Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Discerning'

English Word: Discerning

Key Russian Translations:

• проницательный [prənʲɪˈtsatʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, Often used for intellectual or perceptive contexts]
• разборчивый [rəzbˈortɕɪvɨj] - [Neutral, Often used for taste or selectivity]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

проницательный: [prənʲɪˈtsatʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on проницательный: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "ц" sound is a hard "ts" sound, which might be challenging for English speakers.

разборчивый: [rəzbˈortɕɪvɨj]

Note on разборчивый: Stress on the second syllable. The "щ" sound is a soft "shch" blend, often tricky for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Having or showing good judgment or insight

Translation(s) & Context:

• проницательный - Used to describe someone with deep insight or understanding, often in intellectual or emotional contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он очень проницательный человек и всегда понимает скрытые мотивы.

  He is a very discerning person and always understands hidden motives.

• Её проницательный взгляд сразу заметил мою тревогу.

  Her discerning gaze immediately noticed my anxiety.

• Проницательный критик сразу указал на слабые места книги.

  The discerning critic immediately pointed out the book's weaknesses.

2. Showing careful discrimination in taste or choice

Translation(s) & Context:

• разборчивый - Refers to selectivity in choices, often related to taste, preferences, or standards.

Usage Examples:

• Она очень разборчива в еде и ест только органические продукты.

  She is very discerning about food and only eats organic products.

• Он разборчив в выборе друзей и не доверяет всем подряд.

  He is discerning in choosing friends and doesn’t trust just anyone.

• Разборчивый покупатель всегда проверяет качество товара.

  A discerning customer always checks the quality of the product.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

проницательный (Adjective): This adjective declines according to standard Russian adjective rules based on gender, number, and case.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	проницательный	проницательная	проницательное	проницательные
Genitive	проницательного	проницательной	проницательного	проницательных

разборчивый (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as above.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for проницательный:

• внимательный (attentive)
• чуткий (sensitive)

Note: "внимательный" focuses more on attention to detail, while "чуткий" emphasizes emotional sensitivity.

Synonyms for разборчивый:

• привередливый (picky)
• требовательный (demanding)

Antonyms for проницательный:

• невнимательный (inattentive)

Antonyms for разборчивый:

• неразборчивый (indiscriminate)

Related Phrases:

• проницательный ум - "a discerning mind" (refers to intellectual sharpness)
• разборчивый вкус - "discerning taste" (used for refined preferences in art, food, etc.)

Usage Notes:

• While both "проницательный" and "разборчивый" can translate to "discerning," they are not interchangeable. Use "проницательный" for insight or perception, especially in intellectual or emotional contexts. Use "разборчивый" for selectivity in choices or preferences.
• Pay attention to the adjective agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case in Russian sentences.

Common Errors:

Error 1: Confusing "проницательный" with "разборчивый"

Many learners use "проницательный" when referring to taste or choice, which is incorrect. For example:

• Wrong: Он проницательный в еде. (He is discerning about food.)
• Correct: Он разборчивый в еде.

Explanation: "Проницательный" relates to insight, not selectivity in preferences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being "разборчивый" in personal choices (e.g., food, clothing) is often seen as a positive trait, reflecting high standards or sophistication. However, excessive pickiness might be viewed as pretentious.

Related Concepts:

• вкус (taste)
• интуиция (intuition)
• наблюдательность (observance)