reasonable
Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reasonable'
English Word: reasonable
Key Russian Translations:
- разумный /rɐˈzumnɨj/ - [Formal, used in contexts requiring rationality or fairness]
- логичный /ˈlɔɡɪt͡ɕnɨj/ - [Informal, often for logical reasoning]
- умеренный /uˈmʲerʲɪnɨj/ - [Neutral, specifically for moderate or restrained applications]
Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in discussions, literature, and formal writing, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.
Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should grasp these translations with some practice; however, for 'разумный', it may vary to A2 if focusing on basic adjectives, while 'логичный' could be B2 due to its logical connotations.
Pronunciation (Russian):
разумный: /rɐˈzumnɨj/
логичный: /ˈlɔɡɪt͡ɕnɨj/
умеренный: /uˈmʲerʲɪnɨj/
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 may soften the vowels.
Audio: []
Meanings and Usage:
Meaning 1: Fair, rational, or sensible (e.g., in decision-making)
Translation(s) & Context:
- разумный - Used in formal contexts like debates or ethical discussions to denote logical fairness.
- логичный - Applied in informal settings, such as everyday conversations about plans or arguments.
Usage Examples:
Это было разумное решение в данной ситуации. (This was a reasonable decision in that situation.)
English: This was a reasonable decision in that situation. (Demonstrates use in problem-solving contexts.)
Его логичный подход помог избежать ошибок. (His logical approach helped avoid mistakes.)
English: His reasonable approach helped avoid mistakes. (Shows application in professional or analytical scenarios.)
Разумный человек всегда учитывает последствия. (A reasonable person always considers the consequences.)
English: A reasonable person always considers the consequences. (Illustrates ethical or philosophical use.)
В этом споре нужно быть логичным, а не эмоциональным. (In this argument, one needs to be reasonable, not emotional.)
English: In this argument, one needs to be reasonable, not emotional. (Highlights contrast in emotional vs. rational discourse.)
Разумный бюджет позволяет сэкономить деньги. (A reasonable budget allows saving money.)
English: A reasonable budget allows saving money. (Exemplifies financial or practical contexts.)
Meaning 2: Moderate or not excessive (e.g., in quantity or price)
Translation(s) & Context:
- умеренный - Common in contexts involving moderation, like health or economics.
- разумный - Occasionally used interchangeably for affordability.
Usage Examples:
Умеренная цена делает товар доступным. (The reasonable price makes the product accessible.)
English: The reasonable price makes the product accessible. (Focuses on economic contexts.)
Разумное количество еды полезно для здоровья. (A reasonable amount of food is beneficial for health.)
English: A reasonable amount of food is beneficial for health. (Demonstrates use in daily life and wellness.)
В умеренном темпе мы сможем закончить вовремя. (At a reasonable pace, we can finish on time.)
English: At a reasonable pace, we can finish on time. (Shows application in time management.)
Russian Forms/Inflections:
These translations are primarily adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. 'Разумный' and 'логичный' follow standard adjective patterns, while 'умеренный' is similar but may have slight irregularities in certain forms.
Form | разумный (e.g., Masculine) | логичный | умеренный |
---|---|---|---|
Nominative Singular (Masc.) | разумный | логичный | умеренный |
Nominative Singular (Fem.) | разумная | логичная | умеренная |
Nominative Singular (Neut.) | разумное | логичное | умеренное |
Nominative Plural | разумные | логичные | умеренные |
Genitive Case (e.g., of разумный) | разумного (Masc.), разумной (Fem.) | логичного, логичной | умеренного, умеренной |
Note: These adjectives do not change in comparative forms without additional words (e.g., 'более разумный' for 'more reasonable'). They are regular in most cases.
Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:
- Synonyms:
- логичный (similar to 'reasonable' in logic, but more analytical)
- серьёзный (implies a serious, grounded approach, often in formal contexts)
- прагматичный (focuses on practical reasonableness)
- Antonyms:
- неразумный (directly opposite, meaning irrational)
- абсурдный (absurd, highlighting illogical extremes)
- эксцессный (excessive, for 'умеренный' contexts)
Related Phrases:
- Разумный выбор - A reasonable choice; used when discussing decisions with logical outcomes.
- Логичный вывод - A reasonable conclusion; common in arguments or scientific contexts.
- Умеренная реакция - A reasonable reaction; implies balanced emotional responses.
- Разумный компромисс - A reasonable compromise; often in negotiations or relationships.
Usage Notes:
In English, 'reasonable' often aligns closely with 'разумный' for rational decisions, but choose 'логичный' for emphasis on logic in debates. Be mindful of context: 'умеренный' is ideal for moderation in quantities. Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which differs from English. For multiple translations, select based on nuance—e.g., use 'разумный' in formal writing and 'логичный' in casual speech.
- Grammar tip: Always inflect the adjective to match the noun (e.g., разумная идея for a feminine noun).
- Context guide: In business or legal settings, 'разумный' is preferred for its formal tone.
Common Errors:
English learners often misuse 'разумный' by treating it as invariable, leading to errors like saying "разумный женщина" instead of "разумная женщина" (correct: the adjective must agree in gender). Another common mistake is confusing it with 'логичный', e.g., using "логичный решение" for a non-logical context—correct would be "разумное решение" for a fair decision. Error example: "Он сделал логичный вещь" (wrong, as it should be "Он сделал логичную вещь" to agree with the feminine noun). Explanation: Russian requires full agreement, unlike English, so always check the noun's properties before using the adjective.
Cultural Notes:
In Russian culture, concepts like 'разумный' often tie into historical philosophical traditions, such as those influenced by Russian literature (e.g., Tolstoy's emphasis on rational morality). It reflects a cultural value of practicality and intellectual balance, especially in contrast to emotional impulsiveness, which is sometimes critiqued in Russian folklore and proverbs.
Related Concepts:
- логика (logic)
- прагматизм (pragmatism)
- компромисс (compromise)
- рассудок (reasoning)