Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Career'

English Word: career

Key Russian Translations:

• карьера [kɐˈrʲerə] - [Formal, Informal, Commonly Used]
• профессиональный путь [prəfʲɪsʲɪɐˈnalʲnɨj putʲ] - [Formal, Descriptive]

Frequency: High (especially "карьера")

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "карьера"); B2 (Intermediate for "профессиональный путь")

Pronunciation (Russian):

карьера: [kɐˈrʲerə]

Note on карьера: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'р' sound is rolled, which may be challenging for non-native speakers.

профессиональный путь: [prəfʲɪsʲɪɐˈnalʲnɨj putʲ]

Note on профессиональный путь: Pay attention to the soft consonants and stress on "на" in "профессиональный".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Professional Development or Occupation Path

Translation(s) & Context:

• карьера - Used to refer to one's professional journey or success in a field (most common).
• профессиональный путь - Emphasizes the journey or path of professional growth, often in formal or written contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Она сделала успешную карьеру в медицине.

  She built a successful career in medicine.

• Его карьера началась с небольшой компании.

  His career started in a small company.

• Профессиональный путь этого ученого вдохновляет.

  The professional path of this scientist is inspiring.

• Карьера для меня важнее, чем деньги.

  Career is more important to me than money.

• Какой профессиональный путь вы выбрали?

  Which professional path have you chosen?

Russian Forms/Inflections:

карьера (noun, feminine): Follows the standard feminine declension pattern in Russian.

профессиональный путь (compound phrase): "профессиональный" is an adjective that agrees in gender, number, and case with "путь" (masculine noun). Declension follows the standard masculine pattern for "путь".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for карьера:

• успех (success, in specific contexts)
• достижение (achievement)

Note: "успех" is broader and less specific to professional life, while "достижение" focuses on accomplishments.

Antonyms for карьера:

• неудача (failure)
• стагнация (stagnation)

Related Phrases:

• строить карьеру - to build a career
• карьерный рост - career growth
• успешная карьера - successful career
• идти по профессиональному пути - to follow a professional path

Usage Notes:

• "карьера" is the most common and versatile translation for "career," suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
• "профессиональный путь" is more formal and often used in written or academic discussions to emphasize the journey or process.
• Be mindful of the context: "карьера" can sometimes imply ambition or success, whereas "профессиональный путь" is more neutral.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "карьера" in contexts where it implies personal ambition when a neutral term is needed. For example, saying "Его карьера в науке" might imply ambition, whereas "Его профессиональный путь в науке" is more neutral.

  Correct: Его профессиональный путь в науке был долгим. (His professional path in science was long.)

  Incorrect: Его карьера в науке была долгой. (May imply ambition unnecessarily.)

• Error: Incorrect declension of "карьера," e.g., using nominative case where accusative is needed.

  Correct: Я хочу построить карьеру. (I want to build a career.)

  Incorrect: Я хочу построить карьера.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "карьера" often carries a strong connotation of personal success and upward mobility, especially in professional or social contexts. It may also reflect societal expectations of achievement, particularly in urban environments. Discussing one's career can be a sensitive topic, as it may imply status or ambition.

Related Concepts:

• работа (work)
• профессия (profession)
• успех (success)
• должность (position)