Отвали
otvali
The Russian phrase for "back off" is Отвали (otvali).
Отвали is used when someone is being annoying, pestering you or encroaching on your personal space/business. It is a way to tell someone to stop bothering you.
Meaning: to become less aggressive, particularly when one had appeared committed to act (verb)
Which one should you use?
While Отвали is a blunt way to tell someone to leave you alone, you might use other forms depending on your intent: Отстань is an informal way to say "back off" or "leave me alone" and Уйди is an informal way to say "Leave" or "Go away". For a more polite or neutral way to ask someone to step aside or move away, use Отойдите в сторону.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Отвали is an informal and blunt way to tell someone to leave you alone. If you use the plural or formal version, Отвалите, it remains inherently rude because of the blunt nature of the verb itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form Отвалите is the plural or formal version of the command Отвали.
How do you pronounce it?
otvali
Did you know?
- The verb root in Отвали can be applied to inanimate objects, such as a piece of plaster or a button. Using it for a person implies they are nothing more than a useless, broken scrap of debris.
- Because Отвалите uses the formal suffix, it creates a jarring contrast between polite grammar and a rude command. This makes it sound sarcastic or condescending rather than truly formal.
- While Отвали is blunt, the related Отстань comes from the verb for 'to stand' or 'to stay'. It suggests that the person has 'stood' too close for too long and needs to break that state.
Examples in context
- Отвали!Back off!This example is useful for showing how to use Отвали as an exclamation.Tatoeba #1518839 by ABChessel, translation #1954264 by CK
- Отвали.Back off.This example is useful for showing how to use Отвали as a command.Tatoeba #3257706 by marafon, translation #1553533 by CK
- Отстань, пожалуйста!Back off, please!
- Отвали от меня сейчас же.Otvali ot menya seychas zhe.Back off from me right now.
Example conversation
A heated argument between two colleagues in an office.
- Дмитрий DmitryЯ просто хочу во всем разобраться.Ya prosto khochu vo vsem razobrat'sya.I just want to sort everything out.
- Ольга OlgaОтвали, Дмитрий, мне не нужны твои советы.Otvali, Dmitriy, mne ne nuzhny tvoi sovety.Back off, Dmitry, I don't need your advice.
- Дмитрий DmitryТы слишком резко реагируешь.Ty slishkom rezko reagiruyesh'.You are reacting too harshly.
- Ольга OlgaПросто оставь меня в покое.Prosto ostav' menya v pokoye.Just leave me alone.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
