Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vacant'

English Word: vacant

Key Russian Translations:

• свободный [svɐˈbodnɨj] - [Formal, commonly used for availability or unoccupied spaces]
• пустой [ˈpustoj] - [Informal, often for physical emptiness]
• вакантный [vɐˈkantnɨj] - [Formal, specifically for job vacancies or positions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday contexts like housing, jobs, and general descriptions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections, but basic forms are straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

свободный: [svɐˈbodnɨj]

пустой: [ˈpustoj]

вакантный: [vɐˈkantnɨj]

Note on свободный: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the "o" sound, which can vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on пустой: Pronounced with a hard "p" and emphasis on the first syllable; common in informal settings.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Empty or unoccupied (e.g., a room or space)

Translation(s) & Context:

• свободный - Used in formal contexts like hotel bookings or scheduling, implying availability.
• пустой - Informal, for physical emptiness, such as an empty room or container.

Usage Examples:

• В этой комнате свободно, вы можете её занять.

  In this room, it's vacant; you can occupy it.

• Квартира была пустой, когда мы приехали.

  The apartment was vacant when we arrived.

• Из-за ремонта комната осталась свободной на неделю.

  Due to renovations, the room remained vacant for a week.

• Пустой стул у окна ждал кого-то.

  The vacant chair by the window was waiting for someone.

• Свободное место в парке идеально для пикника.

  The vacant spot in the park is perfect for a picnic.

Meaning 2: Available for employment (e.g., a job position)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вакантный - Formal, used in professional or administrative contexts, directly relating to job openings.
• свободный - Sometimes used interchangeably in casual job discussions, but less precise.

Usage Examples:

• В компании есть вакантная должность менеджера.

  There is a vacant manager position in the company.

• Свободное место в команде быстро заполнили.

  The vacant spot in the team was filled quickly.

• Вакантный пост директора привлёк многих кандидатов.

  The vacant director position attracted many candidates.

• Из-за отъезда сотрудника вакантное место появилось.

  Due to an employee's departure, a vacant position opened up.

• Свободная вакансия в IT-сфере высокооплачиваемая.

  The vacant job in IT is highly paid.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations (свободный, пустой, вакантный) are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for most cases.

These adjectives follow regular inflection patterns, with no irregularities. For unchangeable forms in certain contexts (e.g., in fixed phrases), they remain in their base form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • свободный: доступный (dostupnyy) - More about accessibility than emptiness.
  • пустой: опустевший (opustevshiy) - Implies something that has become empty over time.
  • вакантный: открытый (otkrytyy) - In job contexts, meaning available for applications.
• Antonyms:
  • свободный: занятый (zanyatyy) - Occupied or busy.
  • пустой: полный (polnyy) - Full or occupied.
  • вакантный: занятый (zanyatyy) - Already filled in a job context.

Related Phrases:

• Свободное время - Free time; a common phrase for leisure or unoccupied periods.
• Пустая квартира - Vacant apartment; used in real estate contexts.
• Вакантное место работы - Vacant job position; formal phrase in employment discussions.
• Оставаться свободным - To remain vacant; implies something staying available.

Usage Notes:

The English word "vacant" corresponds most directly to "вакантный" in professional contexts, but "свободный" or "пустой" are better for everyday use. Always consider the context: use formal adjectives like "вакантный" in business settings, and informal ones like "пустой" in casual conversations. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. When choosing between translations, opt for "свободный" for abstract availability and "пустой" for physical emptiness.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "свободный" interchangeably with "вакантный" in job contexts. Correct: Вакантная позиция (Vacant position). Explanation: "Свободный" implies general availability, not specifically a job opening, which can lead to confusion in formal writing.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "свободный комната" instead of "свободная комната" for a feminine noun. Correct: Ensure gender agreement. Explanation: Russian requires adjectives to match nouns, unlike English, so learners often overlook this.
• Mistake: Overusing "пустой" for non-physical contexts, e.g., for a job. Correct: Use "вакантный" instead. Explanation: "Пустой" sounds informal and literal, which may not fit professional scenarios.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "vacant" spaces, like in housing or jobs, often ties into historical contexts such as the Soviet era's state-controlled allocations. For instance, "вакантный" might evoke ideas of bureaucratic processes in job hunting, reflecting Russia's emphasis on formal documentation in employment.

Related Concepts:

• занятый (occupied)
• доступный (accessible)
• опустевший (deserted)
• работа (work/job)