Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cease'

English Word: Cease

Key Russian Translations:

• прекратить [prʲɪkrɐˈtʲitʲ] - [Formal, Often used for stopping actions or processes]
• перестать [pʲɪrʲɪˈstatʲ] - [Neutral, Commonly used for ceasing an activity]
• остановить [ɐstɐˈnovʲɪtʲ] - [Neutral, Often used for stopping something physical or mechanical]

Frequency: Medium (These words are commonly used in various contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate - Some nuances in usage require familiarity with context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

прекратить: [prʲɪkrɐˈtʲitʲ]

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

перестать: [pʲɪrʲɪˈstatʲ]

Note on перестать: Stress on the second syllable. The soft "р" and "с" sounds require attention.

остановить: [ɐstɐˈnovʲɪtʲ]

Note on остановить: Stress on the third syllable. The "о" is reduced in unstressed positions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To stop doing something (general or abstract)

Translation(s) & Context:

• прекратить - Often used in formal or official contexts, such as stopping a conflict or activity.
• перестать - More conversational, used for personal actions or habits (e.g., stop talking).

Usage Examples:

• Мы должны прекратить этот спор.

  We must cease this argument.

• Он перестал говорить, когда вошел учитель.

  He ceased speaking when the teacher entered.

• Нам нужно прекратить загрязнение окружающей среды.

  We need to cease polluting the environment.

2. To stop something physical or mechanical

Translation(s) & Context:

• остановить - Used for stopping a vehicle, mechanism, or physical motion.

Usage Examples:

• Водитель остановил машину у светофора.

  The driver ceased the car at the traffic light.

• Мы должны остановить этот процесс до аварии.

  We must cease this process before an accident occurs.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

прекратить (perfective verb): This verb is perfective, indicating a completed action. It conjugates irregularly in some forms.

Person	Present (Imperfective equivalent: прекращать)	Past	Future
Я (I)	прекращаю	прекратил/прекратила	прекращу
Ты (You)	прекращаешь	прекратил/прекратила	прекратишь
Он/Она (He/She)	прекращает	прекратил/прекратила	прекратит

перестать (perfective verb): Similar to прекратить, it is perfective and used with infinitives to indicate cessation of an action.

остановить (perfective verb): Also perfective, with a focus on stopping something tangible. Conjugates regularly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for прекратить/перестать:

• завершить (to finish, more formal)
• оборвать (to cut off, abrupt stopping)

Antonyms for прекратить/перестать:

• начать (to start)
• продолжить (to continue)

Related Phrases:

• прекратить огонь - "to cease fire" (used in military or conflict contexts)
• перестать беспокоиться - "to cease worrying" (used for stopping emotional states)
• остановить прогресс - "to cease progress" (used metaphorically for halting development)

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between translations: Use "прекратить" for formal or official cessation (e.g., treaties, conflicts). Use "перестать" for personal or habitual actions, often followed by an infinitive. Use "остановить" for physical or mechanical stopping.
• Aspectual pairs: These verbs are perfective, indicating a completed action. For ongoing cessation, imperfective forms like "прекращать" may be used.

Common Errors:

Error 1: Misusing "перестать" with direct objects.

Incorrect: Он перестал проблему. (He ceased the problem.)

Correct: Он прекратил проблему. (He ceased the problem.)

Explanation: "Перестать" is typically followed by an infinitive, not a direct object. Use "прекратить" for direct objects.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, "прекратить огонь" (cease fire) is a common phrase in historical and military contexts, often associated with wartime negotiations or peace treaties, reflecting Russia's historical involvement in conflicts.

Related Concepts:

• завершение (completion)
• окончание (ending)
• приостановка (suspension)