Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| обновля́ть | obnovljátʹ | imperfective | |
| актуализировать | aktualizirovatʹ | [ɐktʊəlʲɪˈzʲirəvətʲ] (narrow) | |
| обнови́ть | obnovítʹ | perfective |
The verb актуализировать is used more in formal, administrative or academic contexts to mean making data or information relevant/current.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb обновля́ть is built from the root нов- (new) with the prefix об- (around/completely) and the suffix -ля- (to make/do), literally translating to to make new again.
Which one should you use?
Use the imperfective обновля́ть for the ongoing process of updating or for repeated updates. Use the perfective обнови́ть when referring to a single, completed action of updating something.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The noun обновле́ние is a formal way to say 'update' in Russian. The phrase Информационное обновление translates to 'information update.' In contrast, the word апде́йт is an informal way to say 'update' in Russian, borrowed from English. The transliterated word апде́йт is commonly used in IT and tech circles as informal slang.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
obnovljátʹ
Did you know?
- The slang word апде́йт is often used as a noun, but tech workers may jokingly create new Russian verbs from it, such as апде́йтнуть, to sound more 'international'.
- While обнови́ть means 'update', it is also the standard verb used when someone buys a new wardrobe or refreshes their clothes for the season.
- The root нов in обновля́ть is a distant relative of the English word 'new' and the Latin 'novus'.
Examples in context
- Обновление программыSoftware update
- Вы должны регулярно обновлять программуYou should update the program regularly.
- Приходи ко мне, у меня есть важный апдейтCome to me, I have an important update.
- Языковое обновлениеLanguage update
- Проверьте, есть ли языковое обновление для этой программыCheck if there is a language update for this program.
- Нужно обновля́ть данные каждый день.Nuzhno obnovlyat' dannye kazhdyy den'.It is necessary to update the data every day.
- Мы будем обновля́ть программное обеспечение.My budem obnovlyat' programmnoye obespecheniye.We will be updating the software.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “update” translations and entries актуализировать, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
