Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'near'

English Word: near

Key Russian Translations:

• близкий [ˈblʲɪzkʲɪj] - [Adjective, Formal]
• недалеко [nʲɪˈdalʲɪkə] - [Adverb, Informal]
• возле [ˈvozlʲe] - [Preposition, Neutral]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations and descriptions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding Russian adjective declensions, adverbial forms, and prepositional usage; 'близкий' may be more challenging due to its inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

близкий: [ˈblʲɪzkʲɪj]

Note on близкий: The stress falls on the first syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'л' sound, which is common in Russian and can be tricky for English speakers.

недалеко: [nʲɪˈdalʲɪkə]

возле: [ˈvozlʲe]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As an adjective (e.g., close in distance or proximity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• близкий - Used in formal or descriptive contexts to indicate physical or emotional closeness, such as in narratives or directions.

Usage Examples:

• Мой дом близкий к центру города. (My house is near the city center.)

  This example shows 'близкий' in a spatial context, describing proximity in a formal sentence.

• Близкий друг всегда поддержит в трудные времена. (A close friend will always support you in difficult times.)

  Here, 'близкий' extends to emotional closeness, demonstrating its use in interpersonal relationships.

• Эта близкая деревня известна своими традициями. (This near village is known for its traditions.)

  This illustrates 'близкий' in a geographical description, varying the sentence structure.

As an adverb (e.g., not far away)

Translation(s) & Context:

• недалеко - Used in informal contexts to indicate a short distance, often in casual conversations or directions.

Usage Examples:

• Магазин недалеко отсюда, всего в пяти минутах ходьбы. (The store is near here, just a five-minute walk away.)

  This shows 'недалеко' in a directional context, emphasizing distance in everyday speech.

• Мы живём недалеко от моря, так что часто ходим на пляж. (We live near the sea, so we often go to the beach.)

  This example highlights 'недалеко' with a habitual action, varying the grammatical structure.

• Его офис недалеко, но я предпочитаю ездить на метро. (His office is near, but I prefer taking the subway.)

  This demonstrates 'недалеко' in a comparative context, showing preference in informal dialogue.

As a preposition (e.g., by or beside)

Translation(s) & Context:

• возле - Used in neutral contexts to specify location near something, such as in instructions or descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Подождите возле входа в музей. (Wait near the museum entrance.)

  This example uses 'возле' for precise location in a directive sentence.

• Дети играют возле дома. (The children are playing near the house.)

  Here, 'возле' describes a scene in a simple, everyday context.

• Книга лежит возле стола. (The book is near the table.)

  This shows 'возле' in a static description, varying the sentence type.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'близкий' (adjective), it follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which are regular but depend on gender, number, and case. It changes forms extensively.

For 'недалеко' (adverb), it is invariable and does not change forms.

For 'возле' (preposition), it is also invariable and remains the same in all contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: поблизости (nearby, often used for locations), рядом (next to, more informal for immediate proximity) - 'Рядом' implies even closer distance than 'близкий' in casual speech.
• Antonyms: далеко (far away)

Related Phrases:

• Близко к сердцу (Close to the heart) - An idiomatic expression meaning something is emotionally important or affects one deeply.
• Недалеко от правды (Not far from the truth) - Used to say something is almost accurate or plausible in discussions.
• Возле дома (Near the house) - A common phrase for describing locations around a home, often in real estate or daily contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, select the appropriate translation based on the grammatical role: use 'близкий' for adjectival descriptions, 'недалеко' for adverbial indications of distance, and 'возле' as a preposition for specifying location. 'Близкий' can also convey emotional closeness, which has no direct English equivalent, so context is key. Be mindful of formal vs. informal settings; 'недалеко' is more conversational. Grammar-wise, adjectives like 'близкий' must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'близкий' (adjective) with 'близко' (adverb meaning 'closely'). Error: Saying "Я живу близкий" instead of "Я живу близко". Correct: Use 'близко' for adverbial forms to avoid grammatical errors, as adjectives require agreement.

• Overusing 'возле' in place of 'близкий'. Error: "Мой дом возле к школе" (incorrect word order and choice). Correct: "Мой дом близкий к школе" for adjectival use, ensuring proper prepositional phrases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'близкий' often extends beyond physical proximity to imply deep emotional bonds, such as in family or friendships. This reflects the value placed on close personal relationships in Russian society, where phrases like 'близкий человек' (close person) emphasize trust and intimacy, differing from more detached English usages.

Related Concepts:

• далеко
• рядом
• поблизости