Learn Hardcore Russian: Решение о переезде было принято за ужином. - The decision about the move was made over dinner.

О переезде literally translates as "about the move." It specifies the subject of the decision, indicating that the decision concerns moving. The preposition о paired with переезд (move) clarifies the topic under discussion.

Why is the sentence in the passive voice, as seen in было принято?

The phrase было принято is in the compound past passive form. This construction emphasizes the decision itself rather than who made it. In Russian, using the passive voice allows speakers to focus on the outcome or result, intentionally leaving the agent (the person or people making the decision) unspecified.

How does за ужином function grammatically, and what does it convey contextually?

За ужином employs the preposition за with the instrumental case of ужин (dinner). This phrase indicates the setting or the time when the action occurred. In context, it tells us that the decision was made during (or over) dinner, implying the casual, perhaps unexpected moment in which the decision took place.

Can the sentence be expressed in the active voice, and if so, what would change?

Yes, it can be rewritten in the active voice. For instance, you could say: "Мы приняли решение о переезде за ужином." In this active construction, Мы (we) explicitly identifies the decision-makers, shifting the focus from the decision itself to who made it. The passive version, however, centers attention on the final decision.

Is there a nuance between using за ужином and во время ужина?

Although both phrases grammatically denote that something occurred during dinner, за ужином is more idiomatic in Russian. It often conveys the sense of something happening while partaking in dinner (the process of dining), whereas во время ужина is a more literal expression meaning "during dinner." The choice between them can depend on the desired tone and context.