отмени́ть
otmenítʹperfective
To cancel in Russian is expressed by several verbs, most commonly отмени́ть (otmenítʹ). Wiktionary also lists отменя́ть (otmenjátʹ) and аннули́ровать (annulírovatʹ).
Meaning: invalidate, annul (verb)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| отмени́ть | otmenítʹ | perfective |
| отменя́ть | otmenjátʹ | imperfective |
| аннули́ровать | annulírovatʹ | imperfective, perfective |
The verb отмени́ть is the standard choice for canceling appointments, events, subscriptions or orders. The noun form for 'cancellation' is отмена́.
Which one should you use?
The imperfective form отменя́ть is used for the process of canceling or for repeated actions, whereas the perfective form отмени́ть is used for a single, completed act of cancellation. While отмени́ть is used for general cancellations like meetings or orders, аннули́ровать is specifically used for invalidating official documents, contracts or results.
How do you pronounce it?
otmenítʹ
Did you know?
- If you use аннули́ровать to cancel a date with a friend, you sound like a government official voiding a treaty rather than a person changing plans.
- The verb аннули́ровать is a loanword from Latin, specifically through French, making it feel much more 'international' and 'legalistic' to a Russian ear than the Slavic-rooted отмени́ть.
- If an airline cancels a flight due to weather, they use отменя́ть, even though the airline is a massive legal entity that uses contracts and legal documents.
Examples in context
- Я хочу отменить свою встречу на завтра.I want to cancel my meeting for tomorrow.
- Правительство решило аннулировать договор.The government decided to cancel the agreement.
Example conversation
Andrey and Ekaterina are discussing their plans at home.
- Андрей AndreyЕкатерина, давай отмени́м поход в кино.Ekaterina, davay otmenim pokhod v kino.Ekaterina, let's cancel the trip to the cinema.
- Екатерина EkaterinaПочему ты хочешь отмени́ть наши планы?Pochemu ty khochesh' otmenit' nashi plany?Why do you want to cancel our plans?
- Андрей AndreyЯ очень устал сегодня.Ya ochen' ustal segodnya.I am very tired today.
- Екатерина EkaterinaХорошо, тогда оставайся дома.Khorosho, togda ostavaysya doma.Okay, then stay at home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cancel” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
