Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bus'

English Word: bus

Key Russian Translations:

• автобус [ˈavtəbʊs] - [General, Most Common]
• микроавтобус [ˌmʲikrəˈavtəbʊs] - [Minibus, Specific Context]

Frequency: High (especially for "автобус")

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for "автобус"; A2 (Elementary) for "микроавтобус"

Pronunciation (Russian):

автобус: [ˈavtəbʊs]

Note on автобус: Stress falls on the first syllable, which is common for many Russian compound words.

микроавтобус: [ˌmʲikrəˈavtəbʊs]

Note on микроавтобус: Stress on "avto" part, with a soft 'm' sound typical in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A large motor vehicle carrying passengers (general)

Translation(s) & Context:

• автобус - Used for standard city or intercity buses.

Usage Examples:

• Я еду на автобусе в центр города.

  I am taking the bus to the city center.

• Автобус опоздал на десять минут.

  The bus is ten minutes late.

• На каком автобусе можно доехать до вокзала?

  Which bus can I take to get to the train station?

2. A smaller bus or minibus

Translation(s) & Context:

• микроавтобус - Refers specifically to a minibus or van used for transport.

Usage Examples:

• Мы арендовали микроавтобус для поездки за город.

  We rented a minibus for a trip out of town.

• Микроавтобус перевозит пассажиров по коротким маршрутам.

  The minibus transports passengers on short routes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

автобус (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate): Follows the regular second declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

микроавтобус (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate): Follows a similar declension pattern to "автобус."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "автобус":

• транспорт (broader term for transport)

Note: "транспорт" is less specific and rarely used to directly mean "bus."

Antonyms: None directly applicable for "автобус" in common usage.

Related Phrases:

• автобусная остановка - Bus stop.
• сесть на автобус - To get on a bus.
• сойти с автобуса - To get off a bus.
• маршрут автобуса - Bus route.

Usage Notes:

• "Автобус" is the default term for a bus in most contexts, whether urban or intercity. It is universally understood across Russian-speaking regions.
• "Микроавтобус" specifically refers to smaller buses or vans, often used for private hire or short routes. Do not use it for standard city buses.
• In conversational Russian, people might omit the word "автобус" when referring to a bus number, e.g., "Я еду на 5" (I’m taking the 5).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "микроавтобус" for a regular city bus.
  Incorrect: Я еду на микроавтобусе номер 10.
  Correct: Я еду на автобусе номер 10.
  Explanation: "Микроавтобус" implies a smaller vehicle, not a standard public bus.
• Error: Misusing prepositions with "автобус."
  Incorrect: Я еду в автобусе.
  Correct: Я еду на автобусе.
  Explanation: In Russian, "на" is used for modes of public transport like buses, while "в" is more common for private vehicles.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia and other Russian-speaking countries, buses are a vital part of public transportation, especially in cities and rural areas where metro systems may not be available. The term "автобус" often evokes images of Soviet-era vehicles in older contexts, while modern buses are more common in urban centers. Additionally, "маршрутка" (a colloquial term for shared minivans or minibuses) is a culturally significant mode of transport, though it is not a direct translation of "bus."

Related Concepts:

• троллейбус (trolleybus)
• трамвай (tram)
• маршрутка (shared minivan/minibus)
• метро (metro/subway)