Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nearly'

English Word: nearly

Key Russian Translations:

• почти [ˈpotʃtʲɪ] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday speech]

Frequency: High (This word is very common in Russian conversations and written texts, appearing frequently in both formal and informal contexts.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic adverb with straightforward usage, making it accessible for new learners of Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

почти: [ˈpotʃtʲɪ]

Note on почти: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ч' sound is a palatalized affricate, which may be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Almost or nearly (indicating something is close to happening or being complete)

Translation(s) & Context:

• почти - Used in general contexts to express approximation, such as in descriptions of quantity, time, or degree (e.g., in casual conversations or written narratives).

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Почти все студенты сдали экзамен. (Pochti vse studenty sдали ekzamen.)

  English Translation: Nearly all students passed the exam.

• Русский пример: Мы почти доехали до дома. (My pochti doehali do doma.)

  English Translation: We nearly arrived home.

• Русский пример: Это почти невозможно сделать за один день. (Eto pochti nevozmozhno sdelat' za odin den'.)

  English Translation: This is nearly impossible to do in one day.

• Русский пример: Почти каждый вечер я читаю книгу. (Pochti kazhdy vecher ya chitaю knigu.)

  English Translation: Nearly every evening, I read a book.

• Русский пример: Она почти закончила проект. (Ona pochti zakonchila proekt.)

  English Translation: She nearly finished the project.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Почти" is an adverb in Russian and does not undergo inflection for gender, number, case, or tense. It remains unchanged in all contexts, making it straightforward for learners. Unlike nouns or verbs, adverbs like this are invariable.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • примерно (primerno) - More precise for approximations, often used in measurements or estimates.
  • около (okolo) - Implies "around" or "about," with a spatial connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • точно (tochno) - Means "exactly," contrasting with the idea of approximation.
  • полностью (polnost'yu) - Means "completely," indicating full achievement.

Related Phrases:

• Почти готов (Pochti gotov) - Meaning: Almost ready; Used in contexts like cooking or preparation.
• Почти законченный (Pochti zakonchennyy) - Meaning: Nearly finished; Common in project or task discussions.
• Почти всегда (Pochti vsegda) - Meaning: Nearly always; Indicates high frequency in habitual actions.

Usage Notes:

"Почти" directly corresponds to the English "nearly" in meaning and function, serving as an adverb to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. It is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings without restrictions. However, be mindful of word order in Russian sentences, where it typically precedes the word it modifies. When choosing between synonyms like "примерно," opt for "почти" for general closeness rather than precise measurements. For example, in everyday dialogue, it's ideal for expressing proximity in time or quantity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "почти" interchangeably with "хотя" (though), which is a conjunction for contrast. Incorrect: "Почти я не пошёл, потому что устал." (Pochti ya ne poshël, potomu chto ustal.) - This mixes meanings.

  Correct: "Я почти не пошёл, потому что устал." (Ya pochti ne poshël, potomu chto ustal.) - Meaning: I nearly didn't go because I was tired. Explanation: "Почти" should only indicate approximation, not concession.

• Error: Overusing "почти" in formal writing, leading to redundancy. Incorrect: "Почти в точности как в прошлом году." (Pochti v tochnosti kak v proshlom godu.) - This is awkward as it repeats the idea of precision.

  Correct: "Почти как в прошлом году." (Pochti kak v proshlom godu.) Explanation: Simplify for clarity; avoid pairing with words like "точно" unless emphasizing contrast.

Cultural Notes:

While "почти" itself doesn't carry specific cultural connotations, it reflects the Russian language's emphasis on nuance and approximation in communication. In Russian culture, expressing things as "nearly" or "almost" can soften statements, aligning with a communicative style that values indirectness in certain social contexts, such as avoiding absolute commitments.

Related Concepts:

• близко (blizko) - Meaning: Close (in distance or relation).
• приблизительно (priblizitel'no) - Meaning: Approximately (more formal synonym).
• скоро (skoro) - Meaning: Soon (implying nearness in time).