Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'travail'

English Word: travail

Key Russian Translations:

• труд [trut] - [Formal, commonly used in contexts of laborious effort or hard work]
• мука [ˈmukə] - [Informal, emphasizing suffering or torment, often in emotional or metaphorical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are encountered in everyday language, literature, and professional discussions, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of nuanced meanings and basic noun inflections. For 'труд', it's B1; for 'мука', it might be A2 due to simpler usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

труд: [trut]

мука: [ˈmukə]

Note on труд: The pronunciation is straightforward, but stress on the first syllable can vary slightly in fast speech; ensure the 'r' is trilled for authenticity.

Note on мука: The 'u' sound is like the 'oo' in "book"; be cautious with the soft 'k' sound, which is common in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Painful or laborious effort

Translation(s) & Context:

• труд - Used in formal or professional contexts to describe hard physical or mental work, such as in literature or historical discussions.
• мука - Applied in informal or emotional contexts, like personal struggles or metaphorical expressions of suffering.

Usage Examples:

• Его ежедневный труд в поле был настоящим испытанием. (His daily travail in the field was a real trial.)

  English Translation: His daily labor in the field was a genuine challenge.

• После долгих мук она наконец завершила проект. (After long travails, she finally completed the project.)

  English Translation: After prolonged sufferings, she finally finished the project.

• Труд учёного часто включает бессонные ночи и интенсивные размышления. (The travail of a scientist often involves sleepless nights and intense reflections.)

  English Translation: The laborious effort of a scientist often includes sleepless nights and deep thinking.

• Эта мука от потери близкого человека не проходит легко. (This travail from losing a loved one doesn't pass easily.)

  English Translation: This suffering from losing a loved one doesn't fade quickly.

• В повседневном труде фермера скрывается глубокий смысл. (In the daily travail of a farmer, there lies a profound meaning.)

  English Translation: In the everyday laborious work of a farmer, there is deep significance.

Metaphorical suffering or distress

Translation(s) & Context:

• мука - Common in literary or emotional contexts to express inner turmoil or distress.
• труд - Less common here, but can be used metaphorically for emotional struggles in formal writing.

Usage Examples:

• Её душевные муки были невыносимы после разрыва. (Her emotional travail was unbearable after the breakup.)

  English Translation: Her inner sufferings were intolerable after the separation.

• Труд преодоления страхов требует времени и усилий. (The travail of overcoming fears requires time and effort.)

  English Translation: The laborious process of conquering fears demands time and energy.

• Мука ожидания результатов examsа была для него тяжёлой. (The travail of waiting for exam results was heavy for him.)

  English Translation: The agony of waiting for exam results was burdensome for him.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'труд' and 'мука' are nouns in Russian, which inflect based on case, number, and gender. 'Труд' is masculine and follows standard patterns, while 'мука' is feminine.

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • работа (rabota) - More general term for work, often interchangeable in neutral contexts.
  • усилия (usiliya) - Emphasizes effort, similar to 'travail' in motivational scenarios.
• Antonyms:
  • отдых (otdykh) - Rest or leisure, directly opposing the idea of laborious effort.
  • удовольствие (udovol'stviye) - Pleasure, contrasting with suffering or hard work.

Related Phrases:

• Тяжёлый труд (Tyazhyolyy trud) - Heavy labor; used for physically demanding work.
• Душевная мука (Dushevnaya muka) - Emotional torment; refers to inner suffering.
• Ежедневный труд (Ezhednevnyy trud) - Daily toil; common in discussions of routine hardships.

Usage Notes:

'Труд' is the most direct translation for 'travail' in contexts of physical or professional effort, while 'мука' suits emotional or metaphorical uses. In Russian, these words are often paired with adjectives for nuance (e.g., 'тяжёлый труд' for 'arduous travail'). Be mindful of context: formal writing prefers 'труд', whereas casual speech might use 'мука'. Grammatically, always inflect based on case to avoid errors.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'труд' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Я вижу труд" instead of "Я вижу труд" (correct, but in genitive: "Я вижу труда").
  Correct: "Это был тяжёлый труд" (This was hard travail).
  Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case; learners often forget this, leading to grammatical inconsistencies.
• Mistake: Confusing 'мука' with 'мука' meaning 'flour' (homonym).
  Correct: In context of suffering, use 'мука' with emotional descriptors.
  Explanation: Context clarifies meaning, but beginners might mix it up in recipes vs. emotions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'труд' often carries a positive connotation, reflecting the historical emphasis on labor in Soviet ideology, where hard work was glorified as a path to personal and national progress. 'Мука', on the other hand, might evoke themes from Russian literature, like in Dostoevsky's works, symbolizing existential suffering and resilience.

Related Concepts:

• работа
• усилия
• страдания