Sometimes events happen so quickly that it is impossible to comprehend them. It would seem that something was just in place, and in a moment – and the trace disappeared. This effect is conveyed by the Russian expression “As the wind blew away.” How to correctly translate it into Ukrainian – tells WomanEL.
Content Literal translationUkrainian equivalentsCultural adaptation 
As the wind blew away: how to correctly translate this expression into Ukrainian. Source: freepik.com
Literal translation
If we translate the phrase word for word, we get the option: “As if blown away by the wind.” This translation is understandable, as it retains the basic meaning: something suddenly disappeared under the influence of the wind. But does it sound natural?
Ukrainian equivalents
The Ukrainian language is rich in expressive phraseological units. Here are a few options that convey the same idea:
• “And there was no trace left” – emphasizes the sudden disappearance.
• “Like a cow licking its tongue” is a humorous folk expression meaning an unexpected loss or disappearance.
• “A passage like smoke” – emphasizes the ease and speed of disappearance.
• “As if by a stroke of a finger” – refers more to the instant disappearance of something intangible, such as pain or a bad mood.
Cultural adaptation
If you are translating an expression in a modern context, you can also use colloquial equivalents.
• “And it's gone, as if it wasn't there” – reflects the effect of sudden absence.
• “Disappeared like water through your fingers” – suitable for describing loss.
• “Dissolved in the air” is a good option for fiction texts.
Each of these options can replace “As the wind blew away” depending on the context. The Ukrainian language has many colorful expressions – the main thing is to find the one that will convey the desired meaning and emotion.
Previously, we talked about the literal and adapted translation of the Russian phrase into Ukrainian “After the rain on Thursday.”