Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'justifiable'

English Word: justifiable

Key Russian Translations:

• оправданный [ɐprɐfˈdannɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• обоснованный [ɐbɐsˈnovannɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in legal or argumentative contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, discussions, and legal contexts, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for learners, as it involves understanding adjective inflections and nuanced formal language; 'оправданный' may be slightly easier than 'обоснованный' at B2 level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

оправданный: [ɐprɐfˈdannɨj]

обоснованный: [ɐbɐsˈnovannɨj]

Note on оправданный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('dann-'), which can be tricky for beginners; pronounce the 'р' as a rolled 'r' for authenticity.

Note on обоснованный: The initial 'о' is pronounced as a short 'a' sound; avoid over-emphasizing the 's' cluster.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Something that is reasonable or defensible, often in a moral or legal sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• оправданный - Used in contexts involving justification or defense, such as ethical decisions or legal arguments (e.g., in formal essays or court proceedings).
• обоснованный - Applied when something is backed by evidence or logic, often in academic or professional settings (e.g., scientific reports).

Usage Examples:

• Его действия были оправданны в той ситуации. (His actions were justifiable in that situation.)

  Translation: His actions were justifiable in that situation. (This example shows the adjective in a past context, emphasizing moral defense.)

• Обоснованный риск необходим для успеха в бизнесе. (A justifiable risk is necessary for success in business.)

  Translation: A justifiable risk is necessary for success in business. (Here, it demonstrates the word in a professional context, highlighting calculated decisions.)

• Война не всегда оправданна, даже если она кажется необходимой. (War is not always justifiable, even if it seems necessary.)

  Translation: War is not always justifiable, even if it seems necessary. (This illustrates use in ethical debates, with a negative connotation.)

• Обоснованные претензии должны быть рассмотрены судом. (Justifiable claims must be reviewed by the court.)

  Translation: Justifiable claims must be reviewed by the court. (Shows application in legal contexts, with formal language.)

• Её оправданное беспокойство помогло избежать ошибки. (Her justifiable concern helped avoid a mistake.)

  Translation: Her justifiable concern helped avoid a mistake. (This example varies the structure, using it with nouns in a supportive role.)

Meaning 2: Capable of being proven or supported by evidence.

Translation(s) & Context:

• оправданный - In contexts requiring proof or validation, such as investigations (e.g., formal reports).
• обоснованный - Emphasizes evidence-based justification, common in scientific or analytical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Обоснованный вывод основан на фактах. (A justifiable conclusion is based on facts.)

  Translation: A justifiable conclusion is based on facts. (This highlights evidential support in academic writing.)

• Его оправданные опасения подтвердились позже. (His justifiable fears were confirmed later.)

  Translation: His justifiable fears were confirmed later. (Demonstrates use in predictive or precautionary contexts.)

• Не все оправданные меры приводят к желаемому результату. (Not all justifiable measures lead to the desired outcome.)

  Translation: Not all justifiable measures lead to the desired outcome. (Shows contrast in outcomes, varying sentence structure.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'оправданный' and 'обоснованный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for short and long forms.

Note: These adjectives follow regular patterns, but the short form is less common and used in specific predicative constructions. They do not have irregular inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • законный (zakonnyy) - More legal-focused, implying legality rather than moral justification.
  • разумный (razumnyy) - Emphasizes rationality, often in everyday contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • неоправданный (neopravdannyy) - Directly opposite, meaning unjustifiable or unwarranted.
  • необоснованный (neobosnovannyy) - Lacking evidence or basis.

Related Phrases:

• Оправданные средства (Opravdannye sredstva) - Justifiable means; often used in ethical discussions, e.g., in debates about ends justifying means.
• Обоснованная критика (Obosnovannaya kritika) - Justifiable criticism; refers to critique backed by evidence, common in professional feedback.
• Не всегда оправданные решения (Ne vsegda opravdannye resheniya) - Not always justifiable decisions; a phrase for expressing doubt in choices.

Usage Notes:

'Оправданный' closely aligns with 'justifiable' in moral or defensive contexts, while 'обоснованный' is better for evidence-based scenarios. Both are formal and rarely used in casual conversation; prefer them in written English-to-Russian translations for legal, academic, or ethical texts. When choosing between translations, consider the context: use 'оправданный' for emotional or moral justification and 'обоснованный' for factual support. Grammatically, ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'оправданный' interchangeably with 'законный' without considering nuances. Correct: 'Оправданный' implies moral rightness, e.g., "Его действия были оправданны" (His actions were justifiable). Incorrect: "Его действия были законны" might only mean they were legal, not morally defensible. Explanation: This confuses ethical with legal justification, leading to imprecise language.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "оправданный женщина" instead of "оправданная женщина". Correct: Match the form to the noun's gender. Explanation: Russian requires agreement, so learners must pay attention to noun properties to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'оправданный' often appear in discussions of historical events, such as justifications for actions during wars or revolutions. For instance, in literature and media, they reflect Russia's emphasis on collective morality and state legitimacy, where personal actions are frequently evaluated against societal norms.

Related Concepts:

• законный
• разумный
• необоснованный