Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'thereafter'

English Word: thereafter

Key Russian Translations:

• впоследствии [vpsəlʲɛdʲstvʲɪjə] - [Formal, used in written or official contexts]
• затем [zɛtʲɪm] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in Russian literature, formal writing, and conversations, but not as frequently as basic connectors like "и" or "но").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of adverbial phrases and temporal expressions. For "впоследствии", it may be B2 due to its formal nuance; for "затем", it's more straightforward at B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

впоследствии: [vpsəlʲɛdʲstvʲɪjə]

Note on впоследствии: This word has a stress on the second syllable ("лʲɛ"), which can be tricky for learners as Russian stress patterns are not always intuitive. It may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

затем: [zɛtʲɪm]

Note on затем: The pronunciation is relatively straightforward, with a soft "tʲ" sound, but ensure the emphasis is on the first syllable to avoid confusion with similar words.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Referring to a time or event that follows another, indicating sequence or continuation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• "впоследствии" - Used in formal contexts, such as legal documents or historical narratives, to indicate something happening after a specified event.
• "затем" - Used in informal or narrative contexts, like storytelling or casual conversations, to denote immediate or logical sequence.

Usage Examples:

• Он уехал в Москву, а впоследствии переехал в Санкт-Петербург.

  He moved to Moscow, and thereafter relocated to Saint Petersburg.

• Мы обсудили план, затем приступили к работе.

  We discussed the plan, and thereafter we started working.

• После окончания школы она поступила в университет, впоследствии став известным учёным.

  After finishing school, she entered university, and thereafter became a renowned scientist.

• Затем, когда все собрались, мы начали вечеринку.

  Thereafter, once everyone had gathered, we started the party.

• Впоследствии выяснилось, что информация была неверной, поэтому мы изменили стратегию.

  Thereafter, it turned out that the information was incorrect, so we changed our strategy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "впоследствии" and "затем" are adverbs in Russian, which typically do not undergo inflection for gender, number, or case. They remain unchanged in all contexts, making them straightforward for learners. However, their usage can vary based on sentence structure:

• For "впоследствии": It is an invariable adverb and does not change form. Example: Singular/Plural contexts remain the same (e.g., "впоследствии" in both cases).
• For "затем": Similarly invariable, but it can be used in compound sentences without alteration.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • после этого (posle etogo) - More neutral, often used interchangeably with "затем" in informal speech.
  • в дальнейшем (v dalʲnɛjšɛm) - Implies a longer-term sequence, slightly more formal than "впоследствии".
• Antonyms:
  • прежде (prʲɛžɛ) - Means "before" or "previously", indicating the opposite temporal direction.
  • раньше (ranʲʃɛ) - Means "earlier", contrasting with the sequential nature of "thereafter".

Related Phrases:

• в дальнейшем - In the future or thereafter; used to indicate ongoing sequence (e.g., for long-term plans).
• затем что - Thereafter because; a phrase linking cause and effect in narratives.
• после чего - After which; a common fixed expression for sequential events.

Usage Notes:

"Thereafter" corresponds closely to "впоследствии" in formal Russian contexts, such as academic or legal writing, where precision is key. In contrast, "затем" is more versatile for everyday use and can soften the formality. Always consider the register: use "впоследствии" for written reports and "затем" in spoken language. Grammatically, these adverbs typically follow the main clause they refer to, e.g., "Event A happened, thereafter Event B." When choosing between translations, opt for "впоследствии" if emphasizing long-term consequences and "затем" for immediate follow-up.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "впоследствии" in informal speech, which can sound overly stiff. Correct: In casual conversation, replace with "затем". Example of error: "Я поел, впоследствии пошел гулять" (sounds formal). Correct: "Я поел, затем пошел гулять". Explanation: "впоследствии" implies a more distant future, while "затем" fits immediate actions.

• Mistake: Confusing the word order, placing it at the beginning without proper context. Correct: In Russian, it's better to place it after the initial clause for clarity. Example of error: "Впоследствии мы уедем" (ambiguous). Correct: "Мы закончим работу, впоследствии уедем". Explanation: This ensures the sequence is clear and avoids misinterpretation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "впоследствии" often appear in historical or literary contexts, reflecting Russia's emphasis on narrative depth in storytelling (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky). It conveys a sense of inevitability or progression, which aligns with the Russian philosophical tradition of examining life's sequences and consequences.

Related Concepts:

• после (posle) - After
• в будущем (v buduščɛm) - In the future
• следующий (slʲɛdujuščij) - Following