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Let's say I'm trying to catch a plane but am running late. I might have this conversation with the airline rep:
“Can I still make the plane?”
“No, it has already taken off.”
I think the Russian equivalent would be something like:
— Я ещё успеваю на самолёт?
— Нет, он уже полетел.
Is it okay to say «полетел» in that context, or do I need to say «улетел» or «вылетел»?
No, about a plain, at least in this context, you can only say "улетел".
Самолет уже улетел.
As for "вылетел" and "полетел", you can use them when talking about a person:
Он полетел в Москву на конференцию.
Он вылетел в Москву. (more official)
Also, of course:
Он улетел в Москву.
plane :wink:Quote:
Originally Posted by Оля
I was going to give my vote to вылетел, then I’d put улетел on second place excluding полетел at all, but now, after Ольга’s arguments I’m perplexed and don’t know what to say. :dunno:
Anyway, people at the airport wouldn’t give much damn :) to semantics and choose fifty- fifty between вылетел and улетел.
Well, imagine the same situation at a railway station. Would you say "ваш поезд уже выехал"?Quote:
Originally Posted by alexB
Of course, we can say "ваш поезд уже ушел", and that's what we usually say in this case, but if we had to choose among "выехать" and "уехать", "уехал" would fit perfectly well, while "выехал" doesn't fit at all. Or do you disagree?
P.S. I think we can say "Ваш самолет уже вылетел... за вами, господин Президент". :D
Usually and generally:
улетел - flew away (it is no more here) "Рейс задержали, и самолет, на который я должен был пересесть, улетел без меня".
вылетел - flew out for certain purpose or to the certain destination " - The plane departed to Dublin. - Куда, блин?"
полетел - started flying process: "Самолет полетел! Смотри, как летит!"
Sometimes these rules can be violated but it can have interesting and strange effects on the style.
отлетел, залетел, долетел, прилетел, влетел...
Why did nobody mention "взлетел"? (taken off)?
I'd vote for "улетел", nevertheless.
Предположим, что самолёт только что взлетел, его ещё видно через окна. Если так, то можно ли в таком контексте сказать: «Он уже полетел»?
Well, one can say many things... Yes, you probably can say that, but this would sound strange anyway, like you're saying that dreamyly or pensively; maybe philosophically even. :) If an airline rep told me that in such situation, I would think that he's jeering at me. Seriously.Quote:
Originally Posted by doninphxaz
В справочном бюро скажут "Самолёт уже в воздухе." или "Вылетел" - это более официально. Если спросить прохожего, то с вероятностью 99% он скажет "улетел".
Скорее всего такое скажут, если долго пытались заставить его лететь, но все не получалось. Или если кто-то ждал, когда он полетит, чтобы посмотреть на полет.Quote:
Originally Posted by doninphxaz