Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bureau'

English Word: bureau

Key Russian Translations:

• бюро [ˈbʲuro] - [Neutral, Formal/Informal]
• контора [kɐnˈtorə] - [Informal, Often with a slight derogatory tone]
• отдел [ɐtˈdʲel] - [Neutral, Often used for department or section]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like offices or agencies)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate, varies slightly by term; "бюро" is easier to learn)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бюро: [ˈbʲuro]

Note on бюро: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ю' is pronounced as a soft 'yu' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

контора: [kɐnˈtorə]

Note on контора: Stress on the second syllable; the final 'a' is reduced in casual speech.

отдел: [ɐtˈdʲel]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Office or Agency (e.g., travel bureau, information bureau)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бюро - Used for specialized offices or agencies (e.g., travel bureau).

Usage Examples:

• Я заказал билеты через туристическое бюро.

  I booked tickets through a travel bureau.

• В этом бюро можно получить информацию о визах.

  You can get visa information at this bureau.

• Бюро переводов находится на втором этаже.

  The translation bureau is on the second floor.

2. Office or Workplace (general term for a small office)

Translation(s) & Context:

• контора - Often used colloquially for a small or less formal office, sometimes with a negative connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Он работает в какой-то странной конторе.

  He works in some weird office.

• Эта контора занимается ремонтом машин.

  This office deals with car repairs.

3. Department or Section (within an organization)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отдел - Refers to a department or section within a larger organization.

Usage Examples:

• Я работаю в отделе кадров.

  I work in the HR department.

• Отдел продаж находится на третьем этаже.

  The sales department is on the third floor.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

бюро (neuter noun, indeclinable):

This word does not change form regardless of case or number. It remains "бюро" in all grammatical contexts.

контора (feminine noun):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	контора	конторы
Genitive	конторы	контор
Dative	конторе	конторам
Accusative	контору	конторы
Instrumental	конторой	конторами
Prepositional	конторе	конторах

отдел (masculine noun):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	отдел	отделы
Genitive	отдела	отделов
Dative	отделу	отделам
Accusative	отдел	отделы
Instrumental	отделом	отделами
Prepositional	отделе	отделах

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for бюро:

• агентство (agency, often for specific services)
• офис (office, more general term)

Synonyms for контора:

• заведение (establishment, broader term)
• фирма (firm, company)

Synonyms for отдел:

• секция (section)
• подразделение (division)

Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; context-dependent)

Related Phrases:

• туристическое бюро - Travel bureau (refers to an agency for travel services).
• информационное бюро - Information bureau (a place for obtaining information).
• контора пишет - "The office writes" (a colloquial phrase implying bureaucratic nonsense or over-formality).
• отдел кадров - HR department (common term for personnel office).

Usage Notes:

• "бюро" is the most direct translation of "bureau" and is used for specific agencies or offices, often with a formal tone. It does not decline, which makes it easier to use grammatically.
• "контора" often carries a colloquial or slightly negative tone, implying a small or inefficient office. Use with caution in formal contexts.
• "отдел" is better suited when referring to a department within a larger organization, not a standalone bureau.
• Choosing between these translations depends on context: for a government agency, use "бюро"; for a casual reference to an office, "контора" might work; for a corporate department, use "отдел".

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "контора" in formal contexts. English speakers might use it as a general term for "office," but it can sound derogatory or overly casual.
  Incorrect: Я подал документы в эту контору. (I submitted documents to this office.)
  Correct: Я подал документы в это бюро. (I submitted documents to this bureau.)
  Explanation: "контора" implies a less serious or small-scale office, which may not suit formal contexts.
• Error: Declining "бюро" like a regular noun. Since it is indeclinable, adding endings is incorrect.
  Incorrect: Я был в бюре.
  Correct: Я был в бюро.
  Explanation: "бюро" never changes form, regardless of case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "бюро" often evokes associations with Soviet-era institutions, such as "бюро находок" (lost and found office) or "бюро переводов" (translation bureau). It carries a sense of formality and specialization. On the other hand, "контора" might be used humorously or critically to refer to bureaucratic or inefficient workplaces, reflecting a common cultural trope in Russian humor about bureaucracy.

Related Concepts:

• офис (office)
• агентство (agency)
• учреждение (institution)
• департамент (department)