Bedeutung
Something that is nearby and accessible.
Kultureller Hintergrund
At a 'dacha' (summer house), resources are often limited. Having a 'handy' set of tools is a mark of a respected neighbor. The history of shortages made 'having things handy' a survival skill, leading to highly organized (or cluttered) home workshops. Russian app developers often use 'Всё под рукой' as a slogan for all-in-one 'super-apps' like Yandex or Tinkoff. Classic authors like Chekhov use this phrase to describe the domestic environment of the 'intelligentsia'.
Use with 'держать'
The most natural way to use this is with the verb 'держать' (to keep). 'Держи это под рукой' is a very common command.
Case Sensitivity
Always use the Instrumental case (рукой). Using the Nominative (рука) or Genitive (руки) will make the phrase nonsensical.
Bedeutung
Something that is nearby and accessible.
Use with 'держать'
The most natural way to use this is with the verb 'держать' (to keep). 'Держи это под рукой' is a very common command.
Case Sensitivity
Always use the Instrumental case (рукой). Using the Nominative (рука) or Genitive (руки) will make the phrase nonsensical.
Digital Context
Use this when talking about your computer desktop or phone apps to sound like a native speaker.
Preparedness
Russians value 'запасливость'. Using this phrase shows you understand the value of being prepared.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing phrase to say 'The phone is handy'.
Мой телефон всегда ____.
'Под рукой' is the idiom for being handy/accessible.
Which sentence is correct for a professional setting?
How do you say 'I have the data ready'?
Instrumental case 'рукой' with 'под' indicates location/availability.
Complete the dialogue.
— Где твои ключи? — Ой, я не знаю. Их нет ____.
'Под рукой' is used when you can't find something that should be nearby.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in the kitchen and need a knife.
You want the knife to be accessible for cooking.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Location vs. Accessibility
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenМой телефон всегда ____.
'Под рукой' is the idiom for being handy/accessible.
How do you say 'I have the data ready'?
Instrumental case 'рукой' with 'под' indicates location/availability.
— Где твои ключи? — Ой, я не знаю. Их нет ____.
'Под рукой' is used when you can't find something that should be nearby.
You are in the kitchen and need a knife.
You want the knife to be accessible for cooking.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes, but usually in a professional context like 'I have an assistant at hand'. In personal contexts, it can sound a bit cold.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
'Рядом' just means nearby. 'Под рукой' means nearby AND ready to be used.
No, the idiom is strictly singular: 'под рукой'.
Use 'не оказалось под рукой' or 'не было под рукой'.
Yes, very often, to refer to data, reports, or resources.
Not necessarily, but it implies you could touch it if you reached out.
Usually no. For a store, use 'под боком'.
In this idiom, the Instrumental case (рукой).
Not exactly slang, but 'под боком' is more casual.
No, it's for things you can 'use' or 'consult'.
Yes, it's a standard literary idiom.
Verwandte Redewendungen
под боком
similarVery close by (usually a location)
в наличии
synonymIn stock / available
под носом
similarRight under one's nose
из рук в руки
builds onFrom hand to hand
как без рук
contrastLike being without hands
