Numerical Approximation
To estimate amounts in Russian without using words like "about" or "approximately," simply flip the normal word order.
Instead of the number coming before the noun (два часа = exactly two hours), place the noun before the number: часа два (about two hours). The noun stays in the exact same grammatical case.
| We will go on foot. The walk will take about two hours. | Мы пойдём пешком. Идти часа два. |
Estimating Time
This inversion is commonly used to estimate travel and wait times, such as delays (задержка) and transfers (пересадка).
| Due to the snow, the delay will be about three hours. | Из-за снега задержка будет часа три. |
| We have a transfer, the wait is about four hours. | У нас пересадка, ждать часа четыре. |
Approximations are often paired with минимум (minimum) or максимум (maximum).
| The transfer will take a minimum of about forty minutes. | Пересадка займёт минимум минут сорок. |
Estimating Costs and Distances
The same pattern applies to money and distances. When discussing a surcharge (доплата), the currency comes first, followed by the amount.
| The surcharge for luggage will amount to about five hundred rubles. | Доплата за багаж составит рублей пятьсот. |
| The surcharge will be a maximum of about ten dollars. | Доплата будет максимум долларов десять. |
For distance, put kilometers (километров) before the number.
| We decided to go. The drive is about twenty kilometers. | Мы решили поехать. Ехать километров двадцать. |
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