Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Disavow'

English Word: Disavow

Key Russian Translations:

• отрекаться [ɐtrʲɪˈkatʲsə] - [Formal, Often used in personal or ideological contexts]
• отказываться [ɐtkəˈzɨvətʲsə] - [Neutral, Common in legal or formal refusal]
• отрицать [ɐtrʲɪˈtsatʲ] - [Neutral, Used for denying involvement or connection]

Frequency: Medium (These terms are moderately common in formal and written contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for all translations due to nuanced usage and conjugation patterns

Pronunciation (Russian):

отрекаться: [ɐtrʲɪˈkatʲsə]

Note on отрекаться: Stress falls on the second syllable. The reflexive suffix "-ся" is pronounced softly.

отказываться: [ɐtkəˈzɨvətʲsə]

Note on отказываться: Stress on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft "з" sound.

отрицать: [ɐtrʲɪˈtsatʲ]

Note on отрицать: Stress on the second syllable. The "ц" sound is a sharp, unaspirated "ts".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To renounce or reject a belief, connection, or responsibility

Translation(s) & Context:

• отрекаться - Often used in personal or ideological contexts, such as renouncing a belief or allegiance.
• отказываться - Common in formal or legal contexts, implying a refusal to accept responsibility.

Usage Examples:

• Он отрёкся от своих прежних убеждений.

  He disavowed his former beliefs.

• Она отказалась от наследства.

  She disavowed her inheritance.

• Политик отрёкся от своих слов после скандала.

  The politician disavowed his words after the scandal.

2. To deny knowledge or involvement

Translation(s) & Context:

• отрицать - Used when denying connection, involvement, or knowledge of something.

Usage Examples:

• Он отрицает свою причастность к делу.

  He disavows any involvement in the case.

• Компания отрицает все обвинения.

  The company disavows all accusations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

отрекаться (reflexive verb, imperfective aspect): Conjugates regularly in present, past, and future tenses. Reflexive suffix "-ся" remains in all forms.

Person	Present Tense	Past Tense (M/F/N)
Я (I)	отрекаюсь	отрекался / отрекалась / отрекалось
Ты (You)	отрекаешься	отрекался / отрекалась / отрекалось
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	отрекается	отрекался / отрекалась / отрекалось

отказываться (reflexive verb, imperfective aspect): Similar conjugation pattern to отрекаться.

отрицать (non-reflexive verb, imperfective aspect): Conjugates without the reflexive suffix "-ся".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• отвергать (to reject, often with a stronger tone)
• опровергать (to refute, often in debates or arguments)

Note: "отвергать" carries a stronger sense of rejection, while "опровергать" is more about disproving.

Antonyms:

• признавать (to acknowledge or admit)
• подтверждать (to confirm)

Related Phrases:

• отрекаться от престола - to abdicate the throne (historical or formal context)
• отказываться от прав - to waive rights (legal context)
• отрицать очевидное - to deny the obvious (common in arguments or discussions)

Usage Notes:

• "отрекаться" is often used for personal or ideological renunciation, such as disavowing beliefs or allegiances. It has a deeper, sometimes emotional connotation.
• "отказываться" is more neutral and practical, often used in formal or legal contexts to refuse something tangible like rights or responsibilities.
• "отрицать" is typically used for denying knowledge, involvement, or facts, and is common in debates or legal statements.
• All three verbs are imperfective, implying an ongoing or habitual action. Perfective counterparts (e.g., "отречься", "отказаться") may be used for completed actions.

Common Errors:

1. Confusing "отрекаться" with "отказываться": English learners often use "отрекаться" in legal contexts, but "отказываться" is more appropriate. For example:

• Wrong: Он отрёкся от контракта. (Incorrect tone and context)
• Correct: Он отказался от контракта. (He disavowed the contract.)

2. Misusing reflexive forms: Learners sometimes drop the "-ся" in reflexive verbs like "отрекаться", leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "отрекаться" carries historical weight due to its association with significant events like the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II ("отречение от престола"). Using this term in casual contexts might evoke unintended historical or dramatic connotations.

Related Concepts:

• отречение (abdication or renunciation)
• отказ (refusal)
• опровержение (refutation)