечность (infinity; implies no limits)
  • расширение (expansion; opposite of restricting)

Related Phrases:

• Превысить лимит - To exceed the limit (Used in financial or regulatory contexts, e.g., overspending on a budget).
• Установить ограничение - To set a limit (Common in policy-making or personal goal-setting).
• Лимит времени - Time limit (Often in sports or exams, implying a deadline).

Usage Notes:

"Limit" as "лимит" is a direct borrowing and is most common in modern, urban Russian, especially in business or technical fields. For the verb form, choose "ограничивать" for ongoing actions and "ограничить" for one-time events. Be mindful of context: in formal writing, use these precisely, but in casual speech, simpler synonyms might be preferred. When translating, ensure the aspect (imperfective vs. perfective) matches the English tense.

Common Errors:

• Confusing cases with "лимит": Learners often use the nominative everywhere, e.g., saying "без лимит" instead of "без лимита" (genitive). Correct: Use genitive for "without the limit."
• Misconjugating verbs: Saying "я ограничит" instead of "я ограничиваю" in present tense. Explanation: Russian verbs require full conjugation; practice with tables to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "лимит" are often tied to historical contexts such as Soviet-era rationing systems, where limits on goods were common. This can add a layer of connotation in discussions about scarcity or control, reflecting Russia's economic history.

Related Concepts:

• квота (quota)
• норма (norm or standard)
• ограничения (restrictions)