“Vis-a-vis” is a borrowed word that seems unusual in Russia. Properly using it in a speech, you can surprise the interlocutor with your erudition. In addition, “vis-a-vis” has several meanings and, if necessary, can replace several terms or concepts, as well as most accurately describe any situation. It remains only to figure out where the “vis-a-vis” appeared, and what does this word mean?
Origin
How many words have been translated into Russian from French! This happened, of course, not because of the poverty of the great and mighty. This is due to the fashion of the Russian nobility of the 18th – 19th centuries into French, which came instead of the fashion to German (in those days, a decent nobleman might not know his native language, but had to be able to speak French). And, of course, the war of 1812, after which the language of simple, unobtrusive Russian people was enriched with borrowings (which is what the word “skier skier” stands for).
"Vis" - what does this word mean? In French, it is written as vis-à -vis and translated literally “face to face”. That is, it means a situation when two people are quite close to each other and can see each other.
The meaning of "counterpart"
The literal meaning of the word is hardly used in Russian speech, because in Russia it has undergone many changes.
Initially, “vis-a-vis” was used to designate a part of the dance when both partners are turned to face each other. Over time, of course, other meanings appeared. For example, they began to call this a small carriage, in which passengers sit opposite each other by adding additional passenger seats.
Also, “vis-a-vis” may be an appeal. So you can call a stranger who is currently talking to you or previously had a face-to-face conversation with you. And yet, you can call a person you are talking with, but whose name you do not know or did not remember.
And what does this word, "counterpart", mean in a figurative sense? This is most often called the opposition, that is, the term is suitable for describing a situation when one person opposes another, being his opponent or opponent. So it can be said both about duelists, and about enemies or even about opponents by discussion.
The last variant of use in our time is most often found and, perhaps, if you have heard this word, then it was used in the meaning of "opponent".
Examples of use
The best way to remember what the word “vis-a-vis” means is to look at examples of its use. The following are use cases taken from the literature.
Now counterpart Atanarich on the other side of the Danube was an uncouth warrior named Valens - lord of the Eastern Roman Empire.
While this captain and Turundis exchanged toasts, and our foreign tourist guide translated these toasts from German to Russian and from Russian to German, we met and chatted with our little counterpart.
Jaime Creen stared silently into the pale, expressionless face of his vis-a-vis, then he dutifully sighed and handed him back a hundred standards.
King
Call me an ambassador
Yes stay with him
And you will suffer a little -
There will come to love!
By the way, his counterpart with a black blindfold is also a celebrity, and in the same vein: Gaston Monjusso, France's first sword.
Now you know the meaning of the word “vis-a-vis” and you can safely use it in your speech.