Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'through'

English Word: through

Key Russian Translations:

• через [ˈt͡ɕerəs] - [Formal, used for indicating passage, duration, or means]
• сквозь [ˈskvozʲ] - [Informal, used specifically for passing through something physically]

Frequency: High (через is one of the most common prepositions in Russian everyday language)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of prepositional phrases, but basic forms are straightforward. For сквозь, it may be B2 due to nuanced usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

через: [ˈt͡ɕerəs]

сквозь: [ˈskvozʲ]

Note on через: The initial 'ч' sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'ch' in 'church', but softer. Stress is on the first syllable.

Note on сквозь: The 'з' is pronounced as a voiced alveolar fricative, like 'z' in 'zoo'. This word often has a more emphatic pronunciation in spoken contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Indicating passage or movement from one side to another (e.g., through a tunnel)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сквозь - Used in contexts involving physical penetration or visibility, such as in descriptions of light or obstacles (e.g., in literature or casual speech).
• через - Used more broadly for general passage, but can apply here in formal or neutral contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Свет проник сквозь занавески. (Light penetrated through the curtains.)

  English Translation: Light penetrated through the curtains.

• Он прошел сквозь толпу. (He walked through the crowd.)

  English Translation: He walked through the crowd. (Note: This shows сквозь in a dynamic, physical context.)

• Дорога идет через лес. (The road goes through the forest.)

  English Translation: The road goes through the forest. (Here, через is used for directional passage.)

• Ветер дует сквозь открытые окна. (The wind blows through the open windows.)

  English Translation: The wind blows through the open windows. (Illustrates сквозь with environmental elements.)

Meaning 2: Indicating means, duration, or completion (e.g., through effort or after a period)

Translation(s) & Context:

• через - Commonly used for time frames, means, or indirect actions (e.g., in formal writing or instructions).

Usage Examples:

• Я научился этому через упорный труд. (I learned this through persistent effort.)

  English Translation: I learned this through persistent effort. (Demonstrates через for means.)

• Мы вернемся через неделю. (We will return through a week, i.e., in a week.)

  English Translation: We will return in a week. (Shows через for time duration.)

• Он добился успеха через образование. (He achieved success through education.)

  English Translation: He achieved success through education. (Highlights через in instrumental contexts.)

• Письмо пришло через почту. (The letter came through the mail.)

  English Translation: The letter came through the mail. (Illustrates means of delivery.)

• Задача будет решена через сотрудничество. (The task will be solved through cooperation.)

  English Translation: The task will be solved through cooperation. (Emphasizes collaborative contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "через" and "сквозь" are prepositions in Russian and do not undergo inflection for case, number, or gender, as they are invariable words. However, they govern the accusative case for the nouns that follow them in certain contexts.

For example:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • через: посредством (posredstvom) - More formal, implying via a medium.
  • сквозь: сквозь (no direct synonyms, but про (pro) can be similar in some contexts, meaning "through" loosely).
• Antonyms:
  • через: вокруг (vokrug) - Meaning "around", implying avoidance of going through.
  • сквозь: поверх (poverkh) - Meaning "over" or "on top of", contrasting physical penetration.

Related Phrases:

• Через год (Through a year, i.e., in a year) - Used to indicate future time frames.
• Сквозь пальцы смотреть (To look through one's fingers) - Meaning to overlook something intentionally; implies tolerance in informal contexts.
• Через силу (Through force, i.e., with great effort) - A phrase for doing something reluctantly or strenuously.

Usage Notes:

"Through" in English often corresponds to "через" in Russian for abstract or temporal meanings, but "сквозь" is preferred for literal, physical passages. Be mindful of context: "через" can indicate means (e.g., through education) or time (e.g., through the night), while "сквозь" is more visual or sensory. In formal writing, "через" is versatile, but in spoken Russian, it might vary by region. When choosing between translations, opt for "сквозь" if the emphasis is on overcoming an obstacle.

• Grammar note: Always followed by the accusative case, e.g., "через окно" (through the window), not genitive.
• Choose "через" for everyday scenarios to align with high-frequency usage.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "через" with "черес" (an archaic or dialectical form) or misuse it with the wrong case. For example:

• Error: Saying "через окною" (incorrect genitive case) instead of "через окно" (correct accusative case). Explanation: Russian prepositions like these require accusative, so always check the noun's form.
• Error: Using "сквозь" for time expressions, e.g., "сквозь неделю" (wrong), when it should be "через неделю". Explanation: "Сквозь" is for physical contexts, not temporal ones, which can lead to confusion in sentences about schedules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "сквозь пальцы смотреть" reflect a historical tolerance in interpersonal relations, often seen in literature by authors like Chekhov, where overlooking minor faults is a social norm. This idiom highlights the Russian value of compassion in daily life, contrasting with more direct Western approaches.

Related Concepts:

• вокруг (around)
• посредством (by means of)
• путем (through the path of, similar to via)