Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Commute'

English Word: Commute

Key Russian Translations:

• ездить на работу [ˈjezdʲɪtʲ nə rɐˈbotu] - [Informal, Verb Phrase]
• добираться [dəbʲɪˈratʲsə] - [Neutral, Verb]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "ездить на работу"; A2 (Elementary) for "добираться"

Pronunciation (Russian):

ездить на работу: [ˈjezdʲɪtʲ nə rɐˈbotu]

Note on ездить на работу: Stress falls on the first syllable of "ездить" and the second syllable of "работу". The preposition "на" is unstressed.

добираться: [dəbʲɪˈratʲsə]

Note on добираться: Stress is on the third syllable. The soft sign (ь) indicates a palatalized consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To travel regularly between home and work

Translation(s) & Context:

• ездить на работу - Commonly used in everyday speech to describe the act of commuting to work.
• добираться - More general, can refer to getting to any place, including work, often implying the process or means of travel.

Usage Examples:

• Я езжу на работу на автобусе каждый день.

  I commute to work by bus every day.

• Он ездит на работу на машине, потому что это быстрее.

  He commutes to work by car because it’s faster.

• Как ты добираешься до офиса?

  How do you commute to the office?

• Она добирается до работы на метро.

  She commutes to work by metro.

• Мы добираемся до работы вместе, чтобы сэкономить на бензине.

  We commute to work together to save on gas.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ездить (to commute/travel regularly): This is an imperfective verb. It is often used in phrases like "ездить на работу". Below is the present tense conjugation:

добираться (to get to/reach): This is a reflexive imperfective verb. Below is the present tense conjugation:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "ездить на работу":

• кататься на работу (more colloquial, often implies a relaxed attitude)

Synonyms for "добираться":

• доехать (perfective, implies completion of the journey)
• доставаться (less common, can imply effort)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as commuting implies movement. However, "оставаться дома" (to stay at home) could be considered an opposite concept.

Related Phrases:

• ездить на работу на поезде - To commute to work by train.
• добираться до работы пешком - To commute to work on foot.
• время в пути - Commute time (duration of travel to work).

Usage Notes:

• "ездить на работу" is a fixed phrase specifically used for commuting to work and implies regular travel. It cannot be used for one-time trips.
• "добираться" is broader and can apply to getting to any destination, not just work. It often prompts questions about the means of transport (e.g., "Как ты добираешься?").
• Both verbs are imperfective, reflecting the ongoing or habitual nature of commuting. If referring to a completed trip, use perfective forms like "доехать".

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ехать" (to go by vehicle) instead of "ездить" for habitual commuting. Incorrect: "Я еду на работу каждый день." Correct: "Я езжу на работу каждый день." Explanation: "ехать" implies a one-time action, while "ездить" indicates a repeated or habitual action.
• Error: Forgetting the reflexive particle "-ся" in "добираться". Incorrect: "Я добираю до работы." Correct: "Я добираюсь до работы." Explanation: The verb is reflexive and requires "-ся" in all forms.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, commuting can involve long distances, especially in large cities like Moscow, where public transport (metro, buses, and commuter trains) is heavily used. The concept of "время в пути" (commute time) is often discussed, as it can significantly impact daily life. Asking someone "Как ты добираешься?" (How do you commute?) is a common way to start a conversation about daily routines.

Related Concepts:

• транспорт (transport)
• пробка (traffic jam)
• метро (metro)
• маршрутка (shared taxi/minibus)