Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Caution'

English Word: caution

Key Russian Translations:

• осторожность [ɐstɐˈroʐnəstʲ] - [Formal, Noun]
• предостережение [prʲɪdɐstʲɪˈrʲeʐɨnʲɪjə] - [Formal, Noun, Warning Context]
• будьте осторожны [ˈbudʲtʲɪ ɐstɐˈroʐnɨ] - [Informal, Phrase, Direct Caution]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in warnings and formal contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "осторожность" and "предостережение"; A2 (Beginner) for "будьте осторожны"

Pronunciation (Russian):

осторожность: [ɐstɐˈroʐnəstʲ]

Note on осторожность: Stress falls on the third syllable; the "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

предостережение: [prʲɪdɐstʲɪˈrʲeʐɨnʲɪjə]

Note on предостережение: Stress on the fifth syllable; the soft "р" (rʲ) requires palatalization.

будьте осторожны: [ˈbudʲtʲɪ ɐstɐˈroʐnɨ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Carefulness or Prudence (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• осторожность - Used to describe a state of being careful or cautious in general situations.

Usage Examples:

• Водите машину с осторожностью, дорога скользкая.

  Drive with caution, the road is slippery.

• Она всегда действует с большой осторожностью.

  She always acts with great caution.

• Осторожность никогда не помешает в таких делах.

  Caution never hurts in such matters.

2. Warning or Admonition (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• предостережение - Often used in formal or written contexts to denote a warning or advisory.

Usage Examples:

• На упаковке есть предостережение о возможных рисках.

  There is a caution on the packaging about potential risks.

• Его слова были предостережением для всех нас.

  His words were a caution to all of us.

3. Direct Caution or Warning (Phrase)

Translation(s) & Context:

• будьте осторожны - A direct, conversational way to warn someone to be careful.

Usage Examples:

• Будьте осторожны, здесь темно и опасно.

  Be cautious, it’s dark and dangerous here.

• Будьте осторожны с этим человеком, он ненадёжен.

  Be cautious with this person, he is unreliable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

осторожность (Noun, Feminine): Declines according to the first declension pattern.

предостережение (Noun, Neuter): Declines according to the second declension pattern.

будьте осторожны (Phrase): This is an imperative form of "быть" (to be) combined with the adjective "осторожный" in plural form. It does not inflect further in this usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for осторожность:

• бдительность (vigilance, slightly more intense)
• предусмотрительность (foresight, emphasizes planning)

Antonyms for осторожность:

• безрассудство (recklessness)
• неосторожность (carelessness)

Related Phrases:

• с осторожностью относиться - To treat with caution (used for handling situations or people carefully).
• предостережение от опасности - A caution against danger (formal warning context).
• будь осторожен на дороге - Be cautious on the road (informal, specific warning).

Usage Notes:

• "Осторожность" is the most general term for caution as a concept and is suitable for most contexts involving carefulness.
• "Предостережение" specifically implies a warning or advisory and is more formal, often seen in written instructions or official statements.
• "Будьте осторожны" is a direct, spoken phrase used to warn someone in real-time; it’s conversational and versatile but less formal.
• Note that Russian often uses phrases or context to express caution, unlike English, where "caution" can stand alone as a noun or verb.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "осторожность" in direct speech to warn someone (e.g., saying "Осторожность!" as a standalone warning).
  Correction: Use "Будьте осторожны!" or "Осторожно!" instead. "Осторожность" is a noun and not used as an interjection.
• Error: Misusing "предостережение" in casual conversation.
  Correction: Reserve "предостережение" for formal or written warnings; in speech, opt for simpler phrases like "будьте осторожны."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing caution or warning someone directly (e.g., "Будьте осторожны") is common in everyday interactions, reflecting a cultural tendency to offer protective advice, especially to strangers in potentially dangerous situations like crossing streets or handling objects.

Related Concepts:

• опасность (danger)
• риск (risk)
• предупреждение (warning)