Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sagacity'

English Word: sagacity

Key Russian Translations:

• мудрость /ˈmudrəstʲ/ - [Formal, often used in philosophical or literary contexts]
• проницательность /prə.nʲi.t͡səˈtʲelʲ.nəsʲtʲ/ - [Formal, typically for keen insight or judgment]

Frequency: Medium (sagacity is not everyday vocabulary but appears in discussions of wisdom or decision-making)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate) for мудрость; B2-C1 for проницательность, as it involves nuanced understanding of abstract concepts

Pronunciation (Russian):

мудрость: /ˈmudrəstʲ/

Note on мудрость: The stress falls on the first syllable; pronounce the 'р' as a soft, rolled sound, common in Russian. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

проницательность: /prə.nʲi.t͡səˈtʲelʲ.nəsʲtʲ/

Note on проницательность: Stress on the third syllable; the 'ц' is pronounced as 'ts', and the word has a flowing rhythm—pay attention to the palatalized consonants for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The quality of having or showing great wisdom and good judgment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мудрость - Used in formal, reflective contexts, such as literature or discussions about life experiences.
• проницательность - Applied in contexts involving sharp perception, like analyzing situations or people.

Usage Examples:

• Его мудрость в принятии решений всегда удивляла коллег.

  His sagacity in decision-making always amazed his colleagues.

• Проницательность этой женщины помогла раскрыть тайну.

  The sagacity of this woman helped uncover the mystery.

• В старости его мудрость стала источником вдохновения для молодых.

  In his old age, his sagacity became a source of inspiration for the young.

• Её проницательность в бизнесе сделала компанию успешной.

  Her sagacity in business made the company successful.

• Мудрость древних философов до сих пор актуальна в современном мире.

  The sagacity of ancient philosophers is still relevant in the modern world.

Another sense: Astute perception or discernment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• проницательность - Common in analytical or investigative contexts, emphasizing mental sharpness.
• мудрость - Less common here, but used if the discernment is wisdom-based.

Usage Examples:

• Его проницательность позволила предвидеть кризис заранее.

  His sagacity allowed him to foresee the crisis in advance.

• С помощью своей мудрости она разобралась в сложной ситуации.

  With her sagacity, she untangled the complex situation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "мудрость" and "проницательность" are feminine nouns in Russian, following standard inflection patterns. "Мудрость" is a first-declension noun, while "проницательность" is also feminine but may show irregularities in some forms.

These nouns do not change for gender but follow standard case endings. They are invariant in number for most uses, as abstract concepts like sagacity are typically singular.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • интеллект (intellect; more general cognitive ability)
  • мудрость (overlaps with sagacity but emphasizes accumulated wisdom)
  • проницательность (similar to sagacity but focuses on insight; subtle difference in depth)
• Antonyms:
  • глупость (foolishness; direct opposite in lack of wisdom)
  • невежество (ignorance; implies lack of knowledge)

Related Phrases:

• большая мудрость - Great wisdom; used to describe profound sagacity in leaders or elders.
• проницательность ума - Keenness of mind; a phrase emphasizing intellectual sagacity in problem-solving.
• мудрость веков - Wisdom of the ages; refers to timeless sagacity passed down through history.

Usage Notes:

Choose "мудрость" for contexts emphasizing deep, experiential wisdom, as it aligns closely with the philosophical undertones of "sagacity." Use "проницательность" when focusing on perceptive judgment or foresight. Both are formal and rarely used in casual speech; restrict to written or academic settings. Grammatically, these nouns require appropriate case agreement with prepositions (e.g., "с мудростью" for "with sagacity"). For English learners, note that Russian often pairs these with verbs like "иметь" (to have) to express possession, e.g., "иметь мудрость."

Common Errors:

• Confusing "мудрость" with "ум" (mind/intelligence): Learners might overuse "ум" thinking it means sagacity, but it's more about raw intellect. Correct: Use "мудрость" for wise judgment. Error example: "Его ум помог" (His mind helped) instead of "Его мудрость помогла" (His sagacity helped). Explanation: "Ум" lacks the experiential depth.
• Improper inflection: Forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "с мудрость" instead of "с мудростью." Correct: Always adjust for instrumental case. Error example: "Работать с мудрость" vs. Correct: "Работать с мудростью." Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "мудрость" often evokes images from literature like Tolstoy's works, where sagacity is linked to moral and spiritual depth. It's tied to the Russian tradition of valuing collective wisdom in folktales and proverbs, such as those from Pushkin, emphasizing that true sagacity comes from life's hardships and community experiences.

Related Concepts:

• интеллект
• мудрец (wise person)
• разум (reason)