Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unemployed'

English Word: unemployed

Key Russian Translations:

• безработный /bʲɪzraˈbotnɨj/ - [Formal, Informal]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in discussions about employment, job markets, and social issues in Russian media and everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding adjective declensions, which can be challenging for learners new to Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

безработный: /bʲɪzraˈbotnɨj/

Note on безработный: The stress is on the third syllable ("bot"), and the initial "б" is pronounced as a voiced bilabial stop. Palatalization of "з" makes it sound softer. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A person who is not currently employed or lacks a job.

Translation(s) & Context:

• безработный - Used in formal and informal contexts to describe individuals without employment, such as in job applications, news reports, or casual discussions about career challenges.

Usage Examples:

• Он безработный уже несколько месяцев и активно ищет работу.

  He has been unemployed for several months and is actively looking for a job.

• Многие безработные люди сталкиваются с финансовыми трудностями в кризисные времена.

  Many unemployed people face financial difficulties during crises.

• Безработный специалист может пройти курсы переподготовки для смены профессии.

  An unemployed specialist can take retraining courses to change their profession.

• В России процент безработных варьируется в зависимости от региона и экономики.

  In Russia, the percentage of unemployed varies depending on the region and economy.

• Она осталась безработной после закрытия компании, но быстро адаптировалась.

  She became unemployed after the company closed but adapted quickly.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Безработный" is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives. Below is a table showing its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward once basic declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • увольненный (dismissed or laid off; implies recent job loss, often with a connotation of involuntariness)
  • свободный от работы (free from work; more literal and less common in formal contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • занятой (employed or busy; used when someone is actively working)
  • работающий (working; emphasizes the act of being employed)

Related Phrases:

• безработица - Refers to unemployment as a general concept or phenomenon.
• находиться в безработице - To be in a state of unemployment; used in discussions about job markets.
• бороться с безработицей - To fight against unemployment; common in political or economic contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Безработный" directly corresponds to the English "unemployed" as an adjective, but it's important to note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. For example, use the feminine form "безработная" for a female subject. This word is neutral and can be used in both formal (e.g., official documents) and informal settings, but avoid it in overly casual conversations where euphemisms might be preferred. When choosing between translations, opt for "безработный" for general unemployment and "увольненный" for situations involving termination.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the base form "безработный" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я безработный человек" in a genitive context instead of "безработного человека". Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "У безработного человека есть проблемы" (The unemployed person has problems). Explanation: Russian requires adjectives to inflect, which English learners often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing it with "безработица" (unemployment as a noun). For instance, saying "Он безработица" instead of "Он безработный". Correct: Use "безработный" for the adjective form. Explanation: This mix-up stems from not distinguishing between adjectival and nominal forms, which can alter the sentence's meaning entirely.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, the concept of "unemployed" (безработный) is often tied to economic policies and historical events, such as the high unemployment rates during the 1990s economic transition. It carries a neutral connotation but can evoke discussions about social welfare and job scarcity, reflecting Russia's emphasis on state-supported employment programs.

Related Concepts:

• работа (work)
• работник (worker)
• безработица (unemployment)