Russian and English: 20 mistakes that you will be given abroad
Forming / / December 19, 2019
1. I feel myself
How to say "I feel good"?
- Wrong: I feel myself well.
- Correctly: I feel well.
I feel myself sound as if the speaker comes to himself, and native speakers can be perceived as something indecent. Myself (himself, herself) should be lowered.
2. Brilliant
How to translate into English the phrase "diamond ring"?
- Wrong: brilliant ring.
- Correctly: diamond ring.
Brilliant - an example of "false friend» (false friend), words English languageWhich is similar to the word of the Russian language, but in fact has a different meaning. Brilliant ring - this is not a "diamond" as it may think Russian people, and the "great circle".
3. Normal
How to answer the question "How are you?"
- Wrong: I'm normal, thank you.
- Correctly: I'm fine, thank you.
Indeed, the Russian to such a question is often answered: "OK," and for them "normal" - is "good". However, normal in English -. It is not "strange"
And the answer I'm normal, thank you translated "Thank you, I'm normal."
4. Enough
Where to put the word in a sentence enough?
-
Wrong:
Is he enough smart to understand this book?
She spoke French enough well to pass the exam.
He's enough earned today. -
Correctly:
Is he smart enough to understand this book? ( "He's smart enough to understand this book?")
She spoke French well enough to pass the exam. ( "She spoke well enough in French to take the exam.")
He's earned enough today. ( "He's earned enough today.")
In English, enough is placed before the noun, but after the other parts of speech: adjective (smart), adverb (well), a verb (earned).
5. Please
What answer Thank you?
- Wrong: Please.
- Correctly: You're welcome.
A typical case where the Russian language one word is used in different contexts, and in English is necessary to use different words. "Please" as a request ( "Please call me") will please, "please" as a response to "thank you» - you're welcome.
6. Learn
As in English would be "It teaches advanced mathematics at the University?"
- Wrong: She learns Advanced Mathematics at university.
- Correctly: She studies Advanced Mathematics at university.
The difference between "teaching" it is difficult to understand. Study rather refers to academic training, learn - to acquire knowledge / skills in practice. Added to this confusion with the word teach, which is also translated into Russian as "teaching". It is necessary to remember that applies only to teach the teacher activities.
7. Freely
How to translate "We are free to speak in English?"
- Wrong: We speak English freely.
- Correctly: We speak English fluently.
"Available" when it comes to the level of proficiency, translated into English not as freely, but as fluently.
8. Do
How to say "Do, please, coffee?"
- Wrong: Do some coffee, please.
- Correctly: Make some coffee, please.
Russian often do not know which of the two options selected, because both do, and make translated as "do". The bottom line in shades of meaning: if you do - is to "do", make more "create".
9. Say
How to translate "John told his parents about the job offer?"
- Wrong: John said his parents about a job offer.
- Correctly: John told his parents about a job offer.
Eating say The verb, the speaker focuses on the information, the verb tell - to the person who the information is transferred, that is, after the tell is to follow the direct object (tell me / him / us). Exceptions: tell a story, tell the truth.
10. Possibility
How to translate "Do not miss this opportunity to learn from abroad?"
- Wrong: Do not miss the possibility to study abroad.
- Correctly: Do not miss the opportunity to study abroad.
"Opportunity" in the sense of "it could happen" or "it may be true» - possibility. "Opportunity" as an opportunity - opportunity.
11. Comfortable
How to say "a convenient time for a meeting?"
- Wrong: comfortable time to meet.
- Correctly: convenient time to meet.
On the Russian both words are translated as "comfortable" or "easy." But in English comfortable - giving physical or emotional comfort, while convenient - perfect (tool or time, for example). It can not be comfortable time to meet, time will always be convenient.
12. Useful
How will the "healthy food" in English?
- Wrong: useful food.
- Correctly: healthy food.
In Russian "useful" can be any tool, and food. In English only eating healthy.
13. Very
How to say "I really like you"?
- Wrong: I very like you.
- Correctly: I really like you.
You can also say I like you a lot, or - version with very - I like you very much.
14. What
How to translate "I'll give you everything you need?"
- Wrong: I'll give you everything what you need.
- Correctly: I'll give you everything that you need.
Russian "it" is translated into English as the what, how, and that depending on the context. hence the frequent errors in choosing the right words.
15. On the picture
It will be "in the picture" in English?
- Wrong: on the picture.
- Correctly: in the picture.
Not always the relationship between objects, people, concepts are expressed using the same prepositions in English and Russian. Thus, "in the picture / Wood» - in the picture / tree, but the Russian is often used on a pretext.
16. Advices
How will the advice in the plural?
- Wrong: advices.
- Correctly: pieces of advice.
In Russian "advice" - a countable noun and a plural form - "advice". In English, it is uncountable, so we can not say advices, will have to use an expression of pieces of advice or words of advice. Similar difficulties are experienced with Russian uncountable nouns such as knowledge, research, information, data.
17. thanks God
How to translate stable expression "thank God"?
- Wrong: thanks God.
- Correctly: thank God.
Somehow, Russian is often added to thank s, apparently aware of this expression as a thanks, God ( «Thank you, Lord"). S not needed and in phrases no comment, and no problem.
18. He / she
How to say "I could not fix the phone when it broke?"
- Wrong: I could not repair my phone after he broke.
- Correctly: I could not repair my phone after it broke.
In the Russian language, as we know, three kinds. Native English claim that Russian too bother with childbirth (not surprising - it's all a learning). Russian English it is for any occasion seems cold and heartless (as can be, for example, to tell about it! Child). Therefore, the Russian attempt to assign English noun some kind of what else to do, if only we are not talking about a person or animal, the floor of which is obvious.
19. Girlfriend
How to translate "Maria went shopping with a friend"?
- Wrong: Maria went shopping with her girlfriend.
- Correctly: Maria went shopping with her friend.
In English, there is no direct way to specify the floor other: one of either sex will be friend. Her girlfriend - it is not "her friend," and "it girl." Russian often make such a mistake, and it may cause an awkward situation.
20. City
How to say "I'm from Moscow"?
- Wrong: I'm from Moscow city.
- Correctly: I'm from Moscow.
Russian abroad are often told that they are from the Moscow city (Rostov city, Irkutsk city ...). Not such a mistake, but English speakers make fun of her. Suffice it to Moscow or if so it would be desirable, the city of Moscow. Yes, there is Salt Lake City, sometimes the city is added, so as not to confuse the city and state (Oklahoma City), but do not say otherwise. How not to say London city or Paris city.
If automatic translation of Russian phrases into English, to speak without mistakes never happen. There are rules and exceptions that can be learned with the help of tips "and in Russian as" or "in Russian and vice versa", but here the key word - "to teach." Learn the rules and exceptions still have and best of all - with the teacher.
Come indulge in Skyeng: A free introductory lesson Methodist determine your level of English, aims and features to choose the perfect teacher.