Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'shrewd'

English Word: shrewd

Key Russian Translations:

• хитрый [ˈxitrɨj] - [Informal, often used for cunning or cleverness in everyday contexts]
• проницательный [prənʲɪˈtsatʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, typically for perceptive or astute judgment]
• ловкий [ˈlovkʲɪj] - [Informal, emphasizing quick-witted or resourceful behavior]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, business discussions, and casual conversations, but not as frequent as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced adjectives and context, though "хитрый" might be accessible at B1 for beginners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хитрый: [ˈxitrɨj] (The 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'. Stress on the first syllable.)

Note on хитрый: Be cautious with the soft 'р' sound, which can vary regionally; in some dialects, it might sound more rolled.

проницательный: [prənʲɪˈtsatʲɪlʲnɨj] (Stress on the third syllable; the 'ц' is pronounced like 'ts' in 'bits'.)

Note on проницательный: This word has a more complex structure; focus on the palatalized consonants for accurate pronunciation.

ловкий: [ˈlovkʲɪj] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'кʲ' is palatalized, making it softer.)

Note on ловкий: The ending '-ий' can vary slightly in speed of speech, but it's generally straightforward for learners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Clever or astute in practical affairs (e.g., business or decision-making)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хитрый - Used in informal contexts to describe someone who is cunning or shrewd in negotiations, often with a slightly negative connotation of trickery.
• проницательный - Applied in formal or professional settings for someone with sharp insight, without implying deceit.
• ловкий - Common in everyday language for quick-thinking actions, such as in sports or problem-solving.

Usage Examples:

• Он хитрый бизнесмен, всегда находит способ обойти конкурентов.

  He is a shrewd businessman, always finding a way to outmaneuver competitors.

• Её проницательный взгляд помог раскрыть правду в сложной ситуации.

  Her shrewd gaze helped uncover the truth in a complicated situation.

• Этот ловкий манёвр спас их от финансового краха.

  This shrewd maneuver saved them from financial collapse.

• В переговорах он показал себя хитрым тактиком, добившись лучших условий.

  In negotiations, he proved himself a shrewd tactician, securing better terms.

• Её проницательный анализ рынка сделал компанию лидером.

  Her shrewd market analysis made the company a leader.

Astute or perceptive in judgment (e.g., social interactions)

Translation(s) & Context:

• проницательный - Ideal for contexts involving insight into people's motives, such as in psychology or social scenarios.
• хитрый - Used when shrewdness involves clever deception in personal relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Его проницательный ум быстро распознал ложь в её словах.

  His shrewd mind quickly detected the lie in her words.

• Она хитрый собеседник, всегда направляет разговор в свою пользу.

  She is a shrewd conversationalist, always steering the discussion to her advantage.

• Проницательный подход к дружбе помогает избежать разочарований.

  A shrewd approach to friendship helps avoid disappointments.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations (хитрый, проницательный, ловкий) are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard first-declension adjective patterns with some irregularities in certain forms.

Note: These adjectives are invariant in short form usage (e.g., "он хитёр" for informal emphasis) and do not change for predicative positions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: умный (smart, but more general); ловкий (as above, for quick-wittedness); остроумный (witty, with a focus on humor)
• Antonyms: глупый (foolish, direct opposite); наивный (naive, lacking shrewdness)

Related Phrases:

• хитрый план - A cunning or shrewd plan; used in strategic contexts like business or games.
• проницательный взгляд - A perceptive or shrewd gaze; often in detective or psychological scenarios.
• ловкий ход - A clever or shrewd move; common in chess or negotiations.
• хитрый как лис - Shrewd as a fox; an idiomatic expression implying cunning intelligence.

Usage Notes:

"Shrewd" in English often carries a positive connotation of practical wisdom, but in Russian, "хитрый" can imply deceit, so choose it carefully in formal contexts. "Проницательный" is a safer, more neutral equivalent for professional settings. Always consider the gender and case agreement of these adjectives with the nouns they modify. For example, when translating phrases involving decision-making, "ловкий" might be preferred for action-oriented scenarios, while "хитрый" suits interpersonal dynamics.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "хитрый" interchangeably with "умный" without context. Incorrect: Он умный бизнесмен (implies general intelligence, not shrewdness). Correct: Он хитрый бизнесмен (specifically for cunning). Explanation: "Умный" is broader and doesn't capture the astuteness of "shrewd."
• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "хитрый человек" in genitive as "хитрый человека" instead of "хитрого человека." Correct: Use the proper form like "у хитрого человека." Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in case, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being "хитрый" (shrewd) is sometimes viewed with ambivalence; it can be admired in folk tales (e.g., clever animal characters outsmarting foes) but criticized in modern contexts as manipulative. This reflects a cultural emphasis on communal harmony over individual cunning, unlike in some Western business cultures where shrewdness is praised.

Related Concepts:

• ум
• интеллект
• тактика
• стратегия