Welcome to this comprehensive guide on how to say “obsolete” in Russian! Whether you’re looking to expand your Russian vocabulary or simply curious about different ways to express the concept of “obsolete,” we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways to say “obsolete” in Russian, providing you with tips, examples, and even regional variations where applicable. Let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Obsolete” in Russian
When it comes to formal language, Russian offers several words and phrases to convey the meaning of “obsolete.” Here are some commonly used options:
1. Устаревший (Ustarevshiy)
This is the most common and straightforward way to express “obsolete” in Russian. It can be used in various contexts, such as technology, ideas, or customs, alluding to something that is considered outdated or no longer in use. Let’s look at some examples:
Эта технология уже устаревшая. (Eta tekhnologiya uzhe ustarevshaya.)
(This technology is already obsolete.)Его мнение было устаревшим. (Ego mneniye bylo ustarevshim.)
(His opinion was obsolete.)
2. Вышедший из употребления (Vyshedshiy iz upotrebleniya)
This phrase, which literally translates to “out of use,” can be used to convey the concept of something being obsolete, especially in the context of products, equipment, or systems. Let’s see it in action:
Этот старый модель телефона уже вышел из употребления. (Etot staryy model’ telefona uzhe vysel iz upotrebleniya.)
(This old model of a phone is already obsolete.)
3. Пережиток прошлого (Perezhitok proshlogo)
This phrase translates to “a relic of the past” and can be used to describe something that is not just outdated, but also carries a sense of nostalgia or irrelevance. Here are some examples:
Этот исторический памятник является настоящим пережитком прошлого. (Etot istoricheskiy pamyatnik yavlyaetsya nastoyashchim perezhitkom proshlogo.)
(This historical monument is a true relic of the past.)Эта традиция стала пережитком прошлого. (Eta traditsiya stala perezhitkom proshlogo.)
(This tradition has become a relic of the past.)
Informal Ways to Say “Obsolete” in Russian
Informal language provides us with creative and nuanced ways to express the idea of “obsolete” in Russian. Let’s explore some popular choices:
1. Капут (Kaput)
Derived from German, this slang term found its way into Russian and can be used to convey that something is broken, defunct, or obsolete. It’s a bit more colloquial and casual. Here are some examples:
Старый компьютер полностью капут. (Staryy komp’yuter polnost’yu kaput.)
(The old computer is completely obsolete.)Этот старый способ общения уже капут. (Etot staryy sposob obshcheniya uzhe kaput.)
(This old method of communication is already obsolete.)
2. Пришлый век (Prishlyy vek)
This phrase roughly translates to “the bygone era” and can be used to describe something that belongs to the past, often implying that it is outdated or no longer relevant. Let’s examine some examples:
Эти старые громоотводы принадлежат пришлому веку. (Eti starye gromootvody prinadlezhat prishlomu veku.)
(These old lightning rods belong to the bygone era.)Мода на такие очки уже прошла и они давно стали пришлым веком. (Moda na takie ochki uzhe proshla i oni davno stali prishlym vekom.)
(The trend for these glasses has passed, and they became a relic of the bygone era long ago.)
Regional Variations
While Russian is primarily spoken across a vast territory, certain regional variations should be noted. Here’s an example from the Ukrainian dialect:
1. Пережений (Perezhenyi)
This term, borrowed from Ukrainian, can be used in Russian-speaking communities influenced by Ukrainian culture to convey the meaning of “obsolete.” Let’s see it in context:
Цей інструмент вже є переженим. (Tsey instrument vzhé ye perezhenym.)
(This tool is already obsolete.)
Wrapping Up
Congratulations on reaching the end of this comprehensive guide on how to say “obsolete” in Russian! Now, armed with a range of formal and informal expressions, you can confidently communicate the concept of “obsolete” in various contexts. Remember to choose the appropriate word or phrase based on the level of formality and the cultural context you find yourself in. Whether you opt for the formal options like “устаревший (ustarevshiy)” or more colloquial choices like “капут (kaput),” mastering these terms will enhance your Russian skills and help you connect with native speakers on a deeper level. So go ahead, practice using these expressions, and embrace the subtleties of the Russian language!
