Breakdown of Из‑за пробки мы не сможем добраться до аэропорта вовремя.
не
not
мы
we
вовремя
on time
аэропорт
the airport
до
to
смочь
to be able
из-за
because of
пробка
the traffic jam
добраться
to get to / to reach
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Questions & Answers about Из‑за пробки мы не сможем добраться до аэропорта вовремя.
Why is Из‑за written with a hyphen, and is it one word or two?
Из‑за is a fixed two-part preposition meaning because of / due to. It’s normally written with a hyphen: из‑за. In typing you may see a short hyphen - or a longer dash ‑; both function the same here. You generally don’t split it into two separate words in modern standard spelling.
Why is it из‑за пробки and not из‑за пробка?
Из‑за requires the genitive case.
So пробка (nominative) becomes пробки (genitive singular): из‑за пробки.
Does пробка mean a “cork” or a “traffic jam” here?
Both meanings exist, but in this context пробка is the common word for a traffic jam. Context (airport, being late) strongly signals the traffic meaning.
Could I also say из-за затора or из-за пробок?
Yes, with nuance:
- из‑за затора = due to a traffic blockage/gridlock (often a bit more formal or “serious-sounding”)
- из‑за пробок (plural) = due to traffic jams in general / multiple jams (more general, less “one specific jam”)
What is the function of мы? Can it be omitted?
мы is the subject (we). Russian can omit subject pronouns if it’s obvious from the verb ending, but with future forms like сможем it’s still often included for clarity or emphasis. You can say: Из‑за пробки не сможем добраться…, but it may sound slightly more abrupt or context-dependent.
Why is it не сможем instead of не можем?
- не можем = we can’t / we are unable (present time or general inability right now)
- не сможем = we won’t be able to (future result: at the relevant time, it will be impossible)
In this sentence, you’re talking about failing to make it in time, so the future-result idea fits: не сможем.
What verb is сможем from, and what does it imply?
сможем is the 1st person plural future of смочь (to be able to, perfective). It implies a one-time ability / successful possibility in a specific situation, not a general skill.
Why does Russian use добраться here? What does it literally mean?
добраться is a common verb meaning to reach / to get to (somewhere), often implying managing to arrive despite difficulty. It’s perfective and fits well with “make it (successfully) to the airport.”
What does the -ся in добраться mean?
The -ся marks a reflexive form. With movement verbs like добраться, it’s part of the standard verb and doesn’t translate as “oneself” in English. Think of добраться as a single dictionary item: to get/reach (somewhere).
Why is it до аэропорта and not в аэропорт?
- до + genitive focuses on reaching as far as a point/destination: добраться до аэропорта = to make it to the airport
- в + accusative focuses on motion into a place: поехать в аэропорт = to go to the airport
With добраться, Russian strongly prefers до.
Why is аэропорта in the genitive?
Because the preposition до requires the genitive case.
So аэропорт → аэропорта after до.
What part of speech is вовремя, and where can it go in the sentence?
вовремя is an adverb meaning on time. It’s flexible:
- …добраться до аэропорта вовремя. (neutral, very common)
- …вовремя добраться до аэропорта. (more emphasis on being on time)
- Вовремя мы не сможем… (strong emphasis/contrast)
Is the word order fixed here, or can it change?
It’s not fixed. Russian word order is relatively flexible and shifts emphasis:
- Из‑за пробки мы не сможем добраться до аэропорта вовремя. (neutral)
- Мы из‑за пробки не сможем… (emphasis on we, or contrast with others)
- До аэропорта мы не сможем добраться вовремя… (emphasis on the airport as the key destination)
How is the sentence pronounced / where are the stresses?
Common stresses:
- из‑за́
- про́бки
- мы
- не смо́жем
- добра́ться
- до аэро́порта
- во́время