Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'labour'

English Word: labour

Key Russian Translations:

• труд [trut] - [Formal, Singular]
• работа [rɐˈbotə] - [Informal, General use]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday contexts, literature, and professional discussions in Russian-speaking regions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of basic noun inflections and contexts, with 'труд' being straightforward but 'работа' varying by context.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

труд: [trut]

Note on труд: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'у' is pronounced as a short 'u' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers used to longer vowels.

работа: [rɐˈbotə]

Note on работа: Stress on the second syllable; the final 'a' softens in informal speech, potentially sounding like [rɐˈbotə] in rapid conversation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Physical or manual work/effort

Translation(s) & Context:

• труд - Used in formal or literary contexts to denote hard physical labor, such as in work settings or philosophical discussions.
• работа - Applied in everyday, informal situations for general employment or tasks.

Usage Examples:

• Его ежедневный труд на фабрике был изнурительным. (His daily labour at the factory was exhausting.)

  English Translation: His daily labour at the factory was exhausting.

• Труд в поле требует большой выносливости. (Labour in the fields requires great endurance.)

  English Translation: Labour in the fields requires great endurance.

• Эта работа не для слабых – она физически тяжёлая. (This labour isn't for the weak – it's physically demanding.)

  English Translation: This labour isn't for the weak – it's physically demanding.

• Моя повседневная работа включает ручной труд. (My daily labour involves manual work.)

  English Translation: My daily labour involves manual work.

Meaning 2: The process of childbirth

Translation(s) & Context:

• труд - Less common for childbirth; used metaphorically in formal or medical contexts.
• роды - More precise for childbirth, often in medical or familial discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Её роды были долгим и трудным процессом. (Her labour was a long and difficult process.)

  English Translation: Her labour was a long and difficult process.

• Труд матери во время родов заслуживает уважения. (A mother's labour during childbirth deserves respect.)

  English Translation: A mother's labour during childbirth deserves respect.

• Врачи помогли облегчить её труд. (The doctors helped ease her labour.)

  English Translation: The doctors helped ease her labour.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'труд' (a masculine noun), it follows standard first-declension patterns with regular inflections. It is invariant in the nominative singular but changes in other cases and numbers.

For 'работа' (a feminine noun), it has regular inflections similar to other feminine nouns ending in -а.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • труд - усилие (effort; more physical connotation)
  • работа - занятие (occupation; used for professional contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • бездействие (idleness; implies lack of activity)
  • отдых (rest; opposite of physical labour)

Related Phrases:

• Трудовой день (Working day; refers to the standard workday in professional contexts.)
• Физический труд (Physical labour; emphasizes manual effort in daily life.)
• Труд в поте лица (Labour by the sweat of one's brow; an idiomatic expression for hard work with biblical origins.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'труд' often carries a more formal or ideological connotation, especially in historical or Soviet contexts, where it symbolizes collective effort. 'Работа' is more neutral and everyday. English users should note that 'labour' as in British English may directly translate to 'труд' for physical work, but for childbirth, 'роды' is preferred. Be mindful of context: use 'труд' in formal writing and 'работа' in casual speech. Grammatically, both nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'труд' with 'работа': English learners often use 'труд' interchangeably with 'работа', but 'труд' implies hardship, while 'работа' is neutral. Error: "Моя труд очень скучная" (incorrect). Correct: "Моя работа очень скучная" (My work is very boring).
• Improper inflection: Forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "без труда" when meaning "without labour" but misusing in sentences. Error: "Я иду на труд" (incorrect for "I'm going to work"). Correct: "Я иду на работу".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'труд' is deeply tied to historical narratives, such as the Soviet emphasis on labor as a virtue in propaganda and literature. For instance, it evokes images of collective farm work or industrial achievements, symbolizing national pride and resilience, which can add emotional weight not always present in the English 'labour'.

Related Concepts:

• усилие (effort)
• занятость (employment)
• роды (childbirth)