Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'inventory'

English Word: inventory

Key Russian Translations:

• инвентарь [ɪn.vʲɪnˈtarʲ] - [Formal, Noun, Used in business or technical contexts]
• запас [zɐˈpas] - [Informal, Noun, Used in everyday contexts for stock or reserves]

Frequency: Medium (Common in commercial and logistical discussions but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

инвентарь: [ɪn.vʲɪnˈtarʲ]

запас: [zɐˈpas]

Note on инвентарь: The stress is on the third syllable; the 'вʲ' sound is a palatalized 'v', which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A detailed list of goods, items, or assets, often in a business or inventory management context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• инвентарь - Used in formal or professional settings, such as warehouses or accounting.
• запас - Applied in informal contexts, like personal stockpiling or general reserves.

Usage Examples:

• В компании ежегодно проводится инвентаризация товаров.

  In the company, an inventory of goods is conducted annually.

• Менеджер проверил инвентарь склада, чтобы убедиться в наличии всех предметов.

  The manager checked the warehouse inventory to ensure all items were present.

• У нас есть большой запас продуктов на случай чрезвычайных ситуаций.

  We have a large inventory of products in case of emergencies.

• Инвентарь библиотеки включает тысячи книг по разным темам.

  The library's inventory includes thousands of books on various topics.

• После аудита мы обновили запас инструментов в мастерской.

  After the audit, we updated the inventory of tools in the workshop.

Meaning 2: A collection or stock of items, such as supplies or materials.

Translation(s) & Context:

• запас - Common in everyday language for non-formal stock, like household items.
• инвентарь - Less common here, but used in specialized contexts like military or scientific stockpiles.

Usage Examples:

• В доме всегда есть запас еды на неделю.

  In the house, there's always an inventory of food for a week.

• Фермеры поддерживают инвентарь семян для следующего сезона.

  Farmers maintain an inventory of seeds for the next season.

• Этот запас инструментов необходим для ремонта.

  This inventory of tools is necessary for repairs.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "инвентарь" and "запас" are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard masculine declension patterns. "Инвентарь" is often used in singular form but can be pluralized irregularly in some contexts. "Запас" is more flexible and commonly inflected.

Note: "Инвентарь" may not always pluralize in practice; it remains unchanged in some fixed phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • склад (sklad) - Warehouse stock; more general for storage.
  • ассортимент (assortiment) - Assortment; implies variety in inventory.
• Antonyms:
  • расход (rasxod) - Expenditure; opposite in the context of depletion.
  • дефицит (deficit) - Shortage; indicates lack of inventory.

Related Phrases:

• провести инвентаризацию - To conduct an inventory; used in business audits.
• сделать запас на будущее - To build up an inventory for the future; implies preparation.
• инвентарь товаров - Inventory of goods; a common phrase in retail.

Usage Notes:

"Инвентарь" is the most direct translation for "inventory" in formal English-Russian contexts, such as business or logistics, and aligns closely with the concept of a catalogued list. However, "запас" is preferred in informal or everyday situations to denote a general stockpile. Be mindful of the noun's gender and declension when constructing sentences; for instance, use genitive case after prepositions like "of" (e.g., инвентаря склада). If multiple translations apply, choose based on context: opt for "инвентарь" in professional writing and "запас" in casual speech to avoid sounding overly formal.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "инвентарь" as a feminine noun, leading to incorrect declension (e.g., saying "инвентари *instead of инвентарь in nominative plural*).
  Correct: инвентарь (masculine). Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, and mistaking it can alter sentence agreement; always treat it as masculine for proper case endings.

• Error: Confusing "запас" with "inventory" in formal reports, using it interchangeably without context.
  Correct: Use "инвентарь" for structured lists; "запас" for general reserves. Explanation: This can make writing sound too vague; English learners often overlook the nuance, so practice with real examples to differentiate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, maintaining an "инвентарь" or "запас" reflects a broader emphasis on preparedness, rooted in historical contexts like the Soviet era's focus on self-sufficiency and resource management. For instance, during economic uncertainties, Russians often build personal "запасы" of essentials, symbolizing resilience and practicality in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• логистика (logistika)
• складской учет (skladskoj uchet)
• товары (tovary)