Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'piecework'

English Word: piecework

Key Russian Translations:

• сдельная работа [sdʲelʲnəjə rɐˈbotə] - [Formal, Business Context]
• сдельщина [sdʲelʲnəjə] - [Informal, Colloquial, Used in everyday labor discussions]

Frequency: Medium (Common in business, labor, and economic contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun-adjective agreements and formal vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сдельная работа: [sdʲelʲnəjə rɐˈbotə]

Note on сдельная работа: The stress falls on the second syllable of 'работа' (/rɐˈbotə/). Palatalization of 'д' in 'сдельная' can be tricky for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Work paid according to the amount produced rather than time worked

Translation(s) & Context:

• сдельная работа - Used in formal settings like employment contracts or business negotiations to describe payment based on output.
• сдельщина - Applied in informal or colloquial contexts, such as casual worker discussions, to imply a system prone to exploitation.

Usage Examples:

• В нашей фабрике ввели сдельную работу, чтобы стимулировать работников к большему производству.

  In our factory, we introduced piecework to motivate workers to produce more.

• Сдельщина часто приводит к переработкам, но она выгодна для тех, кто работает быстро.

  Piecework often leads to overtime, but it's beneficial for those who work quickly.

• Многие ремесленники предпочитают сдельную работу из-за возможности заработать больше за короткий срок.

  Many craftsmen prefer piecework because of the opportunity to earn more in a short period.

• В условиях сдельщины важно отслеживать качество, чтобы избежать брака.

  In a piecework system, it's important to monitor quality to avoid defects.

• Сдельная работа в IT-сфере подразумевает оплату за каждый завершенный проект.

  Piecework in the IT sector means payment for each completed project.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"сдельная работа" is a noun phrase where "сдельная" is an adjective and "работа" is a feminine noun. Adjectives in Russian agree with nouns in gender, number, and case.

For "сдельная" (feminine singular nominative):

"сдельщина" is a feminine noun with irregular inflections in some cases:

• Nominative: сдельщина
• Genitive: сдельщины
• It follows standard first-declension patterns but can vary in colloquial use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • аккордная работа (piece-rate work, often used in construction)
  • премиальная оплата (bonus-based payment, with subtle differences in incentive structure)
• Antonyms:
  • почасовая работа (hourly work)
  • окладная система (salaried system)

Related Phrases:

• Сдельная оплата труда - Payment based on piecework; used in formal employment contexts to specify wage structures.
• Работа на сдельной основе - Working on a piecework basis; common in freelance or gig economy discussions.
• Сдельная система в производстве - Piecework system in manufacturing; implies a method to boost efficiency.

Usage Notes:

"Piecework" directly corresponds to "сдельная работа" in formal Russian, emphasizing output-based compensation, which is common in Russian business language. Use "сдельщина" for more informal or critical contexts, as it can carry negative connotations like exploitation. Be mindful of case agreements when integrating into sentences, and note that this term is more prevalent in professional settings rather than casual conversation. When choosing between translations, opt for "сдельная работа" in written or official documents for precision.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "сдельная" without proper adjective agreement, e.g., saying "сдельная работы" instead of "сдельная работа".
  Correct: "сдельная работа" (feminine singular nominative).
  Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case; this error stems from English speakers treating adjectives as invariable.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "почасовая работа" (hourly work) in context.
  Correct: Use "сдельная работа" for output-based pay.
  Explanation: Learners often mix up payment systems; clarify by focusing on the key difference—time vs. quantity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, piecework systems like "сдельная работа" were prominent during the Soviet era in factories to meet production quotas, often leading to intense labor conditions. Today, it reflects ongoing debates about worker rights and efficiency in post-Soviet economies, symbolizing the tension between productivity and fair compensation.

Related Concepts:

• трудовой договор (employment contract)
• зарплата (wage)
• производительность труда (labor productivity)