Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Abolition'

English Word: abolition

Key Russian Translations:

• отмена [ˈotmʲɪnə] - [Formal, Commonly Used]
• упразднение [ʊprɐzʲˈdʲenʲɪjə] - [Formal, Legal Contexts]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

отмена: [ˈotmʲɪnə]

Note on отмена: Stress falls on the first syllable, which is common in many Russian nouns.

упразднение: [ʊprɐzʲˈdʲenʲɪjə]

Note on упразднение: Stress on the third syllable; the "з" sound is softened before "д".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The act of officially ending a law, system, or practice

Translation(s) & Context:

• отмена - Often used for cancellation or abolition of laws, rules, or decisions in general contexts.
• упразднение - More specific to the formal abolition of institutions or structures, often in legal or historical texts.

Usage Examples:

• Отмена рабства была важным шагом в истории. (Otmena rabstva byla vazhnym shagom v istorii.)

  The abolition of slavery was an important step in history.

• Правительство объявило об отмене старого закона. (Pravitel'stvo ob"yavilo ob otmene starogo zakona.)

  The government announced the abolition of the old law.

• Упразднение монархии изменило страну. (Uprazdnenie monarkhii izmenilo stranu.)

  The abolition of the monarchy changed the country.

• Отмена ограничений вызвала споры. (Otmena ogranicheniy vyzvala spory.)

  The abolition of restrictions caused debates.

• Упразднение этого органа было неизбежным. (Uprazdnenie etogo organa bylo neizbezhnim.)

  The abolition of this body was inevitable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

отмена (feminine noun):

упразднение (neuter noun):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for отмена:

• аннулирование
• отказ

Note: "Аннулирование" is more formal and often used for contracts or documents, while "отказ" can imply refusal as well as cancellation.

Synonyms for упразднение:

• ликвидация
• расформирование

Antonyms for both:

• введение
• создание

Related Phrases:

• отмена решения (otmena resheniya) - Cancellation of a decision.
• отмена санкций (otmena sanktsiy) - Lifting of sanctions.
• упразднение должности (uprazdnenie dolzhnosti) - Abolition of a position.

Usage Notes:

• "Отмена" is the more general and frequently used term for "abolition" or "cancellation" and can apply to a wide range of contexts, from laws to everyday cancellations.
• "Упразднение" is more specific, often referring to the formal dissolution of organizations, roles, or systems, and is commonly found in legal or historical discussions.
• Choose "отмена" for most modern and casual contexts; reserve "упразднение" for formal or institutional settings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "упразднение" in casual contexts, e.g., saying "упразднение урока" for canceling a lesson.
  Correct: Use "отмена урока" instead. "Упразднение" sounds overly formal and inappropriate here.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation, e.g., stressing the second syllable in "отмена" as [otˈmʲenə].
  Correct: Stress the first syllable: [ˈotmʲɪnə].

Cultural Notes:

The concept of "abolition" (отмена/упразднение) carries significant historical weight in Russia, often associated with major reforms like the abolition of serfdom in 1861 (отмена крепостного права). Understanding these terms in historical contexts can provide deeper insight into Russian culture and literature.

Related Concepts:

• реформа (reforma) - reform
• законодательство (zakonodatel'stvo) - legislation
• свобода (svoboda) - freedom