Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'job'

English Word: job

Key Russian Translations:

• работа /rɐˈbotə/ - [Formal, Informal; Used in general contexts for employment or tasks]
• задание /zɐˈdanʲje/ - [Formal; Used specifically for a task or assignment]
• должность /ˈdolʲʒnəsʲtʲ/ - [Formal; Used for a job position or role]

Frequency: High (Very common in everyday conversations, professional settings, and media in Russian-speaking regions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can grasp basic usage, but mastering nuances and inflections may require B2 for full proficiency)

Pronunciation (Russian):

работа: /rɐˈbotə/

задание: /zɐˈdanʲje/

должность: /ˈdolʲʒnəsʲtʲ/

Note on работа: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the rolled 'r' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Employment or occupation (Refers to a person's work or profession)

Translation(s) & Context:

• работа - Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts for steady employment, such as in job interviews or daily discussions.
• должность - Used in formal or official contexts, like resumes or government documents, to denote a specific job title.

Usage Examples:

• Я нашел новую работу в Москве.

  I found a new job in Moscow.

• Ее работа требует много путешествий.

  Her job requires a lot of traveling.

• Какова ваша основная работа?

  What is your main job?

• Он уволился с работы из-за низкой зарплаты.

  He quit his job because of the low salary.

Meaning 2: Task or assignment (Refers to a specific duty or piece of work)

Translation(s) & Context:

• задание - Typically used in educational, professional, or informal settings for temporary tasks, such as homework or projects.
• работа - Can also apply in this meaning but is less specific, often implying ongoing effort.

Usage Examples:

• Это задание нужно выполнить к завтрашнему дню.

  This job/task needs to be completed by tomorrow.

• У меня есть дополнительная работа на выходных.

  I have an extra job/task on the weekends.

• Задание оказалось сложнее, чем ожидалось.

  The job/task turned out to be more difficult than expected.

• Его работа по дому включает уборку сада.

  His job/task at home includes cleaning the garden.

• Работа в проекте требует командной работы.

  The job/task on the project requires teamwork.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For работа (feminine noun, 1st declension):

For задание (neuter noun, 2nd declension): It follows standard neuter patterns with no irregularities.

For должность (feminine noun): Similar to работа, with regular inflections and no major irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • профессия (/prɐˈfʲesʲijə/) - More formal, emphasizing a profession or career path.
  • занятие (/zɐˈnʲjɐtʲje/) - Informal, often for hobbies or temporary occupations.
• Antonyms:
  • безработица (/bʲɪzɐˈbotʲitsə/) - Unemployment.
  • отдых (/ɐtˈdɨx/) - Rest or leisure, contrasting with work.

Related Phrases:

• найти работу (/naɪtʲi ˈrabotə/) - To find a job; Used when job hunting.
• потерять работу (/pɐtʲɪˈratʲ ˈrabotə/) - To lose a job; Common in discussions about layoffs.
• работа мечты (/ˈrabotə ˈmʲet͡sɨ/) - Dream job; An idiomatic expression for an ideal career.

Usage Notes:

The English word "job" often translates to "работа" in Russian, but choose based on context: use "должность" for formal titles and "задание" for tasks. Russian culture emphasizes job stability, so phrases like "работа мечты" reflect aspirational values. Be mindful of gender agreements in sentences, as Russian nouns inflect based on case and number.

• In formal writing, pair with prepositions like "на работе" (at work).
• When multiple translations exist, "работа" is the most versatile for everyday use.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "работа" with "работать" (to work), leading to incorrect verb usage. For example:

• Error: *Я имею работа* (incorrect noun-verb mix).
• Correct: Я имею работу (I have a job). Explanation: Use the noun form properly in accusative case.
• Another error: Overusing "должность" in casual talk, which sounds overly formal; instead, opt for "работа" in informal settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "работа" often carries connotations of collective effort and state involvement, stemming from Soviet-era emphasis on labor. Jobs in fields like engineering or education are highly valued, and phrases like "работа для души" (work for the soul) highlight the importance of passion in one's career amidst economic challenges.

Related Concepts:

• карьера (/kɐˈrʲerʲə/)
• профессия (/prɐˈfʲesʲijə/)
• зарплата (/zɐrˈplatə/)