Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'judicious'

English Word: judicious

Key Russian Translations:

• Разумный [rɐˈzumnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• Осмотрительный [ɐsmɐˈtrʲitʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, Often used in decision-making contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in written Russian literature, formal discussions, and professional settings, but less so in everyday casual speech.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate - Learners at this level can understand and use these adjectives with practice, though mastering nuances and inflections may require B2-C1 exposure.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Разумный: [rɐˈzumnɨj]

Note on Разумный: The stress falls on the second syllable; be cautious with the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in informal speech might soften the vowels.

Осмотрительный: [ɐsmɐˈtrʲitʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on Осмотрительный: This word has a complex consonant cluster; practice the palatalized 'тʲ' for accurate pronunciation. Regional accents in Russia may alter vowel length slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Showing good judgment and prudence in practical matters (e.g., making wise decisions).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Разумный - Used in formal contexts like business or ethics to describe thoughtful, logical choices.
• Осмотрительный - Applied in situations requiring caution, such as risk assessment or planning.

Usage Examples:

• Его разумный подход к инвестициям помог избежать убытков. (His judicious approach to investments helped avoid losses.)

  English Translation: His judicious approach to investments helped avoid losses. (This example shows the adjective in a financial context, emphasizing practical wisdom.)

• В таких ситуациях важно быть осмотрительным, чтобы не совершить ошибку. (In such situations, it's important to be judicious to avoid making a mistake.)

  English Translation: In such situations, it's important to be judicious to avoid making a mistake. (Here, it illustrates decision-making under uncertainty.)

• Разумный выбор профессии может изменить всю жизнь. (A judicious choice of profession can change your entire life.)

  English Translation: A judicious choice of profession can change your entire life. (This demonstrates the word in a life-planning scenario.)

• Осмотрительный водитель всегда проверяет шины перед поездкой. (A judicious driver always checks the tires before a trip.)

  English Translation: A judicious driver always checks the tires before a trip. (This example highlights everyday safety applications.)

• Ее разумный совет спас нас от неудачи в переговорах. (Her judicious advice saved us from failure in negotiations.)

  English Translation: Her judicious advice saved us from failure in negotiations. (This shows the word in interpersonal communication.)

Meaning 2: Characterized by careful evaluation and discretion (e.g., in moral or ethical decisions).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Разумный - Often in ethical or philosophical discussions to denote rational and balanced thinking.
• Осмотрительный - In contexts involving risk or moral dilemmas, emphasizing foresight.

Usage Examples:

• Разумный человек не принимает поспешных решений. (A judicious person does not make hasty decisions.)

  English Translation: A judicious person does not make hasty decisions. (This illustrates personal character traits.)

• Осмотрительный анализ ситуации предотвратил конфликт. (A judicious analysis of the situation prevented conflict.)

  English Translation: A judicious analysis of the situation prevented conflict. (This shows analytical application.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Разумный" and "Осмотрительный" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most first-declension adjectives, with some irregularities in spelling due to consonant changes.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form but may have soft sign adjustments in certain cases. They are regular in most respects, making them easier for intermediate learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Мудрый (Mudryy) - Implies deeper wisdom, often with a philosophical connotation.
  • Благоразумный (Blagorazumnyy) - Similar to judicious but emphasizes moral goodness.
• Antonyms:
  • Неразумный (Nerazumnyy) - Lacks judgment or prudence.
  • Глупый (Glupyy) - Simply means foolish, with less nuance.

Related Phrases:

• Разумный выбор - (Razumnyy vybor) A judicious choice; used in decision-making contexts.
• Осмотрительный подход - (Osmotritelnyy podkhod) A judicious approach; common in professional or strategic discussions.
• Быть разумным в расходах - (Byt' razumnyy v rashodakh) To be judicious with expenses; relates to financial prudence.

Usage Notes:

"Разумный" and "Осмотрительный" both align closely with "judicious" but differ subtly: "Разумный" focuses on rational thinking, while "Осмотрительный" emphasizes caution. In formal Russian, prefer "Разумный" for general wisdom and "Осмотрительный" for risk-averse scenarios. Always inflect adjectives to match the noun's gender, number, and case to avoid grammatical errors. For English learners, note that Russian adjectives don't have degrees like English (e.g., no direct equivalent for "more judicious"), so use adverbs like "более" (more) separately.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "Разумный" with "Мудрый": Learners might overuse "Мудрый" (wise) when "Разумный" is more appropriate for practical judgment. Correct: Use "Разумный" for everyday decisions, e.g., "Разумный план" instead of "Мудрый план". Error example: "Мудрый водитель" when meaning a judicious driver; this implies profound wisdom rather than prudence.

• Forgetting inflections: English speakers often forget to change the adjective for gender, e.g., saying "Разумный машина" instead of "Разумная машина" (for a feminine noun like "машина"). Correct: Always adjust as per the table above to maintain agreement.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Разумный" often tie into the value of "razum" (reason), influenced by historical philosophers like Tolstoy, who emphasized rational and moral living. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for intellectual prudence in literature and daily life, contrasting with more impulsive Western portrayals in media.

Related Concepts:

• Мудрость (Mudrost) - Wisdom
• Благоразумие (Blagorazumie) - Prudence or moral judgment
• Решение (Reshenie) - Decision-making