Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'time'

English Word: time

Key Russian Translations:

• время (/ˈvrʲemʲə/) - [Formal, Singular, Used for abstract concepts of time]
• раз (/raz/) - [Informal, Singular, Used for instances or occurrences]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday conversation, media, and literature)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun cases and basic time expressions for 'время', while 'раз' is easier at A2)

Pronunciation (Russian):

время: /ˈvrʲemʲə/ (The stress is on the first syllable; note the palatalized 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers)

Note on время: The 'е' in the second syllable is pronounced as a soft 'ye' sound, similar to 'ye' in "yes," but shorter. Avoid hardening the consonants.

Audio: []

раз: /raz/ (A simple, unstressed vowel; pronounced like 'rahs' with a short 'a')

Note on раз: This word is straightforward but can vary in stress when used in phrases.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The indefinite continued progress of existence (abstract time)

Translation(s) & Context:

• время - Used in formal or philosophical contexts, such as discussing history or schedules.

Usage Examples:

• Время летит быстро, когда ты занят. (Time flies when you're busy.)

  English: Time flies when you're busy. (This example shows 'время' in a proverbial context, emphasizing the passage of time.)

• У нас мало времени на подготовку. (We have little time for preparation.)

  English: We have little time for preparation. (Here, 'время' is used with quantity expressions in everyday planning.)

• Время — лучший лекарь. (Time is the best healer.)

  English: Time is the best healer. (This illustrates 'время' in idiomatic expressions.)

• Как ты проводишь своё время? (How do you spend your time?)

  English: How do you spend your time? (Demonstrates possessive use with pronouns.)

Meaning 2: A specific point or instance of time

Translation(s) & Context:

• раз - Used informally for countable instances, like "one time" or "once."

Usage Examples:

• Я был в Москве один раз. (I was in Moscow one time.)

  English: I was in Moscow one time. (This shows 'раз' in a simple narrative context.)

• Это случилось не раз. (This happened more than once.)

  English: This happened more than once. (Illustrates 'раз' with repetition.)

• Попробуй ещё раз! (Try one more time!)

  English: Try one more time! (Common in motivational or instructional contexts.)

• В первый раз я не понял. (The first time, I didn't understand.)

  English: The first time, I didn't understand. (Shows sequencing with adjectives.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'время' (neuter noun, 3rd declension):

This noun has irregular inflections due to its historical roots. It is invariable in the plural form and follows a unique pattern in cases.

For 'раз' (indeclinable noun):

This word is invariable and does not change form in cases or numbers, making it simpler to use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • время - миг (moment; more poetic, used for brief instances)
  • раз - случай (instance; implies a chance occurrence)
• Antonyms:
  • время - вечность (eternity; opposite for abstract time)
  • раз - никогда (never; opposite for occurrences)

Related Phrases:

• Со временем (With time) - Meaning: Gradually over time; used in contexts of change or development.
• Впустую тратить время (To waste time) - Meaning: To spend time unproductively; common in advice or regrets.
• Первый раз в жизни (For the first time in life) - Meaning: An initial experience; often in personal stories.

Usage Notes:

'Время' directly corresponds to the abstract English 'time' and is versatile, but always consider Russian case endings for grammatical accuracy. For instance, use genitive 'времени' after prepositions like 'без' (without). 'Раз' is more specific for countable events and is less formal, so choose it for everyday speech rather than written contexts. When multiple translations exist, select based on context: use 'время' for durations and 'раз' for repetitions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'время' without proper case inflection, e.g., saying "без время" instead of "без времени".
  Correct: "Без времени" (Without time). Explanation: Russian requires the genitive case after 'без', so always adjust the noun ending.
• Error: Confusing 'раз' with 'время' in repetitive contexts, e.g., saying "Это время случилось" for "This happened once".
  Correct: "Это раз случилось". Explanation: 'Раз' is specifically for single instances, while 'время' implies a broader concept, leading to unnatural phrasing if misused.

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 покажет' (time will tell) reflect a cultural emphasis on patience and fate, differing from more action-oriented English idioms.

Related Concepts:

• пространство (space)
• момент (moment)
• история (history)