Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'together'

English Word: together

Key Russian Translations:

• вместе [ˈvmʲesʲtʲe] - [Informal, Commonly used in everyday speech]
• совместно [sɐˈvmʲesʲtnə] - [Formal, Often in professional or official contexts]

Frequency: High (вместе is one of the most common adverbs in Russian for indicating unity or companionship)

Difficulty: A1 for 'вместе' (Beginner level, as it's a basic adverb); B1 for 'совместно' (Intermediate, due to its more formal connotations and context-dependent usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вместе: [ˈvmʲesʲtʲe]

совместно: [sɐˈvmʲesʲtnə]

Note on вместе: The stress falls on the second syllable ("ме"), which is a common point of difficulty for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft "s" sound.

Note on совместно: The initial "s" is soft and palatalized; avoid overemphasizing the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: In the same place or at the same time (indicating physical or temporal proximity).

Translation(s) & Context:

• вместе - Used in casual, everyday situations to describe people or things being united.
• совместно - Applied in more structured contexts, such as work or events, emphasizing collaboration.

Usage Examples:

• Мы идём вместе в парк.

  We are going to the park together. (Shows physical accompaniment in a simple sentence.)

• Дети играют вместе на улице.

  The children are playing together on the street. (Illustrates group activity in a playful context.)

• Мы работаем совместно над проектом.

  We are working together on the project. (Demonstrates formal collaboration in a professional setting.)

• Семья ест вместе за столом.

  The family eats together at the table. (Highlights cultural or routine togetherness.)

Meaning 2: In combination or as a unit (indicating unity or joint action).

Translation(s) & Context:

• вместе - Informal, for personal or emotional unity.
• совместно - Formal, for organized or legal joint efforts.

Usage Examples:

• Вместе мы сильнее.

  Together we are stronger. (Emphasizes motivational or inspirational unity.)

• Они живут вместе уже десять лет.

  They have been living together for ten years. (Refers to cohabitation in a relationship context.)

• Компании работают совместно для достижения цели.

  The companies are working together to achieve the goal. (Shows business partnership.)

• Вместе с друзьями мы организуем праздник.

  Together with friends, we are organizing a party. (Demonstrates inclusive group planning.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

вместе is an adverb and does not undergo inflection; it remains unchanged in all cases, numbers, or tenses. This makes it straightforward for learners.

совместно is also an adverb and typically does not inflect. However, it can be used in derived forms like the adjective "совместный" (joint), which does inflect as follows:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: сообща [used for collective action, often in groups]; единодушно [emphasizing agreement]
• Antonyms: отдельно [indicating separation or individually]; врозь [implying division or apartness]

Related Phrases:

• вместе с кем-то - Together with someone (used to specify accompaniment in social contexts).
• совместно работать - To work together (common in professional settings for collaborative efforts).
• вместе навсегда - Together forever (an idiomatic expression for enduring unity, often in romantic contexts).

Usage Notes:

"вместе" is the most direct and versatile translation for "together" in informal Russian, making it ideal for everyday conversations, while "совместно" is preferred in formal or written language to convey structured collaboration. English speakers should note that Russian often requires prepositions like "с" (with) for clarity, e.g., "вместе с друзьями." Be mindful of context: "вместе" can imply emotional closeness, whereas "совместно" focuses on functionality. When choosing between translations, opt for "вместе" in personal scenarios and "совместно" in official ones to match the appropriate register.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "вместе" in formal contexts where "совместно" is more appropriate, e.g., incorrectly saying "Мы работаем вместе" in a business report instead of "Мы работаем совместно." Correct: "совместно" conveys professionalism better. Explanation: This can make the language sound too casual.

• Error: Omitting necessary prepositions, e.g., saying "вместе друзья" instead of "вместе с друзьями." Correct: Always include "с" for "with." Explanation: Russian requires explicit prepositions for relationships, unlike English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "вместе" often reflect the value placed on community and collectivism, stemming from historical contexts like Soviet-era emphasis on unity. For instance, phrases involving "вместе" are common in family and social settings, symbolizing solidarity and mutual support, which contrasts with more individualistic Western norms.

Related Concepts:

• дружба (friendship)
• единство (unity)
• сотрудничество (cooperation)