Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'invoice'

English Word: invoice

Key Russian Translations:

• счет [ˈsʲt͡sɛt] - [Formal, Common in business and everyday contexts]
• фактура [fɐkˈturə] - [Formal, Specifically used in accounting and official documentation]

Frequency: Medium (Frequently encountered in business, financial, and commercial discussions, but less common in casual everyday language)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves business terminology; learners at this level should understand basic commercial vocabulary, though nuances may require additional context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

счет: [ˈsʲt͡sɛt]

Note on счет: The 'щ' in счет represents a soft 'sh' sound followed by 't', which can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

фактура: [fɐkˈturə]

Note on фактура: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'у' is pronounced as a short 'u' sound, similar to 'oo' in "book".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer, detailing goods sold, quantities, prices, and payment terms.

Translation(s) & Context:

• счет - Used in general business contexts for billing or ordering; appropriate for everyday transactions like online purchases.
• фактура - Used in more formal or legal contexts, such as tax-related invoicing or international trade; often implies detailed accounting records.

Usage Examples:

• Я получил счет за новые товары из магазина.

  I received the invoice for the new goods from the store. (Demonstrates basic usage in a retail context.)

• Пожалуйста, вышлите мне фактуру по электронной почте для подтверждения заказа.

  Please send me the invoice via email to confirm the order. (Shows formal communication in business settings.)

• Счет был оплачен вовремя, чтобы избежать штрафов.

  The invoice was paid on time to avoid penalties. (Illustrates usage with financial implications.)

• В фактуре указаны все детали поставки, включая налоги и скидки.

  The invoice includes all delivery details, such as taxes and discounts. (Highlights detailed, official contexts.)

• Если счет не arrives в срок, свяжитесь с поставщиком.

  If the invoice doesn't arrive on time, contact the supplier. (Shows conditional usage in problem-solving scenarios.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "счет" (a masculine noun) and "фактура" (a feminine noun) follow standard Russian inflection patterns. "счет" is a third-declension noun and changes based on case and number, while "фактура" is a first-declension noun with regular feminine endings.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregular forms for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • квитанция [kvɪˈtantsɨə] - More specific to receipts; used interchangeably in some casual contexts but less formal than счет.
  • расписка [rɐˈspʲiskə] - Implies a handwritten or simple acknowledgment, often in informal settings.
• Antonyms:
  • заказ [zɐˈkaz] - Order (opposite in the sense of requesting rather than billing).
  • платеж [ˈplatʲɪʐ] - Payment (contrasts as the action following an invoice).

Related Phrases:

• оплатить счет [ɐplɐˈtʲitʲ sʲt͡sɛt] - To pay the invoice; used in financial transactions to indicate settlement.
• выставить фактуру [vɨˈstɨvʲɪtʲ fɐkˈturə] - To issue an invoice; common in business correspondence for sending bills.
• счет на оплату [sʲt͡sɛt na ɐˈplatu] - Invoice for payment; a fixed phrase emphasizing the billing aspect.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "счет" is the most straightforward translation for "invoice" in everyday business, while "фактура" is preferred for official or tax-related documents. English speakers should note that Russian business terminology often requires attention to context—use "счет" for informal or domestic transactions and "фактура" for international or legal ones. Grammatically, these nouns decline based on case, so always adjust for sentence structure (e.g., genitive for possession). When choosing between translations, consider the formality: "счет" is more versatile, but "фактура" aligns closely with English "invoice" in accounting software or exports.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "счет" with "счета" (plural) when referring to a single invoice: Incorrect: "Я видел счета" (implying multiple); Correct: "Я видел счет" for one. Explanation: Russian nouns must match number and case, so beginners often overlook plural forms.
• Using "фактура" in casual contexts: Incorrect: "Дайте мне фактуру за кофе" (overly formal for a coffee shop); Correct: "Дайте мне счет за кофе". Explanation: This can sound awkward or pretentious; stick to "счет" for non-professional settings to avoid misuse.
• Mispronouncing the soft consonants: Incorrect pronunciation of "счет" as [sɛt] instead of [ˈsʲt͡sɛt]; Correct: Practice the palatalized 's' sound. Explanation: English speakers may simplify Russian phonetics, leading to misunderstandings in spoken interactions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, invoicing like "счет" or "фактура" is deeply tied to bureaucratic processes, often influenced by Soviet-era practices. For instance, businesses must comply with strict tax laws, where "фактура" serves as a legal document for VAT (Value-Added Tax) claims, reflecting a culture that values detailed record-keeping in commerce.

Related Concepts:

• договор [dɐˈgɔvɐr]
• платеж [ˈplatʲɪʐ]
• заказ [zɐˈkaz]