Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Abort'

English Word: Abort

Key Russian Translations:

• прервать [prʲɪrˈvatʲ] - [Formal, Neutral, Commonly used for actions or processes]
• отменить [ɐtˈmʲenʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Often used for plans or decisions]
• прекратить [prʲɪkrɐˈtʲitʲ] - [Formal/Neutral, Used for stopping something abruptly]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like medical, technical, or formal discussions)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by translation and context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

прервать: [prʲɪrˈvatʲ]

Note on прервать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "р" sound is rolled, which may be challenging for non-native speakers.

отменить: [ɐtˈmʲenʲɪtʲ]

Note on отменить: Stress on the second syllable. Pay attention to the soft "н" sound.

прекратить: [prʲɪkrɐˈtʲitʲ]

Note on прекратить: Stress on the third syllable. The prefix "пре-" is common in verbs indicating cessation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To stop or terminate a process or action prematurely

Translation(s) & Context:

• прервать - Used for interrupting or stopping actions like a conversation, process, or mission.
• прекратить - Often implies a more definitive or abrupt end to an activity or state.

Usage Examples:

• Мы вынуждены прервать переговоры из-за непредвиденных обстоятельств.

  We are forced to abort the negotiations due to unforeseen circumstances.

• Миссию пришлось прервать из-за технической неисправности.

  The mission had to be aborted due to a technical malfunction.

• Правительство решило прекратить финансирование проекта.

  The government decided to abort the funding of the project.

2. To cancel a plan or decision

Translation(s) & Context:

• отменить - Commonly used for canceling plans, events, or decisions.

Usage Examples:

• Рейс был отменён из-за плохой погоды.

  The flight was aborted due to bad weather.

• Они решили отменить встречу в последнюю минуту.

  They decided to abort the meeting at the last minute.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

прервать (perfective verb): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for perfective verbs of the first conjugation. Below is the present tense (used less commonly as it’s perfective) and past tense conjugation.

отменить (perfective verb): Follows similar perfective verb conjugation rules. Imperfective counterpart is "отменять."

прекратить (perfective verb): Follows regular conjugation for perfective verbs. Imperfective counterpart is "прекращать."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for прервать:

• остановить (to stop)
• оборвать (to break off)

Note: "оборвать" often implies a harsher or more abrupt interruption than "прервать."

Antonyms for прервать:

• продолжить (to continue)
• возобновить (to resume)

Related Phrases:

• прервать молчание - to break the silence
• отменить приказ - to abort/cancel an order
• прекратить огонь - to cease fire (military context)

Usage Notes:

• "прервать" is the most versatile translation for "abort" when referring to stopping a process or action. It is widely used in both formal and neutral contexts.
• "отменить" is more specific to canceling plans, decisions, or events and is less appropriate for physical or ongoing processes.
• "прекратить" often carries a connotation of finality or authority, making it suitable for official or serious contexts.
• Be mindful of the aspectual pair (perfective/imperfective) when using these verbs, as Russian verbs often come in pairs to indicate completed or ongoing actions (e.g., прервать/прерывать).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "отменить" for interrupting a process like a conversation. Incorrect: "Я отменил разговор." Correct: "Я прервал разговор." (I aborted the conversation.) Explanation: "отменить" is for canceling scheduled events or decisions, not ongoing actions.
• Error: Ignoring verb aspect and using imperfective forms incorrectly. Incorrect: "Я прерываю миссию." (ongoing, incorrect for a one-time action). Correct: "Я прервал миссию." (completed action). Explanation: Use perfective verbs like "прервать" for one-time completed actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the term "прервать" can sometimes carry a negative or abrupt connotation, especially in personal interactions. Interrupting someone (e.g., "прервать разговор") may be perceived as impolite unless justified or done tactfully. In formal or technical contexts like aborting a mission, it is neutral.

Related Concepts:

• остановка (stoppage)
• отмена (cancellation)
• завершение (completion)