отвали
otvali
In Russian, the phrase "screw off" is expressed as отвали (otvali).
The phrase is an impolite way to tell someone to go away and leave you alone. It is used to express annoyance. You can also use the version отвали от меня to emphasize that the person should leave the speaker alone.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, отвали means "fall off", such as a piece of something breaking off or falling away.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The expression is highly informal and impolite. The form отвали is the standard informal way to say it. If you are addressing a group of people or wish to be slightly more grammatically formal while remaining rude, you can use отвалите.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form отвалите is the plural or formal imperative. To add emphasis, you can add the prepositional phrase от меня to say "from me".
How do you pronounce it?
otvali
Did you know?
- The verb inside отвали is often used in a non-insulting way to describe a piece of plaster or a handle breaking off a wall or door. The insult essentially treats the person as a piece of debris that needs to detach itself.
- While отвали is rude, it is significantly milder than the Russian 'mat' or profane slang. Using it tells the listener you are angry, but it does not necessarily mean you are using forbidden street language.
- Although отвалите is the formal form, using it does not make the phrase polite. It creates a sarcastic contrast between the respectful grammar and the rude meaning, which can actually make the insult feel more cold or biting.
Examples in context
- А ты не мог бы сходить куда-нибудь подальше?Could you go somewhere else?
- Просто отвали, я занят.Prosto otvali, ya zanyat.Just screw off, I am busy.
- Да отвали ты уже!Da otvali ty uzhe!Just screw off already!
Example conversation
Andrey and Olga are having a heated argument in a hallway.
- Андрей AndreyОльга, хватит меня донимать!Ol'ga, khvatit menya dominat'!Olga, stop pestering me!
- Ольга OlgaЯ просто хочу поговорить.Ya prosto khochu pogovorit'.I just want to talk.
- Андрей AndreyОтвали, я не хочу с тобой говорить.Otvali, ya ne khochu s toboy govorit'.Screw off, I don't want to talk to you.
- Ольга OlgaТы ведешь себя грубо.Ty vedesh' sebya grubo.You are being rude.
