Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'quash'

English Word: quash

Key Russian Translations:

• отменить [ɐtmʲɪˈnʲitʲ] - [Formal, Legal contexts]
• подавить [pədɐˈvʲitʲ] - [Informal, For suppression or quelling actions]

Frequency: Medium (Common in legal and formal writing, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Requires understanding of verb conjugations and formal language; varies slightly by translation (e.g., "отменить" is straightforward, while "подавить" may involve nuance in intensity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

отменить: [ɐtmʲɪˈnʲitʲ]

Note on отменить: The stress is on the third syllable; common to soften the 'т' sound in casual speech.

подавить: [pədɐˈvʲitʲ]

Note on подавить: Pronunciation can vary regionally; the 'д' is often devoiced before 'в' in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To annul, void, or overturn (e.g., a legal decision or order)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отменить - Used in formal, legal, or official contexts, such as court rulings or administrative actions.

Usage Examples:

• Суд отменил приговор из-за новых доказательств.

  The court quashed the verdict due to new evidence.

• Правительство отменило указ, чтобы избежать протестов.

  The government quashed the decree to avoid protests.

• Апелляционный суд отменил решение нижестоящего суда.

  The appellate court quashed the decision of the lower court.

• Они отменили встречу, но позже пересмотрели это решение.

  They quashed the meeting but later reconsidered the decision.

Meaning 2: To suppress or quell (e.g., a rebellion or uprising)

Translation(s) & Context:

• подавить - Used in contexts involving force or control, such as protests or emotional suppression, often with a connotation of intensity.

Usage Examples:

• Власти подавили бунт в тюрьме за считанные часы.

  The authorities quashed the riot in the prison within hours.

• Он пытался подавить свои эмоции, но не смог.

  He tried to quash his emotions but couldn't.

• Правительство быстро подавило восстание в регионе.

  The government swiftly quashed the uprising in the region.

• Медиа кампания была подавлена цензурой.

  The media campaign was quashed by censorship.

• Подавить страх перед неизвестным – это не всегда легко.

  Quashing fear of the unknown isn't always easy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "отменить" and "подавить" are Russian verbs of the first conjugation, which means they follow regular patterns but have specific infinitive, past, present, and future forms. They are imperfective verbs, indicating ongoing or repeated actions. Below is a table outlining their key inflections:

Note: These verbs do not change for gender in the infinitive form but do in the past tense. They are regular, so no irregularities to note.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • аннулировать (annulirovat') - Similar to отменить, but more bureaucratic.
  • отменять (otmenyat') - A variant form, often used interchangeably with отменить in ongoing contexts.
  • Для подавить: заглушить (zaglushit') - To muffle or suppress, with a focus on sound or emotion.
• Antonyms:
  • подтвердить (podtverditi) - To confirm or uphold.
  • усилить (usiliti) - To strengthen, opposite of suppressing.

Related Phrases:

• отменить решение - (To quash a decision) - Used in legal contexts to refer to overturning rulings.
• подавить восстание - (To quash an uprising) - Common in historical or political discussions.
• отменить приказ - (To quash an order) - Implies revoking authority in military or workplace scenarios.

Usage Notes:

"Quash" in English often carries a formal or legal tone, which aligns closely with "отменить" in Russian for annulment contexts. However, "подавить" is better for suppression, implying force or control. Choose "отменить" for passive revocation (e.g., court actions) and "подавить" for active intervention. Be mindful of aspect: Russian verbs have perfective and imperfective forms, so "отменить" is perfective (completed action), while its imperfective counterpart is "отменять" for ongoing processes. In formal writing, these verbs are common, but in casual speech, they might be replaced with simpler alternatives.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "отменить" with "отложить" (to postpone). Learners might say "Я отменил встречу" when they mean "I postponed the meeting," but this implies cancellation, not delay. Correct: Use "отложить" for postponement. Example: Wrong - "Я отменил поездку на завтра" (I quashed the trip for tomorrow); Right - "Я отложил поездку на завтра" (I postponed the trip for tomorrow).

• Error: Overusing "подавить" in non-forceful contexts. For instance, saying "Я подавил идею" to mean "I quashed an idea" might sound too aggressive; better to use "отвергнуть" (to reject). Explanation: "Подавить" connotes suppression with effort, so reserve it for intense scenarios.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and legal systems, terms like "отменить" often reflect a historical emphasis on centralized authority, stemming from Soviet-era bureaucracy. For example, quashing decisions is common in appeals processes, highlighting the importance of hierarchy and formal procedures in Russian society, which can differ from more individualistic Western approaches.

Related Concepts:

• апелляция (appelyatsiya) - Appeal
• восстание (vosstanie) - Uprising
• цензура (tsenzura) - Censorship