Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'than'

English Word: than

Key Russian Translations:

• чем [tʲem] - [Used in comparisons, Informal/Formal, Invariant]

Frequency: High (Common in everyday Russian for making comparisons, appearing frequently in spoken and written language).

Difficulty: A2 (Basic user level per CEFR; straightforward for beginners but requires understanding of comparative structures).

Pronunciation (Russian):

чем: [tʲem]

Note on чем: The pronunciation involves a soft 't' sound (palatalized), which can be challenging for English speakers due to the lack of an exact equivalent; it sounds like "tyem" with a subtle softening. Variations in speed may affect clarity.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Used as a conjunction to introduce the second element in comparisons of inequality (e.g., "bigger than").

Translation(s) & Context:

• чем - Used in standard comparative sentences, such as expressing differences in size, age, or quality; common in both formal and informal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я выше, чем он. (Ya vyshe, chem on.)

  I am taller than he is. (This example shows basic comparison in a simple declarative sentence.)

• Эта книга интереснее, чем та. (Eta kniga interesnee, chem ta.)

  This book is more interesting than that one. (Illustrates comparison of adjectives in everyday conversation.)

• Он работает быстрее, чем вчера. (On rabotaet bystree, chem vchera.)

  He works faster than yesterday. (Demonstrates temporal comparison, highlighting change over time.)

• Мой дом больше, чем твой, но твой уютнее. (Moy dom bol'she, chem tvoy, no tvoy uyutnee.)

  My house is bigger than yours, but yours is cozier. (Shows multiple comparisons in a compound sentence, common in descriptive contexts.)

• Она говорит громче, чем нужно. (Ona govorit gromche, chem nuzhno.)

  She speaks louder than necessary. (Used in situational contexts to express excess, often in informal settings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"чем" is an adverb and does not undergo any changes for gender, number, case, or tense; it remains invariant in all contexts. This makes it simpler than many Russian words, as there are no inflections to learn.

For example:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: нет (net) - No direct synonyms, but "более...чем" (bol'she...chem) can be used for emphasis in some contexts, though it's a phrase rather than a single word.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as "чем" is a comparative conjunction without direct opposites.

Related Phrases:

• Больше чем (Bol'she chem) - More than; used for quantity or degree comparisons.
• Меньше чем (Men'she chem) - Less than; indicates inferiority or smaller amounts.
• Лучше чем (Luchshe chem) - Better than; common in evaluative contexts.
• Хуже чем (Khur'she chem) - Worse than; used for negative comparisons.

Usage Notes:

"чем" directly corresponds to "than" in English comparative structures, always following the comparative adjective or adverb (e.g., "higher than" becomes "выше, чем"). It is versatile across formal and informal settings but must be used with the correct word order in Russian sentences. When choosing between translations, "чем" is the standard and almost exclusive option for this function. Be mindful of grammar: it typically introduces a clause and requires the subject to follow immediately for clarity.

• In spoken Russian, intonation can emphasize comparisons, making "чем" sound more natural.
• Avoid overusing it in complex sentences to prevent confusion; simpler structures are preferred for learners.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "чем" with "как" (which means "as" or "like"), leading to incorrect sentences like "Я выше как он" instead of "Я выше, чем он," which would imply a similarity rather than a comparison. Correct usage: Always use "чем" for inequalities. Another error is omitting the comma before "чем" in written Russian, e.g., writing "Я выше чем он" without a pause, which can make the sentence harder to read—properly, it should be "Я выше, чем он."

Cultural Notes:

While "чем" itself doesn't carry specific cultural connotations, its use in comparisons reflects the Russian language's emphasis on precision and context in communication. In Russian culture, direct comparisons (e.g., in literature or daily life) often highlight societal values like modesty or critique, such as in proverbs where one thing is deemed "better than" another to convey moral lessons.

Related Concepts:

• выше (vyshe) - Higher
• меньше (men'she) - Less
• больше (bol'she) - More
• как (kak) - As/Like (for similarities, contrasting with comparisons)