Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'abjure'

English Word: abjure

Key Russian Translations:

• отречься [ɐˈtrʲet͡ɕɪsə] - [Formal]
• отказаться [ɐtkəˈzatsə] - [Informal, Everyday]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal, legal, or philosophical contexts but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of reflexive verbs and formal language structures)

Pronunciation (Russian):

отречься: [ɐˈtrʲet͡ɕɪsə]

Note on отречься: The stress falls on the second syllable; the 'р' is rolled, which can be challenging for beginners. This is a reflexive verb, so the '-ся' ending affects pronunciation slightly in connected speech.

отказаться: [ɐtkəˈzatsə]

Note on отказаться: Stress on the third syllable; the 'з' is voiced, and it may vary in speed based on regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To formally renounce or give up something, such as a belief, claim, or allegiance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• отречься - Used in formal or legal contexts, such as renouncing citizenship or faith.
• отказаться - Used in everyday situations for general refusal, but can apply when the refusal is formal.

Usage Examples:

• Он отрёкся от своих прежних убеждений во время суда.

  He abjured his former beliefs during the trial.

• После скандала политик отрёкся от партии.

  After the scandal, the politician abjured the party.

• В исторических текстах люди часто отказывались от титулов под давлением.

  In historical texts, people often abjured their titles under pressure.

• Она отказалась от наследства, чтобы избежать семейных конфликтов.

  She abjured her inheritance to avoid family conflicts.

Meaning 2: To deny or reject something under oath or formally.

Translation(s) & Context:

• отречься - Specifically for sworn denials, often in religious or legal settings.
• отказаться - For general rejections, but less emphatic than отречься in formal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Под присягой он отрёкся от любых связей с преступной группировкой.

  Under oath, he abjured any connections to the criminal group.

• В средневековых текстах рыцари отрекались от клятв во время войн.

  In medieval texts, knights abjured their oaths during wars.

• Многие учёные отказались от старых теорий в пользу новых доказательств.

  Many scholars abjured old theories in favor of new evidence.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs. "отречься" is a reflexive verb (from "отрекаться"), and "отказаться" is from "отказываться". They follow standard Russian conjugation patterns for imperfective verbs.

Note: These verbs are irregular in some aspects but follow common patterns for reflexive endings (-ся). They do not change in gender or number in the infinitive form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отрицать (deny, similar but more about disbelief)
  • покинуть (abandon, used for physical or emotional desertion)
• Antonyms:
  • принять (accept)
  • поддержать (support)

Related Phrases:

• отречься от веры - To renounce faith (often used in religious or philosophical contexts).
• отказаться от прав - To waive rights (common in legal documents or personal declarations).
• отрекаться от прошлого - To disown the past (implies a formal rejection of one's history).

Usage Notes:

"Отречься" is the most precise translation for "abjure" in formal contexts, as it conveys a sense of solemn renunciation, similar to swearing an oath. Use "отказаться" for less formal situations where simple refusal is intended. Be mindful of the reflexive ending (-ся), which indicates the action is directed back to the subject. In Russian, these verbs often appear in perfective-imperfective pairs, so choose based on whether the action is ongoing or completed. For English learners, note that "abjure" doesn't have a direct one-to-one match; select the translation based on context to avoid overgeneralization.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "отказаться" in highly formal or legal contexts where "отречься" is more appropriate. For example, an English learner might say "Я отказался от гражданства" instead of "Я отрёкся от гражданства" in a court setting.

  Correct: Я отрёкся от гражданства (I abjured my citizenship). Explanation: "Отречься" emphasizes formality and permanence, while "отказаться" sounds casual and might not convey the same legal weight.

• Error: Forgetting the reflexive ending, e.g., saying "отречь" instead of "отречься".

  Correct: отречься. Explanation: Without "-ся", the verb loses its reflexive meaning, altering the sense entirely.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "отречься" often appears in contexts like the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in 1917, symbolizing a profound, public renunciation. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on formal declarations in politics and religion, where such acts carry significant social and moral implications, unlike more casual rejections in everyday life.

Related Concepts:

• отрицание
• покаяние
• измена