Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'labor'

English Word: labor

Key Russian Translations:

• труд [trut] - [Formal, often used in literary or official contexts]
• работа [rɐˈbotə] - [General, everyday usage]
• труды [ˈtrudɨ] - [Plural, referring to efforts or works, e.g., in academic contexts]

Frequency: High (commonly used in both spoken and written Russian, especially in discussions about work and society)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner to Elementary; basic vocabulary for learners, but inflections may require intermediate understanding)

Pronunciation (Russian):

труд: [trut]

работа: [rɐˈbotə]

труды: [ˈtrudɨ]

Note on труд: The 'р' is a trilled 'r', which can be challenging for English speakers; stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Physical or mental effort, work, or labor (general sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• труд - Used in formal or philosophical contexts, such as describing hard work or labor in society.
• работа - Common in everyday conversations, referring to job-related labor or daily tasks.

Usage Examples:

• Вся его жизнь была посвящена тяжелому труду на фабрике.

  His entire life was dedicated to heavy labor at the factory.

• Ее ежедневная работа включает физический труд и умственные усилия.

  Her daily work includes physical labor and mental efforts.

• Труд в этой отрасли требует большой выносливости.

  Labor in this industry requires great endurance.

• Без упорной работы невозможно достичь успеха.

  Without persistent labor, success is impossible.

Meaning 2: Childbirth (specific medical or biological sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• труд - Less common, but used metaphorically in medical contexts.
• роды [ˈrodɨ] - More precise for childbirth labor.

Usage Examples:

• Во время родов женщина испытывает сильный труд.

  During labor, a woman experiences intense pain.

• Медицинская помощь во время труда очень важна.

  Medical assistance during labor is crucial.

• Труд роженицы требует профессиональной поддержки.

  The labor of a woman in childbirth requires professional support.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For труд (a masculine noun), it follows standard Russian declension patterns. It is a third-declension noun with regular changes based on case and number.

For работа (a feminine noun), it has regular declensions as well:

Note: These are regular patterns; no irregularities for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • труды (efforts, with a focus on intellectual work)
  • занятие (occupation, more casual)
  • деятельность (activity, broader scope)
• Antonyms:
  • бездействие (inaction)
  • отдых (rest)

Note: "труды" is often used for more formal or historical contexts, differing slightly from "труд" in connotation.

Related Phrases:

• Тяжелый труд - Heavy labor; used for physically demanding work.
• Физический труд - Physical labor; contrasts with mental work.
• Бесплатный труд - Unpaid labor; common in discussions of volunteering or exploitation.
• Труд и отдых - Labor and rest; a phrase emphasizing balance in life.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "труд" is more formal and aligns closely with the abstract or societal concept of labor, while "работа" is everyday and job-oriented. English speakers should note that Russian often requires case changes based on sentence structure, e.g., use genitive for possession. Choose "труд" for philosophical discussions and "работа" for practical contexts to ensure natural expression.

• Always consider the context: In medical settings, "роды" is preferred for childbirth labor.
• Grammar tip: Nouns like these must agree in case with prepositions, e.g., "в труде" (in labor).

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "труд" and "работа," using them interchangeably. For example, incorrectly saying "Моя труд — это программирование" (wrong: should be "работа" for a job title). Correct: "Моя работа — это программирование." Explanation: "Труд" implies effort, not a specific job, so use "работа" for professions to avoid sounding unnatural.

Another error is neglecting case endings, e.g., saying "без труд" instead of "без труда" (genitive). Correct form: "без труда" means "without labor."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "труд" carries a historical significance from Soviet times, symbolizing heroic labor and collective effort, as seen in propaganda and literature like Maxim Gorky's works. This gives it a more ideological connotation compared to English "labor," often evoking themes of perseverance and national pride.

Related Concepts:

• профессия (profession)
• трудовой день (workday)
• занятость (employment)