Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| рабо́та | rabóta | feminine |
| до́лжность | dólžnostʹ | feminine |
| заня́тие | zanjátije | neuter |
The term рабо́та refers to an economic role for which a person is paid. To say you are "at work", you use the preposition на with the prepositional case to form the phrase на рабо́те.
Which one should you use?
While рабо́та refers to work or a job in a general sense, до́лжность specifically refers to one's official job title or position within a hierarchy. In contrast, заня́тие is used when referring to an occupation, hobby or a way one spends their time, rather than formal paid employment.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb "to find" (найти), the word рабо́та changes to рабо́ту in the accusative case, as in найти́ рабо́ту (to find a job).
How do you pronounce it?
rabóta
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the preposition в instead of на when trying to say they are "at work". Use на рабо́те instead of в рабо́те.
Did you know?
- The word рабо́та is closely related to the word раб, which means 'slave'. Historically, the concept of labor in Russian was tied to forced servitude before it evolved into the modern meaning of a professional job.
- The word до́лжность is derived from the word долг, meaning 'debt' or 'duty'. This implies that a professional position is not just a job but a social or moral obligation.
- In official Russian bureaucracy, your до́лжность is often more important than your actual tasks. Changing your official title can sometimes be more significant for your status than a change in your daily 'work' (рабо́та).
Examples in context
- Я ищу работу.I am looking for a job.
- У меня новая работа.I have a new job.
- Я занимаю высокую должность.I hold a high-ranking position.
- Это очень ответственная должность.This is a very responsible job.
- У меня сейчас хорошая рабо́та.U menya seychas khoroshaya rabota.I have a good job right now.
- Эта рабо́та очень сложная.Eta rabota ochen' slozhnaya.This job is very difficult.
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Andrey are discussing career changes at a cafe.
- Екатерина EkaterinaКак твоя рабо́та, Андрей?Kak tvoya rabota, Andrey?How is your job, Andrey?
- Андрей AndreyОна мне не нравится.Ona mne ne nravitsya.I don't like it.
- Екатерина EkaterinaТы хочешь найти другую рабо́ту?Ty khochesh' nayti druguyu rabotu?Do you want to find another job?
- Андрей AndreyДа, я очень устал.Da, ya ochen' ustal.Yes, I am very tired.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “job” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
