From Old Church Slavonic *rabota* ("slavery, servitude"), derived from *rabъ* ("slave, servant"), which shares a root with the German *Arbeit* ("work"). The shift from "forced servitude" to "general work or employment" reflects the gradual transformation of social structures across the Slavic world over many centuries.

In Russian culture, work (работа) holds a central place in personal identity — asking someone "Где ты работаешь?" ("Where do you work?") is a common early question when getting acquainted. Note the false friend with the Czech/Slovak *robota*, which gave Isaac Asimov and the world the word "robot" — originally meaning forced labor or drudgery.