о́фис
ófismasculine
The English word 'office' can be translated into Russian in several ways, most commonly as о́фис (ófis). Wiktionary also lists конто́ра (kontóra) and бюро́ (bjuró).
Meaning: room(s) or building used for non-manual work (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| о́фис | ófis | masculine |
| конто́ра | kontóra | feminine |
| бюро́ | bjuró | neuter |
| канцеля́рия | kanceljárija | feminine |
| кабине́т | kabinét | masculine |
The term 'office' refers to a room or building used for non-manual work.
Which one should you use?
о́фис is the standard, modern term for a commercial office space or a company's headquarters. кабине́т refers specifically to a single room used as an office, often a private study or a doctor's office, rather than a whole building or commercial space. бюро́ is used for specific types of offices that function as agencies or bureaus, such as a travel agency (туристическое бюро) or a translation bureau. канцеля́рия refers to a specific administrative department or office responsible for handling paperwork and official records.
How do you pronounce it?
ófis
Did you know?
- The word конто́ра might sound professional, but in modern slang it often carries a slightly derogatory or dismissive tone, implying a disorganized or unimportant office.
- While о́фис is a direct loan from English, it only became the dominant term in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of Western-style capitalism.
- The word канцеля́рия is the root of the term канцеляри́зм, which describes a stiff and overly formal style of writing typical of government bureaucrats.
Examples in context
- Я работаю в офисеI work in an office.
- Он работает в какой-то контореHe works in some office.
- У меня уютное рабочее место в офисеI have a cozy workspace in the office.
- Мой о́фис находится в центре города.Moy ófis nakhoditsya v tsentre goroda.My office is located in the city center.
- У них очень большой и светлый о́фис.U nikh ochen' bol'shoy i svetlyy ófis.They have a very large and bright office.
- Где находится ваш новый о́фис?Gde nakhoditsya vash novyy ófis?Where is your new office located?
Example conversation
Andrey and Maria are talking on the phone about work.
- Андрей AndreyМария, ты уже в о́фисе?Mariya, ty uzhe v ófise?Maria, are you in the office already?
- Мария MariaДа, Андрей, я только что пришла.Da, Andrey, ya tol'ko chto prishla.Yes, Andrey, I just arrived.
- Андрей AndreyЯ скоро приеду к тебе в о́фис.Ya skoro priyedu k tebe v ófis.I will arrive at your office soon.
- Мария MariaХорошо, буду тебя ждать.Khorosho, budu tebya zhdat'.Okay, I will be waiting for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “office” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
