Otkaz

Otkaz is a noun used in several Slavic languages to denote a refusal or denial. It refers to the act of declining a request, permission, or offer, and is common in bureaucratic, legal, and everyday settings. In practice, otkaz appears in official decisions, such as a denial of a visa, a grant, or a claim, as well as in casual refusals.

Etymology and cognates: Otkaz is derived from the verb otkazyvat'sya or otkazat'sya in Russian and related forms in other Slavic languages, meaning to refuse or decline. The noun otkaz corresponds to the English words “refusal” or “denial.” The term is widely used across languages sharing the root, including Bulgarian, Serbian, Croatian, and Macedonian, where variants of the word appear with the same core meaning.

Usage and contexts: Common expressions include “poluchit otkaz” (to receive a refusal) and phrases describing specific refusals, such as “otkaz v vydache vizy” (visa denial) or “otkaz ot otvetstvennosti” (disclaimer of liability). In legal or administrative contexts, otkaz often signals an officially communicated denial, while the related verb form otkazyvat'sya or otkazat'sya describes the act of refusing or renouncing. The term also appears in standard forms like “otkazat'sya,” meaning to refuse or to waive.

See also: Otkaz in the sense of a formal decision contrasts with terms for acceptance or grant, and with related expressions for waiving rights or responsibilities. The concept is a routine element of decision reporting in many Slavic languages.