Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'thereupon'

English Word: thereupon

Key Russian Translations:

• вслед за тем [fsˈlʲed za tʲem] - [Formal, used in written or official contexts to indicate immediate consequence]
• затем [zɑˈtʲem] - [Formal, slightly less emphatic, often in narrative or sequential descriptions]
• тут же [tut ʐʲe] - [Informal, conversational, implying quick succession in everyday speech]

Frequency: Low (This adverbial phrase is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears more frequently in formal writing, literature, or legal texts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 on the CEFR scale; learners need to understand adverbial phrases and context-dependent usage. For "вслед за тем", it may be B2 due to its formal tone, while "тут же" is more accessible at B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вслед за тем: [fsˈlʲed za tʲem]

затем: [zɑˈtʲem]

тут же: [tut ʐʲe]

Note on вслед за тем: The stress falls on the second syllable of "вслед" [fsˈlʲed], and the phrase can vary slightly in speed depending on context; it's often pronounced more deliberately in formal settings.

Note on затем: This word has a soft "t" sound [tʲ], which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Immediately after that or as a result (indicating sequence or consequence in a sentence).

Translation(s) & Context:

• вслед за тем - Used in formal contexts, such as legal documents or historical narratives, to denote an action that follows directly from a previous one.
• затем - Applied in storytelling or instructions, where a logical sequence is implied but not as urgently as with "вслед за тем".
• тут же - Common in informal dialogues, emphasizing spontaneity or immediate reaction.

Usage Examples:

• Он услышал новости и вслед за тем принял решение уйти.

  He heard the news and thereupon decided to leave. (Formal context, showing immediate consequence in a narrative.)

• После обсуждения затем перешли к голосованию.

  After the discussion, they thereupon moved to voting. (Used in a procedural or sequential context, less emphatic than "вслед за тем".)

• Она увидела ошибку и тут же исправила её.

  She saw the mistake and thereupon fixed it. (Informal, everyday scenario highlighting quick action.)

• Встреча закончилась, и вслед за тем все разошлись по домам.

  The meeting ended, and thereupon everyone went home. (Formal, demonstrating result in a group setting.)

• Он получил письмо, затем позвонил отправителю.

  He received the letter and thereupon called the sender. (Narrative sequence, showing a logical follow-up.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are adverbial phrases or adverbs, which generally do not inflect for gender, number, or case in Russian. However, their components may have variations:

For "вслед за тем": This is a fixed phrase where "вслед" is an adverb and "за тем" involves prepositional phrases. It remains invariant across contexts.

For "затем": This is an invariable adverb and does not change form.

For "тут же": Also invariable, as it functions as an adverbial expression.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • после этого (posle etogo) - More neutral, used for general sequencing.
  • тотчас (totchas) - Implies even more immediacy, often in urgent contexts.
  • немедленно (nemedlenno) - Emphasizes without delay, with a slight difference in connotation from "вслед за тем".
• Antonyms:
  • раньше (ranʲʂe) - Meaning "earlier".
  • до этого (do etogo) - Meaning "before that".

Related Phrases:

• вслед за этим - Meaning: Following this; often used interchangeably with "вслед за тем" in extended narratives. (Context: Formal reports or stories.)
• сразу же после - Meaning: Right away after; a more emphatic version for immediate actions. (Context: Everyday conversations or instructions.)
• немедленно после того - Meaning: Immediately thereafter; combines elements of speed and sequence. (Context: Legal or official language.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "thereupon" translates to phrases like "вслед за тем" which precisely mirror its formal, consequential tone, making it ideal for English users translating legal or literary texts. Choose "вслед за тем" for contexts requiring emphasis on direct results, as in official documents, while "тут же" suits informal speech. Be mindful of word order: these adverbs typically follow the main clause. For grammar, they don't affect verb conjugation but enhance temporal flow. If multiple translations fit, opt for the one matching the register—formal for "thereupon"'s typical use.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "затем" when a more immediate connotation is needed, e.g., saying "Затем я ушёл" to mean "thereupon I left," which might imply a delay. Correct: "Вслед за тем я ушёл." Explanation: "Затем" suggests sequence without urgency, so it's less accurate for "thereupon"'s immediacy.

• Error: Confusing with "then" by directly translating as "тогда," e.g., "Тогда я ушёл" instead of "вслед за тем." Correct: Use "вслед за тем" for consequence. Explanation: "Тогда" means "at that time," not necessarily immediate action, leading to miscommunication in formal contexts.

• Error: Overusing in informal settings, e.g., saying "Тут же" in a business email where "вслед за тем" is more appropriate. Correct: Match the phrase to the context. Explanation: This can make speech sound unnatural; English learners should practice varying based on formality.

Cultural Notes:

Phrases like "вслед за тем" reflect Russian's emphasis on logical progression in storytelling and official communication, often seen in literature by authors like Tolstoy. It underscores a cultural value for precision in historical or narrative contexts, helping English users appreciate how Russian structures time and consequence more explicitly than casual English.

Related Concepts:

• после (posle) - After
• вместе с тем (vmeste s tem) - Meanwhile
• затем что (zatem chto) - Therefore