Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Declare'

English Word: Declare

Key Russian Translations:

• объявить [ɐbʲɪˈvʲitʲ] - [Formal, Often used in official contexts]
• заявить [zəˈjævʲɪtʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Used for statements or claims]
• декларировать [dʲɪkləˈrʲirəvətʲ] - [Formal, Often used in legal or customs contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal and written contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies by specific translation and context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

объявить: [ɐbʲɪˈvʲitʲ]

Note on объявить: Stress falls on the second syllable. The soft 'в' sound can be challenging for non-native speakers.

заявить: [zəˈjævʲɪtʲ]

Note on заявить: Stress on the second syllable. Pay attention to the 'я' vowel sound.

декларировать: [dʲɪkləˈrʲirəvətʲ]

Note on декларировать: Stress on the fourth syllable. A longer word with a formal tone.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To make an official or public statement

Translation(s) & Context:

• объявить - Used for public announcements or declarations (e.g., declaring war, results).
• заявить - Used for stating opinions or claims publicly.

Usage Examples:

• Правительство объявило о новых мерах. (Pravitel'stvo ob"yavilo o novykh merakh.)

  The government declared new measures.

• Он заявил, что не согласен с решением. (On zayavil, chto ne soglasen s resheniem.)

  He declared that he disagrees with the decision.

• Они объявили войну соседней стране. (Oni ob"yavili voynu sosedeny strane.)

  They declared war on the neighboring country.

2. To report or state formally (e.g., at customs)

Translation(s) & Context:

• декларировать - Used specifically for formal reporting, such as declaring goods at customs.

Usage Examples:

• Вы должны декларировать все товары на таможне. (Vy dolzhny deklarirovat' vse tovary na tamozhne.)

  You must declare all goods at customs.

• Он декларировал свои доходы в налоговой службе. (On deklariroval svoi dokhody v nalogovoy sluzhbe.)

  He declared his income to the tax authorities.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

объявить (verb, perfective): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for perfective verbs in Russian. It is often paired with the imperfective form "объявлять" for ongoing actions.

заявить (verb, perfective): Similar to "объявить," it has an imperfective pair "заявлять."

декларировать (verb, imperfective/perfective): Regular conjugation, often used in formal contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for объявить/заявить:

• провозгласить (more solemn or grandiose)
• оглашать (to make public, often in written form)

Antonyms for объявить/заявить:

• скрыть (to hide)
• утаить (to conceal)

Related Phrases:

• объявить войну (ob"yavit' voynu) - to declare war
• заявить о правах (zayavit' o pravakh) - to declare one’s rights or claims
• декларировать ценности (deklarirovat' tsennosti) - to declare values (literal or figurative)

Usage Notes:

• "Объявить" is generally used for public or official announcements and is often paired with events or outcomes (e.g., declaring results or war).
• "Заявить" is more versatile and can be used for personal statements or claims, often carrying a sense of assertion.
• "Декларировать" is highly specific to formal reporting, such as customs or legal declarations, and is less common in everyday speech.
• Be mindful of aspect: "объявить" and "заявить" are perfective (completed actions), while their imperfective counterparts ("объявлять," "заявлять") are used for ongoing or repeated actions.

Common Errors:

• Mixing up "объявить" and "декларировать": English speakers might use "декларировать" for general declarations, but it is incorrect outside formal reporting contexts. Example of error: *Я декларирую свои чувства* (wrong); Correct: *Я объявляю о своих чувствах* (I declare my feelings).
• Incorrect aspect usage: Using the perfective "объявить" for ongoing actions. Error: *Я объявлю новости каждый день* (wrong); Correct: *Я объявляю новости каждый день* (I announce news every day).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, formal declarations (using "объявить" or "декларировать") often carry significant weight, especially in historical or political contexts. For example, declarations of war or independence are deeply tied to national identity and are often referenced in literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• провозглашение (proclamation)
• утверждение (assertion)
• заявление (statement)