Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Absent'

English Word: absent

Key Russian Translations:

• отсутствующий [ɐtˈsutstvujʉɕːɪj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• нет [nʲet] - [Informal, Used to indicate absence or lack]
• неприсутствующий [nʲɪprʲɪˈsutstvujʉɕːɪj] - [Formal, Less Common, Adjective]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal and informal contexts depending on the translation)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner-Intermediate for "нет"; Intermediate for "отсутствующий" and "неприсутствующий")

Pronunciation (Russian):

отсутствующий: [ɐtˈsutstvujʉɕːɪj]

Note on отсутствующий: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "щ" sound is a soft, prolonged "sh" sound, which may be challenging for non-native speakers.

нет: [nʲet]

Note on нет: Simple and clear pronunciation. The soft "n" sound is typical in Russian.

неприсутствующий: [nʲɪprʲɪˈsutstvujʉɕːɪj]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Not Present (Physical Absence)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отсутствующий - Used to describe someone or something not present in a specific location or situation, often in formal or written contexts.
• нет - Used colloquially to indicate someone or something is not there, often in response to a question.

Usage Examples:

• Он отсутствующий на собрании сегодня.

  He is absent from the meeting today.

• Её нет дома, попробуйте позже.

  She’s not at home, try again later.

• Отсутствующие студенты должны предоставить объяснение.

  Absent students must provide an explanation.

2. Lacking (Abstract Absence)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отсутствующий - Used metaphorically to describe a lack of something abstract like attention or emotion.

Usage Examples:

• У него отсутствующий взгляд, будто он не здесь.

  He has an absent look, as if he’s not here.

• В его словах отсутствует искренность.

  There is an absence of sincerity in his words.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

отсутствующий (Adjective): This adjective declines according to Russian grammar rules for gender, number, and case. Below is a simplified declension table for the nominative case:

Gender/Number	Form
Masculine Singular	отсутствующий
Feminine Singular	отсутствующая
Neuter Singular	отсутствующее
Plural	отсутствующие

нет (Particle/Adverb): This word does not inflect or change form. It is used as a standalone response or within sentences to indicate absence or negation.

неприсутствующий (Adjective): Similar to "отсутствующий," it declines for gender, number, and case but is less frequently used.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for отсутствующий:

• неприсутствующий
• пропущенный

Note: "неприсутствующий" is more formal and less common than "отсутствующий." "пропущенный" is often used for missed events or opportunities.

Antonyms for отсутствующий:

• присутствующий
• наличный

Related Phrases:

• отсутствовать на месте - To be absent from a place (often used in formal contexts).
• нет в наличии - Not available (used for items or goods).
• отсутствие интереса - Absence of interest (abstract usage).

Usage Notes:

• "отсутствующий" is the primary formal translation for "absent" and is used as an adjective. It often appears in written language or formal speech.
• "нет" is a versatile and informal way to express absence or negation, often used in spoken Russian. It can stand alone as a response ("No" or "Not here").
• When choosing between translations, consider the context: Use "отсутствующий" for descriptions and "нет" for direct statements of absence.

Common Errors:

Error 1: Using "нет" in formal writing to describe absence as an adjective.

Incorrect: Он нет на работе. (He is not at work.)

Correct: Он отсутствует на работе. (He is absent from work.)

Explanation: "нет" cannot function as an adjective; it is a particle used for negation or standalone responses. Use "отсутствующий" or the verb "отсутствовать" in formal contexts.

Error 2: Misusing gender or case with "отсутствующий."

Incorrect: Она отсутствующий. (She is absent.)

Correct: Она отсутствующая. (She is absent.)

Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case. "Она" (she) requires the feminine form "отсутствующая."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, stating someone’s absence with "нет" (e.g., "Его нет") is a common and direct way to communicate unavailability, often without further explanation in informal settings. However, in formal or professional contexts, using "отсутствующий" or the verb "отсутствовать" shows politeness and respect for the situation.

Related Concepts:

• присутствие (presence)
• отсутствие (absence as a noun)
• пропуск (miss/skip, as in missing an event)