Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cancel'

English Word: Cancel

Key Russian Translations:

• отменить [ɐtˈmʲenʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Commonly used for events or plans]
• аннулировать [ɐnʊlʲɪˈrovətʲ] - [Formal, Often used for contracts or documents]
• отказаться [ɐtˈkazətsə] - [Neutral, Used for refusing or canceling participation]

Frequency: High (commonly used in various contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "отменить" and "отказаться"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "аннулировать"

Pronunciation (Russian):

отменить: [ɐtˈmʲenʲɪtʲ]

Note on отменить: Stress falls on the second syllable; the "е" sounds like "ye".

аннулировать: [ɐnʊlʲɪˈrovətʲ]

Note on аннулировать: Stress on the fourth syllable; the "и" is pronounced softly.

отказаться: [ɐtˈkazətsə]

Note on отказаться: Stress on the second syllable; reflexive verb with "-ся".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To stop something from happening (e.g., event, plan)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отменить - Used for canceling events, meetings, or reservations.

Usage Examples:

• Концерт пришлось отменить из-за погоды.

  The concert had to be canceled due to the weather.

• Мы решили отменить встречу на этой неделе.

  We decided to cancel the meeting this week.

• Правительство отменило запрет на въезд.

  The government canceled the entry ban.

2. To invalidate or void (e.g., contract, ticket)

Translation(s) & Context:

• аннулировать - Used for formal cancellation of documents or agreements.

Usage Examples:

• Они аннулировали мой билет без предупреждения.

  They canceled my ticket without warning.

• Договор был аннулирован по обоюдному согласию.

  The contract was canceled by mutual agreement.

3. To refuse or withdraw from participation

Translation(s) & Context:

• отказаться - Used when someone personally declines or cancels their involvement.

Usage Examples:

• Она отказалась от участия в проекте.

  She canceled her participation in the project.

• Я решил отказаться от бронирования.

  I decided to cancel the reservation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

отменить (Verb, Perfective): This verb follows regular conjugation for perfective verbs in Russian. It indicates a completed action.

Person	Form
1st Singular (I)	отменю [ɐtˈmʲenʲʊ]
2nd Singular (You)	отменишь [ɐtˈmʲenʲɪʂ]
3rd Singular (He/She/It)	отменит [ɐtˈmʲenʲɪt]
1st Plural (We)	отменим [ɐtˈmʲenʲɪm]

аннулировать (Verb, Imperfective/Perfective pair): Follows regular conjugation; often used in formal contexts.

отказаться (Verb, Perfective, Reflexive): Reflexive verb with "-ся"; conjugation includes the reflexive particle.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for отменить:

• снять
• упразднить

Note: "снять" is less formal and often used for restrictions; "упразднить" is very formal, often for laws or institutions.

Antonyms for отменить:

• подтвердить
• утвердить

Related Phrases:

• отменить заказ - To cancel an order.
• аннулировать договор - To cancel a contract.
• отказаться от идеи - To cancel or abandon an idea.

Usage Notes:

• "отменить" is the most versatile and common translation for "cancel," suitable for events, plans, and orders.
• "аннулировать" is more formal and typically used for legal or official cancellations (e.g., contracts, visas).
• "отказаться" implies a personal decision to cancel participation or involvement, often with a sense of refusal.
• Pay attention to aspect: "отменить" and "отказаться" are perfective (completed action), while "аннулировать" can pair with its imperfective form "аннулировывать" for ongoing processes.

Common Errors:

Error 1: Using "отказаться" when referring to canceling an event. Incorrect: "Я отказался концерт." Correct: "Я отменил концерт." (Explanation: "отказаться" is for personal refusal, not for canceling something external like an event.)

Error 2: Misusing "аннулировать" in casual contexts. Incorrect: "Я аннулировал встречу." Correct: "Я отменил встречу." (Explanation: "аннулировать" is too formal for everyday cancellations like meetings.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, canceling plans or commitments can sometimes be seen as impolite unless a valid reason is provided. When using "отменить" or "отказаться," it’s often accompanied by an apology or explanation in polite conversation.

Related Concepts:

• отказ
• прекращение
• снятие