Many borrowed terms are so tightly embedded in everyday speech that native speakers use them without thinking about the true meaning. As specialized words or to accuse a loved one of inaction and inability to make useful contacts. “Passive” - which one? Perhaps your definition is inappropriate and even insulting in this situation, because it does not correspond to reality?
Latin roots
To understand, join the wisdom of ancient peoples. The original passivus came from pati, which meant “endure” or “suffer”. That is, the victim of any incident is “passive”, and it is incorrect to speak out against him. However, over time, the interpretation somewhat changed and ceased to be negative. What options are relevant in the 21st century?
Russian realities
Philologists distinguish four main deciphers, which are now used more often than others:
- inactive - basic value;
- rarely used is a special term;
- due to other people's actions;
- inherent in liability is a section of the economy.
Illustrative examples for the third and fourth definitions are suffrage and trade balance. So, active law implies the ability to vote, and n. - to be elected. At the same time, the meaning of the word “passive” when reducing expenditure-income indicates the prevalence of imports over exports. When the state literally loses real money due to trade.
Applicability
At the household level, the word is very popular. The townsfolk with his help note someone's inertia. For example, their colleagues, who instead of trying to take a more profitable position with a high salary, prefer to sit and quietly shift papers in the office. These are passive workers whose chances of success are small. In relation to people, the term seems to indicate their unwillingness to develop.
Freud also did a great deal in his studies of sexuality. Quite often, the definition allows you to temporarily or permanently assign roles to sexual partners. If one takes an active or dominant position, then the other only follows the desires of the lover. A similar situation exists in everyday relationships.
Appropriateness of naming
It cannot be said unequivocally that “passive” is a positive or negative characteristic. In the framework of any terminology, the word is absolutely neutral, and in case of interpersonal interaction it only indicates the conditional positions “head-subordinate”. And this will not be a rebuke, but a natural and voluntary distribution. Accusatory notes will appear only in a situation where you do not like that someone is doing nothing. But probably he just needs help, and then things go live?