Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unoccupied'

English Word: unoccupied

Key Russian Translations:

• незанятый /nʲɪˈzanʲɪtɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal, Used for physical or abstract spaces that are not in use]
• свободный /svɐˈbodnɨj/ - [Adjective, Informal, Used in contexts like availability or free time, but less precise for physical occupancy]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations about spaces, schedules, or availability, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "big" or "small").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions. For "незанятый", it's B1; for "свободный", it could be A2 due to its broader usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

незанятый: /nʲɪˈzanʲɪtɨj/

Note on незанятый: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'н' sound, which is common in Russian and can be tricky for English speakers. A soft pronunciation helps in formal contexts.

свободный: /svɐˈbodnɨj/

Note on свободный: Stress on the second syllable; this word has a more fluid pronunciation and is often used in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Not occupied, as in a physical space (e.g., a room, seat, or building)

Translation(s) & Context:

• незанятый - Typically used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as describing available seats in a theater or an empty apartment.
• свободный - Used more informally for availability, but can overlap in contexts like unoccupied hotel rooms.

Usage Examples:

• Эти места в зале не заняты, вы можете сесть здесь.

  These seats in the hall are unoccupied; you can sit here.

• Комната осталась незанятой после отъезда гостей.

  The room remained unoccupied after the guests left.

• Свободный столик в кафе? Да, вот этот незанятый.

  Is there an unoccupied table in the cafe? Yes, this one is free/unoccupied.

• В отеле всегда есть незанятые номера в низкий сезон.

  In the hotel, there are always unoccupied rooms during the off-season.

• Если стул свободный, то он, вероятно, незанятый.

  If the chair is free, it's probably unoccupied.

Meaning: Not occupied in an abstract sense (e.g., time, mind, or position)

Translation(s) & Context:

• незанятый - Used for schedules or positions, e.g., an unoccupied job slot.
• свободный - More common for free time or mental availability.

Usage Examples:

• Его ум был незанятым во время медитации.

  His mind was unoccupied during meditation.

• В расписании есть незанятый слот для новой встречи.

  In the schedule, there is an unoccupied slot for a new meeting.

• Свободный вечер? У меня есть незанятый, давай встретимся.

  Do you have an unoccupied/free evening? I do; let's meet.

• Должность осталась незанятой после увольнения.

  The position remained unoccupied after the resignation.

• Если твой день свободный, он может быть незанятым для поездки.

  If your day is free, it might be unoccupied for a trip.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "незанятый" and "свободный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they undergo declension based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

For "незанятый" (irregular in some senses due to its prefix):

For "свободный", it follows a similar regular pattern and is invariant in most short-form uses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пустой (pustoy) - More literal for "empty" spaces.
  • свободный (svobodnyi) - Often interchangeable but implies more freedom than just unoccupied.
• Antonyms:
  • занятый (zanyatyi) - Directly opposite, meaning occupied or busy.
  • заполненный (zapohnennyi) - Meaning filled or occupied in a fuller sense.

Related Phrases:

• незанятый номер - An unoccupied room (e.g., in a hotel; used in travel contexts).
• свободный стол - A free/unoccupied table (common in dining scenarios).
• незанятый слот - An unoccupied slot (e.g., in a schedule; implies availability for booking).

Usage Notes:

"Незанятый" is a more precise translation for "unoccupied" in contexts involving physical spaces, while "свободный" is better for abstract or informal uses like free time. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they describe, which can lead to errors if forgotten. For formal writing, prefer "незанятый" over "свободный" to avoid ambiguity. In spoken Russian, these words are often used in questions about availability, such as when booking appointments.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "свободный" interchangeably with "незанятый" in all contexts. Correct: "свободный" implies more than just unoccupied—it suggests freedom or availability, e.g., saying "свободный стул" for an unoccupied chair is fine, but for a legally unoccupied property, use "незанятый". Incorrect example: "Свободный квартира" (wrong agreement); Correct: "Свободная квартира".

• Error: Forgetting adjective declension, e.g., saying "незанятый комната" instead of "незанятая комната" for feminine nouns. This makes the sentence grammatically incorrect and confusing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "unoccupied" spaces like apartments or seats can tie into social norms, such as in public transport where an unoccupied seat might be offered to elders or pregnant women, reflecting values of courtesy and community.

Related Concepts:

• занятый (occupied)
• пустой (empty)
• доступный (accessible or available)