Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unemployment'

English Word: unemployment

Key Russian Translations:

• безработица [bɪzraˈbotʲɪtsə] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in news, economic discussions, and formal contexts, but less frequent in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding abstract economic concepts and requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

безработица: [bɪzraˈbotʲɪtsə]

Note on безработица: The stress falls on the third syllable ("bo"). Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) in "botʲ", which affects the pronunciation by softening the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Unemployment (as an economic or social state)

Translation(s) & Context:

• безработица - Used in formal contexts such as economic reports, news articles, or discussions about labor markets; refers to the state of being without a job while actively seeking employment.

Usage Examples:

• В России наблюдается рост безработицы из-за экономических санкций.

  In Russia, there is an increase in unemployment due to economic sanctions.

• Молодежь часто сталкивается с безработицей в сельских районах.

  Young people often face unemployment in rural areas.

• Правительство внедряет программы по борьбе с безработицей.

  The government is implementing programs to combat unemployment.

• Безработица может привести к социальным проблемам в обществе.

  Unemployment can lead to social issues in society.

• Уровень безработицы в стране снизился благодаря новым инвестициям.

  The unemployment rate in the country has decreased due to new investments.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Безработица" is a feminine noun (feminine singular in its base form) and follows the standard first declension pattern for Russian nouns. It changes based on case, number, and gender agreements. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The plural forms are less commonly used, as "unemployment" is often discussed in singular contexts, but they apply when referring to multiple instances or types.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • безработность - Similar to "безработица" but slightly more abstract, often used in statistical or policy contexts; implies a broader state of joblessness.
• Antonyms:
  • занятость - Refers to employment or being occupied with work.

Related Phrases:

• уровень безработицы - The unemployment rate; used in economic statistics and reports.
• борьба с безработицей - Fight against unemployment; common in policy discussions.
• высокая безработица - High unemployment; describes severe economic conditions.

Usage Notes:

"Безработица" directly corresponds to the English "unemployment" as a noun, but it is typically used in formal or professional settings in Russian. Unlike English, where "unemployment" can be countable in some contexts, in Russian it is uncountable and must agree in case, gender, and number with other words in the sentence. For example, when discussing rates, pair it with adjectives or quantifiers like "высокий уровень" (high level). If choosing between synonyms like "безработность," opt for "безработица" in most cases for clarity and commonality. Be aware of regional variations; in formal Russian media, it's standard, but in casual speech, people might use phrases instead.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse the genitive form, using "безработица" incorrectly in phrases like "рост безработица" instead of "рост безработицы." Correct usage: "рост безработицы" (growth of unemployment). Explanation: Russian requires the genitive case after words indicating increase or possession.

• Mixing up with similar words, such as using "безработный" (unemployed person) when meaning the state itself. Error example: "Я безработный" (I am unemployed) vs. correct for the concept: "Это проблема безработицы" (This is a problem of unemployment). Explanation: "Безработный" is an adjective for individuals, while "безработица" refers to the broader phenomenon.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, "безработица" often carries connotations of economic instability linked to historical events like the 1990s post-Soviet transition, where high unemployment rates contributed to social unrest. Today, it's a key topic in discussions about government policies and regional disparities, reflecting cultural emphasis on state intervention in employment matters.

Related Concepts:

• экономика (economy)
• трудоустройство (employment)
• социальная защита (social protection)