оставь это
ostav' eto
In Russian, "leave it" is expressed as оставь это (ostav' eto).
This phrase is used as a command to tell someone to stop touching or moving an object and to let it remain where it is. While the word это literally translates to "this," in this specific context it functions like the English "it" to refer to a specific object or a situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the imperative verb оставь (leave or let remain) and the neuter demonstrative pronoun это (this or it).
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperative form changes based on who you are addressing. Use the singular imperative оставь это when speaking to one person you know well or to a child. Use the polite or plural form оставьте это when addressing someone formally or when speaking to a group.
How do you pronounce it?
ostav' eto
Did you know?
- In very informal settings, if someone is bothering you with a topic, you might hear the slangy забей, which literally means 'drive a nail into it' and is used to mean 'forget it' or 'leave it'.
- If you are telling someone to leave a person alone, rather than an object, the phrase shifts to оставь его в покое, which translates to 'leave him in peace'.
- In Russian, there is a distinction between оставь (leave it where it is) and брось (drop it). Using брось can also be a slang way to say 'stop it' or 'give it up'.
Examples in context
- Оставь это мне. Я обо всём позабочусь.Leave it up to me. I'll take care of everything.This sentence shows how to use оставь это when telling someone to leave a matter or task to you.Tatoeba #3652726 by marafon, translation #2953166 by CK
- Оставь это мне. Я всё сделаю прямо сейчас.Leave it to me. I'll get it done right away.This sentence demonstrates using оставь это to mean leaving a task to someone else.Tatoeba #4318815 by soniamiku, translation #1860647 by CK
- Оставь это.Leave it.This sentence is a direct way to say оставь это.Tatoeba #3291283 by marafon, translation #1954272 by CK
- Вы можете оставить это?Could you please leave it?
- Брось это, оно тебе не нужно.Leave it, you don't need it.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergey is cleaning and wants Olga to stop moving things.
- Сергей SergeyОставь это на месте.Ostav' eto na meste.Leave it in its place.
- Ольга OlgaЯ просто хотела помочь.Ya prosto khotela pomoch'.I just wanted to help.
- Сергей SergeyОставь это, я сам уберу.Ostav' eto, ya sam uberu.Leave it, I will clean it myself.
- Ольга OlgaХорошо, я больше не трогаю.Khorosho, ya bol'she ne trogayu.Fine, I won't touch it anymore.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
