Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'abrogate'

English Word: abrogate

Key Russian Translations:

• Отменить (/ɐtˈmʲenʲɪtʲ/) - [Formal, Legal context, Imperfective verb]
• Аннулировать (/ɐnʊlʲɪrəˈvatʲ/) - [Formal, Legal and contractual contexts, Perfective verb]

Frequency: Medium - This verb is commonly used in formal, legal, or administrative writing and speech, but less so in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Requires understanding of formal vocabulary and verb aspects; for "Отменить," it's B2, while "Аннулировать" may edge toward C1 due to its specificity in legal jargon.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Отменить: /ɐtˈmʲenʲɪtʲ/

Note on Отменить: The stress is on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization.

Аннулировать: /ɐnʊlʲɪrəˈvatʲ/

Note on Аннулировать: This word has a rolling 'р' and a stressed final syllable; variations in speed may affect the vowel sounds in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To formally repeal, abolish, or annul a law, agreement, or right

Translation(s) & Context:

• Отменить - Used in contexts involving the revocation of laws, decrees, or decisions; common in governmental or administrative settings.
• Аннулировать - Applied specifically to invalidating contracts, treaties, or legal documents; preferred in precise legal terminology.

Usage Examples:

• Правительство отменило старый закон о налогах.

  The government abrogated the old tax law. (This example shows the verb in a simple past context, emphasizing official action.)

• Суд аннулировал контракт из-за нарушения условий.

  The court abrogated the contract due to breach of terms. (Illustrates use in a legal dispute, highlighting the perfective aspect for completion.)

• Парламент решил отменить ограничения на импорт.

  The parliament decided to abrogate the import restrictions. (Demonstrates the verb in a decision-making context with imperfective aspect for ongoing process.)

• Компания аннулировала соглашение с партнёром.

  The company abrogated the agreement with the partner. (Shows application in business contexts, emphasizing finality.)

• Президент отменил указ, чтобы адаптировать его к новым реалиям.

  The president abrogated the decree to adapt it to new realities. (This example varies the structure, using it in a adaptive or reformative sentence.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Отменить" and "Аннулировать" are verbs in Russian, belonging to the first conjugation group. "Отменить" is an imperfective verb, while "Аннулировать" is perfective. Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, person, number, and mood. Below is a table outlining key inflections:

Note: These verbs follow regular conjugation patterns, but aspect differences (imperfective vs. perfective) affect their use—e.g., "Отменить" for ongoing actions, "Аннулировать" for completed ones.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Прекратить (prekratit') - To stop or terminate, often used interchangeably but with a broader sense of cessation.
  • Упразднить (uprazdnit') - To abolish or disband, particularly institutions or systems; differs by implying structural removal.
• Antonyms:
  • Установить (ustanovit') - To establish or set up.
  • Подтвердить (podtverditi) - To confirm or ratify.

Related Phrases:

• Отменить решение - To revoke a decision; used in administrative or judicial contexts to undo a prior ruling.
• Аннулировать договор - To annul a contract; common in legal settings for invalidating agreements due to violations.
• Отменить запрет - To lift a ban; implies removing restrictions in policy or regulatory matters.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "Отменить" is the more general translation for "abrogate" and is suitable for everyday formal contexts, while "Аннулировать" is preferred for legal precision, such as in contracts or treaties. English speakers should note the importance of verb aspects: use imperfective for processes (e.g., "Отменить" for ongoing revocation) and perfective for completed actions. In spoken Russian, these verbs are domain-specific, so avoid them in casual conversations. When choosing between translations, opt for "Аннулировать" in international or legal English-Russian contexts for accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Mistaking aspect: English learners often use "Отменить" when "Аннулировать" is needed for a completed action, e.g., saying "Я отменю контракт" instead of "Я аннулирую контракт." Correct: Use "Аннулировать" for finality to avoid implying an incomplete process.
• Overgeneralizing synonyms: Confusing "Отменить" with "Прекратить," leading to "Я прекратил закон" (incorrect for legal abrogation). Correct: "Я отменил закон" – "Прекратить" is better for stopping activities, not repealing laws.
• Neglecting gender agreement in past tense: For example, "Она отменить закон" instead of "Она отменила закон." Explanation: Past tense verbs in Russian agree with the subject's gender, so always adjust endings accordingly.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and legal systems, terms like "Отменить" and "Аннулировать" often reflect the historical influence of Soviet-era bureaucracy, where laws and decrees were frequently revised. This can carry connotations of state authority and reform, as seen in post-Soviet transitions, helping users understand the weight of such actions in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• Ратифицировать (ratifitsirovat')
• Урегулировать (uregulirovat')
• Заключить договор (zaklyuchit' dogovor)