Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'furlough'

English Word: furlough

Key Russian Translations:

• отпуск [ɐtˈpʊsk] - [Formal, used in civilian contexts for paid or unpaid leave]
• увольнительная [ʊvəlʲnʲɪˈtʲelʲnəjə] - [Informal/Military, specifically for short-term military leave]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in professional and everyday contexts, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and contexts; for увольнительная, it may be B2 due to military-specific usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

отпуск: [ɐtˈpʊsk]

Note on отпуск: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'т' is pronounced softly, which can be tricky for English speakers.

увольнительная: [ʊvəlʲnʲɪˈtʲelʲnəjə]

Note on увольнительная: This word has a rolling 'лʲ' sound; pay attention to the feminine ending, as it affects pronunciation in sentences.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A temporary leave of absence from work, often paid, or from military service.

Translation(s) & Context:

• отпуск - Used in general employment contexts, such as vacation or sabbatical; common in formal settings like offices or government.
• увольнительная - Applied specifically in military or institutional environments; implies a shorter, permission-based absence.

Usage Examples:

• Я взял отпуск на две недели, чтобы отдохнуть от работы.

  I took a furlough for two weeks to rest from work.

• Его отпуск был продлён из-за семейных обстоятельств.

  His furlough was extended due to family circumstances.

• Солдату выдали увольнительную на выходные.

  The soldier was given a furlough for the weekend.

• После длительного отпуска она вернулась в офис с новыми силами.

  After a long furlough, she returned to the office with renewed energy.

• В армии увольнительная часто зависит от поведения солдата.

  In the military, a furlough often depends on the soldier's behavior.

Meaning 2: A period of temporary unemployment or layoff, often with the expectation of return.

Translation(s) & Context:

• отпуск - In economic contexts, can imply administrative leave, but less common; used when the absence is voluntary or company-mandated.
• увольнительная - Rarely used for this meaning; prefer отпуск in non-military scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Из-за кризиса компания объявила общий отпуск для сотрудников.

  Due to the crisis, the company announced a general furlough for employees.

• Его вынужденный отпуск закончился, и он вернулся на работу.

  His enforced furlough ended, and he returned to work.

• Во время отпуска по сокращению он изучал новые навыки.

  During his furlough due to cutbacks, he learned new skills.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are nouns, with 'отпуск' being masculine and 'увольнительная' being feminine. Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender. 'Отпуск' follows a standard first-declension pattern, while 'увольнительная' is more complex as a feminine noun.

Note: 'Увольнительная' does not have a plural form in most contexts, as it refers to a specific type of leave.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • каникулы - Similar to vacation, often for students; less formal than отпуск.
  • перерыв - Break or interval, used in shorter contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • работа - Work; implies the opposite of being on leave.
  • служба - Duty or service, especially in military contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Годовой отпуск - Annual furlough; refers to yearly paid leave with the meaning of a standard work break.
• Больничный отпуск - Sick furlough; used for medical leave, highlighting health-related absences.
• Военная увольнительная - Military furlough; a phrase emphasizing the armed forces context.

Usage Notes:

'Отпуск' is the most direct translation for 'furlough' in non-military settings and aligns closely with paid vacation time in English. It is typically formal and used in professional emails or official documents. 'Увольнительная' is more niche and should be chosen only for military or institutional scenarios. Be cautious with gender agreements in sentences, as 'отпуск' is masculine and requires adjectives to match (e.g., 'длинный отпуск' for 'long furlough'). In casual conversation, Russians might use synonyms like 'каникулы' for holidays, but 'отпуск' is preferred for work-related furloughs.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'отпуск' with 'увольнение' (dismissal), which implies permanent job loss rather than temporary leave. Correct usage: Use 'отпуск' for furlough to avoid implying termination. Example of error: "Я на увольнении" (meaning "I am dismissed"), Correct: "Я в отпуске" (I am on furlough).

• Error: Failing to decline the noun properly in sentences, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Correct: In genitive, say "во время отпуска" instead of "во время отпуск". This can make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'отпуск' often includes a legal right to paid vacation, typically at least 28 days per year as per labor laws. This reflects a strong emphasis on work-life balance, influenced by Soviet-era policies, where extended furloughs were common for rest and family time, especially in rural areas.

Related Concepts:

• праздник
• каникулы
• перерыв