Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Affirm'

English Word: affirm

Key Russian Translations:

• утверждать [ʊtʲɪrˈʐdatʲ] - [Formal, Used in statements or declarations]
• подтверждать [pətʲvʲɪrˈʐdatʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Used for confirmation]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

утверждать: [ʊtʲɪrˈʐdatʲ]

Note on утверждать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'zh' sound is similar to the 's' in 'measure'.

подтверждать: [pətʲvʲɪrˈʐdatʲ]

Note on подтверждать: Stress on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft 'tʲ' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To state something as true or valid (Declare)

Translation(s) & Context:

• утверждать - Often used in formal or official contexts to assert or declare something as true.

Usage Examples:

• Он утверждал, что решение было правильным.

  He affirmed that the decision was correct.

• Суд утвердил приговор.

  The court affirmed the verdict.

• Она утверждала свою позицию на собрании.

  She affirmed her position at the meeting.

2. To confirm or support (Validate)

Translation(s) & Context:

• подтверждать - Used when confirming facts, agreements, or supporting a statement.

Usage Examples:

• Я могу подтвердить его слова.

  I can affirm his words.

• Документ подтверждает сделку.

  The document affirms the deal.

• Он подтвердил свою готовность помочь.

  He affirmed his willingness to help.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

утверждать (Verb, Imperfective Aspect):

подтверждать follows a similar conjugation pattern as an imperfective verb.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for утверждать:

• заявлять
• декларировать

Note: 'заявлять' is more neutral, while 'декларировать' is highly formal.

Synonyms for подтверждать:

• удостоверять
• свидетельствовать

Antonyms:

• отрицать (to deny)
• опровергать (to refute)

Related Phrases:

• утверждать на должности - To affirm/approve someone in a position.
• подтверждать документально - To affirm/confirm with documents.

Usage Notes:

• 'утверждать' is often used in formal or declarative contexts, such as legal or official statements. It implies a stronger assertion compared to 'подтверждать'.
• 'подтверждать' is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings to confirm or validate something.
• Both verbs are imperfective; for completed actions, use their perfective counterparts: 'утвердить' and 'подтвердить'.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'утверждать' when confirming a fact.
  Incorrect: Я утверждаю его присутствие.
  Correct: Я подтверждаю его присутствие. (I affirm/confirm his presence.)
  Explanation: 'утверждать' is not typically used for simple confirmation of facts; it implies a declarative or assertive tone.
• Error: Misusing aspect (imperfective vs. perfective).
  Incorrect: Я утверждал документ.
  Correct: Я утвердил документ. (I affirmed/approved the document.)
  Explanation: Use the perfective 'утвердить' for completed actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, formal affirmation (especially with 'утверждать') is common in bureaucratic or legal contexts, reflecting the importance of official validation in Russian culture. Using the correct verb can signal respect for formalities.

Related Concepts:

• согласие (agreement)
• одобрение (approval)
• доказательство (proof)