Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pragmatic'

English Word: pragmatic

Key Russian Translations:

• прагматичный /prɐɡˈmatʲɪtɕnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective, Used in philosophical, business, or everyday contexts]
• прагматический /prɐɡmɐˈtʲitɕeskʲɪj/ - [Formal, Less common variant, Primarily in academic or theoretical discussions]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly encountered in educated or professional Russian discourse but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of adjective inflections and nuanced vocabulary, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

прагматичный: /prɐɡˈmatʲɪtɕnɨj/

прагматический: /prɐɡmɐˈtʲitɕeskʲɪj/

Note on прагматичный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("mat"), and the "ч" sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Practical in approach, focusing on what works rather than ideals.

Translation(s) & Context:

• прагматичный - Used in contexts emphasizing realism and effectiveness, such as in business decisions or problem-solving.
• прагматический - Applied in more formal or theoretical settings, like philosophy or policy-making.

Usage Examples:

• Его прагматичный подход к бизнесу помог компании выжить в кризис. (His pragmatic approach to business helped the company survive the crisis.)

  Translation: His pragmatic approach to business helped the company survive the crisis.

• В политике она всегда выбирает прагматичные решения, а не идеалистичные. (In politics, she always chooses pragmatic decisions, not idealistic ones.)

  Translation: In politics, she always chooses pragmatic decisions, not idealistic ones.

• Прагматичный человек не тратит время на ненужные мечты. (A pragmatic person doesn't waste time on unnecessary dreams.)

  Translation: A pragmatic person doesn't waste time on unnecessary dreams.

• Эта стратегия прагматична, но требует тщательного анализа рисков. (This strategy is pragmatic but requires careful risk analysis.)

  Translation: This strategy is pragmatic but requires careful risk analysis.

• Прагматичный взгляд на проблему позволяет найти быстрое решение. (A pragmatic view of the problem allows for finding a quick solution.)

  Translation: A pragmatic view of the problem allows for finding a quick solution.

Meaning 2: Dealing with facts and practical consequences, often in philosophy.

Translation(s) & Context:

• прагматичный - In philosophical contexts, referring to pragmatism as a school of thought.
• прагматический - More academic, used in discussions of logic or epistemology.

Usage Examples:

• Прагматичный философ фокусируется на реальных результатах, а не на абстрактных теориях. (A pragmatic philosopher focuses on real results, not abstract theories.)

  Translation: A pragmatic philosopher focuses on real results, not abstract theories.

• Его прагматическая философия повлияла на современную науку. (His pragmatic philosophy influenced modern science.)

  Translation: His pragmatic philosophy influenced modern science.

• В прагматичном мышлении важны практические последствия идей. (In pragmatic thinking, the practical consequences of ideas are important.)

  Translation: In pragmatic thinking, the practical consequences of ideas are important.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "прагматичный" and "прагматический" are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow the standard first-declension adjective pattern, which is regular but requires attention to endings.

For "прагматический", the inflections are similar but may vary slightly in formal contexts; it is also a regular adjective with no irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • практичный (more everyday, emphasizing practicality over theory)
  • реалистичный (focuses on realism, with subtle differences in connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • идеалистичный (idealistic, contrasting with a focus on ideals rather than reality)
  • утопичный (utopian, implying impracticality)

Related Phrases:

• Прагматичный подход - A pragmatic approach; used in problem-solving or decision-making contexts.
• Быть прагматичным - To be pragmatic; implies adopting a realistic mindset in daily life.
• Прагматическая политика - Pragmatic politics; refers to policy based on practical outcomes rather than ideology.

Usage Notes:

"Прагматичный" directly corresponds to the English "pragmatic" in its emphasis on practicality, but it's more formal in Russian and often appears in written or professional language. Choose "прагматичный" for general use and "прагматический" for academic contexts. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. In everyday speech, Russians might prefer "практичный" if the context is less philosophical.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "прагматичный" with "практичный" and using them interchangeably. Correct: "Практичный" means simply practical (e.g., a useful tool), while "прагматичный" implies a mindset or approach. Example of error: *Его практичный подход* (incorrect if emphasizing philosophy); Correct: Его прагматичный подход.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "прагматичный дом" for a feminine noun. Correct: Use "прагматичная дом" if the noun is feminine, but actually, "дом" is masculine, so it's correct as is. Always check noun gender first.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "прагматичный" often carries a positive connotation in business and politics, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on realism amid challenges like economic shifts. It contrasts with idealistic views from Soviet-era philosophy, helping learners understand its role in modern Russian discourse.

Related Concepts:

• реализм
• прагматизм
• эмпиризм