рвать
rvatʹ[rvatʲ]
The Russian verb for to rip is рвать (rvatʹ). Wiktionary also lists порва́ть (porvátʹ) and разрыва́ть (razryvátʹ).
Meaning: to divide or separate the parts of (verb)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| рвать | rvatʹ | [rvatʲ] (narrow) | |
| порва́ть | porvátʹ | perfective | |
| разрыва́ть | razryvátʹ | imperfective | |
| разорва́ть | razorvátʹ | perfective |
The term is used to describe the action of dividing or separating the parts of an object. While it can refer to physical tearing, it is also used metaphorically, such as in the phrase разорвать отношения to mean breaking off or terminating a relationship.
Which one should you use?
The form рвать is used to describe an ongoing process of ripping or to describe repeated actions. The perfective form порвать is used for a single, completed action of ripping something. If you want to emphasize the complete destruction of an object or the act of ripping something into many pieces, use разорвать.
How do you pronounce it?
rvatʹ
Did you know?
- The verb рвать is used to describe the act of vomiting in an informal, colloquial context.
- In Russian sports and gaming, the phrase рвать is often used as slang to mean dominating an opponent or playing exceptionally well.
- The word рвать is used when talking about picking berries or flowers, where English would use 'pluck'.
Examples in context
- Не надо рвать бумагу.Ne nado rvat' bumagu.Don't rip the paper.
- Он начал рвать старую газету.On nachal rvat' staruyu gazetu.He started to rip the old newspaper.
- Она любит рвать листья растений.Ona lyubit rvat' list'ya rasteniy.She likes to rip the leaves of plants.
Example conversation
Olga and Sergey are cleaning out an old storage room.
- Ольга OlgaСергей, зачем рвать эти документы?Sergey, zachem rvat' eti dokumenty?Sergey, why are you ripping these documents?
- Сергей SergeyОльга, они нам больше не нужны.Olga, oni nam bol'she ne nuzhny.Olga, we don't need them anymore.
- Ольга OlgaЛучше просто выбросить их в корзину.Luchshe prosto vybrosit' ikh v korzinu.It's better to just throw them in the bin.
- Сергей SergeyХорошо, я перестану их рвать.Khorosho, ya perestanu ikh rvat'.Okay, I'll stop ripping them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rip” translations and entries рвать, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
