Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'personnel'

English Word: personnel

Key Russian Translations:

• персонал [pʲɪrsɐˈnal] - [Formal, often used in professional or organizational contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in business, administrative, and everyday professional discussions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun declensions and contextual usage; suitable for learners with some familiarity with Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

персонал: [pʲɪrsɐˈnal]

Note on персонал: The stress falls on the second syllable ('со́'), which is a common feature in Russian loanwords. Be mindful of the soft 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Refers to the people employed in an organization or group, often implying a collective of staff or employees.

Translation(s) & Context:

• персонал - Used in formal settings like workplaces, hospitals, or companies; implies a group rather than individuals.

Usage Examples:

• В нашей компании работает квалифицированный персонал.

  In our company, there is qualified personnel.

• Медицинский персонал больницы был готов к чрезвычайной ситуации.

  The medical personnel of the hospital were prepared for the emergency.

• Персонал отеля всегда вежлив и внимателен к гостям.

  The hotel personnel are always polite and attentive to guests.

• Во время конференции персонал обеспечит техническую поддержку.

  During the conference, the personnel will provide technical support.

• Нехватка персонала в ресторане привела к задержкам в обслуживании.

  The shortage of personnel in the restaurant led to delays in service.

Secondary Meaning: Can extend to specific groups, such as military or security personnel.

Translation(s) & Context:

• персонал - In military or security contexts, it may overlap with "staff" but is less common than specialized terms like "военнослужащие".

Usage Examples:

• Военный персонал проходит регулярные тренировки.

  Military personnel undergo regular training.

• Безопасность обеспечивается обученным персоналом.

  Security is ensured by trained personnel.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Персонал" is a masculine noun in Russian, typically used in the singular form but can imply a collective plural. It follows the standard declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word does not have a true plural form in most contexts; instead, it is treated as a mass noun. For variations in other translations, apply similar rules if applicable.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • штат (shtat) - More general, often for staff in an office; less formal than персонал.
  • сотрудники (sotrudniki) - Emphasizes individual employees; used when focusing on people rather than the group.
• Antonyms:
  • клиенты (klienty) - Refers to customers or clients, opposite in a business context.
  • посетители (posetiteli) - Means visitors or guests, contrasting with internal staff.

Related Phrases:

• медицинский персонал - Medical personnel; used in healthcare contexts to refer to doctors and nurses.
• административный персонал - Administrative personnel; common in office or corporate settings.
• обслуживающий персонал - Service personnel; refers to staff providing direct services, like in hotels or restaurants.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "персонал" is a direct and precise translation for "personnel" in formal English contexts, but it is more commonly used in written or professional speech rather than casual conversation. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like this one require correct case agreement with prepositions and verbs. For instance, when choosing between "персонал" and "сотрудники," opt for "персонал" when emphasizing the collective group in institutional settings. Be aware of gender and number agreements in sentences to avoid grammatical errors.

• Always use the appropriate case; e.g., "в персонале" (in the personnel) for prepositional case.
• In plural-like contexts, Russian often uses quantifiers instead of changing the word itself.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake "персонал" for a plural noun and try to use it in plural forms, but it remains singular. For example:

• Error: *Персоналов много в компании (incorrect pluralization).
• Correct: Много персонала в компании (use with quantifiers like "много").
• Explanation: Russian doesn't pluralize this word; instead, rely on context or adjectives to convey quantity. Another common mistake is confusing it with "сотрудник," leading to overuse in individual contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "персонал" often carries an implication of hierarchy and professionalism, especially in post-Soviet contexts where state institutions emphasize structured roles. For instance, in Russia, respecting "персонал" in services like healthcare or education is a social norm, reflecting collectivist values.

Related Concepts:

• руководство (leadership or management)
• коллектив (team or workforce)
• специалисты (specialists)