Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'time'

English Word: time

Key Russian Translations:

• время (/ˈvrʲemʲə/) - [Neutral, Formal/Informal, Singular/Plural depending on context, Used for general concepts of time]
• раз (/raz/) - [Informal, Often used in counting or instances, Singular, Used in phrases like "once" or "a time"]

Frequency: High (e.g., "время" is one of the most common nouns in Russian, appearing frequently in everyday speech and literature; "раз" is also common in informal contexts).

Difficulty: A2 for "время" (basic noun with regular declensions, suitable for elementary learners); B1 for "раз" (simple but context-dependent, requiring intermediate understanding of counting and phrases).

Pronunciation (Russian):

время: /ˈvrʲemʲə/

Note on время: The stress is on the first syllable; the "р" is rolled, and the "е" can vary slightly by dialect, but standard Russian uses a soft "мʲ".

раз: /raz/

Note on раз: Pronounced with a clear "z" sound; it's a simple word but can be tricky for English speakers due to the lack of emphasis on the vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: General concept of time (e.g., duration, period, or clock time)

Translation(s) & Context:

• время - Used in formal and informal contexts for abstract or specific time periods, such as in schedules or philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• У меня нет времени на это. (U menya net vremeni na eto.)

  I don't have time for this. (This example shows "время" in a nominative case, expressing lack of availability in everyday conversation.)

• Время летит быстро. (Vremya letit bystro.)

  Time flies quickly. (Here, "время" is used metaphorically in a neutral context, illustrating its role in idiomatic expressions.)

• Какое сейчас время? (Kakoye seychas vremya?)

  What time is it now? (This demonstrates "время" in interrogative sentences for asking about clock time.)

• Время - деньги. (Vremya - den'gi.)

  Time is money. (A proverbial use, showing "время" in a nominative predicate for motivational contexts.)

• Прошло много времени. (Proshlo mnogo vremeni.)

  A lot of time has passed. (This example highlights "время" in genitive case for duration.)

Meaning 2: A specific instance or occurrence (e.g., once, twice)

Translation(s) & Context:

• раз - Common in informal speech for counting occurrences, such as in lists or narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Я был там один раз. (Ya byl tam odin raz.)

  I was there once. (This shows "раз" in a simple counting context, often used in storytelling.)

• Сделай это два раза. (Sdelay eto dva raza.)

  Do this twice. (Illustrates "раз" with numbers in imperative sentences for instructions.)

• Это произошло в третий раз. (Eto proizooshlo v tretiy raz.)

  This happened for the third time. (Here, "раз" is used in a prepositional phrase for sequential events.)

• Не повторяй это ни разу. (Ne povtoryay eto ni razu.)

  Don't repeat this even once. (Demonstrates "раз" in negative commands, emphasizing rarity.)

• Каждый раз я учусь на ошибках. (Kazhdyy raz ya uchus' na oshibkakh.)

  Every time, I learn from my mistakes. (This shows "раз" in a habitual context with adverbs.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "время" (a neuter noun), it follows the standard third declension pattern with irregularities in some cases. It is invariable in the plural for certain uses but can change based on context.

For "раз" (an indeclinable noun in most contexts), it does not change forms and remains invariant across cases: раз (e.g., used with numbers like "два раза").

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • период (period) - More formal, often used in scientific contexts.
  • момент (moment) - For "время" in the sense of a brief instant; differs by implying brevity.
  • интервал (interval) - Synonym for measured time periods.
• Antonyms:
  • вечность (eternity) - Opposite of finite time.
  • конец (end) - In contexts where "time" implies duration leading to completion.

Related Phrases:

• Со временем (So vremenem) - Over time; used to indicate gradual change.
• В свое время (V svoe vremya) - In due time; implies patience in formal contexts.
• Потерять время (Poteryat' vremya) - To waste time; a common expression for inefficiency.
• Один раз и навсегда (Odin raz i navsegda) - Once and for all; pairs with "раз" for decisive actions.

Usage Notes:

"Время" directly corresponds to the English "time" in most abstract or temporal senses but requires attention to Russian case endings for grammatical accuracy. For instance, choose "время" for broad concepts and "раз" for countable instances. In formal writing, "время" is preferred, while "раз" suits casual speech. Be cautious with prepositions; e.g., "в время" (during time) vs. "на время" (for a period). When multiple translations exist, select based on context: use "раз" for repetitions and "время" for durations.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "время" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я имею время" instead of "У меня есть время" (correct: I have time).
  Correct: The proper structure is "У меня есть время" to indicate possession; error arises from direct English translation.
• Mistake: Confusing "раз" with "время" in counting, e.g., "Я сделал это время" instead of "Я сделал это раз" (I did it once).
  Correct: Use "раз" for specific instances; the error often stems from overgeneralizing "time" as always "время".
• Mistake: Forgetting that "время" can be pluralized, e.g., using singular in contexts requiring plural like "времена года" (seasons).
  Explanation: Always check the context for number agreement to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "время" often carries a philosophical weight, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where time represents inevitability and reflection. Phrases like "время лечит" (time heals) reflect a cultural emphasis on patience and endurance through historical hardships, such as those in Soviet-era narratives.

Related Concepts:

• дата (date)
• час (hour)
• эра (era)
• история (history)