Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'expunge'

English Word: expunge

Key Russian Translations:

• удалить /u.dɐˈlʲitʲ/ - [Formal, commonly used in official or digital contexts]
• аннулировать /ɐ.nʊ.lʲɪˈva.tʲ/ - [Formal, specifically for legal or contractual annulments]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language related to data management, legal documents, and corrections, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "сказать").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of verb conjugations and formal register. For "удалить", it's straightforward; for "аннулировать", it may be slightly more challenging due to legal connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

удалить: /u.dɐˈlʲitʲ/ (The stress is on the third syllable; the 'лʲ' is a palatalized 'l', which can be tricky for English speakers—sounds like a soft 'l' as in 'million'.)

Note on удалить: Be mindful of the palatalization; in fast speech, it might soften further. Variations in regional accents (e.g., in Moscow vs. St. Petersburg) could affect vowel length.

аннулировать: /ɐ.nʊ.lʲɪˈva.tʲ/ (Stress on the fourth syllable; the 'лʲ' is again palatalized, and the verb ending changes with conjugation.)

Note on аннулировать: This word often has a more emphatic pronunciation in legal settings, with a slight pause before the final syllable for emphasis.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: To erase, remove, or delete something permanently, often from records or data.

Translation(s) & Context:

• удалить - Used in everyday contexts like digital files or personal corrections, e.g., in informal or professional settings.
• аннулировать - Applied in formal, legal, or official scenarios, such as canceling contracts or invalidating documents.

Usage Examples:

• Я должен удалить этот файл с компьютера, чтобы освободить место.

  I need to expunge this file from the computer to free up space.

• Суд решил аннулировать предыдущее решение из-за новой информации.

  The court decided to expunge the previous ruling due to new information.

• В библиотеке мне посоветовали удалить ненужные записи из каталога.

  In the library, I was advised to expunge unnecessary entries from the catalog.

• Если вы аннулируете подписку, все данные будут автоматически удалены.

  If you expunge the subscription, all data will be automatically removed.

• Она попросила удалить её имя из списка участников.

  She asked to expunge her name from the list of participants.

Secondary Meaning: To eliminate or wipe out completely, metaphorically (e.g., in historical or emotional contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• удалить - In metaphorical uses, like removing bad memories, but less common.
• аннулировать - Rarely used metaphorically, but possible in historical contexts like annulling a legacy.

Usage Examples:

• Время иногда может удалить боль от потери.

  Time can sometimes expunge the pain of loss.

• Революция аннулировала старые традиции общества.

  The revolution expunged the old traditions of society.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "удалить" and "аннулировать" are verbs, so they follow Russian verb conjugation patterns. "Удалить" is a first-conjugation verb (perfective aspect), while "аннулировать" is also perfective but follows patterns for verbs ending in -овать.

Note: These verbs are aspectual; "удалить" is perfective, implying completion, while an imperfective counterpart like "удалять" exists for ongoing actions. "Аннулировать" is also perfective and does not change irregularly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • исключить (isklyuchit' – to exclude; similar but often used for removal from lists)
  • элиминировать (eliminiravat' – to eliminate; more formal and borrowed from English)
  • стирать (stit' – to erase; for physical or digital contexts, with a connotation of wiping clean)
• Antonyms:
  • добавить (dobavit' – to add)
  • сохранить (sohranit' – to save or preserve)

Related Phrases:

• Удалить из истории (udalit' iz istorii) – To expunge from history; used for removing records or memories.
• Аннулировать договор (annulirovat' dogovor) – To expunge a contract; common in legal settings, meaning to invalidate an agreement.
• Постоянно удалить файл (postoyanno udalit' fayl) – To permanently expunge a file; emphasizes irreversible deletion in digital contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Expunge" translates most directly to "удалить" in general contexts and "аннулировать" in formal ones. Choose "удалить" for everyday digital or personal use, as it's more neutral and widely applicable. "Аннулировать" is reserved for official scenarios like law or administration due to its legal undertones. Be aware of aspect in Russian verbs: "удалить" is perfective, so it implies a completed action, whereas an imperfective form like "удалять" might be needed for ongoing processes. In spoken Russian, these words are often used in imperative forms in commands, e.g., in tech support.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "удалить" interchangeably with "аннулировать" in legal contexts. Incorrect: "Я удалю контракт." (This sounds odd as it doesn't convey legal invalidation.) Correct: "Я аннулирую контракт." Explanation: "Удалить" implies simple removal, while "аннулировать" involves nullifying with implications for validity.

• Error: Forgetting verb conjugation, e.g., saying "Я удалить" instead of "Я удалю." Incorrect: "Я удалить файл." Correct: "Я удалю файл." Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with subject in person and number; beginners often omit endings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "expunging" records is significant in historical contexts, such as during the Soviet era when personal files could be altered or erased by authorities. Words like "аннулировать" carry echoes of bureaucratic control, reminding users of the importance of documentation in Russian society, where official records often hold more weight than in English-speaking cultures.

Related Concepts:

• архивировать (arkhivirovat' – to archive)
• редактировать (redaktirovat' – to edit)
• восстановить (vosstanovit' – to restore)