Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| invalidare | /in.va.liˈda.re/ |
| annullare | /an.nulˈla.re/ |
| recidere | /reˈt͡ʃi.de.re/ |
| cassare | /kasˈsa.re/ |
The verb forms can mean to invalidate, annul. The noun annullamento is the standard way to describe the act of canceling an event, order or reservation. Related nouns include cancellazione and cassazione.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on what you are canceling. invalidare is used specifically when something is rendered legally or technically void, such as a document or a contract. recidere refers to the physical act of cutting or severing something, or is used metaphorically for cutting off ties or relationships, rather than canceling an appointment. cassare is used for canceling or discarding something, often in the context of throwing away or deleting an idea or an item.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
invalidare is a formal term for legal or technical voids. cassare is a colloquial way to say one is canceling or discarding something.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word invalidare is pronounced /in.va.liˈda.re/. It has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- In the Italian legal system, the Corte di Cassazione is the supreme court of last resort. It is named after the verb cassare because it has the power to annul lower court rulings.
- Though invalidare means to cancel, it shares a root with invalido, which refers to a person with a disability. Both stem from the idea of lacking 'valore' or strength.
- The verb recidere is rarely used for appointments but is the standard term in medical texts when describing the surgical cutting of a nerve or vessel.
Examples in context
- Deve annullare il suo volo.He needs to cancel his flight.The example for annullare shows a person needing to cancel a flight.Tatoeba #8257772 by Guybrush88, translation #7390106 by CH
- Dovresti annullare la festa.You should cancel the party.The example for annullare shows a suggestion to cancel a party.Tatoeba #13315915 by Guybrush88, translation #12723994 by CK
- Devono annullare i loro voli.They need to cancel their flights.The example for annullare shows a group needing to cancel their flights.Tatoeba #8086887 by Guybrush88, translation #7475113 by CH
- Vorrei annullare la mia prenotazione.I would like to cancel my reservation.
- Dobbiamo cancellare l'incontro di domani.We need to cancel tomorrow's meeting.
- Ho deciso di rinunciare al mio viaggio a causa dell'emergenza sanitaria.I have decided to cancel my trip due to the health emergency.
- Dai, cancelliamo i piani per stasera.Come on, let's cancel our plans for tonight.
- Ho fatto saltare l'uscita al cinema perché non mi sentivo bene.I canceled the movie outing because I wasn't feeling well.
- Abbiamo annullato la cena di gruppo.We canceled the group dinner.
- Ho dovuto stornare la prenotazione per motivi personali.I had to cancel the reservation for personal reasons.
- Ho bisogno di annullare la prenotazione per il ristorante.I need to cancel the restaurant reservation.
- Mi dispiace, ma devo cancellare il mio abbonamento.I'm sorry, but I have to cancel my subscription.
- Possiamo cancellare l'appuntamento di domani?Can we cancel tomorrow's appointment?
- Ho fatto saltare la serata in discoteca per stare a casa.I canceled the night out at the club to stay home.
- 84 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are discussing a legal mistake at work.
- LorenzoGiulia, dobbiamo invalidare questo documento subito.Giulia, we must invalidate this document immediately.
- GiuliaPerché, Lorenzo, c'è un errore?Why, Lorenzo, is there a mistake?
- LorenzoSì, l'ufficio deve invalidare la firma.Yes, the office must invalidate the signature.
- GiuliaCapisco, procederò con la pratica.I understand, I will proceed with the paperwork.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cancel” translations and entries invalidare, annullare, recidere, cassare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
