In today’s tip, we’ll look at a simple mistake that even native speakers make on occasions. What is correct: сначала or с начала? What is the difference? We shall soon see.
| сначала (pronounced SNA-cha-la), a single word, is an adverb, and it carries the meaning of first. This is often combined with adverbs such as затем, потом, etc. |
| с начала (pronounced the same way), is an adverbial phrase, combining the preposition с [from] and the noun начало [beginning], carrying the meaning of since/from the beginning. |
They are pronounced identically – no wonder one mistakes them for each other when writing them down. But they are not interchangeable!
Let’s observe them in context in order for you to fully comprehend what I’m trying to teach you.
| Сначала мы прочитаем текст, а затем ответим на вопросы ниже. First, we’ll read the text and then we’ll answer the questions below. |
| Лично я рекомендую сначала освоить русский, а затем приниматься за украинский. Personally, I recommend mastering Russian first, then taking up Ukrainian. |
| Некоторые из вас следуют за моим блогом с (самого) начала. Some of you have been following my blog since the (very) beginning. |
My Slavic Studies 