Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Abdicate'

English Word: Abdicate

Key Russian Translations:

• отрекаться [ɐtrʲɪˈkat͡sə] - [Formal, Often used in historical or political contexts]
• отказываться [ɐtkəˈzat͡sə] - [Neutral, Broader usage, often for relinquishing rights or duties]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in historical, political, or formal discussions)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations due to context-specific usage and conjugation complexity

Pronunciation (Russian):

отрекаться: [ɐtrʲɪˈkat͡sə]

Note on отрекаться: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "р" sound is rolled, and "е" is pronounced as a soft vowel.

отказываться: [ɐtkəˈzat͡sə]

Note on отказываться: Stress falls on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft "з" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To renounce a throne or high position (formal, historical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отрекаться - Primarily used for monarchs or leaders renouncing power, often in a historical or ceremonial context.

Usage Examples:

• Император отрёкся от престола в 1917 году.

  The emperor abdicated the throne in 1917.

• Он решил отречься ради блага страны.

  He decided to abdicate for the good of the country.

• Отречение стало символом конца эпохи.

  The abdication became a symbol of the end of an era.

2. To relinquish responsibility or rights (broader, neutral)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отказываться - Used for giving up duties, rights, or responsibilities in various contexts, not limited to monarchy.

Usage Examples:

• Она отказалась от своих прав на наследство.

  She abdicated her rights to the inheritance.

• Он отказывается от своих обязанностей в команде.

  He is abdicating his responsibilities in the team.

• Нельзя просто отказаться от своих обязательств.

  You can't just abdicate your obligations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

отрекаться (imperfective verb, reflexive):

Note: Perfective form is отречься, used for completed actions.

отказываться (imperfective verb, reflexive):

Note: Perfective form is отказаться, used for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for отрекаться:

• слагать полномочия (to relinquish powers)
• уходить в отставку (to resign, often formal)

Note: "слагать полномочия" is more formal and specific to relinquishing official powers, while "уходить в отставку" often implies resignation from office.

Antonyms for отрекаться:

• вступать на престол (to ascend the throne)
• принимать власть (to assume power)

Related Phrases:

• отречься от престола - To abdicate the throne (specific to monarchy).
• отказаться от прав - To abdicate rights (legal or personal context).
• отказаться от ответственности - To abdicate responsibility (common in everyday or professional settings).

Usage Notes:

• "отрекаться/отречься" is more specific and often tied to historical or formal contexts, such as a king or emperor abdicating. It is rarely used in casual conversation.
• "отказываться/отказаться" is more versatile and can apply to relinquishing anything (rights, duties, responsibilities) in both formal and informal settings.
• Both verbs are reflexive (require the suffix -ся) and must agree with the subject in person, number, and gender (in past tense).
• Choose the perfective form (отречься, отказаться) when referring to a one-time, completed action, and the imperfective (отрекаться, отказываться) for ongoing or habitual actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "отрекаться" in non-political or non-historical contexts. Example: *Я отрекаюсь от своих обязанностей на работе.* (Incorrect)
• Correction: Use "отказываться" instead: Я отказываюсь от своих обязанностей на работе. (Correct - I abdicate my responsibilities at work.)
• Error: Forgetting the reflexive particle -ся. Example: *Я отказываю от прав.* (Incorrect)
• Correction: Always include -ся: Я отказываюсь от прав. (Correct - I abdicate my rights.)

Cultural Notes:

The concept of abdication, especially "отречение" (отрекаться), carries significant historical weight in Russian culture due to events like the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in 1917, marking the end of the Romanov dynasty and the Russian Empire. This term often evokes associations with major political or societal shifts.

Related Concepts:

• трон (throne)
• власть (power)
• отставка (resignation)
• наследство (inheritance)