Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'approve'

English Word: approve

Key Russian Translations:

• одобрить [ɐˈdobrʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Often used in official or professional contexts]
• утвердить [ʊtʲvʲɪrˈdʲitʲ] - [Formal, Used for confirming or ratifying decisions]
• согласиться [səɡlɐˈsʲitʲsə] - [Neutral, Often used for personal agreement]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "одобрить" and "утвердить"; A2 (Beginner-Intermediate) for "согласиться"

Pronunciation (Russian):

одобрить: [ɐˈdobrʲɪtʲ]

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

утвердить: [ʊtʲvʲɪrˈdʲitʲ]

Note on утвердить: Stress on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft "т" sound.

согласиться: [səɡlɐˈsʲitʲsə]

Note on согласиться: Stress on the third syllable. The reflexive ending "-ся" is common in Russian verbs.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To give formal or official sanction

Translation(s) & Context:

• одобрить - Used in formal or professional settings, e.g., approving a proposal.
• утвердить - Used for ratifying or confirming decisions, often in legal or bureaucratic contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Совет директоров одобрил новый проект.

  The board of directors approved the new project.

• Мы должны утвердить бюджет на следующий год.

  We need to approve the budget for next year.

• Документ был официально утверждён.

  The document was officially approved.

2. To agree or consent to something

Translation(s) & Context:

• согласиться - Used in personal or informal contexts to express agreement or consent.

Usage Examples:

• Я согласился помочь ей с заданием.

  I agreed to help her with the task.

• Она согласилась пойти на встречу.

  She agreed to attend the meeting.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

одобрить (Perfective Verb): This is a perfective verb, often paired with the imperfective "одобрять" for ongoing or habitual actions. Below is the conjugation for "одобрить" in the past tense:

Person	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Past	одобрил	одобрила	одобрило	одобрили

утвердить (Perfective Verb): Similar to "одобрить," it is perfective, with the imperfective form "утверждать." Conjugation follows regular patterns for perfective verbs.

согласиться (Reflexive Perfective Verb): Reflexive verb with the particle "-ся," paired with imperfective "соглашаться." It follows regular conjugation for reflexive verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for одобрить/утвердить:

• подтвердить (to confirm)
• принять (to accept)

Note: "подтвердить" often implies confirmation of facts, while "принять" is broader and can mean acceptance.

Antonyms for одобрить/утвердить:

• отклонить (to reject)
• отказать (to refuse)

Related Phrases:

• одобрить на словах - To approve verbally (not officially).
• утвердить решение - To approve a decision (formal context).
• согласиться с мнением - To agree with an opinion.

Usage Notes:

• "одобрить" is generally used for giving approval in a positive, supportive sense, often in formal or semi-formal contexts.
• "утвердить" is more specific to formal ratification or confirmation, often in legal or organizational settings.
• "согласиться" is more personal and conversational, often implying consent or agreement rather than official approval.
• Pay attention to the aspect of the verb (perfective vs. imperfective) when choosing between forms like "одобрить" (perfective) and "одобрять" (imperfective).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "согласиться" in formal contexts where "одобрить" or "утвердить" is required.
  Incorrect: Совет директоров согласился с проектом.
  Correct: Совет директоров одобрил проект.
  Explanation: "согласиться" is too informal for official approval by a board.
• Error: Ignoring verb aspect and using imperfective forms in contexts requiring a completed action.
  Incorrect: Я одобряю проект вчера.
  Correct: Я одобрил проект вчера.
  Explanation: Past actions requiring completion use the perfective form "одобрил."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, formal approval (e.g., "утвердить") often carries significant weight in bureaucratic or hierarchical settings. Expressing agreement or approval in personal contexts ("согласиться") may involve more nuanced politeness, depending on the relationship between speakers.

Related Concepts:

• согласие (agreement)
• разрешение (permission)
• поддержка (support)