Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'expediency'

English Word: expediency

Key Russian Translations:

• целесообразность [t͡sɨlʲɪsəbrɐznəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, used in professional or academic contexts]
• прагматичность [prəgməˈtʲit͡ɕnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, often in philosophical or business discussions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, speeches, and debates, but less in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and Russian nominal inflections, with "целесообразность" being slightly more challenging due to its length and morphology)

Pronunciation (Russian):

целесообразность: [t͡sɨlʲɪsəbrɐznəsʲtʲ]

Note on целесообразность: This word is a compound noun with stress on the third syllable ("səbrɐznəsʲtʲ"). Pronounce the "ц" as a voiceless alveolar affricate, and be mindful of the palatalized consonants, which can be tricky for non-native speakers.

прагматичность: [prəgməˈtʲit͡ɕnəsʲtʲ]

Note on прагматичность: Stress falls on the third syllable ("tʲit͡ɕnəsʲtʲ"). The "г" is pronounced as a voiced velar fricative, similar to the "g" in "go," but ensure the final "ть" is softly palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The quality of being convenient and practical, often at the expense of ethical considerations

Translation(s) & Context:

• целесообразность - Used in contexts involving decision-making in politics, business, or ethics, where practicality overrides ideals.
• прагматичность - Applied in philosophical or everyday scenarios emphasizing real-world application over theory.

Usage Examples:

• В политике иногда приходится жертвовать этическими нормами ради целесообразности.

  In politics, sometimes one has to sacrifice ethical norms for expediency.

• Руководитель компании выбрал прагматичность, отказавшись от экологически чистых материалов из-за их дороговизны.

  The company leader chose expediency by rejecting eco-friendly materials due to their high cost.

• Целесообразность такого решения очевидна, но оно может вызвать общественный резонанс.

  The expediency of such a decision is clear, but it might provoke public backlash.

• В повседневной жизни прагматичность помогает принимать быстрые решения, даже если они не идеальны.

  In daily life, expediency helps in making quick decisions, even if they're not ideal.

• Историки часто обсуждают целесообразность действий лидеров в кризисные периоды.

  Historians often discuss the expediency of leaders' actions during crisis periods.

Meaning 2: Suitability or advantage in a specific situation

Translation(s) & Context:

• целесообразность - In practical scenarios, such as resource allocation or problem-solving.
• прагматичность - When emphasizing a results-oriented approach in informal or professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Целесообразность инвестиций в этот проект была подтверждена анализом рынка.

  The expediency of investing in this project was confirmed by market analysis.

• Прагматичность в выборе партнера по бизнесу часто определяет успех предприятия.

  Expediency in choosing a business partner often determines the enterprise's success.

• Для студента целесообразность дополнительных курсов зависит от будущей карьеры.

  For a student, the expediency of extra courses depends on their future career.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "целесообразность" and "прагматичность" are feminine nouns (abstract concepts) and follow the standard patterns of Russian third-declension nouns. They are invariable in plural forms as they are uncountable in most contexts.

Note: These nouns do not change in plural as they are typically used in singular form to denote abstract qualities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: полезность (poleznost' – emphasizes utility), эффективность (effektivnost' – focuses on effectiveness)
• Antonyms: нецелесообразность (netselesobraznost' – lack of expediency), бесполезность (bespoleznost' – uselessness)

Related Phrases:

• ради целесообразности – For the sake of expediency (Explanation: Used to justify actions based on practical benefits, often in decision-making contexts.)
• прагматичность подхода – Expediency of approach (Explanation: Refers to a pragmatic method in problem-solving or strategy.)
• в целях целесообразности – For purposes of expediency (Explanation: Common in formal writing to indicate efficiency-driven choices.)

Usage Notes:

"Целесообразность" directly corresponds to the ethical or moral implications of expediency in English, making it ideal for contexts involving trade-offs. "Прагматичность" is broader and aligns with a results-oriented mindset, similar to "pragmatism" in English. Use "целесообразность" in formal or academic settings, as it carries a neutral to positive connotation, while "прагматичность" might imply a more philosophical angle. Be cautious with grammatical gender and case agreements in sentences, as both are feminine nouns. When choosing between translations, opt for "целесообразность" if the focus is on situational advantage, and "прагматичность" for general practicality.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "целесообразность" with "эффективность" by using them interchangeably. Correct: "Целесообразность" implies practicality with potential ethical compromises, while "эффективность" means pure efficiency. Example of error: "Это эффективность решения" (incorrect if meaning expediency). Correct: "Это целесообразность решения" – This highlights the need to choose based on context to avoid misrepresenting the concept.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Correct: In genitive, say "ради целесообразности" instead of "ради целесообразность." This common mistake among beginners stems from overlooking Russian case systems.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "целесообразность" often reflect historical pragmatism, such as in Soviet-era decision-making where practical outcomes were prioritized over ideology. This can evoke nuances of resilience and adaptability in discussions of governance or daily life, helping users understand why such terms are prevalent in Russian literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• прагматизм
• утилитаризм
• эффективность