Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'renounce'

English Word: renounce

Key Russian Translations:

• Отказаться [/ɐt.kɐˈzas.tʲə/] - [Formal, commonly used in legal or official contexts]
• Отречься [/ɐˈtrʲet͡ɕːɪsʲə/] - [Formal, often historical or religious contexts, implying a more dramatic renunciation]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in formal writing, legal documents, and discussions, but less so in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding reflexive verbs and their conjugations; learners at this level should grasp basic usage, but nuances may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Отказаться: /ɐt.kɐˈzas.tʲə/

Note on Отказаться: This is a reflexive verb, so the pronunciation may vary slightly based on stress in different conjugations. The "тʲ" sound is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Отречься: /ɐˈtrʲet͡ɕːɪsʲə/

Note on Отречься: The "ч" sound is soft and affricate, similar to "ch" in "church," but pay attention to the reflexive ending for proper emphasis.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To formally give up or surrender a claim, right, or possession (e.g., renouncing citizenship or a belief).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Отказаться - Used in everyday formal situations, such as legal renunciations, where a deliberate decision is made; context: official documents or personal declarations.
• Отречься - Applied in more profound or historical contexts, like renouncing a throne or faith; context: literature, historical narratives, or dramatic speeches.

Usage Examples:

• Он отказался от гражданства, чтобы жить за границей.

  He renounced his citizenship to live abroad.

• После скандала, политик отрекся от своих прежних идей.

  After the scandal, the politician renounced his former ideas.

• Молодой ученый отказался от наследства в пользу исследований.

  The young scientist renounced his inheritance in favor of research.

• В исторических текстах король отрекся от престола ради мира.

  In historical texts, the king renounced the throne for the sake of peace.

• Она отказалась от своих прав на имущество во время развода.

  She renounced her rights to the property during the divorce.

To reject or disown something publicly (e.g., renouncing a bad habit or association).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Отказаться - Informal to formal, in personal development or social contexts; context: self-improvement or public statements.
• Отречься - More emphatic, in moral or ethical renunciations; context: speeches or writings on personal change.

Usage Examples:

• Курящий человек отказался от вредной привычки ради здоровья.

  The smoker renounced the bad habit for the sake of health.

• Он отрекся от друзей, замешанных в скандале.

  He renounced his friends involved in the scandal.

• В общественной речи она отказалась от старых убеждений.

  In her public speech, she renounced her old beliefs.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are reflexive verbs in Russian, which means they use the particle "ся" and follow standard verb conjugation patterns. "Отказаться" and "Отречься" are imperfective verbs, indicating ongoing or repeated actions. They conjugate based on tense, aspect, person, and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Отвергнуть (implies rejection, often more abrupt; used in emotional contexts)
  • Покинуть (focuses on abandonment, with a sense of physical or emotional departure)
• Antonyms:
  • Принять (to accept)
  • Поддержать (to support)

Related Phrases:

• Отказаться от гражданства - To renounce citizenship; used in legal immigration contexts.
• Отречься от веры - To renounce faith; often appears in religious or philosophical discussions.
• Отказаться от прав - To renounce rights; common in contractual or familial scenarios.

Usage Notes:

Choose "Отказаться" for general, practical renunciations, as it aligns closely with everyday English usage of "renounce" in legal or personal contexts. "Отречься" is better for dramatic or historical scenarios, emphasizing a total disavowal. Both are formal, so avoid in casual speech; always use the reflexive form with "ся." In Russian, these verbs require agreement with the subject in person and number, which differs from English's more flexible structure.

• Grammar tip: These are imperfective verbs, so they describe the process of renouncing rather than a completed action.
• Context guidance: In modern Russian, "Отказаться" is preferred in bureaucratic settings, while "Отречься" evokes literary or historical tones.

Common Errors:

English learners often forget the reflexive particle "ся," using "Отказать" instead of "Отказаться," which changes the meaning to "to refuse someone else" rather than self-renunciation. For example:

• Incorrect: Он отказал от прав. (This implies he refused rights to someone else, which is grammatically wrong and alters the intent.)
• Correct: Он отказался от прав. (Proper reflexive form for self-renunciation.)
• Explanation: Always include "ся" for reflexive actions to maintain the original meaning of "renounce."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "Отречься" often carries historical weight, such as Tsar Nicholas II's renunciation of the throne in 1917 during the Russian Revolution. This reflects themes of sacrifice and upheaval, helping users understand how renunciation can symbolize broader social or political changes in Russian history.

Related Concepts:

• Предать (to betray)
• Отрицать (to deny)
• Покаяться (to repent)