Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tenable'

English Word: tenable

Key Russian Translations:

• допустимый [dɐˈpusʲtʲimɨj] - [Formal, used in contexts requiring defense or justification, such as debates or legal arguments]
• обоснованный [ɐbɐsˈnɵvənnɨj] - [Formal, often in academic or analytical discussions]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in formal writing, debates, and professional contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective inflections and formal vocabulary; 'допустимый' may be slightly easier for beginners than 'обоснованный', which involves nuanced abstract concepts.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

допустимый: [dɐˈpusʲtʲimɨj]

Note on допустимый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("pus"), and the "ы" sound can be tricky for English speakers as it is a centralized vowel; pronounce it like a softer "i" in "bit".

обоснованный: [ɐbɐsˈnɵvənnɨj]

Note on обоснованный: Stress on the third syllable ("sn"); the "ɵ" sound is similar to the "u" in "nurse" but rounded.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Capable of being defended, maintained, or justified

Translation(s) & Context:

• допустимый - Used in formal contexts like legal, philosophical, or argumentative scenarios where something is logically defensible.
• обоснованный - Applied in analytical or evidence-based situations, such as scientific discussions, emphasizing logical support.

Usage Examples:

• Эта позиция в дебатах не допустима из-за отсутствия доказательств.

  This position in the debates is not tenable due to the lack of evidence.

• Обоснованный аргумент всегда побеждает в научных дискуссиях.

  A tenable argument always prevails in scientific discussions.

• Допустимый план проекта должен учитывать все риски.

  A tenable project plan must account for all risks.

• Если аргумент не обоснованный, он легко опровергнется оппонентами.

  If an argument is not tenable, it can be easily refuted by opponents.

• В юридических делах допустимый подход основан на фактах.

  In legal matters, a tenable approach is based on facts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'допустимый' and 'обоснованный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but they can have irregularities in spelling or stress. Here's a breakdown:

Note: These adjectives do not change for short forms in modern usage, but they follow regular adjectival patterns without significant irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • возможно (possibly, but less formal)
  • оправданный (justified, with a connotation of moral rightness)
• Antonyms:
  • невозможный (impossible, highlighting complete infeasibility)
  • необоснованный (unfounded, often used in critiques)

Related Phrases:

• Допустимая гипотеза - A tenable hypothesis; used in scientific or exploratory contexts to mean a theory that can be tested.
• Обоснованный риск - A tenable risk; refers to a calculated risk in business or decision-making that is defensible.
• Не допустимый аргумент - Not a tenable argument; a common phrase in debates to dismiss weak points.

Usage Notes:

• Choose 'допустимый' when emphasizing something that can be logically defended, similar to the English 'tenable' in argumentative contexts; it's more common in legal or formal settings.
• 'Обоснованный' is better for situations requiring evidence or proof, aligning with 'tenable' in academic discourse; be mindful of its abstract nature, which may not directly translate in casual English conversations.
• In Russian, these words often require agreement in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, so always inflect them accordingly (e.g., 'допустимый план' for masculine singular).
• Usage is typically restricted to formal registers; avoid in informal speech where simpler synonyms like 'возможный' might suffice.

Common Errors:

• Common mistake: English learners often confuse 'допустимый' with 'возможный' (possible), thinking they are interchangeable. Incorrect: "Эта идея возможный." (This implies mere possibility, not defensibility.) Correct: "Эта идея допустимый." Explanation: 'Допустимый' conveys that the idea can be maintained with evidence, while 'возможный' only suggests it could happen.

• Another error: Failing to inflect the adjective properly, e.g., using 'допустимый' in all cases. Incorrect: "Для допустимый аргумент." Correct: "Для допустимого аргумента" (Genitive case). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with nouns, so always check the case for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and discourse, maintaining a 'tenable' position, such as in debates or legal arguments, is highly valued as a sign of intellectual rigor. This reflects the historical emphasis on logic and evidence in Russian philosophy and education, influenced by figures like Tolstoy and Soviet-era scientific traditions, where ungrounded ideas are quickly dismissed.

Related Concepts:

• Аргумент (argument)
• Доказательство (proof)
• Гипотеза (hypothesis)