Prudent (en. Careful)
/pʁydɑ̃/
Meaning & Definition
EnglishFrench
adjective
Who acts with foresight and a sense of responsibility.
He made prudent decisions to avoid risks.
Il a pris des décisions prudentes pour éviter les risques.
Who is reserved and thoughtful in their actions.
His cautious attitude allowed him to avoid mistakes.
Son attitude prudente lui a permis de ne pas faire d'erreurs.
Who protects themselves from dangers by thinking before acting.
He is always careful when crossing the street.
Il est toujours prudent en traversant la rue.
Etymology
From the Latin 'prudentem', meaning 'foreseeing'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
a prudent choice
A choice that has been made with care and reflection.
un choix prudent
act with caution
To act in a way to avoid mistakes or dangers.
agir avec prudence
show caution
To show wisdom and a sense of responsibility.
faire preuve de prudence
Related Words
caution
The character of someone who is prudent.
prudence
considerate
Who is attentive to the needs of others, often associated with caution.
prévenant
Slang Meanings
Not too reckless.
It’s better to stay cautious than to dive in blindly.
Il est mieux de rester prudent plutôt que de se lancer à l'aveugle.
Better safe than sorry.
Be careful with your investments, don’t open too many accounts.
Sois prudent avec tes investissements, n'ouvre pas trop de comptes.