Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vicinity'

English Word: vicinity

Key Russian Translations:

• окрестности [ɐˈkrʲestnəstʲi] - [Plural, Formal]
• близость [ˈblʲizəsʲtʲ] - [Informal, Singular, Used in contexts emphasizing proximity]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly encountered in descriptive texts, literature, and everyday conversation about locations, but not as frequent as basic spatial terms like "рядом").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions. For 'окрестности', it's B1; for 'близость', it's A2 due to simpler usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

окрестности: [ɐˈkrʲestnəstʲi]

близость: [ˈblʲizəsʲtʲ]

Note on окрестности: The stress falls on the third syllable; be mindful of the palatalized 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the 's' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The area near or surrounding a particular place

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'окрестности' - Used in formal or descriptive contexts to refer to the surrounding area of a location, such as a city or building.
• 'близость' - Applied in informal settings to denote closeness or proximity, often metaphorically.

Usage Examples:

• В окрестностях Москвы есть много красивых парков.

  In the vicinity of Moscow, there are many beautiful parks.

• Мы живём в близости от моря, что делает наши выходные приятными.

  We live in the vicinity of the sea, which makes our weekends enjoyable.

• Окрестности деревни полны тайн и легенд из прошлого.

  The vicinity of the village is full of mysteries and legends from the past.

• Близость к центру города удобна для бизнеса.

  The vicinity to the city center is convenient for business.

• Прогулка по окрестностям озера всегда освежает.

  A walk in the vicinity of the lake is always refreshing.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Окрестности' is a feminine plural noun that follows standard Russian declension patterns for nouns ending in -и. It does not have a singular form in common usage and changes based on case. 'Близость' is a feminine singular noun with regular declension.

Note: These forms are regular, but English learners often struggle with genitive and instrumental cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • окрест (more poetic, used for immediate surroundings)
  • район (emphasizes a district or neighborhood, with subtle differences in scale)
  • близь (archaic or literary variant of близость)
• Antonyms:
  • далеко (far away, contrasting with proximity)
  • удаленность (remoteness, used for distance from a place)

Related Phrases:

• В окрестностях города – In the vicinity of the city (used to describe areas around urban centers).
• Близость к природе – Proximity to nature (often in contexts of environmental or lifestyle discussions).
• Окрестности дома – The vicinity of the home (common in real estate or daily life descriptions).

Usage Notes:

'Окрестности' is the most direct translation for 'vicinity' when referring to physical spaces, and it's preferred in formal writing or geography-related contexts. 'Близость' is better for abstract or emotional proximity, such as in relationships. Always consider the grammatical case based on the sentence structure; for example, use genitive after prepositions like 'в' (in). English users should note that Russian often requires specifying the exact location for clarity, unlike the more vague English 'vicinity'.

• When choosing between translations, opt for 'окрестности' for plural or spatial descriptions and 'близость' for singular, metaphorical uses.
• In spoken Russian, these words might be shortened in casual speech, e.g., 'окр' in informal contexts.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'окрестности' with 'округ' (district) and misuse cases. For example:

• Error: Saying "Я иду в окрестности" (incorrect accusative usage without proper context).
• Correct: "Я иду в окрестностях парка" (using prepositional case for location). Explanation: Russian requires the correct case after prepositions; 'в' typically takes prepositional for locations.
• Another error: Using 'близость' interchangeably with 'окрестности', e.g., "Близость Москвы" instead of "Окрестности Москвы". Correct: Use 'близость' for abstract proximity, not physical areas.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'окрестности' often evoke a sense of exploration or nostalgia, as seen in literature by authors like Chekhov, who described rural vicinities to highlight the vastness of the Russian landscape. This reflects a cultural appreciation for nature and the countryside, contrasting with urban life.

Related Concepts:

• город (city)
• район (district)
• природа (nature)