annullare
Overview
The Italian verb 'annullare' is a versatile and commonly used word that translates primarily to 'to cancel,' 'to annul,' or 'to nullify' in English. Its usage extends across various contexts, from everyday situations to more formal or legal settings.
**Core Meanings and Nuances:**
- To cancel: This is perhaps the most frequent translation. It implies calling off an event, an appointment, a reservation, an order, or a plan that was previously made or scheduled. For example, 'annullare un appuntamento' means 'to cancel an appointment,' and 'annullare una prenotazione' means 'to cancel a reservation.' The act of canceling often means that the event or item will not happen or be delivered.
- To annul: This term carries a more formal or legal weight. It suggests making something legally invalid or void. For instance, 'annullare un matrimonio' means 'to annul a marriage,' implying that the marriage is declared as if it never legally existed. Similarly, 'annullare un contratto' means 'to annul a contract,' rendering it legally void.
- To nullify: Similar to 'annul,' 'nullify' also implies rendering something ineffective or without legal force. This can apply to laws, agreements, or even results. 'Annullare una legge' would mean 'to nullify a law.'
**Grammar and Conjugation:**
'Annullare' is a regular first-conjugation verb ending in -are. Its conjugation follows the standard pattern for verbs of this type. Here are a few examples in the present tense (indicative mood):
* noi annulliamo (we cancel)
- voi annullate (you cancel - informal plural/formal singular)
**Common Usages and Phrases:**
- Annullare un ordine: To cancel an order.
- Annullare un volo: To cancel a flight.
- Annullare un evento: To cancel an event.
- Annullare la lezione: To cancel the class.
- Annullare il debito: To cancel (forgive) the debt.
- Annullare una decisione: To reverse or nullify a decision.
- Annullare l'effetto di qualcosa: To nullify the effect of something.
**Distinction from Similar Verbs:**
While 'annullare' is broad, it's useful to understand its distinction from related verbs:
- Cancellare: While often interchangeable with 'annullare' for 'to cancel' (e.g., 'cancellare un appuntamento'), 'cancellare' also distinctly means 'to erase' or 'to delete' (e.g., 'cancellare una parola' - to erase a word; 'cancellare un file' - to delete a file). 'Annullare' doesn't carry this 'erase' meaning.
In summary, 'annullare' is a fundamental Italian verb for expressing the action of calling off, voiding, or making something invalid. Its precise translation depends on the specific context, ranging from casual cancellations to formal annulments.
Ejemplos
Se desideri annullare l'ordine, faccelo sapere il prima possibile.
e-commerceIf you wish to cancel the order, please let us know as soon as possible.
Il giudice ha deciso di annullare il contratto a causa di frode.
legalThe judge decided to annul the contract due to fraud.
La tempesta ha costretto la compagnia aerea ad annullare tutti i voli.
travelThe storm forced the airline to cancel all flights.
È necessario annullare la prenotazione entro 24 ore per evitare addebiti.
hospitalityIt is necessary to cancel the reservation within 24 hours to avoid charges.
Il governo ha annunciato l'intenzione di annullare alcune leggi obsolete.
government/politicsThe government announced its intention to nullify some obsolete laws.
Colocaciones comunes
Se confunde a menudo con
Patrones gramaticales
Cómo usarlo
Notas de uso
The verb 'annullare' is a regular -are verb in Italian, and its conjugation follows standard patterns. It is a transitive verb, meaning it generally takes a direct object. For example, 'Devo annullare l'appuntamento' (I need to cancel the appointment) or 'Hanno annullato il volo' (They canceled the flight). When referring to the cancellation of an event or agreement, it's often used with nouns like 'prenotazione' (reservation), 'appuntamento' (appointment), 'biglietto' (ticket), 'contratto' (contract), or 'ordine' (order). It can also be used in more abstract senses, such as 'annullare un effetto' (to nullify an effect) or 'annullare la validità' (to annul the validity). The past participle is 'annullato,' which is used with the auxiliary verb 'avere' in compound tenses (e.g., 'Ho annullato' - I have canceled). Pay attention to prepositional phrases that might follow, such as 'annullare per motivi di salute' (to cancel due to health reasons) or 'annullare senza penale' (to cancel without penalty). The choice of preposition can subtly alter the nuance of the cancellation.
Errores comunes
A common mistake is confusing 'annullare' with 'cancellare'. While both can mean 'to cancel', 'annullare' implies making something invalid or void (like a contract, a booking, or a decision), whereas 'cancellare' often refers to erasing or deleting something physical or from a list (like cancelling text, deleting a file, or crossing out a name). For example, you would 'annullare un appuntamento' (cancel an appointment) because you are making it void, but you might 'cancellare una parola' (erase a word) or 'cancellare un volo' (cancel a flight) because it's removed from a schedule. Another common mistake is incorrect conjugation, especially in compound tenses. 'Annullare' uses 'avere' as its auxiliary verb (e.g., 'ho annullato' - I have cancelled), and the past participle 'annullato' needs to agree in gender and number when used with 'essere' (which is not typically the case with 'annullare' unless in a passive construction). Be mindful of the double 'l' – 'annullare', not 'anulare'. Also, sometimes non-native speakers might try to use 'cancelare' as a direct translation from English 'to cancel', but the correct Italian verb is 'annullare' or 'cancellare' depending on the context.
Consejos
Usage Tip
Common Pitfall
Advanced Nuance
Origen de la palabra
From Latin 'annullare', from 'ad-' ('to') + 'nullus' ('none, not any'). Meaning 'to make null' or 'to deprive of legal force'. First attested in Italian in the 13th century. It shares roots with English 'annul' and French 'annuler'. Over time, its usage expanded to common situations beyond legal contexts, encompassing the general sense of 'to cancel' or 'to revoke'. The infinitive form 'annullare' is commonly used, and it is a regular first conjugation verb in Italian.
Contexto cultural
In Italy, the concept of 'annullare' (to cancel, annul, or nullify) carries practical weight across various daily scenarios and legal contexts. For instance, canceling a reservation ('annullare una prenotazione') for a restaurant or hotel is a common occurrence, often with specific policies regarding timing and potential fees. In the realm of public services, 'annullare un appuntamento' (to cancel an appointment) for things like medical visits or bureaucratic procedures is standard practice. Legally, 'annullare un contratto' (to annul a contract) or 'annullare un matrimonio' (to annul a marriage) involves formal processes and specific grounds, reflecting the seriousness of such actions within the Italian legal framework. The term also appears in more informal settings, like 'annullare una partita' (to cancel a game) due to bad weather. Understanding the context is key to appropriately using 'annullare,' as its implications can range from minor inconveniences to significant legal repercussions.
Truco para recordar
Visualize 'annullare' as 'a null-are' – making something null or void, like canceling an appointment.
Preguntas frecuentes
4 preguntasPonte a prueba
Dobbiamo ______ la prenotazione dell'hotel.
Il giudice ha deciso di ______ il contratto.
Non posso credere che abbiano dovuto ______ il concerto a causa del maltempo.
Puntuación: /3
Usage Tip
Common Pitfall
Advanced Nuance
Ejemplos
5 de 5Se desideri annullare l'ordine, faccelo sapere il prima possibile.
If you wish to cancel the order, please let us know as soon as possible.
Il giudice ha deciso di annullare il contratto a causa di frode.
The judge decided to annul the contract due to fraud.
La tempesta ha costretto la compagnia aerea ad annullare tutti i voli.
The storm forced the airline to cancel all flights.
È necessario annullare la prenotazione entro 24 ore per evitare addebiti.
It is necessary to cancel the reservation within 24 hours to avoid charges.
Il governo ha annunciato l'intenzione di annullare alcune leggi obsolete.
The government announced its intention to nullify some obsolete laws.
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abbonamento
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acquisire
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acquistare
A2To buy or purchase something
affare
B1A matter, concern, or business transaction.
affittare
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affitto
A1Periodic payment for the use of property.
aggiuntivo
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annuncio
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apportare
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