Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'precisely'

English Word: precisely

Key Russian Translations:

• точно [ˈtotʃnə] - [Formal, Adverb]
• именно [ɪˈmʲenʲnə] - [Informal, used for emphasis]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations and formal writing)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding adverb usage and context in Russian sentences)

Pronunciation (Russian):

точно: [ˈtotʃnə]

именно: [ɪˈmʲenʲnə]

Note on точно: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the 'ch' sound, which is a palatalized 't' in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Exactly or accurately, indicating precision in statements or descriptions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• точно - Used in formal contexts to confirm accuracy, such as in scientific or mathematical discussions.
• именно - Used informally to emphasize a specific point, often in everyday speech or debates.

Usage Examples:

• Он точно знает, что делать в этой ситуации.

  He precisely knows what to do in this situation.

• Это именно то, о чём я думал.

  That's precisely what I was thinking about.

• Ответ должен быть точно правильным.

  The answer must be precisely correct.

• Именно в этот момент всё изменилось.

  Precisely at that moment, everything changed.

• Она точно определила проблему.

  She precisely identified the problem.

Meaning 2: Used to mean "just" or "exactly at that time," implying timeliness.

Translation(s) & Context:

• точно - In contexts involving time or schedules, to denote exactness.

Usage Examples:

• Я приеду точно в семь часов.

  I will arrive precisely at seven o'clock.

• Точно в этот день мы встретились.

  We met precisely on that day.

• Он вернулся точно вовремя.

  He returned precisely on time.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "точно" and "именно" are adverbs in Russian, which generally do not inflect for case, number, or gender. They remain unchanged in all contexts. For example:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ровно (rovno) - Exactly, often used for measurements.
  • точь-в-точь (toch'-v-toch') - Precisely, implying an exact match.
• Antonyms:
  • приблизительно (priblizitel'no) - Approximately.
  • не точно (ne tochno) - Imprecisely or inaccurately.

Related Phrases:

• точно так (tochno tak) - Precisely so; used to agree emphatically. (Exactly like that; common in confirmations.)
• именно поэтому (immenno poetomu) - Precisely for that reason. (Used to explain causes in arguments.)
• точно в срок (tochno v srok) - Precisely on time. (Refers to punctuality in deadlines.)

Usage Notes:

• "Точно" is the most direct equivalent to "precisely" in formal Russian and is often used in scientific, technical, or precise contexts, similar to English.
• "Именно" adds emphasis and is more conversational, making it suitable for informal settings where you want to highlight specificity.
• When choosing between translations, consider the context: use "точно" for factual accuracy and "именно" for rhetorical emphasis.
• Grammatically, these adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses without changing form, which makes them straightforward but requires attention to sentence rhythm in spoken Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "точно" with "верно" (verno, meaning "correctly"). For example, learners might say "Верно знаю" instead of "Точно знаю."
  Correct: "Точно знаю" (Precisely know). Explanation: "Верно" implies truthfulness, while "точно" implies precision.
• Error: Overusing "именно" in formal writing, which can sound emphatic or redundant.
  Correct: In formal contexts, prefer "точно" over "именно" for neutrality. Explanation: "Именно" is better for spoken language to avoid making text overly dramatic.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "точно" emphasize precision and reliability, which are highly valued in professional and educational settings. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for exactness in communication, especially in fields like engineering or academia, where ambiguity can be frowned upon.

Related Concepts:

• аккуратно (akkuratno)
• безупречно (bezuprechno)
• тщательно (tshchatel'no)