без английского
bez angliyskogo
The Russian phrase for "no english" is без английского (bez angliyskogo).
This phrase is used to describe a lack of English proficiency, a lack of English-speaking staff or any situation where the English language is not present or available.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "without English". The word без means "without" and английского is the genitive form of "English".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word английского is in the genitive case because it follows the preposition без, which always requires the genitive case.
How do you pronounce it?
bez angliyskogo
Did you know?
- The word без is a linguistic 'outsider' that shares an ancient ancestor with the Sanskrit word bahís, which means 'outside'.
- Russian uses the preposition без in idioms to describe helplessness, such as без рук, which literally means 'without hands'.
- In a practical Russian setting, без английского describes a property or environment rather than a person's lack of skill.
Examples in context
- Извините, но я не могу.Sorry, but I can't.
- Сожалею, но я не смогу помочь.I'm sorry, but I won't be able to help.
- Нет, спасибо, не хочу.No, thanks, I don't want to.
- Нет, спасибо, у меня уже есть планы.No, thank you, I already have plans.
- Извините, но мне не подходит.I'm sorry, but it doesn't work for me.
- Нет, я не согласен(а).No, I don't agree.
- Спасибо за предложение, но это не для меня.Thank you for the offer, but it's not for me.
- Я не могу прочитать это без английского.Ya ne mogu prochitat' eto bez angliyskogo.I cannot read this without English.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Dmitry are discussing a job opening in a remote town.
- Дмитрий DmitryТы готова переехать в этот город?Ty gotova pereyehat' v etot gorod?Are you ready to move to this town?
- Анастасия AnastasiaДа, но там будет совсем без английского.Da, no tam budet sovsem bez angliyskogo.Yes, but there will be no English at all.
- Дмитрий DmitryЭто не будет проблемой для тебя?Eto ne budet problemoy dlya tebya?Will that not be a problem for you?
- Анастасия AnastasiaНаверное, мне будет немного скучно.Navernoye, mne budet nemnogo skuchno.Probably, I will be a little bored.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries без, CC BY-SA 4.0.
