Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Confirm'

English Word: confirm

Key Russian Translations:

• подтвердить [pɐdˈtvʲerdʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Perfective]
• подтверждать [pɐdˈtvʲerʐdɐtʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Verb, Imperfective]
• утвердить [ʊtˈvʲerdʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Perfective, Often used for official approval]

Frequency: High (especially "подтвердить" and "подтверждать")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "подтвердить/подтверждать"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "утвердить" due to specific usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

подтвердить: [pɐdˈtvʲerdʲɪtʲ]

Note on подтвердить: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "р" sound is rolled, and "д" before "в" may soften slightly in rapid speech.

подтверждать: [pɐdˈtvʲerʐdɐtʲ]

Note on подтверждать: Stress on the second syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced fricative, distinct from English "z".

утвердить: [ʊtˈvʲerdʲɪtʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To verify or affirm the truth of something

Translation(s) & Context:

• подтвердить - Used when verifying facts, information, or statements (perfective, one-time action).
• подтверждать - Used for ongoing or repeated confirmation (imperfective).

Usage Examples:

• Можете ли вы подтвердить эту информацию?

  Can you confirm this information?

• Он подтвердил свою готовность помочь.

  He confirmed his willingness to help.

• Мы часто подтверждаем заказы по телефону.

  We often confirm orders by phone.

2. To approve or ratify officially

Translation(s) & Context:

• утвердить - Used in formal contexts for official approval or endorsement.

Usage Examples:

• Совет утвердил новый план.

  The board confirmed (approved) the new plan.

• Документ был утверждён директором.

  The document was confirmed (ratified) by the director.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

подтвердить (Perfective Verb): Regular conjugation in past, present, and future tenses. Key forms:

подтверждать (Imperfective Verb): Regular conjugation, used for ongoing actions.

утвердить (Perfective Verb): Similar conjugation pattern to "подтвердить", often used in formal contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "подтвердить":

• заверить (to assure or certify)
• удостоверить (to verify officially)

Note: "заверить" often implies a stronger assurance, while "удостоверить" is more formal and legal.

Antonyms for "подтвердить":

• опровергнуть (to refute)
• отрицать (to deny)

Related Phrases:

• подтвердить по телефону - to confirm over the phone
• подтвердить письменно - to confirm in writing
• утвердить на должности - to confirm (appoint) to a position

Usage Notes:

• "подтвердить" (perfective) is used for one-time actions, while "подтверждать" (imperfective) indicates a repeated or ongoing process. English speakers often struggle with this aspectual distinction.
• "утвердить" is more formal and typically reserved for official or authoritative confirmation, such as approving plans or appointments.
• Ensure the context matches the formality of the Russian term used; using "утвердить" in casual conversation may sound unnatural.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "подтвердить" for ongoing actions. Incorrect: "Я подтверждаю это каждый день." Correct: "Я подтверждаю это каждый день." (Use the imperfective "подтверждаю").
• Error: Confusing "утвердить" with "подтвердить" in informal contexts. Incorrect: "Я утвердил встречу с другом." Correct: "Я подтвердил встречу с другом." ("утвердить" is too formal here).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, formal confirmation (especially with "утвердить") often implies a hierarchical or bureaucratic process, reflecting the importance of structure in official dealings. Verbal confirmation with "подтвердить" is common in everyday interactions but may still carry a sense of responsibility.

Related Concepts:

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