Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| признава́ть | priznavátʹ | imperfective |
| допуска́ть | dopuskátʹ | imperfective |
| допусти́ть | dopustítʹ | perfective |
| призна́ть | priznátʹ | perfective |
In Russian, the choice of word depends on what is being admitted. Use признава́ть / призна́ть to admit that something is true, such as a mistake, a crime or a fact. For example, the phrase призна́ть вину́ is the standard way to say 'to admit guilt' in a legal or formal context. Use допуска́ть / допусти́ть when you are admitting the possibility of something or allowing a certain degree of error or deviation.
Which one should you use?
признава́ть / призна́ть is used for admitting a fact, a mistake or a person's authority, whereas допуска́ть / допусти́ть is used to admit the possibility of something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperfective form признава́ть is used for the ongoing process of admitting or for habitual admissions. The perfective form призна́ть is used for the completed act of admitting something, such as 'he admitted his mistake' (he did it once and it is finished).
How do you pronounce it?
priznavátʹ
Did you know?
- The word допусти́ть can also mean 'to make' a mistake, as in допусти́ть оши́бку, rather than just admitting one.
- The verb призна́ть is also the word used for 'recognizing' a face or 'identifying' a suspect in a police lineup.
- While признава́ть means 'admit', the closely related word призна́ться means 'to confess' or 'to admit your love' to someone.
Examples in context
- Я признаю свою ошибкуI admit my mistake
- Не стесняйся, признайся!Don't be shy, admit it!
- Он признал свою винуHe admitted his guilt
- Ты должен признаться в своих чувствахYou should admit your feelings
Example conversation
Andrey and Anastasia are discussing a mistake at work.
- Андрей AndreyАнастасия, ты должна признава́ть свои ошибки.Anastasiya, ty dolzhna priznavat' svoi oshibki.Anastasia, you have to admit your mistakes.
- Анастасия AnastasiaЯ знаю, что была неправа.Ya znayu, chto byla neprava.I know that I was wrong.
- Андрей AndreyПочему ты не сказала это сразу?Pochemu ty ne skazala eto srazu?Why didn't you say it right away?
- Анастасия AnastasiaМне было трудно это признава́ть.Mne bylo trudno eto priznavat'.It was hard for me to admit it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “admit” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
