Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'commonsense'

English Word: commonsense

Key Russian Translations:

• здравый смысл (zdrávyj smýsl) - [Formal, commonly used in philosophical or everyday discussions]
• обыденный разум (obȳdénnyj razúm) - [Informal, less common variant, used in casual contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This term appears regularly in Russian literature, education, and daily conversation, but not as ubiquitously as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of compound nouns and abstract concepts. For 'здравый смысл', it's B2; for 'обыденный разум', it might lean towards B1 due to simpler structure.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

здравый смысл: zdrávyj smýsl (/zdrɐˈvɨj ˈsmɨsl/)

обыденный разум: obȳdénnyj razúm (/ɐbɨˈdʲenːɨj rɐˈzum/)

Note on здравый смысл: The stress on 'zdrávyj' can vary slightly in fast speech, potentially shifting to the second syllable in informal settings; be cautious with the soft 'y' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Practical judgment derived from experience

Translation(s) & Context:

• здравый смысл - Used in formal discussions, such as philosophy or decision-making, to denote sound reasoning based on logic and experience.
• обыденный разум - Applied in everyday, informal contexts, emphasizing intuitive understanding without deep analysis.

Usage Examples:

• В повседневной жизни здравый смысл помогает принимать правильные решения. (In everyday life, common sense helps in making the right decisions.)

  English Translation: In everyday life, common sense helps in making the right decisions.

• Без обыденного разума люди часто попадают в нелепые ситуации. (Without common sense, people often find themselves in ridiculous situations.)

  English Translation: Without common sense, people often find themselves in ridiculous situations.

• В науке здравый смысл сочетается с эмпирическими данными для достижения истины. (In science, common sense combines with empirical data to achieve truth.)

  English Translation: In science, common sense combines with empirical data to achieve truth.

• Обыденный разум подсказывает, что не стоит доверять незнакомцам без проверки. (Common sense suggests that one shouldn't trust strangers without verification.)

  English Translation: Common sense suggests that one shouldn't trust strangers without verification.

• Здравый смысл — это основа этического поведения в обществе. (Common sense is the foundation of ethical behavior in society.)

  English Translation: Common sense is the foundation of ethical behavior in society.

Secondary Meaning: Innate wisdom or intuition

Translation(s) & Context:

• здравый смысл - In contexts involving personal growth or psychology, referring to instinctive good judgment.

Usage Examples:

• Её здравый смысл всегда помогал в сложных ситуациях. (Her common sense always helped in difficult situations.)

  English Translation: Her common sense always helped in difficult situations.

• Обыденный разум — это то, что отличает мудрых от наивных. (Common sense is what distinguishes the wise from the naive.)

  English Translation: Common sense is what distinguishes the wise from the naive.

• В воспитании детей важно развивать здравый смысл. (In raising children, it's important to develop common sense.)

  English Translation: In raising children, it's important to develop common sense.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'здравый смысл' (a noun phrase): 'Смысл' is a masculine noun, while 'здравый' is an adjective that agrees with it. Russian nouns like 'смысл' follow the third declension pattern with irregularities.

The adjective 'здравый' changes as follows in agreement: Nominative Singular: здравый; Genitive Singular: здорового (if used separately). For 'обыденный разум', 'разум' is also a masculine noun with similar third declension patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • логический подход (logical approach; more structured than intuitive common sense)
  • простая логика (simple logic; used in casual settings)
• Antonyms:
  • иррациональность (irrationality; opposite in decision-making contexts)
  • глупость (foolishness; direct contrast in everyday usage)

Related Phrases:

• Здравый смысл говорит... (Common sense dictates...; Used to introduce logical advice.) - Meaning: A phrase to preface rational suggestions in conversations.
• Потерять здравый смысл (To lose common sense; Informal expression for acting irrationally.) - Meaning: Indicates a temporary lapse in judgment.
• На основе обыденного разума (Based on common sense; In analytical contexts.) - Meaning: Refers to decisions grounded in practical wisdom.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'здравый смысл' directly corresponds to the English 'common sense' in formal or intellectual contexts, emphasizing practical wisdom over theoretical knowledge. It is often used in philosophical discussions or education. For informal settings, 'обыденный разум' is a softer alternative. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: adjectives like 'здравый' must match the noun in case, number, and gender. When choosing between translations, opt for 'здравый смысл' in written or professional scenarios, as it carries more weight. English learners should note that Russian culture values this concept highly in proverbs and folklore.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'здравый смысл' interchangeably with 'логика' without context. Correct: 'Логика' implies strict reasoning, while 'здравый смысл' includes intuition. Example of error: "Я использовал логику в повседневной жизни" (instead of 'здравый смысл'). Correct: "Я использовал здравый смысл в повседневной жизни." Explanation: This confuses analytical logic with everyday practicality.

• Error: Failing to decline the noun properly, e.g., saying "без здравый смысл" instead of "без здравого смысла." Correct: Always ensure adjective-noun agreement. Explanation: Russian requires full declension, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'здравый смысл' is deeply rooted in folklore and literature, often appearing in proverbs like "Дело мастера боится, а здравый смысл — нет" (A master's work fears nothing, but common sense prevails). It reflects a pragmatic approach to life, influenced by historical challenges like those in Soviet-era philosophy, where individual intuition was balanced against collective ideology.

Related Concepts:

• интуиция (intuition)
• рассудок (reason)
• мудрость (wisdom)