Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “maternity leave” in Russian. In this article, we will cover both formal and informal ways of expressing this term, as well as provide some tips, examples, and regional variations. Whether you’re planning to visit Russia, have Russian-speaking friends or colleagues, or simply want to expand your language skills, we’ve got you covered!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Maternity Leave
In formal contexts, such as official documents, applications, or professional conversations, it is important to use the appropriate language. Here are some formal expressions for “maternity leave” in Russian:
1. Отпуск по беременности и родам (Otput po beremennosti i rodam)
This is the most commonly used formal term for maternity leave in Russia. It literally translates to “leave due to pregnancy and childbirth.” It reflects the legal aspect of maternity leave and is widely recognized by employers and institutions.2. Декретный отпуск (Dekretny otput)
This term refers specifically to the leave taken by working women after giving birth. It comes from the Russian word “декрет” (dekret), which means “decree.” This term is widely used and acknowledged throughout the country.
Examples:
1. Я буду брать отпуск по беременности и родам с этой даты. (I will take maternity leave from this date.)
2. Наша компания предоставляет молодым мамам декретный отпуск. (Our company provides young mothers with maternity leave.)
Informal Ways to Say Maternity Leave
In informal or casual conversations, you may prefer to use a more relaxed and colloquial expression for “maternity leave.” Here are some informal ways to express this term in Russian:
1. Отпуск по материнству (Otput po materinstvu)
This informal term is commonly used in everyday conversations to refer to maternity leave. It translates to “leave due to motherhood.” It conveys a warm and personal tone, which makes it suitable for informal situations or when talking with friends and family members.2. Больничный лист по родам (Bolnichny list po rodam)
This expression literally means “sick leave due to childbirth.” It is used informally to describe maternity leave, although it focuses more on the medical aspect of postpartum recovery. This term is more commonly used in casual conversations.
Examples:
1. После родов я хочу взять отпуск по материнству. (After giving birth, I want to take maternity leave.)
2. У меня будет больничный лист по родам на несколько месяцев. (I will have sick leave due to childbirth for several months.)
Regional Variations
Russian is spoken not only in Russia but also in several other countries, such as Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and others. While the formal terms described above are generally understood and used across these regions, there may be subtle regional variations in informal expressions. Here are a couple of examples:
1. Временная нетрудоспособность по материнству (Vremenaya netrudosposobnost po materinstvu)
This expression, often used in Ukraine, translates to “temporary disability due to motherhood.” It emphasizes the temporary nature of the leave and is commonly known and used in Ukrainian-speaking regions.2. Больничный по родам (Bolnichny po rodam)
This term, used in Belarus, is an equivalent of “sick leave due to childbirth” mentioned earlier. It reflects the local variations in the use of language.
Examples:
1. Моя сестра взяла временную нетрудоспособность по материнству на полгода. (My sister took temporary disability due to motherhood for six months.)
2. В Беларуси выдают больничный по родам в течение 140 дней.(In Belarus, they provide sick leave due to childbirth for 140 days.)
Remember, regional variations might exist, but the formal terms are generally understood throughout Russian-speaking countries.
Summary
In this guide, we have explored various ways to say “maternity leave” in Russian. We started with formal expressions such as “отпуск по беременности и родам” (leave due to pregnancy and childbirth) and “декретный отпуск” (maternity leave in general). For informal situations, we discussed “отпуск по материнству” (leave due to motherhood) and “больничный лист по родам” (sick leave due to childbirth). We also touched upon regional variations, such as “временная нетрудоспособность по материнству” (temporary disability due to motherhood) in Ukraine and “больничный по родам” (sick leave due to childbirth) in Belarus.
By familiarizing yourself with these expressions, you will be able to confidently communicate and understand discussions about maternity leave in Russian-speaking contexts. Whether you’re preparing for a trip to Russia or expanding your language skills for personal or professional reasons, these phrases will undoubtedly come in handy. Happy learning and congratulations on your exploration of the Russian language!
