Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'forgo'

English Word: forgo

Key Russian Translations:

• отказаться /ɐt.rəˈza.t͡sə/ - [Formal, Verb; Used in contexts of voluntary renunciation or declining]
• воздержаться /vəz.drəˈʐa.t͡sə/ - [Informal; Used when implying restraint or self-control]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday and formal Russian, especially in discussions of choices or sacrifices)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of verb conjugations and prepositions, with variations based on context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

отказаться: /ɐt.rəˈza.t͡sə/ (The stress falls on the third syllable; note the soft 't' sound in informal speech)

воздержаться: /vəz.drəˈʐa.t͡sə/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'zh' sound is similar to the 's' in 'measure')

Note on отказаться: This verb often has a palatalized 't' in rapid speech, which can be challenging for beginners.

Note on воздержаться: Variations in regional accents may soften the 'zh' sound; practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To give up or do without something desirable

Translation(s) & Context:

• отказаться от - Used in formal or serious contexts, such as rejecting an offer or abandoning a plan.
• воздержаться от - Applied in informal settings, like personal restraint or avoiding indulgence.

Usage Examples:

• Я отказался от десерта, чтобы сохранить фигуру.

  I forwent dessert to maintain my figure. (This example shows the verb in a health-related context.)

• Она воздержалась от покупки новой одежды из-за бюджета.

  She forwent buying new clothes due to her budget. (Illustrates informal self-restraint in financial decisions.)

• Мы отказались от поездки в горы из-за плохой погоды.

  We forwent the trip to the mountains because of the bad weather. (Demonstrates use in decision-making under constraints.)

• Он воздержался от комментария на собрании, чтобы не спровоцировать спор.

  He forwent commenting at the meeting to avoid provoking an argument. (Shows the verb in social or professional interactions.)

• Дети отказались от сладкого на весь день во время поста.

  The children forwent sweets for the entire day during fasting. (Highlights cultural or temporary abstinence.)

To abstain from something for a greater purpose

Translation(s) & Context:

• воздержаться - Common in ethical or moral contexts, emphasizing self-discipline.

Usage Examples:

• Врач посоветовал ему воздержаться от курения для здоровья.

  The doctor advised him to forgo smoking for his health. (Example in a medical advisory context.)

• Она воздержалась от участия в вечеринке, чтобы сосредоточиться на работе.

  She forwent attending the party to focus on work. (Shows prioritization in daily life.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "отказаться" and "воздержаться" are imperfective verbs in Russian, which means they describe ongoing or repeated actions. They follow standard first-conjugation patterns with irregularities in certain forms. Below is a table for "отказаться" (as an example; "воздержаться" follows similar patterns).

For "воздержаться", it is similar but with its own stem: e.g., Present: воздерживаюсь. These verbs do not have perfective forms without context, so they remain relatively stable.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: отказаться (similar but more general), воздерживаться (ongoing restraint; subtle difference in implying duration)
• Antonyms: принять (to accept), согласиться (to agree; often used in decision contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Отказаться от привычки - To give up a habit (Common in self-improvement contexts, emphasizing long-term change)
• Воздержаться от пищи - To forgo food (Often related to fasting or dietary restrictions)
• Отказаться от предложения - To decline an offer (Used in social or business interactions)

Usage Notes:

"Forgo" typically corresponds to "отказаться" in formal English-Russian translations, especially when the action is deliberate and involves giving up something tangible. Use "воздержаться" for situations involving self-control or temporary abstinence. Be mindful of prepositions: always pair with "от" (from), as in "отказаться от". In Russian, these verbs are more context-dependent than their English counterpart, so choose based on the level of formality—e.g., "отказаться" for official documents and "воздержаться" for casual conversations. Grammar note: These are reflexive verbs, so they often end in "-ся" and require agreement with the subject.

Common Errors:

• Common mistake: Omitting the preposition "от" after "отказаться", e.g., saying "Я отказался десерт" instead of "Я отказался от десерта". Correct usage: Always include "от" to indicate what is being given up. Explanation: In Russian, prepositions are crucial for meaning, and their absence can make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

• Another error: Confusing with similar verbs like "отказать" (to refuse someone else), e.g., using "отказать от" instead of "отказаться от". Correct: "Отказаться от" is reflexive and means personal renunciation, while "отказать" means denying a request to others. Explanation: Learners often mix up reflexive and non-reflexive forms, leading to miscommunication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "отказаться" or "воздержаться" often tie into traditions such as Orthodox fasting periods (e.g., Lent), where forgoing certain foods or pleasures is a form of spiritual discipline. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on endurance and self-sacrifice, which can influence how these words are used in everyday language, making them more emotionally weighted than in English.

Related Concepts:

• Сдержанность (restraint)
• Жертва (sacrifice)
• Отказ (refusal)