Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Curtail'

English Word: Curtail

Key Russian Translations:

• сокращать [səkrɐˈʂatʲ] - [Formal, Used for reducing or shortening something]
• урезать [ʊrʲɪˈzatʲ] - [Informal, Often used for cutting down expenses or resources]
• ограничивать [ɐɡrɐˈnʲit͡ɕɪvətʲ] - [Formal, Used for limiting or restricting]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal and business contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сокращать: [səkrɐˈʂatʲ]

Note on сокращать: Stress falls on the second syllable; the "щ" sound is a soft "shch."

урезать: [ʊrʲɪˈzatʲ]

Note on урезать: Stress on the second syllable; "р" is rolled slightly.

ограничивать: [ɐɡrɐˈnʲit͡ɕɪvətʲ]

Note on ограничивать: Stress on the third syllable; complex consonant cluster in the middle.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To reduce in extent or quantity (e.g., budget, time)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сокращать - Often used for reducing time, staff, or resources in formal contexts.
• урезать - Commonly used for cutting budgets or expenses, slightly informal.

Usage Examples:

• Компания решила сократить расходы на маркетинг.

  The company decided to curtail marketing expenses.

• Правительство урезало бюджет на здравоохранение.

  The government curtailed the healthcare budget.

• Мы должны сократить время на обсуждение.

  We must curtail the time for discussion.

2. To limit or restrict (e.g., rights, freedom)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ограничивать - Used for imposing restrictions or limits, often in legal or formal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Новые законы ограничивают свободу слова.

  New laws curtail freedom of speech.

• Они ограничили доступ к информации.

  They curtailed access to information.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сокращать (Verb, Imperfective):

Note: Perfective form is "сократить."

урезать and ограничивать follow similar conjugation patterns as imperfective verbs with perfective counterparts "урезать/срезать" and "ограничить."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for сокращать/урезать:

• уменьшать (to reduce)
• снижать (to lower)

Note: "уменьшать" is more general, while "снижать" often applies to levels or rates.

Antonyms for сокращать/урезать:

• увеличивать (to increase)
• расширять (to expand)

Related Phrases:

• сокращать расходы - To curtail expenses (common in business contexts).
• урезать финансирование - To curtail funding (often used in political or economic discussions).
• ограничивать права - To curtail rights (used in legal or social contexts).

Usage Notes:

• "сокращать" is the most neutral and widely applicable translation for "curtail," suitable for formal and written contexts.
• "урезать" often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying an undesirable or harsh reduction, and is more colloquial.
• "ограничивать" specifically refers to imposing limits or restrictions, often on abstract concepts like rights or freedoms.
• Ensure the aspect (imperfective/perfective) matches the intended meaning: use imperfective for ongoing actions and perfective for completed actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "урезать" in formal writing. Example (Wrong): "Мы урежем сроки проекта." Correct: "Мы сократим сроки проекта." (Use "сокращать" in formal contexts for reducing timeframes.)
• Error: Confusing "ограничивать" with "сокращать" when referring to budgets. Example (Wrong): "Мы ограничиваем бюджет." Correct: "Мы сокращаем бюджет." ("ограничивать" is better for restrictions, not reductions.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of "curtailing" (especially budgets or resources) often carries a cultural weight due to historical economic challenges. Terms like "урезать" might evoke associations with austerity measures or post-Soviet reforms, so context matters when choosing the appropriate translation.

Related Concepts:

• экономия (economy/saving)
• ограничение (restriction)
• снижение (reduction)