Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'retire'

English Word: retire

Key Russian Translations:

• уйти на пенсию [uˈjitʲ nə pʲenˈsʲijʊ] - [Formal, used in professional or everyday contexts for retiring from work]
• отставка [ɐtˈstavkə] - [Formal, often in military or official contexts, implying resignation or retirement from a position]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in discussions about work, age, and life changes, but not as frequent as basic everyday verbs)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; involves understanding verb phrases and noun inflections; for 'уйти на пенсию', it's straightforward, but 'отставка' may require more context for nuances)

Pronunciation (Russian):

уйти на пенсию: [uˈjitʲ nə pʲenˈsʲijʊ]

отставка: [ɐtˈstavkə]

Note on уйти на пенсию: The stress is on the second syllable of 'уйти' [uˈjitʲ], and the phrase flows naturally in spoken Russian; be mindful of the soft 'й' sound, which can be tricky for beginners.

Note on отставка: Pronounced with a clear 'т' and emphasis on the second syllable; variations may occur in fast speech.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To stop working due to age, illness, or retirement

Translation(s) & Context:

• уйти на пенсию - Used in formal and informal contexts when referring to voluntary retirement, often related to pension systems.
• отставка - Applied in more formal or institutional settings, such as military or government, to denote forced or official retirement.

Usage Examples:

• Мой отец ушёл на пенсию в 60 лет и теперь наслаждается садоводством.

  My father retired at 60 and now enjoys gardening.

• После долгой карьеры в армии, генерал подал отставку по собственному желанию.

  After a long career in the army, the general submitted his retirement by his own request.

• Она решила уйти на пенсию раньше срока, чтобы путешествовать по миру.

  She decided to retire early to travel the world.

• В некоторых профессиях отставка означает конец активной службы, но не конец жизни.

  In some professions, retirement means the end of active service but not the end of life.

• Многие люди ушли на пенсию, но продолжают работать на полставки.

  Many people have retired but continue working part-time.

To withdraw from a position or activity

Translation(s) & Context:

• уйти на пенсию - Informal contexts for stepping back from daily routines, often with a positive connotation.
• отставка - More formal, implying a official withdrawal, such as from politics or sports.

Usage Examples:

• Спортсмен принял решение уйти на пенсию после Олимпийских игр.

  The athlete decided to retire after the Olympic Games.

• Президент объявил об отставке из-за здоровья.

  The president announced his retirement due to health issues.

• Она ушла на пенсию от преподавания, но всё равно занимается волонтёрством.

  She retired from teaching but still engages in volunteering.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations involve phrases with verbs and nouns. For 'уйти на пенсию', 'уйти' is a perfective verb (from 'уходить'), and 'пенсия' is a feminine noun. Here's a breakdown:

Note: The full phrase 'уйти на пенсию' doesn't inflect as a unit; inflect individual words based on sentence structure.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • завершить карьеру [zəvʲɪˈrʲiʃʲitʲ kɐˈrʲjerʊ] - More formal, emphasizing career end.
  • покинуть службу [pɐˈkinutʲ ˈsluʐbʊ] - Used for leaving a job or service, with a sense of abandonment.
• Antonyms:
  • начать работу [nəˈtʃatʲ rɐˈbotʊ] - To start work, opposite of retiring.
  • продолжить карьеру [prəˈdɐlʒitʲ kɐˈrʲjerʊ] - To continue a career, highlighting ongoing activity.

Related Phrases:

• выход на пенсию [ˈvɨxət nə pʲenˈsʲijʊ] - Refers to the process of retiring; English explanation: Used to describe the transition to retirement, often in legal or administrative contexts.
• пенсионный возраст [pʲenˈsʲijɪnɨj vɐˈzrasʲt] - Retirement age; English explanation: A common phrase for discussing the official age of retirement in Russia.
• жизнь на пенсии [ˈʐɨznʲ nə pʲenˈsʲijʊ] - Life in retirement; English explanation: Highlights post-retirement lifestyle, often with positive or reflective connotations.

Usage Notes:

'Уйти на пенсию' is the most direct translation for 'retire' in everyday contexts, closely mirroring the English concept of stopping work for pension. It’s typically used in formal settings but can be informal among friends. 'Отставка' is more specific to official resignations and may not always imply age-based retirement. When choosing between translations, consider the context: use 'уйти на пенсию' for personal life events and 'отставка' for professional or institutional ones. Grammatically, ensure verbs agree with subjects in gender, number, and tense, as Russian requires full conjugation.

• In sentences, 'уйти' often pairs with prepositions like 'на' for directionality.
• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; Russian phrases are more idiomatic.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse 'уйти на пенсию' by confusing it with 'уйти в отставку', which is similar but more formal. For example:

• Error: Saying 'Я ушёл в пенсию' (incorrect, as it implies going into pension literally).
• Correct: 'Я ушёл на пенсию' – Explanation: The preposition 'на' is essential for the phrase to mean 'retired to pension'.
• Another error: Using 'отставка' in casual contexts, e.g., 'Я взял отставку' (awkward translation of 'I took retirement'). Correct: 'Я ушёл на пенсию' – This avoids over-formalizing everyday speech.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, retirement ('уйти на пенсию') often carries a mix of relief and reflection, tied to the state's pension system. Historically, the Soviet era influenced retirement ages, with women retiring earlier than men, which still affects modern perceptions. Phrases like 'пенсионный возраст' highlight social policies, and retirement is sometimes viewed as a time for family or community involvement rather than complete withdrawal.

Related Concepts:

• пенсионер [pʲenˈsʲijɪnʲɛr] - Pensioner
• карьера [kɐˈrʲjerə] - Career
• работа [rɐˈbotə] - Work