Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'retract'

English Word: retract

Key Russian Translations:

• отозвать [ɐtɐˈzvatʲ] - [Formal, Used in official or legal contexts]
• втянуть [vʲtʲaˈnutʲ] - [Informal, Used for physical retraction or pulling back]

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

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and context-specific usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

отозвать: [ɐtɐˈzvatʲ]

Note on отозвать: The stress is on the third syllable ("zvatʲ"), which can be tricky for learners as Russian stress patterns are not always predictable. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

втянуть: [vʲtʲaˈnutʲ]

Note on втянуть: The initial "vʲ" sound is palatalized, common in Russian verbs, and the word ends with a soft consonant, which affects the preceding vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To withdraw a statement, offer, or claim (e.g., in legal or formal contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отозвать - Used in formal settings, such as retracting a public statement or legal document; implies a deliberate reversal.

Usage Examples:

• Он отозвал своё заявление после получения новых доказательств.

  He retracted his statement after receiving new evidence.

• Компания отозвала предложение из-за рыночных изменений.

  The company retracted its offer due to market changes.

• Политик был вынужден отозвать свои комментарии в прессе.

  The politician was forced to retract his comments in the press.

• Судья попросил свидетеля отозвать ложное утверждение.

  The judge asked the witness to retract the false claim.

Meaning 2: To pull back or draw in physically (e.g., retracting a part of the body or an object)

Translation(s) & Context:

• втянуть - Used in everyday or informal contexts, such as describing mechanical or biological actions; less formal than отозвать.

Usage Examples:

• Черепаха втянула голову в панцирь при виде опасности.

  The turtle retracted its head into its shell at the sight of danger.

• Он втянул руку обратно в машину, чтобы избежать дождя.

  He retracted his hand back into the car to avoid the rain.

• Дверь автоматически втягивается в стену для экономии пространства.

  The door automatically retracts into the wall to save space.

• Ребёнок втянул игрушку, чтобы спрятать её от других.

  The child retracted the toy to hide it from others.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "отозвать" and "втянуть" are Russian verbs, which typically follow imperfective/perfective aspect patterns. "Отозвать" is a perfective verb (indicating completion), while "втянуть" can be used in both aspects depending on context. Russian verbs conjugate based on tense, aspect, person, and number.

Note: These verbs do not have irregular inflections but follow standard patterns for first-conjugation verbs. For imperfective forms, use "отзывать" and "втягивать" respectively.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отменить (otmenit') - Similar to отозвать but often used for canceling plans; implies full annulment.
  • забрать назад (zabratsya nazad) - Informal synonym for retracting something physically or metaphorically.
• Antonyms:
  • подтвердить (podtverdits) - To confirm or uphold.
  • утвердить (utverdit') - To affirm or establish.

Related Phrases:

• Отозвать приглашение - To retract an invitation; often used in social or professional contexts to withdraw an offer politely.
• Втянуть в спор - To draw someone into an argument; implies pulling someone into a situation unwillingly.
• Отозвать товар - To recall a product; common in business for safety-related retractions.

Usage Notes:

"Отозвать" is the most precise translation for "retract" in formal contexts, such as legal or public statements, while "втянуть" is better for physical actions. Be mindful of the aspect: use perfective forms like "отозвать" for completed actions. In Russian, these verbs often require prepositions (e.g., "отозвать заявление" means "to retract a statement"). Choose based on context—opt for "отозвать" in written or official English-to-Russian translations to maintain formality.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "отозвать" for physical retraction, e.g., saying "отозвать руку" instead of "втянуть руку".
  Correct: "Втянуть руку" means "to retract the hand". Explanation: "Отозвать" is not used for physical actions, leading to confusion in meaning.
• Mistake: Forgetting verb conjugation, e.g., using "отозвать" in the wrong tense like "он отзовать" instead of "он отзовёт".
  Correct: Always conjugate based on subject (e.g., "он отзовёт" for future tense). Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person and number, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, retracting a statement ("отозвать") can carry significant social weight, especially in legal or media contexts, due to the emphasis on honor and truthfulness in communication. For instance, public figures might face backlash for not retracting false claims promptly, reflecting Russia's historical value on accountability in official discourse.

Related Concepts:

• отменить
• забрать
• подтвердить