Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Accueil
Apprendre
Russian
Vocabulaire
осторожный

B1 adjective 6 min de lecture

осторожный

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces осторожный en 30 secondes

Explication осторожный in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know the most basic use of this word, which is the warning 'Осторожно!' (Carefully/Caution!). You might see it on signs or hear it in the metro. It is one of the first safety words you learn. You should understand it means 'watch out' so you don't get hurt. You might also learn 'Будь осторожен' as a set phrase to tell a friend to be careful. At this stage, don't worry about complex grammar; just focus on the meaning of the root 'осторож-' as a signal for danger. You will mostly encounter it as an adverb or a simple adjective describing a person. Think of it as the Russian equivalent of the 'Caution' sign you see on wet floors. It is essential for survival in a Russian-speaking city.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the A2 level, you start using 'осторожный' to describe people and simple actions. You can now decline the word in basic cases (Nominative and Accusative). You might say 'Он осторожный человек' (He is a careful person) or 'Она осторожный водитель' (She is a careful driver). You are beginning to see the difference between being 'careful' (avoiding danger) and being 'neat' (аккуратный). You can use it to give advice to others using the imperative 'будь'. You also start to recognize the word in simple stories or news headlines about safety. You should be able to form the feminine 'осторожная' and plural 'осторожные' correctly to describe different objects, like 'осторожные кошки' (cautious cats).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'осторожный' in a wider variety of contexts, including abstract ones. You can talk about a 'cautious approach' (осторожный подход) to a problem or a 'cautious estimate' (осторожная оценка). You understand that the word implies a character trait—someone who is prudent and doesn't take unnecessary risks. You can use the word in the Instrumental case after verbs like 'быть' (to be) or 'стать' (to become). You also begin to distinguish between the long form (осторожный) and the short form (осторожен), knowing that the short form is often used for temporary states or in formal warnings. You are comfortable using the word in conversations about work, health, and travel.

At the B2 level, you can use 'осторожный' to express nuance and diplomacy. You understand how it is used in professional contexts, such as 'осторожный прогноз' (cautious forecast) in business or 'осторожная политика' (cautious policy) in politics. You can compare 'осторожный' with its synonyms like 'осмотрительный' or 'бдительный' and choose the one that fits the context best. You are aware of common collocations and can use the word naturally in complex sentences. You also start to recognize the word in more sophisticated literature where it might describe a character's internal state or a subtle atmosphere of suspicion. Your declension of the adjective in all six cases should be mostly error-free.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, you master the stylistic nuances of 'осторожный'. You can use it to describe subtle social cues, such as an 'осторожный намек' (a cautious hint) or an 'осторожная улыбка' (a wary smile). You understand the etymological connection to the word 'сторож' (guard) and how that influences the word's meaning. You can use the word in academic or formal writing to describe research methodologies or theoretical frameworks that avoid bold claims. You are also familiar with idiomatic expressions and can use the noun 'осторожность' in various prepositional phrases like 'с большой осторожностью' (with great caution). You can debate the merits of being 'осторожный' versus 'решительный' (decisive) in complex situations.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, 'осторожный' is a tool for precision in high-level discourse. You can use it to analyze philosophical texts or high-level political strategy where caution is a key theme. You understand the historical and cultural weight of the word in Russian society. You can use it in creative writing to evoke specific moods, using it to describe not just people but environments—an 'осторожная тишина' (a cautious silence). You are capable of using the word and its derivatives with perfect grammatical accuracy in any register, from slang to legal jargon. You can also appreciate and use puns or wordplay involving the root 'стор-'. Your understanding of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

осторожный en 30 secondes

A versatile adjective meaning 'careful' or 'cautious' in Russian.
Commonly used in safety warnings and to describe prudent people.
Distinct from 'аккуратный' (neat) and 'внимательный' (attentive).
Essential for understanding Russian public safety announcements.

The Russian adjective осторожный (ostorozhny) is a fundamental word for anyone navigating the Russian-speaking world, as it encapsulates the concept of being careful, cautious, or wary. At its core, it describes a person or an action characterized by the desire to avoid danger, mistakes, or unnecessary risks. Unlike the English word 'neat' (which is often confused with 'careful' in Russian as аккуратный), осторожный specifically targets the avoidance of negative consequences or physical harm.

Physical Safety: Used when moving through dangerous terrain or handling fragile objects. For example, walking on ice requires осторожные шаги (careful steps).

Будь осторожный, здесь очень скользко!

Social and Intellectual Caution: Used when someone is hesitant to commit to an opinion or is being diplomatic. An осторожный ответ (cautious answer) suggests the speaker is avoiding conflict or commitment.

In the context of personality, an осторожный человек is someone who thinks twice before acting. This isn't necessarily a negative trait like cowardice; rather, it often implies wisdom and experience. However, in some contexts, it can imply a lack of courage or transparency, depending on the tone of the conversation. In business, you will frequently hear about осторожный прогноз (a cautious forecast), which is a conservative estimate that avoids over-promising results.

Его осторожный подход помог компании избежать банкротства.

Grammar Note: As an adjective, it must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies: осторожный (m), осторожная (f), осторожное (n), осторожные (pl).

Она сделала осторожное замечание по поводу проекта.

Culturally, Russians value being осторожный in situations involving the government, finances, or strangers. There is a deep-seated historical preference for 'measuring seven times before cutting once' (семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь), which perfectly aligns with the spirit of this word. Whether you are driving in heavy traffic or navigating a sensitive political discussion, being осторожный is considered a virtue of the prudent mind.

Using осторожный correctly requires understanding its placement and agreement. In Russian, adjectives typically precede the noun. When describing a person's character, it functions like any other descriptive adjective. However, when used in the short form (осторожен, осторожна, осторожно, осторожны), it often carries a more temporary or situational meaning, similar to 'to be careful right now.'

Он всегда был очень осторожным водителем.

In the sentence above, the instrumental case is used because of the verb 'was' (был). This is a common pattern when describing long-term traits. If you are warning someone in the present tense, you might use the imperative of 'to be' with the adjective: будь осторожен (to a male) or будь осторожна (to a female).

Modifying Abstract Nouns: It is frequently paired with nouns like 'approach' (подход), 'optimism' (оптимизм), or 'policy' (политика). This suggests a lack of recklessness.

Министр выразил осторожный оптимизм по поводу экономики.

Another common usage is describing physical movements. When you move quietly or slowly to avoid detection or falling, those movements are осторожные. This is often found in literature to set a tense or suspenseful mood. For example, a thief or a hunter makes осторожные шаги.

When used with the preposition в + prepositional case, it specifies the area of caution: осторожный в высказываниях (careful in one's statements). This allows for precise descriptions of a person's behavior in specific social contexts.

Она очень осторожна в выборе друзей.

Comparison: The comparative form is более осторожный (more careful) or осторожнее. The latter is very common in spoken commands: Будь осторожнее! (Be more careful!).

The most iconic place to hear a derivative of this word is the Moscow Metro. Every single time the train doors are about to close, the automated voice announces: "Осторожно, двери закрываются" (Caution, the doors are closing). This phrase is so ubiquitous that it has become a cultural touchstone for anyone who has lived in or visited a major Russian city. It uses the adverbial form, but the root and meaning are identical.

"Осторожно, двери закрываются. Следующая станция — Маяковская."

In daily life, parents use it constantly with children. You will hear "Будь осторожен!" at playgrounds, near hot stoves, or when crossing the street. It is the go-to word for safety warnings. In a medical context, a doctor might describe a patient's condition with осторожный прогноз, meaning they aren't sure yet if the patient will recover fully and don't want to give false hope.

In the News: Journalists use it to describe diplomatic relations or financial market movements. You might read about an осторожное сближение (cautious rapprochement) between two rival nations.

In literature and film, осторожный is used to build tension. A character might be described as having an осторожный взгляд (a wary look), suggesting they don't trust the people around them. This adds a layer of psychological depth, indicating that the character is observant and perhaps suspicious.

Finally, in professional settings, specifically in law or engineering, осторожность (the noun form) is a required trait. A lawyer's осторожный совет is one that protects the client from all possible legal liabilities. In these contexts, being осторожный is synonymous with being professional and thorough.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is confusing осторожный with аккуратный. In English, 'careful' can mean 'neat' (e.g., 'he is a careful worker'), but in Russian, аккуратный refers to orderliness and precision, while осторожный refers to safety and risk avoidance. If you say a driver is аккуратный, you mean they keep their car clean and follow rules precisely; if you say they are осторожный, you mean they drive slowly to avoid accidents.

Mistake: Confusion with 'Attentive': Another pitfall is using осторожный when you mean внимательный (attentive). If you want someone to pay attention to a lecture, don't say 'be cautious'; say 'be attentive.'

Incorrect: Будь осторожен к деталям. (Be cautious to details.)
Correct: Будь внимателен к деталям. (Be attentive to details.)

Gender and case agreement mistakes are also common. Since осторожный ends in -ый, it follows the hard-ending adjective declension. Learners often forget to change the ending for feminine nouns like походка (gait) or реакция (reaction).

Finally, some learners use осторожный when they actually mean 'suspicious' (подозрительный). While a cautious person might be suspicious, the words are not interchangeable. Осторожный describes the subject's behavior, while подозрительный usually describes something that causes doubt in others.

Russian has a rich vocabulary for expressing different shades of caution. Choosing the right synonym can elevate your speech from basic to advanced. The word осторожный is the most neutral and common, but let's look at alternatives:

Осмотрительный (Osmotritel'nyy): This implies looking around (root '-смотр-') and considering all circumstances before acting. It is more formal and suggests circumspection and prudence.

Бдительный (Bditel'nyy): This means 'vigilant' or 'watchful.' It is often used in security contexts or when someone is staying awake and alert to prevent a threat.

Пограничники должны быть очень бдительными.

Опасливый (Opaslivyy): This has a nuance of fear (root '-опас-', as in 'danger'). It describes someone who is cautious because they are slightly afraid or timid.

In summary, while осторожный is your 'workhorse' word for 'careful,' use осмотрительный for wise decisions, бдительный for security, and опасливый for behavior driven by anxiety. Understanding these nuances helps you describe human behavior with much greater precision.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"Просим вас проявлять осторожность при переходе путей."

Neutre

"Он очень осторожный человек."

Informel

"Да ладно, не будь таким осторожным!"

Child friendly

"Зайка очень осторожный, он боится волка."

Argot

"Тихо, будь на стрёме, осторожнее там."

Le savais-tu ?

The root '-стор-' is related to the concept of 'watching' or 'keeping a side'. This is why 'сторона' (side) and 'осторожный' (careful) are linguistic cousins—you have to look to the sides to be careful!

Guide de prononciation

UK /o.stoˈroʐ.nɨj/

US /ɑ.stəˈroʒ.ni/

o-sto-ROZH-nyy

Rime avec

дорожный (dorozhnyy) тревожный (trevozhnyy) сложный (slozhnyy) возможный (vozmozhnyy) надежный (nadezhnyy) ложный (lozhnyy) подкожный (podkozhnyy) порожный (porozhnyy)

Erreurs fréquentes

Stressing the first syllable (O-storozhny).
Pronouncing the 'o's clearly instead of reducing them.
Making the 'zh' sound like a sharp 'z'.
Confusing the ending '-ый' with '-ий'.
Failure to palatalize the 'n' in the feminine form 'осторожная'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the frequent 'о-' prefix and common root.

Écriture 3/5

Requires correct spelling of the 'о-о-о' vowel sequence and the 'ж' consonant.

Expression orale 3/5

Vowel reduction in the first two syllables is key for a native sound.

Écoute 2/5

Very distinct sound, especially in public announcements.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

опасно (dangerous) быть (to be) дверь (door) человек (person) водитель (driver)

Apprends ensuite

внимательный (attentive) аккуратный (neat) осмотрительный (circumspect) опасность (danger) безопасность (safety)

Avancé

предусмотрительность (foresight) благоразумие (prudence) перестраховка (over-insurance/playing it safe) бдительность (vigilance) опасливость (wariness)

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Agreement

ОсторожнЫЙ (m), ОсторожнАЯ (f), ОсторожнОЕ (n), ОсторожнЫЕ (pl)

Short Form Formation

Он осторожен, она осторожна, они осторожны.

Instrumental Case with 'быть'

Он был осторожным (He was cautious).

Adverbial Formation

Осторожный -> Осторожно (Carefully).

Comparative Degree

Более осторожный / Осторожнее.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

Осторожно, горячий чай!

Caution, hot tea!

Adverbial form used as an exclamation.

Будь осторожен!

Be careful!

Short form adjective (masculine) with imperative.

Осторожно, двери закрываются.

Caution, the doors are closing.

Standard metro announcement.

Он осторожный мальчик.

He is a careful boy.

Nominative masculine adjective.

Осторожно, здесь лед.

Caution, there is ice here.

Adverbial warning.

Будь осторожна на улице.

Be careful on the street.

Short form adjective (feminine).

Это осторожная кошка.

This is a cautious cat.

Nominative feminine adjective.

Осторожно! Машина!

Watch out! A car!

Short exclamation.

Мой папа — очень осторожный водитель.

My dad is a very careful driver.

Adjective modifying a profession.

Нам нужны осторожные люди для этой работы.

We need careful people for this job.

Plural nominative adjective.

Он сделал осторожный шаг вперед.

He took a cautious step forward.

Accusative masculine adjective.

Будьте осторожны с этой вазой.

Be careful with this vase.

Plural short form with preposition 'с'.

Она всегда очень осторожная.

She is always very careful.

Predicate adjective (feminine).

Осторожный ответ помог избежать ссоры.

A cautious answer helped avoid a fight.

Adjective modifying an abstract noun.

Они были осторожными в лесу.

They were careful in the forest.

Instrumental plural adjective after 'были'.

Я купил осторожного щенка.

I bought a cautious puppy.

Accusative masculine animate adjective.

Врач дал очень осторожный прогноз.

The doctor gave a very cautious prognosis.

Professional context.

Его осторожный подход к инвестициям оправдался.

His cautious approach to investments paid off.

Abstract noun modification.

Она была осторожна в своих высказываниях.

She was cautious in her statements.

Short form with prepositional phrase.

Нам следует быть более осторожными в будущем.

We should be more careful in the future.

Comparative degree with 'более'.

Это был осторожный намек на правду.

It was a cautious hint at the truth.

Metaphorical usage.

Директор выбрал осторожную стратегию развития.

The director chose a cautious development strategy.

Business context.

Осторожный человек редко попадает в беду.

A cautious person rarely gets into trouble.

Generalization/Proverbial style.

Я стал более осторожным после аварии.

I became more careful after the accident.

Instrumental comparative.

Министр выразил осторожный оптимизм по поводу переговоров.

The minister expressed cautious optimism about the negotiations.

Political collocation.

Её осторожные движения выдавали волнение.

Her cautious movements betrayed her nervousness.

Psychological description.

Инвестор предпочел осторожный портфель акций.

The investor preferred a cautious stock portfolio.

Financial terminology.

Нужно проявлять осторожность в общении с незнакомцами.

One must exercise caution when communicating with strangers.

Noun form usage context.

Осторожный взгляд детектива заметил улику.

The detective's wary gaze noticed the evidence.

Literary style.

Он всегда славился своим осторожным характером.

He was always famous for his cautious character.

Instrumental case with 'славиться'.

Осторожная критика не обидела автора.

The cautious criticism did not offend the author.

Social diplomacy.

Мы ведем осторожную игру на этом рынке.

We are playing a cautious game in this market.

Idiomatic usage.

Его осторожная манера речи часто сбивала людей с толку.

His cautious manner of speaking often confused people.

Nuanced personality trait.

Ученый сделал осторожный вывод на основе данных.

The scientist made a cautious conclusion based on the data.

Academic context.

Она прошла по комнате осторожной, кошачьей походкой.

She walked across the room with a cautious, cat-like gait.

Descriptive literary style.

Осторожное отношение к реформам замедлило прогресс.

A cautious attitude toward reforms slowed progress.

Sociopolitical analysis.

Он бросил на меня осторожный, испытующий взгляд.

He cast a cautious, searching look at me.

Complex adjective pairing.

В этих условиях осторожная тактика была единственно верной.

In these conditions, cautious tactics were the only correct ones.

Strategic context.

Осторожное постукивание в дверь прервало его мысли.

A cautious tapping at the door interrupted his thoughts.

Auditory description.

Автор придерживается осторожной позиции в этом споре.

The author maintains a cautious position in this dispute.

Intellectual stance.

Его филантропия была осторожной и глубоко избирательной.

His philanthropy was cautious and deeply selective.

Philosophical characterization.

В тексте прослеживается осторожная ирония по отношению к власти.

A cautious irony toward the authorities can be traced in the text.

Literary analysis.

Осторожное прощупывание почвы предшествовало сделке.

A cautious 'feeling out of the ground' preceded the deal.

Metaphorical idiom.

Она обладала осторожным умом, не склонным к поспешным обобщениям.

She possessed a cautious mind, not prone to hasty generalizations.

Abstract intellectual trait.

В лесу воцарилась осторожная, почти осязаемая тишина.

A cautious, almost tangible silence reigned in the forest.

High-level atmospheric description.

Его осторожная вера в человечество была трогательной.

His cautious faith in humanity was touching.

Nuanced emotional state.

Осторожный консерватизм этой эпохи сдерживал инновации.

The cautious conservatism of this era held back innovation.

Historical analysis.

Он двигался с осторожной грацией хищника на охоте.

He moved with the cautious grace of a predator on the hunt.

Complex metaphor.

Collocations courantes

осторожный водитель

осторожный подход

осторожный шаг

осторожный прогноз

осторожный оптимизм

осторожный взгляд

осторожное замечание

осторожное движение

осторожная политика

осторожные слова

Phrases Courantes

Будь осторожен!

— A standard warning telling a male person to be careful.

Будь осторожен, там скользко!

Осторожно, двери закрываются

— The classic metro announcement; caution, doors are closing.

Слышишь? Осторожно, двери закрываются.

Соблюдать осторожность

— To exercise caution; a formal way to say 'be careful'.

При работе с химикатами нужно соблюдать осторожность.

Осторожно, окрашено!

— Wet paint! A common sign found on benches or walls.

Не садись туда, там табличка 'Осторожно, окрашено!'

Проявлять осторожность

— To show or manifest caution in one's actions.

В этом деле нужно проявлять крайнюю осторожность.

Меры осторожности

— Precautionary measures.

Мы приняли все необходимые меры осторожности.

С большой осторожностью

— With great caution.

Он открыл старую книгу с большой осторожностью.

Осторожно, хрупкое!

— Caution, fragile! (Label on packages).

На коробке было написано 'Осторожно, хрупкое!'

Лишняя осторожность не помешает

— Extra caution won't hurt; better safe than sorry.

Возьми фонарик, лишняя осторожность не помешает.

Потерять осторожность

— To lose one's caution; to become reckless.

От успеха он совсем потерял осторожность.

Souvent confondu avec

осторожный vs Аккуратный

Means 'neat' or 'orderly', not necessarily 'avoiding danger'.

осторожный vs Внимательный

Means 'attentive' or 'focused', which is a part of being cautious but not the same.

осторожный vs Подозрительный

Means 'suspicious'; a cautious person might be suspicious, but they aren't the same.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Дуть на холодную воду"

— To be overly cautious because of a past bad experience (like 'once bitten, twice shy').

После того провала он дует на холодную воду.

Informal/Proverbial

"Береженого Бог бережет"

— God protects those who protect themselves; safety first.

Надень шлем, береженого Бог бережет.

Proverbial

"Семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь"

— Measure seven times, cut once; be very careful before acting.

Не спеши с решением, семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь.

Proverbial

"Тише едешь — дальше будешь"

— The slower you go, the further you'll get; slow and steady wins the race.

Не гони так быстро, тише едешь — дальше будешь.

Proverbial

"Ходить по тонкому льду"

— To walk on thin ice; to be in a risky situation requiring extreme caution.

Твои шутки — это хождение по тонкому льду.

Metaphorical

"Держать ухо востро"

— To keep one's ears sharp; to be very alert and cautious.

С этим клиентом нужно держать ухо востро.

Informal

"Глаз да глаз нужен"

— Needs a constant eye; requires extreme vigilance.

За этим ребенком нужен глаз да глаз.

Informal

"Обходить за версту"

— To avoid something by a mile; to stay far away out of caution.

Я это место за версту обхожу.

Informal

"Не зная броду, не суйся в воду"

— Don't step into the water without knowing the ford; don't act without knowing the situation.

Сначала изучи рынок: не зная броду, не суйся в воду.

Proverbial

"На воре и шапка горит"

— A thief's hat is on fire; implies a guilty person lacks the caution to hide their guilt.

Он так нервничает, что сразу видно: на воре и шапка горит.

Proverbial

Facile à confondre

осторожный vs Аккуратный

Both translate as 'careful' in some English contexts.

Аккуратный is about precision and cleanliness; осторожный is about safety.

Он аккуратно пишет, но он не осторожный человек.

осторожный vs Бережный

Both imply 'care'.

Бережный implies tenderness or preservation (e.g., of nature); осторожный implies risk avoidance.

Бережное отношение к книгам.

осторожный vs Осмотрительный

Synonyms.

Осмотрительный is more formal and implies thinking through all consequences.

Осмотрительный выбор.

осторожный vs Тщательный

Both imply 'careful' work.

Тщательный means 'thorough' or 'detailed'.

Тщательный анализ.

осторожный vs Опасливый

Synonyms.

Опасливый suggests you are cautious because you are a bit scared.

Опасливый взгляд на злую собаку.

Structures de phrases

Осторожно, [Noun]!

Осторожно, машина!

Будь осторожен с [Instrumental]

Будь осторожен с огнем.

[Subject] — [Adjective] [Noun]

Он — осторожный инвестор.

Проявлять осторожность в [Prepositional]

Она проявляет осторожность в выборе слов.

[Adjective] [Noun] позволил(о) избежать [Genitive]

Осторожный подход позволил избежать кризиса.

[Adverb] [Verb], [Subject] [Verb]

Осторожно ступая, охотник приблизился к цели.

Более осторожный, чем [Subject]

Я более осторожный, чем мой брат.

Очень осторожный [Noun]

Это очень осторожный план.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very High (Top 1000 words)

Erreurs courantes

Using 'аккуратный' for safety warnings. → Будь осторожен!
Аккуратный means neat. If you say 'будь аккуратен' near a cliff, it sounds like you want them to keep their clothes clean while falling.
Saying 'Осторожный!' as a quick warning. → Осторожно!
Warnings use the adverbial/neuter short form, not the masculine adjective.
Pronouncing 'o-sto-ro-zhny' with four clear 'o' sounds. → a-sta-ROZH-ny
Unstressed 'o' reduces to 'a'.
Forgetting adjective agreement in the plural. → Осторожные люди.
Adjectives must match the plural noun.
Using 'осторожный' to mean 'attentive' in class. → Будь внимательным.
Caution is about danger; attention is about focus.

Astuces

The Guard at the Door

Remember the root 'storozh' (guard). A careful person is their own guard. If you see 'осторожный', think of a guard watching over a situation.

Short Form for Commands

When telling someone to be careful, always use the short form: 'Будь осторожен/осторожна/осторожны'. It sounds more natural than the long form.

Metro Magic

If you ever visit Russia, the word 'осторожно' will be the most frequent word you hear on public transport. Memorize the phrase 'Осторожно, двери закрываются' to feel like a local.

Not Neat!

Always remember: Осторожный = Safety. Аккуратный = Order. Don't mix them up when describing your work or your friends.

The Ghost 'A'

The first two 'o's in 'осторожный' are unstressed. They should sound like a very light 'a'. If you pronounce them like 'o', you will sound very foreign.

Double 'o' then 'o'

The word has three 'o's: о-сто-ро-жный. Remember the sequence to avoid spelling errors.

Softening the 'zh'

The 'ж' in Russian is always hard, but in 'осторожный', it flows quickly into the 'н'. Don't over-emphasize the 'zh' sound.

Context Clues

If you hear 'осторожно' at the start of a sentence, it's almost always a warning. If it's at the end, it's likely describing how someone did something.

Abstract Caution

Don't be afraid to use this word for 'cautious optimism' or 'cautious approach'. It's very common in formal Russian.

Synonym Sophistication

Once you master 'осторожный', start using 'осмотрительный' to sound more like a C1 speaker.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine a 'STORozh' (guard) standing on a 'STAIR' watching 'O-ver' everything. He is being O-STOR-ozhny.

Association visuelle

A yellow 'CAUTION' sign in the Moscow Metro or a cat slowly putting its paw on a cold surface.

Word Web

Security Safety Slow Watchful Prudent Metro Warning Glass

Défi

Try to use 'осторожный' to describe three different things in your room: a fragile object, a dangerous corner, and your own personality.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Old East Slavic 'осторожь' (protection, guard). It shares a root with 'сторожить' (to guard) and 'сторож' (guard).

Sens originel : Originally meant 'being on guard' or 'protected by a fence/wall'.

Indo-European > Slavic > East Slavic > Russian.

Contexte culturel

Calling someone 'слишком осторожный' (too cautious) can be a mild insult, implying they are boring or cowardly.

English speakers might find the frequent warnings in Russia (like on every metro stop) a bit repetitive, but it reflects a different legal and social approach to public safety.

Moscow Metro announcements The proverb 'Семь раз отмерь...' Chekhov's character 'The Man in a Case' (Человек в футляре) who is pathologically cautious.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Public Transport

Осторожно, двери закрываются
Соблюдайте осторожность на эскалаторе
Будьте осторожны при выходе из вагона
Осторожно, ступенька

Driving

Осторожный водитель
Осторожно на повороте
Будь осторожен, там гололед
Осторожное вождение

Business

Осторожный прогноз
Осторожная стратегия
Осторожные инвестиции
Проявлять осторожность в сделках

Socializing

Осторожный в словах
Осторожный намек
Осторожное знакомство
Будь осторожен с ним

Health/Safety

Осторожно, хрупкое
Осторожно, яд
Будь осторожен с ножом
Осторожный подход к лечению

Amorces de conversation

"Считаешь ли ты себя осторожным человеком?"

"Как ты думаешь, почему в метро всегда говорят 'Осторожно, двери закрываются'?"

"Был ли в твоей жизни случай, когда осторожность спасла тебя?"

"Ты предпочитаешь осторожных водителей или тех, кто ездит быстро?"

"В каких ситуациях лучше быть смелым, а не осторожным?"

Sujets d'écriture

Опиши ситуацию, когда ты был недостаточно осторожным. Что произошло?

Напиши о человеке, которого ты считаешь образцом осторожности.

Как балансировать между осторожностью и стремлением к приключениям?

Почему осторожность важна в твоей профессиональной деятельности?

Опиши свой 'осторожный прогноз' на следующий год своей жизни.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

'Осторожно' is an adverb meaning 'carefully' or 'cautiously'. It is also used as an exclamation ('Watch out!'). 'Осторожный' is an adjective that describes a noun (e.g., 'a careful person'). Use the adjective to describe *who* or *what* is careful, and the adverb to describe *how* an action is done.

No. For 'neat' or 'orderly', use 'аккуратный'. If you call a student 'осторожный', it means they are afraid to make mistakes or take risks, not that their handwriting is pretty.

Use the plural short form: 'Будьте осторожны!' (Bud'te ostorozhny!).

It is generally neutral to positive. It implies wisdom and safety. However, in contexts where bravery is needed, it can imply hesitation or cowardice.

The most direct opposite is 'неосторожный' (careless). Other antonyms include 'рискованный' (risky) and 'безрассудный' (reckless).

It's a warning to passengers to be careful because the doors are closing. It functions as a command or an adverbial warning.

The feminine genitive form is 'осторожной'. Example: 'У неё нет осторожной тактики' (She doesn't have a cautious tactic).

There is 'осторожничать', which means 'to act with (perhaps too much) caution', but usually, people just say 'быть осторожным' (to be cautious).

It's a common phrase in news and business meaning that someone is hopeful but realizes there are still many risks or problems.

Yes, in literature. An 'осторожный звук' is a very quiet, faint sound made by someone trying not to be heard.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes