Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Availability'

English Word: availability

Key Russian Translations:

• наличие [ˈnalʲɪt͡ɕɪjə] - [Neutral, Common Usage]
• доступность [dəstʊpˈnasʲtʲ] - [Neutral, Often Related to Access or Affordability]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

наличие: [ˈnalʲɪt͡ɕɪjə]

Note on наличие: Stress falls on the first syllable; the "ч" sound is soft, like 'ch' in "church."

доступность: [dəstʊpˈnasʲtʲ]

Note on доступность: Stress on the third syllable; the final "ть" is a soft sign, not pronounced as a hard 't.'

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The state of being available or present

Translation(s) & Context:

• наличие - Used to indicate the presence or existence of something (e.g., items, resources).

Usage Examples:

• Проверьте наличие билетов перед покупкой.

  Check the availability of tickets before purchasing.

• Наличие свободных мест ограничено.

  The availability of free seats is limited.

• Наличие опыта работы обязательно.

  The availability of work experience is mandatory.

2. The state of being accessible or obtainable

Translation(s) & Context:

• доступность - Refers to accessibility, often in terms of affordability or ease of access.

Usage Examples:

• Доступность образования важна для всех.

  The availability (accessibility) of education is important for everyone.

• Мы стремимся к доступности наших услуг.

  We strive for the availability (accessibility) of our services.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

наличие (neuter noun): This noun is indeclinable in terms of gender but follows standard neuter noun declension for cases.

доступность (feminine noun): Follows standard feminine noun declension patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for наличие:

• присутствие
• существование

Note: "присутствие" often implies physical presence, while "существование" is more abstract.

Synonyms for доступность:

• достижимость
• открытость

Antonyms for наличие:

• отсутствие

Antonyms for доступность:

• недоступность

Related Phrases:

• в наличии - "in stock" or "available"
• проверить наличие - "check availability"
• обеспечить доступность - "ensure availability/accessibility"

Usage Notes:

• наличие is generally used for the existence or presence of tangible or intangible items (e.g., goods, qualities). It is more neutral and common in formal and written contexts.
• доступность emphasizes accessibility, often in terms of ease of obtaining something or affordability. It is frequently used in discussions about services, education, or technology.
• When translating "availability" into Russian, choose based on context: use "наличие" for physical or abstract presence, and "доступность" for access-related meanings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "доступность" when referring to the presence of an item.
  Incorrect: Доступность товара в магазине.
  Correct: Наличие товара в магазине.
  Explanation: "Доступность" implies accessibility, not just presence. Use "наличие" to indicate whether something is in stock or exists.
• Error: Misusing cases with "наличие."
  Incorrect: Наличие билетов нет.
  Correct: Наличия билетов нет.
  Explanation: After "нет," the genitive case is required, so "наличие" becomes "наличия."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian-speaking cultures, the concept of "availability" (especially "наличие") can carry a historical connotation due to Soviet-era shortages. Phrases like "в наличии" (in stock) are still widely used in stores and markets to indicate that something is currently obtainable, reflecting a cultural sensitivity to scarcity.

Related Concepts:

• отсутствие (absence)
• запас (stock/reserve)
• возможность (possibility/opportunity)