Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'interrupt'

English Word: interrupt

Key Russian Translations:

• прерывать /prʲɪˈrɨvətʲ/ - [General use; verb commonly used in everyday conversations]
• прервать /prʲɪˈrvatʲ/ - [Formal; perfective aspect, used for completed interruptions]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its forms appear regularly in spoken and written Russian, especially in dialogues and narratives.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; involves understanding verb aspects and conjugations, which can be challenging for learners beyond beginner level.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

прерывать: /prʲɪˈrɨvətʲ/

прервать: /prʲɪˈrvatʲ/

Note on прерывать: The stress falls on the third syllable ('ry'), which is a common point of difficulty for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To stop something or someone from continuing, especially in conversation or an activity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• прерывать - Used in ongoing or imperfective contexts, such as interrupting a speech or process; common in informal and formal settings.
• прервать - Used for a completed action, like abruptly stopping a phone call; often in more formal or narrative contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда прерывает меня во время важных разговоров.

  He always interrupts me during important conversations.

• Не прерывай спикера, пока он не закончит мысль.

  Don't interrupt the speaker until he finishes his thought.

• Встреча была прервана из-за срочного звонка.

  The meeting was interrupted due to an urgent call.

• Дети часто прерывают родителей, когда те смотрят телевизор.

  Children often interrupt their parents when they are watching TV.

• Её речь прервал громкий шум с улицы.

  Her speech was interrupted by a loud noise from the street.

To disrupt the flow of an event or process.

Translation(s) & Context:

• прерывать - In broader contexts like events or workflows; implies temporary disruption.
• прервать - For final or decisive interruptions, such as in professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Техническая неисправность прерывает трансляцию каждые несколько минут.

  The technical glitch interrupts the broadcast every few minutes.

• Врач прервал операцию, чтобы ответить на вызов.

  The doctor interrupted the surgery to answer the call.

• Дождь прерывает наши пикники слишком часто.

  The rain interrupts our picnics too often.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations "прерывать" and "прервать" are verbs. "Прерывать" is imperfective, indicating ongoing action, while "прервать" is perfective, for completed actions. Russian verbs undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Below is a table for key conjugations:

These verbs follow regular conjugation patterns for most forms, but pay attention to stem changes and aspect differences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мешать (to interfere; often used for physical or indirect interruptions)
  • вмешиваться (to butt in; implies unwanted involvement)
• Antonyms:
  • продолжать (to continue; directly opposes interruption)
  • не вмешиваться (to not interfere; for avoiding disruption)

Related Phrases:

• прерывать разговор - To interrupt a conversation; used in social or professional contexts to describe cutting someone off mid-sentence.
• прервать связь - To interrupt a connection; common in technical or communication scenarios, like dropping a phone call.
• не прерывать поток - Not to interrupt the flow; an idiomatic phrase advising against disrupting a process or narrative.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "interrupt" is best translated based on context: use "прерывать" for ongoing actions and "прервать" for completed ones. English speakers should note the aspect system—imperfective for habitual interruptions and perfective for one-time events. This verb is neutral in formality but can sound rude in conversations, so pair it with polite phrases like "Извините, можно прерывать?" (Excuse me, can I interrupt?). When choosing between translations, opt for "прерывать" in daily speech and "прервать" in written or formal narratives.

Common Errors:

• Confusing imperfective and perfective aspects: Learners might say "Я прервал вчера" when meaning an ongoing habit, which should be "Я прерывал вчера". Correct: Use "прерывать" for repeated actions and explain the context to avoid misunderstanding.

• Overusing in polite settings: Saying "Ты прерываешь меня" directly can be abrupt; instead, use "Извините, если я прерываю" (Sorry if I'm interrupting) to soften it. Error example: "Прерывать меня!" (Interrupting me!) vs. Correct: "Не прерывай меня, пожалуйста" (Don't interrupt me, please).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, interrupting during conversations is often seen as less taboo than in some English-speaking contexts, especially in lively discussions or family settings. However, in formal environments like business meetings, it's still considered impolite, reflecting a balance between directness and respect in interpersonal communication.

Related Concepts:

• говорить (to speak)
• вмешательство (interference)
• продолжение (continuation)