Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Charwoman'

English Word: Charwoman

Key Russian Translations:

• уборщица [uˈborʃt͡ɕit͡sə] - [Informal, Feminine]
• домработница [dəmrɐˈbotnʲit͡sə] - [Formal, Feminine, Often implies household help]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

уборщица: [uˈborʃt͡ɕit͡sə]

Note on уборщица: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "щ" sound is a soft, hissing sound unique to Russian.

домработница: [dəmrɐˈbotnʲit͡sə]

Note on домработница: Stress on the third syllable. The "р" is rolled slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A woman employed to clean houses or offices

Translation(s) & Context:

• уборщица - Commonly used for women cleaning offices, schools, or public spaces.
• домработница - Refers more specifically to a woman hired for household cleaning or domestic help, often implying a broader range of tasks.

Usage Examples:

• Уборщица приходит в офис каждый вечер.

  The charwoman comes to the office every evening.

• Наша уборщица очень тщательно моет полы.

  Our charwoman cleans the floors very thoroughly.

• Моя бабушка нанимала домработницу для помощи по дому.

  My grandmother hired a charwoman to help with housework.

• Домработница готовит еду и убирает дом.

  The charwoman cooks food and cleans the house.

• В этой школе уборщицы работают посменно.

  In this school, the charwomen work in shifts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

уборщица (Feminine Noun): Follows the standard feminine noun declension in Russian (1st declension).

домработница (Feminine Noun): Also follows the 1st declension pattern for feminine nouns. Declension is similar to уборщица, adjusted for the root.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for уборщица:

• прибиральщица
• техничка (informal, often for office or school cleaners)

Note: "техничка" is more colloquial and often used in specific institutional settings like schools or hospitals.

Synonyms for домработница:

• горничная (more specific to maids in hotels or larger households)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as the concept lacks a clear opposite in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• нанимать уборщицу - To hire a charwoman (for cleaning services).
• работать домработницей - To work as a charwoman (in a household).
• уборщица на полставки - Part-time charwoman.

Usage Notes:

• While both "уборщица" and "домработница" can translate to "charwoman," the former is more commonly used for professional cleaners in public or commercial spaces, while the latter often implies domestic help in private homes.
• "домработница" may also suggest additional duties beyond cleaning, such as cooking or childcare, depending on the context.
• Both terms are feminine. There are no widely used masculine equivalents, as the profession has historically been associated with women in Russian-speaking cultures.

Common Errors:

• Mixing up contexts: English learners often use "уборщица" when referring to household help, which sounds odd. Correct: Use "домработница" for private homes. Incorrect: "Уборщица убирает мой дом." Correct: "Домработница убирает мой дом."
• Pronunciation errors: Stress placement is often incorrect. For "уборщица," stress is on "бор," not "у." Mispronouncing it as [ˈuborʃt͡ɕit͡sə] changes the word’s natural rhythm.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian-speaking countries, the role of a "домработница" often carries historical connotations tied to the Soviet era, where hiring domestic help was less common due to ideological reasons. Today, it may imply a certain level of wealth or status to employ one. Meanwhile, "уборщица" is a neutral term often associated with essential but underappreciated labor in public spaces.

Related Concepts:

• горничная (maid, often in hotels)
• няня (nanny, related to household help)
• уборка (cleaning, the act itself)