Using Russian - A Guide To Contemporary Usage, 2nd Ed

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Using Russian
Using Russian is a guide to Russian usage for those who have already
acquired the basics of the language and wish to extend their
knowledge. Unlike conventional grammars, it gives special attention to
those areas of vocabulary and grammar which cause most difculty to
English speakers, and focuses on questions of style and register which
are all too often ignored. Clear, readable and easy to consult, it will
prove invaluable to students seeking to improve their uency and
condence in Russian.
This second edition has been substantially revised and expanded to
incorporate fresh material and up-to-date information. Many of the
original sections have been rewritten, the passages illustrating register
are all fresh and one brand new chapter has been added, providing a
clear picture of Russian usage in the twenty-rst century.
derek offord is Professor of Russian Intellectual History at the
University of Bristol, where he has served as Chairman of the School
of Modern Languages and Head of Department. His previous
publications include Portraits of Early Russian Liberals (1985), The
Russian Revolutionary Movement in the 1880s (1986) and Modern
Russian: An Advanced Grammar Course (1993), as well as numerous
articles and chapters on classical Russian literature and thought.
natalia gogolitsyna is Language Assistant at the University of
Bristol. She has taught Russian as a second language at St Petersburg
Pedagogical University, and has been a visiting academic at the
University of Essex. Her previous publications include Problems of
Translation: Russian Words and Concepts with No Exact Equivalents in
English (1995) and various articles on culture-specic words and
concepts.
Companion titles
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r. e. batchelor and m. h. offord
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Using Russian
A guide to
contemporary usage
Second edition, revised and augmented
DEREK OFFORD
University of Bristol
NATALIA GOGOLITSYNA
University of Bristol
caxniioci uxiviisir\ iiiss
Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, So Paulo
Cambridge University Press
The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge cn: :iu, UK
First published in print format
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Derek Offord and Natalia Gogolitsyna 2005
2005
Information on this title: www.cambridg e.org /9780521547611
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provision of
relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place
without the written permission of Cambridge University Press.
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for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication, and does not
guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York
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eBook (NetLibrary)
eBook (NetLibrary)
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Contents
Preface to the rst edition xiii
Preface to the second edition xv
Acknowledgements xviii
Sources xix
Note on transcription, stress marks and transliteration xxii
Glossary of linguistic terms xxiii
List of abbreviations xxxiii
1 Varieties of language and register 1
1.1 The Russian language and its distribution 1
1.2 Varieties of language 6
1.3 Registers 9
1.3.1 The colloquial register (R1) 10
1.3.2 Demotic speech (D) 13
1.3.3 The neutral register (R2) 14
1.3.4 The higher register (R3) 15
1.3.5 Styles of belles-lettres ( ee
ea) 17
1.3.6 Language of the internet ( eea) 17
1.4 Illustration of register in vocabulary 18
1.5 Regional variation in Russian 19
1.5.1 Standard pronunciation 20
1.5.2 Classication of Russian dialects 21
1.5.3 Regional features 22
1.6 Current debate about standard Russian 25
2 Passages illustrating register 32
2.1 R1: from a TV show 32
2.2 R1: based on a conversation in a Russian internet chatroom 36
2.3 R2: magazine interview with a popular actor 40
2.4 R2: question-and-answer session with President Putin 43
2.5 R3a: academic style (modern historiography) 45
2.6 R3a: academic style (scientic writing) 47
2.7 R3b: ofcial/business style (legal) 50
2.8 R3b: ofcial/business style (commercial) 53
2.9 R3c: political journalism (reporting) 57
2.10 R3c: political journalism (comment) 60
2.11 Classical poetry 62
2.12 Literary prose 65
2.13 Language of the internet 68
v
Contents
3 Problems of meaning: Russian words 73
3.1 Homonyms 73
3.1.1 Examples of homonyms 73
3.1.2 Homonyms with different plural forms 78
3.2 Homophones and homoforms 79
3.3 Homographs 81
3.4 Paronyms 82
3.5 Faux amis (e ) 87
3.6 Problems of number 91
3.6.1 Nouns with plural form only 91
3.6.2 Nouns with singular form only 92
3.7 Russian words difcult to render in English 93
4 Problems of translation from English into Russian 98
4.1 English words difcult to render in Russian 98
4.2 Translation of the verb to be 150
4.3 Translation of English modal auxiliary verbs 154
4.4 Transitive and intransitive verbs 159
4.5 Translation of English forms ending in -ing 160
4.6 Translation of too, also, as well 162
5 Vocabulary and idiom 163
5.1 Neologisms 163
5.1.1 Western loanwords in Russian 163
5.1.2 Recent loanwords from English 165
5.1.3 Neologisms derived from existing Russian words 166
5.1.4 Slang 169
5.1.5 Computing terminology 171
5.2 Transition words 176
5.3 Fillers 177
5.4 Modal particles 179
5.5 Interjections 188
5.6 Vulgar language 190
5.7 Idioms 193
5.8 Proverbs and sayings ( ) 199
5.9 Similes 202
6 Language and everyday life 203
6.1 Measurement 203
6.1.1 Length, distance, height 203
6.1.2 Area 204
6.1.3 Weight 204
6.1.4 Volume 205
6.1.5 Russian pre-revolutionary units of measure 205
6.1.6 Speed 206
6.1.7 Temperature 206
6.2 Currency 207
vi
Contents
6.3 Fractions and presentation of numerals 207
6.4 Time 207
6.5 Telephone numbers 208
6.6 Postal addresses 208
6.7 Family relationships 209
6.8 Public notices 209
6.9 Abbreviations of titles, weights, measures and
common expressions 211
6.10 Acronyms and alphabetisms 213
6.11 Names of countries and nationalities 216
6.11.1 Russia and the other states of the former
Soviet Union 216
6.11.2 Other regions and national minorities of Russia and the
former Soviet Union 217
6.11.3 Europe (Ea) 218
6.11.4 Africa (
Aa) 220
6.11.5 America (Aea) 221
6.11.6 Asia (
A) 221
6.11.7 The Middle East ( B) 222
6.11.8 Australia and New Zealand 223
6.12 Words denoting inhabitants of Russian and former
Soviet cities 223
6.13 Jokes (ae) and puns (aa) 225
7 Verbal etiquette 228
7.1 Introductory remarks 228
7.2 Use of and 229
7.3 Personal names 230
7.3.1 First names (ea) 230
7.3.2 Patronymics (ea) 233
7.4 Attracting attention (eee a) 235
7.5 Introductions (a) 237
7.6 Greetings (ee) 239
7.7 Farewells (ae) 241
7.8 Congratulation (aee) 242
7.9 Wishing (eae) 242
7.10 Gratitude (aa) 244
7.11 Apologising (ee) 244
7.12 Request (a) 245
7.13 Invitation (aee) 247
7.14 Reassurance and condolence (eee, eae) 247
7.15 Compliments (e) 248
7.16 Telephone conversations (ee a) 248
7.17 Letter writing (eea) 250
8 Word-formation 252
8.1 Principles of word-formation 252
vii
Contents
8.2 Types of consonant, spelling rules and consonant changes 253
8.2.1 Hard and soft consonants 253
8.2.2 Use of the hard sign 253
8.2.3 Devoicing of consonants 254
8.2.4 Spelling rules 254
8.2.5 Consonant changes 255
8.2.6 Epenthetic 255
8.3 Verbal prexes 255
8.4 Noun prexes 263
8.5 Adjectival prexes 264
8.6 The verbal inxes -a-/-a- 265
8.7 Noun sufxes 266
8.7.1 The principal noun sufxes 266
8.7.2 Noun sufxes denoting females 274
8.7.3 Miscellaneous noun sufxes 276
8.8 Diminutive, augmentative and expressive sufxes 277
8.8.1 Diminutive and hypocoristic sufxes 277
8.8.2 Double diminutive sufxes 279
8.8.3 The augmentative sufx -e/-a 279
8.8.4 Pejorative sufxes 279
8.9 The principal adjectival sufxes 280
8.10 Sufxes of participial origin 284
8.11 The verbal sufxes -a and -a 285
8.12 Composition 286
8.12.1 Compound nouns 286
8.12.2 Compound adjectives 287
9 Inection 288
9.1 Declension of the noun 288
9.1.1 Gender 288
9.1.2 Basic declensional patterns of the noun 289
9.1.3 Mobile vowels 291
9.1.4 Genitive singular forms in -/- 291
9.1.5 Locative singular forms in - y/- 292
9.1.6 Masculine nouns with nominative plural in - a/- 294
9.1.7 Irregularities in the genitive plural of nouns 296
9.1.8 Irregularities in dative/instrumental/prepositional
plural forms 299
9.1.9 Nouns which are irregular throughout the plural 299
9.1.10 Nouns with irregular declension throughout 301
9.1.11 Declension of surnames 303
9.1.12 Indeclinable nouns 304
9.2 Declension of pronouns 305
9.3 Adjectival forms 307
9.3.1 Declension of adjectives 307
9.3.2 Formation of short adjectives 309
9.3.3 Formation of short comparatives 310
viii
Contents
9.4 Formation of adverbs 312
9.5 Declension of numerals 313
9.6 Verb forms 315
9.6.1 The system of conjugation 315
9.6.2 1A verbs 316
9.6.3 1B verbs with vowel stems and unstressed endings 316
9.6.4 1B verbs with stems in and p and unstressed endings 316
9.6.5 1B verbs with vowel stems and stressed endings 317
9.6.6 1B verbs with consonant stems and unstressed endings 317
9.6.7 1B verbs with consonant stems and stressed endings 319
9.6.8 Second-conjugation verbs 322
9.6.9 Irregular verbs 324
9.6.10 Formation of the past tense 325
9.6.11 Formation of the imperative 326
9.7 Formation of gerunds and participles 328
9.7.1 Formation of imperfective gerunds 328
9.7.2 Formation of perfective gerunds 328
9.7.3 Formation of present active participles 329
9.7.4 Formation of past active participles 329
9.7.5 Formation of present passive participles 330
9.7.6 Formation of past passive participles 330
10 Prepositions 333
10.1 Valency of prepositions 333
10.1.1 Prepositions followed by apparent nominative forms 333
10.1.2 Prepositions governing the accusative 334
10.1.3 Prepositions governing the genitive 337
10.1.4 Prepositions governing the dative 343
10.1.5 Prepositions governing the instrumental 345
10.1.6 Prepositions governing the prepositional or locative 346
10.2 Prepositional phrases based on nouns 350
10.3 Verbs followed by prepositions 350
10.3.1 Verbs followed by prepositions governing
the accusative 350
10.3.2 Verbs followed by prepositions governing the genitive 351
10.3.3 Verbs followed by prepositions governing the dative 352
the instrumental 352
the prepositional 353
10.4 Rendering of English prepositions in Russian 354
11 Syntax 377
11.1 Use of the cases 377
11.1.1 Use of the nominative 377
11.1.2 Use of the accusative 377
11.1.3 Use of case to denote animate direct object 378
ix
Contents
11.1.4 Basic uses of the genitive 380
11.1.5 Verbs governing the genitive 381
11.1.6 Case of direct object after a negated verb 382
11.1.7 Basic uses of the dative 384
11.1.8 Verbs governing the dative 386
11.1.9 Basic uses of the instrumental 388
11.1.10 Verbs governing the instrumental 388
11.1.11 Use of the prepositional 391
11.2 Use of pronouns 391
11.2.1 Use of as a relative pronoun 391
11.2.2 Use of a and as interrogative pronouns 392
11.2.3 Use of negative pronouns (, etc.) 392
11.2.4 Use of e, etc. 393
11.2.5 Use of the particles -, -, - 393
11.2.6 Use of 394
11.3 Use of short adjectives 395
11.4 Use of numerals 398
11.4.1 Use of 398
11.4.2 Use of numerals higher than one in nominative/
accusative 398
11.4.3 Use of numerals in oblique cases 399
11.4.4 Use of numerals with animate direct object 399
11.4.5 Use of collective numerals 400
11.4.6 Approximation 401
11.4.7 Agreement of predicate with a subject containing a
cardinal numeral 401
11.4.8 Translation of years and people after numerals 402
11.4.9 Distributive expressions 402
11.4.10 Time 403
11.4.11 Dates 404
11.4.12 Distance 404
11.4.13 Nouns expressing number 405
11.5 Use of aspects 405
11.5.1 Basic distinction between the aspects 405
11.5.2 Effect of adverbial modiers 406
11.5.3 Use of aspect in the indicative 406
11.5.4 Use of aspect in the innitive 408
11.5.5 Use of aspect in negative constructions 409
11.5.6 Use of aspect in the imperative 410
11.6 Problems in choice of tense 411
11.7 Use of verbs of motion 412
11.8 Use of reexive verbs 413
11.9 The conditional mood 415
11.10 The subjunctive mood 416
11.11 Use of gerunds and participles 418
11.11.1 Use of gerunds 418
11.11.2 Use of active participles 419
11.11.3 Use of present passive participles 419
x
Contents
11.11.4 Use of past passive participles 419
11.12 Conjunctions 420
11.12.1 Coordinating conjunctions 420
11.12.2 Subordinating conjunctions 422
11.12.3 Subordinating conjunctions used in R1 or R3 423
11.13 Syntactic features of colloquial speech 424
11.14 Word order 425
11.15 Punctuation 428
11.16 Use of capital letters 432
12 Stress 433
12.1 Introductory remarks 433
12.2 Stress in nouns 433
12.2.1 Masculine nouns 434
12.2.2 Feminine nouns 438
12.2.3 Neuter nouns 440
12.2.4 Irregular stress in certain prepositional singular forms 442
12.2.5 Prepositions that attract stress in certain phrases 443
12.3 Stress in adjectives 443
12.4 Stress in verbs 444
12.4.1 Stress in rst-conjugation verbs 444
12.4.2 Stress in second-conjugation verbs 445
12.4.3 Stress in past-tense forms 447
12.4.4 Stress in gerunds and participles 449
12.4.5 Miscellaneous points 452
12.5 Variation in stress 452
Index of Russian words, phrases and afxes 455
General index 487
xi
Preface to the rst edition
This book, like the volumes already published in the series on
contemporary usage in French, German and Spanish, is aimed at the
advanced learner who has studied the basic grammar of the language
and is now striving for a more comprehensive and sophisticated
knowledge. To this end the book includes much material on register,
vocabulary, verbal etiquette and word-formation, as well as material on
the subjects of morphology, prepositions and syntax with which the
post-A-level student should already have some familiarity. The book is
not conceived as a comprehensive grammar, although the main
grammatical topics that trouble the English-speaking student are quite
fully covered in the later chapters. The approach adopted is not
prescriptive. That is to say an attempt is made to show the range of
linguistic phenomena that might be encountered in modern Russian
and to dene the limits within which they are used rather than to lay
down rules for usage.
While offering, it is hoped, a multi-faceted view of the modern
language, two purposes are kept in mind throughout the book.
Firstly, it is intended to demonstrate that Russian, like any other
modern language with which the student may be familiar, is not a
stable, uniform abstraction that is applied inexibly in all situations. As
a living language spoken by millions of individuals of different ages
from different backgrounds and in different situations, Russian exists in
many varieties. Words, forms and constructions which are appropriate
in one context may be quite out of place in another. Even apparently
hard-and-fast grammatical rules may be relaxed, to the frustration of
the foreign student who has laboriously mastered them. Chapter 1
therefore aims to make the student aware of the existence of variety in
the Russian language, and this variety is borne in mind and examples
of it indicated in all the chapters that follow.
Secondly, the book attempts to address problems that the
English-speaking student of Russian may nd especially taxing.
Russian operates, of course, according to quite different grammatical
principles from those to which the English-speaker is accustomed.
(One thinks in particular of its system of declension of nouns,
pronouns, adjectives, numerals and participles and of the aspectual
distinction that runs through the Russian verbal system.) Moreover, in
the eld of vocabulary correspondences between Russian and English
words are often limited or inexact and similarities can be misleading.
Again, in certain situations Russians simply do not express themselves
in the same way as English-speakers in a similar situation, or at least a
direct translation of what an English-speaker would say in that situation
would seem to a Russian to some degree unnatural. Much attention is
xiii
Preface to the rst edition
therefore devoted in this book to problems of non-equivalence in the
two languages in vocabulary, phraseology and verbal etiquette as well as
grammar.
Beyond these purposes it is also hoped that the book, through its
broad approach, will increase the students general awareness of the
structure and resources of the Russian language, and that his or her
understanding and appreciation of the immense vitality and depth of
experience of the Russian people may thus in some small way be
enhanced.
xiv
Preface to the second edition
This new edition of Using Russian: a Guide to Contemporary Usage
represents an extensively revised and augmented version of the rst
edition, which was published in 1996. Whereas the rst edition
consisted of ten chapters the current edition has twelve and is some
ninety pages longer than the rst. Our thanks are due to Cambridge
University Press for allowing this enlargement.
Some material in the rst edition that is now out-of-date or that is
for some other reason of less interest than it was in 1996 (for example,
neologisms associated with the period of gl asnost
and perestr oika) has

been excised or reduced. On the other hand, much fresh material has
been incorporated, especially in the rst ve chapters and the last
chapter. The main changes that have been made are as follows.
Chapter 1 is based on sections 15 inclusive of the rst chapter of
the rst edition but the material has been substantially rewritten and
considerably expanded. Section 1.1, on the distribution of the Russian
language, has been revised in the light of information in the most
recent Russian census (2002). Section 1.2, on varieties of language, has
been slightly expanded to include material on the distinction drawn,
for example by David Crystal, between written and spoken language.
Section 1.3, on registers in contemporary Russian, contains some fresh
examples of usage and a new section (1.3.6) on the language of the
internet (a subject to which this new edition as a whole pays much
attention). Section 1.4, which is also new, briey illustrates differences
in register as reected in vocabulary by taking about two dozen
common words and identifying some of their equivalents in low and
high registers. A further new section (1.6), on current debate about
standard Russian, deals with concerns about the lowering of the
standard that have arisen as a result of the perceived linguistic
permissiveness that has accompanied the political, economic and social
transformation of Russia over the last ten years.
The seven passages that were used to illustrate register in the rst
edition (located at 1.6 in that edition) have all been excised as now
somewhat stale and have been replaced by thirteen fresh passages.
Colloquial speech, the neutral register, the scientic/academic style,
the ofcial/business style, the style of journalism and political debate,
and the language of imaginative literature are all illustrated in the new
edition by two passages each. There is also a passage that illustrates and
explicitly discusses the style of email. This latter passage, taken together
with one of the passages exemplifying colloquial language on the basis
of conversation in an internet chatroom, gives insight into the new
register of Netspeak. The thirteen passages illustrating register, and the
translations of and commentaries on them, now take up the whole of
xv
Chapter 2, from which it is hoped a broad view of the range of register
available in contemporary Russian will emerge.
Additions have also been made to the two chapters (Chapters 3
and 4 of the new edition) that deal with problems of meaning and
translation (one on Russian words and one on English words). In
Chapter 3, for example, a few new entries have been inserted in each
of the sections on homonyms (3.1), paronyms (3.4) and faux amis (3.5)
and a new section (3.7) has been included on Russian words that are
difcult to render in English because of their cultural specicity. In 4.1
some new entries have been added and some further possible
translations have been provided in entries that were already included in
this section in the rst edition.
In the chapter on vocabulary and idiom (now Chapter 5) the rst
section, on neologisms, has been rewritten in order to take account of
the recent expansion of Russian lexis by means of the adoption of
loanwords, the extension of the use of colloquial words and the
elevation of demotic words to the level of everyday colloquial speech.
This section now includes sub-sections on slang (5.1.4) and on the
new vocabulary associated with computing (5.1.5). The last three
sections of Chapter 5 (5.75.9) have also been slightly expanded and
contain more extensive literal translation of, and fuller comment on,
the idioms, proverbs and similes that they present than the equivalent
sections in the rst edition.
In what is now Chapter 6, section 6.8, on the language of public
notices, and section 6.10, on acronyms and alphabetisms, have been
slightly expanded to reect contemporary practice. We have also
appended a short section on the popular Russian conversational genre
of the joke, or anecdote, to the end of this chapter (6.13).
The last four chapters of the rst edition (Chapters 811 inclusive in
this second edition) have required much less substantial revision than
the earlier chapters, because they concern morphology and syntax,
which have been relatively little affected by innovation over the eight
years that have elapsed since the publication of the rst edition. No
signicant cuts have been made to these chapters, because we feel that
it remains useful for advanced learners to have at hand a fairly
exhaustive compendium of information on grammar alongside the
material on those aspects of language (register and vocabulary) that are
subject to greater and more rapid change.
Finally, a new chapter has been included on stress (Chapter 12), on
the grounds that it is important for the advanced learner to master
Russian stress patterns, which are complex, and that study of them has
been relatively neglected in English-language books on Russian. In
keeping with the spirit of the series this new chapter devotes some
attention to variation in usage.
All the material from the rst edition which remains substantially
unchanged in this second edition has been reviewed. Mistakes and
aws identied in the rst edition have been corrected and further
xvi
minor alterations have been made with respect to both content and
presentation.
Our revision of the rst edition has been informed by recent
literature on debate about the standard in English and on the impact of
the internet on the English language as well as by new work on the
Russian language. We have also been able to make use of online
resources on the Russian language that were not available when the
rst edition was being prepared. The new sources that we have
consulted are included in the revised list of sources that appears on
pp. xixxxi.
Cross-referencing and the two indexes (a list of the Russian words
and afxes to which the book refers and an index of topics covered)
have of course been revised to take account of all the changes made.
DO, NG
Bristol, July 2004
xvii
Acknowledgements
Every effort has been made to secure necessary permissions to
reproduce copyright material in this work, though in some cases it has
proved impossible to trace or contact copyright holders. If any
omissions are brought to our notice, we will be happy to include
appropriate acknowledgements on reprinting, and in any subsequent
edition.
We thank Penguin Books for permission to reproduce the English
translation of an extract from Pushkins poem that is given in
section 2.11.
We also warmly thank the following: Tat
iana Dimoglo, for material

on neologisms and orthography and for general linguistic advice; Elena
Gogolitsyna, for material and advice on contemporary slang and
computing terminology; Yurii Gogolitsyn for his invaluable technical
assistance; John Steeds, FRS, for his help with translation of the
passage on physics reproduced at 2.5; Helen Barton of Cambridge
University Press for her guidance and for her prompt and patient
responses to all our queries; Kay McKechnie for her careful reading of
the typescript and the many improvements that she introduced at the
copy-editing stage; and Alison Powell of Cambridge University Press
for overseeing production of the book. For any mistakes,
misapprehensions and imperfections of presentation that might remain
in spite of the best efforts of all who have helped us in various ways we
ourselves accept sole responsibility.
DO, NG,
Bristol, August 2004
xviii
Sources
Reference works
Avanesov, R. I., ed., Oueu a a, P
, Moscow, 1985
Borras, F. M., and R. F. Christian, Russian Syntax, 2nd edn, Clarendon Press,
Oxford, 1979
Chernyshev, V. I., et al., eds., Ca ee
uea a, Aae a CCCP, 17 vols., Moscow,
195065
Comrie, Bernard, Gerald Stone and Maria Polinsky, The Russian Language in
the Twentieth Century, 2nd edn, revised and expanded, of The Russian
Language since the Revolution, by Bernard Comrie and Gerald Stone,
Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1996
Evgen
eva, A. P., Ca uu a, Haa, 2 vols.,

Leningrad, 19701
Forbes Russian Grammar, 3rd edn, revised and enlarged by J. C. Dumbreck,
Oxford University Press, 1964
Galperin, I. R., ed., New EnglishRussian Dictionary, 2 vols., Soviet
Encyclopaedia Publishing House, Moscow, 1972
The Oxford Russian Dictionary (RussianEnglish, EnglishRussian), revised and
updated by Colin Howlett, Oxford University Press, Oxford and New
York, 1993
Ozhegov, S. I., Ca a, 20th edn, P ,
Moscow, 1988
Pulkina, I. M., A Short Russian Reference Grammar, translated from the Russian
by V. Korotky, 7th edn, P , Moscow, 1984
Ryazanova-Clarke, Larissa, and Terence Wade, The Russian Language Today,
Routledge, London and New York, 1999
Unbegaun, B. O., Russian Grammar, Oxford University Press, 1957
Vinogradov, V. V., et al., aaua a, Aae a
CCCP, 2 vols. in 3 books, Moscow, 1960
Vlasto, A. P., A Linguistic History of Russia to the End of the Eighteenth Century,
Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1988
Wade, Terence, A Comprehensive Russian Grammar, 2nd edn, revised and
expanded, ed. Michael J. de Holman, Blackwell, Oxford, and Malden,
Mass., 2000
Wade, Terence, and Nijole White, Using Russian Synonyms, Cambridge
University Press, 2003
Ward, Dennis, The Russian Language Today: System and Anomaly, Hutchinson
University Library, London, 1965
Wheeler, Marcus, The Oxford RussianEnglish Dictionary, 2nd edn, Clarendon
Press, Oxford, 1990
We have also made use, especially in Chapters 911, of material from Derek
Offord, Modern Russian: an Advanced Grammar Course, Bristol Classical Press
and Duckworth, London, 1993.
xix
Sources
Specic references
Many sections in this book (indicated by the references in brackets after the
titles below) draw on the works on particular areas of vocabulary or grammar
in the following list or relate to areas more fully dealt with in those works.
Akulenko, V. V., ed., A-u u -auu a
e eeua, Cea e, Moscow, 1969 (3.5)
Avanesov, R. I., and V. G. Orlova, eds., Pa uaeu, 2nd edn,
Haa, Moscow, 1965 (1.5)
Bex, Tony, and Richard J. Watts, Standard English: the Widening Debate,
Routledge, London and New York, 1999 (1.6)
Bivon, R., Element Order, Cambridge University Press, 1971 (11.14)
Bratus, B. V., The Formation and Expressive Use of Diminutives, Cambridge
University Press, 1969 (8.8)
Cooper, Brian, Problems with the in-laws: the terminology of Russian family
relationships, Journal of Russian Studies, no. 52 (1987), pp. 3745 (6.7)
Crystal, David, Language and the Internet, Cambridge University Press, 2001
(1.3.6)
Davison, R. M., The Use of the Genitive in Negative Constructions, Cambridge
University Press, 1967 (11.1.6)
Flegon, A., a neeau u ae, Flegon Press, London, 1973
(5.6)
Fomina, M. I., Cee u : euu, 3rd edn,
Ba a, Moscow, 1990 (3.1.13.4)
Foote, I. M., Verbs of Motion, Cambridge University Press, 1967 (11.7)
Formanovskaia, N. I., neeue ee uea, P
, Moscow, 1982 (7.17.2, 7.47.16)
Forsyth, James, A Grammar of Aspect: Usage and Meaning in the Russian Verb,
Cambridge University Press, 1970 (11.5)
Gogolitsyna, N., BYT: a Russian word study, Rusistika, no. 17 (March
1998), pp. 36 (3.7)
Gogolitsyna, N., New developments in Russian vocabulary, Rusistika, no. 12
(December 1995), pp. 323 (5.1)
Gogolitsyna, N., The Russian Intelligentsia, Rusistika, no. 25 (spring 2002),
pp. 1422 (3.7)
Gogolitsyna, N., Svoboda and Volya: Russian words and concepts, Rusistika,
no. 19 (March 1999), pp. 225 (3.7)
Harrison, W., The Expression of the Passive Voice, Cambridge University Press,
1967 (11.8, 11.11.4)
Ivanova, Tat
iana, a e,
eaa aea, no. 16 (April 2003) (1.6)
Khlebtsova, Ol
ga, a , eaa aea, no. 11

(March 2003) (1.6)
Klimenko, A., e ae a a . O
, Diasoft, Moscow, St Petersburg and Kiev, 2003 (5.1.5)
Kuz
min, S. S., and N. L. Shchadrin, Pau a u

u n, P , Moscow, 1989 (5.75.8)
Maksimov, V. I., et al., Ca neeu, a, St Petersburg,
1992 (5.1)
Mustajoki, Arto, ae neu u uae
ee, Slavica Helsingiensa, 2, Helsinki, 1985 (11.1.6)
xx
Sources
Norbury, J. K. W., Word Formation in the Noun and Adjective, Cambridge
University Press, 1967 (Chapter 8)
Palazhchenko, P., M eeae a. P-a.
A-. ( a eea), 3rd edn,
P. Bae, Moscow, 2003 (Chapters 35)
Pereiaslov, Nikolai, eaa aaa, eaa aea,
no. 21 (MayJune 2003) (1.3.6)
Rassudova, O. P., neeue u aa, Moscow University Press,
1971 (11.5)
Room, Adrian, Russian personal names since the Revolution, Journal of
Russian Studies, nos. 45 (1983), pp. 1924 and 46 (1983), pp. 1318 (7.3)
Rozental
, D. E., auea uuua a, 4th edn,

Ba a, Moscow, 1977 (esp 1.3)
Rozental
, D. E., and M. A. Telenkova, Ca-nau

uuueu eu, 3rd edn, eee, Moscow, 1985
(Glossary)
Shanskii, N. M., and E. A. Bystrova, 700 aeueu
a, P , Moscow, 1975 (5.7)
Suslova, A. P., and A. V. Superanskaia, O u uea, 3rd revised edn,
ea, Leningrad, 1991 (7.3)
Valgina, N. S., Cuau ee a, 3rd edn,
Ba a, Moscow, 1991 (esp 11.1411.15)
Vasil
eva, A. N., Particles in Colloquial Russian, translated by V. Korotky and

K. Villiers, Progress Publishers, Moscow, 1972 (5.4)
Vsevolodova, M. V., eee a
aae, Pu a e, 1971, no. 3, . 658
and 1972, no. 1, . 5964 (11.3)
Wade, Terence, Prepositions in Modern Russian, University of Durham, 1983
(Chapter 10)
Zemskaia, E. A., and D. N. Shmelev, eds., e neue:
e e, Haa, Moscow, 1984 (1.3.2)
In addition we have made use of some of the many online resources to which
students of the Russian language may now turn, e.g. <www.gazeta.ru>,
<www.smi.ru>, <www.nns.ru>, <www.gramma.ru> and various sites that
have been set up under the auspices of the Government of the Russian
Federations Council for the Russian Language (Ce
aee P eea), e.g.
<www.slovari.gramota.ru>, <www.spravka.gramota.ru>,
<www.learning-russian.gramota.ru>, <www.navigator.gramota.ru>.
xxi
Note on transcription, stress marks
and transliteration
Where it has been necessary to indicate precisely how a Russian word
is pronounced (e.g. in the sections on regional variation in 1.5)
a standard system of phonetic transcription has been used, according to
which the Cyrillic consonants have the following values:

b v g d z z j k l m n p r s t f x c c
s ss
The symbol

placed after a letter indicates that the preceding
consonant is soft, e.g. l
es (e). Since most consonants, when they

precede the vowels represented by the Russian letters e, , , and ,
are soft, these letters will in effect be transcribed, within this phonetic
system, as

e,

o,

i,

u,

a respectively, e.g. i
ul
a (). The symbol

may also indicate the presence of a soft sign in the Russian word, e.g.
noc
().
Stress is indicated in this book by the use of an acute accent over the
stressed vowel, e.g. ea. In words which may be stressed in different
places by different speakers an acute accent is placed over both the
vowels that may bear the stress, e.g. a. The secondary stress (see
Glossary) that may occur in some words, especially compound nouns
or adjectives, is marked by a grave accent.
The system of transliteration used to render Russian names (e.g.
Petia, i.e. e), place names and other Russian words in Roman script
is that used in The Slavonic and East European Review. In this book stress
has been marked in these transliterated forms (e.g. P ushkin, perestr oika),
as well as in Cyrillic forms (, eea) unless the Cyrillic
form, with stress indicated, is adjacent to the transliterated form.
xxii
Glossary of linguistic terms
Besides providing explanation of terms used in this book, the
following glossary should aid understanding of the linguistic concepts
required for advanced study of Russian. It will in any case be found
that many educated Russians have a high degree of awareness of the
grammar of their language and that in talking about it they will use
some of the terms dened here. Numbers in brackets refer to the
section(s) in this book that deal(s) with the phenomenon in question.
accusative case (e ae): the case in which the direct
object of a transitive verb is expressed, e.g.

Oa ae ,
Ol
ga is reading a book (9.1.2, 10.1.2, 10.3.1, 11.1.2).

acronym (a aeaa): word made up of the initial
letters of other words, e.g. laser (light amplication by the stimulated
emission of radiation) (6.10).
active voice (ee a): construction in which the
subject of the verb itself performs the action, e.g. The boy stroked the
cat; cf. passive voice.
adjective ( aaee): word that qualies a noun, e.g. a red
pen.
adverb (aee): word modifying the meaning of a verb, adjective or
adverb, e.g. Peter walks slowly, quite big, very quickly (9.4, 11.14(c)).
adversative conjunction (e ): conjunction
expressing contrast, e.g. but.
afx (a): an element added to a root or stem to modify its
meaning or use, e.g. unwilling, wonderful. Prexes, inxes and
sufxes (q.v.) are all types of afx.
affricate (aaa): consonant sound beginning as a plosive (q.v.)
and passing into the corresponding fricative (q.v.), e.g. the initial
and nal sounds in church, i.e. t + s. Standard Russian has two
affricates, c () and c ().
akan
e (aae): loss of distinction between the phonemes a and o in

the pretonic syllable of a word (i.e. the syllable preceding the stress),
e.g. Maskv a (Ma; see 1.5.1).

Aae is a feature of
pronunciation of Muscovite Russian, other C dialects and the S
regional dialect.
alphabetism (ea aeaa): word consisting of initial
capital letters of other words, e.g. O

OH (Oaa
Oe Ha, United Nations Organisation) (6.10).
animacy (e): grammatical category embracing nouns
that denote living things; in Russian, inection of the accusative
singular of most masculine nouns and of the accusative plural of
xxiii
nouns of all genders is determined by whether they are classied as
animate or inanimate (see 11.1.3).
attributive adjective (ae aaee): a descriptive
adjective which qualies a noun or noun-equivalent directly, e.g. the
new car (9.3.1); cf. predicative adjective.
biaspectual verb ( a): verb in which one form may
function as either imperfective or perfective, e.g. ee, a.
buffer vowel (ee ): vowel added for the sake of euphony in
certain situations to some Russian prepositions and prexes which
end in a consonant, e.g. ae, ee , .
calque (aa): a loan translation, i.e. a compound word or phrase
that is a literal translation of a foreign expression, e.g. Eng motorway
from Ger Autobahn; e, inuence.
cardinal numeral (eee ee): numeral
expressing how many, e.g. ve (9.5, 11.4); cf. ordinal numeral.
case (ae): morphological variant of a noun, pronoun, adjective,
numeral or participle which expresses the relation of that word to
other words in the clause.
clause (eee): word group containing a subject and predicate,
e.g. I shall do it [main/principal clause] as soon as I can [subordinate
clause]. (An overt subject, however, is not always present, e.g. in the
imperative Do it!) See also main clause, subordinate clause.
cognates (ee/ee a): words that are
etymologically related or derived from the same root, e.g. Eng
mother, Fr m` ere, Ger Mutter, Russ a, Sp madre; or, within
Russian, a, a, aa, a, ae, etc.
colloquial (a): informal or familiar style, expression or
form widely used in everyday speech (1.3.1).
complement (ee): word or group of words that completes
the meaning of an utterance, esp a noun or noun phrase that directly
denes the subject, e.g. She is a teacher (11.1.10); see also object.
conditional mood (e aee): verbal form expressing
condition or hypothesis, e.g. if it rains; if it were to rain (11.9).
conjugation (ee): system of verb inections expressing tense,
mood, voice, person and number.
conjunction (): word used to connect words, groups of words or
sentences, indicating the relationship of the connected elements,
e.g. dogs and cats (coordinating conjunction); I had supper after they
had gone (subordinating temporal conjunction); I like curry although
its hot (subordinating concessive conjunction); She drank some water
because she was thirsty (subordinating causal conjunction)
(11.12.111.12.3).
consonant (a): any speech sound other than a vowel, i.e.
sound produced by some obstruction of the airstream (see also
affricate, fricative, plosive); also any letter representing such a
sound.
coordinating conjunction (e ): a conjunction
connecting two words, groups of words or sentences and indicating
xxiv
that both are independent and have the same function and
importance, e.g. and (11.12.1).
dative case (ae ae): the case used to denote the indirect
object of a verb, e.g. I gave it to my father; Oa aa e
, She sent the letter to me (see 9.1.2, 9.1.8, 10.1.4, 10.3.3,
11.1.711.1.8).
declension (ee): system of inections of noun, pronoun,
adjective, numeral or participle expressing gender, case and number.
defective verb (ea a): verb which for some reason
lacks some personal form or forms, e.g. e which has no
rst-person-singular form.
denominal preposition ( e): preposition derived
from a noun, e.g. e , with regard to (10.2).
devoicing (eaa, ee): transformation of a voiced
consonant into a voiceless consonant (q.v.), e.g. pronunciation
of nal b of a as p.
dialect (ae): a variety of language distinguished from others by
features of its sound system, vocabulary, morphology and syntax.
Dialects may be geographic (i.e. spoken by people of the same
territory) or social (i.e. spoken by people of the same class, social or
occupational group). In Russian the term aee designates a
regional dialect spoken over a very wide area, whilst the term
designates a local dialect conned to a much smaller area (1.5).
direct object (e ee): the thing on which the action
denoted by a transitive verb is directed, e.g. I broke a window; She
bought a newspaper (11.1.211.1.3, 11.1.6).
disjunctive conjunction (aee ): conjunction
which unites clauses or sentences but separates meanings, e.g. or.
dual number (ee ): a grammatical form indicating
duality; the form is obsolete in Russian but remnants of it survive,
e.g. in plurals such as aa and and in the use of genitive
singular forms of nouns after the numerals 2, 3 and 4.
ellipsis (): omission of a word or words whose meaning will
be understood by the listener or reader, e.g. after all [that has been
said]; B e [aaee]? [Are] you [asking] me? (11.13).
ending (ae): in Russian, inectional sufx added to a word
to indicate its case, number, tense, mood, etc. in a particular
context.
faux ami ( ): a word in a foreign language that does not
mean what a foreigner, on the basis of her or his own language,
might expect it to mean, e.g. Russian a does not mean
translation (3.5).
fricative (a): consonant sound produced by the breath
being forced through a narrow opening, e.g. Eng f, v, s, z and th in
both that and think.
genitive case (e ae): the case expressing possession,
e.g. a aa, (my) brothers book (9.1.2, 9.1.4, 9.1.7, 10.1.3,
10.3.2, 11.1.411.1.6).
xxv
gerund (eeae): in Russian, verb form invariable in gender,
case and number which may be derived from verbs of either aspect
and which denes the relationship in time of one action to another
action denoted by the main verb of the sentence, e.g. Oa a,
aea e, She strolled, humming a tune (imperfective
gerund denoting simultaneous action); e a,
a ea, Having checked his work, he closed the exercise-book
(perfective gerund denoting prior action) (9.7.19.7.2, 11.11.1).
government (aee): way in which a word controls the form of
another word, e.g. the verb governs an object in the
instrumental case; the preposition governs a noun or
noun-equivalent in the genitive case.
grammar (aaa): rules of morphology and syntax of a
language.
hard sign ( a): the letter , as in e.g. aea, the
function of which is explained at 8.2.2.
homoform (a): a word identical with another word only
when it is in one of the several morphological forms that it may
adopt, e.g. e (3.2).
homograph (a): a word written in the same way as another
word but pronounced in a different way and having different
meaning, e.g. , i.e. and (3.3).
homonym (): a word having the same sound as another word
and written in the same way, but having a different meaning and
possibly a different origin, e.g. bank (side of river and nancial
institution) (3.1.13.1.2).
homophone (): a word which sounds the same as another
word but is written differently, e.g. bare/bear, right/write (3.2).
iakan
e (ae): pronunciation of

e as

a after a soft consonant in the
pretonic syllable. In strong (e) ae, pretonic

a replaces

e
irrespective of the quality of the vowel in the stressed syllable, e.g.
n
asl a (ea), s
al om (e), n
as u (e), t
ap
er
(ee). In
moderate (eee) ae, pretonic

a replaces

e only before
hard consonants, e.g. n
asl a (ea), s
al om (e), n
as u (e), but
t
eper
(ee) where p is soft.

idiom (a): expression peculiar to a language, group of words
with a single meaning which cannot readily be derived from the
meanings of the individual component words, e.g. Eng to spill the
beans, Russ Ba a/ e a, Its still up in the air (5.7).
ikan
e (ae): pronunciation of the vowels

e and

a in the pretonic
syllable after a soft consonant as

i, e.g. d
it
ej (ee), n
isl a (ea),
t
ip
er
(ee), vz
il a (a), r
id (), t
in u ().
imperative mood (eee aee): verbal mood
expressing command, invitation, suggestion, entreaty, request, etc.,
e.g. come in, sit down (6.8, 9.6.11, 11.5.6).
imperfective aspect (eee ): describes an action
without reference to its extent and thus presents it as incomplete,
xxvi
e.g. Oa ea, She was singing/used to sing (11.5); cf. perfective
aspect.
indicative mood (ee aee): mood which afrms
or denies that the action or state denoted by the verb in question is
an actual fact, e.g. I read, she went, they were sitting, the sun was not
shining.
indirect object (ee ee): a noun, pronoun or phrase
denoting an object indirectly affected by an action, e.g. He gave the
book [direct object] to his sister [indirect object]. See also dative
case.
indirect speech (also called reported speech; ea e):
discourse in which the substance of sbs words or thoughts is related
without being quoted verbatim, e.g. He told me that he would do it,
She said she was twenty (11.6).
innitive (): verb form expressing the idea of an
action without reference to person or number, e.g. to speak,
.
inx (): element inserted in the middle of a word to modify its
meaning or use, e.g. aa (8.6); English, unlike Russian, has
no inxes.
inection (also exion; ae): the grammatical ending that
expresses relations of case, tense, number, gender, etc. in nouns,
pronouns, adjectives, numerals, verbs and participles, e.g. aa,
ee, , , a, a.
instrumental case (e ae): the case denoting the
agent by which or the instrument with which sth is done, e.g.
a , the treaty signed by him, a
aaa, to write with a pencil (9.1.2, 9.1.8, 10.1.5, 10.3.4,
11.1.911.1.10).
interjection (eee): an exclamatory word, invariable in form,
which is thrown into an utterance to express emotion, e.g. oh!, ox!
(5.5).
intransitive verb (eee a): a verb that does not require
a direct object, e.g. The sun rises, A crowd gathered (4.4, 11.8).
isogloss (a): a line separating one region from another which
differs from it in a feature of dialect. The isogloss may indicate e.g.
the limits of distribution of a certain word or the boundary beyond
which one phenomenon (e.g. ae) is replaced by another
(aae).
lexical (ee): relating to vocabulary (as opposed to grammar).
locative case (e ae): the case which indicates location of
an object; used after the prepositions and a (9.1.2, 9.1.5, 10.1.6,
10.3.5, 11.1.11); see also prepositional case.
long form (of adjective; a a): full form that must be used
when a Russian adjective is attributive, e.g. , a, ee,
e, etc. (9.3.1); cf. short form, which may be used when the
adjective is predicative.
xxvii
main clause (ae eee): a clause which can stand
independently, e.g. I went home [main clause] after I had spoken to
you [subordinate clause, q.v.].
mobile vowel (e a): one of the vowels o, or e when
(a) they precede the nal consonant of a masculine noun in its
nominative singular form but disappear once an inection is added,
e.g. (a, etc.; see 9.1.3), or (b) are inserted in certain types of
feminine or neuter noun which in the genitive plural have a zero
ending (q.v.), e.g. a (), ee (ee; see
9.1.7).
modal particle (aa aa): a short indeclinable word
which emphasises, intensies or in some other way expresses the
speakers emotion or attitude, e.g. e, e (5.4).
modal verb (a a): verb (e.g. Eng can, could, may;
Russ ) expressing possibility, permissibility, obligation, etc., and
followed by another verb which it modies (4.3).
monosyllable (e ): word comprising one syllable,
e.g. cat, word.
mood (aee): form of the verb that indicates how the speaker
views an action or state, i.e. whether it is seen as matter-of-fact,
desirable, contingent on sth else, etc. See also conditional,
imperative, indicative, subjunctive.
morphology (): study of the forms of words.
Inectional morphology (see inection) relates to the
declension of nouns, pronouns, adjectives, numerals and participles
and conjugation of verbs (see Chapter 9). Lexical (q.v.)
morphology relates to word-formation (q.v.; see Chapter 8).
neologism (e): a new word or phrase (e.g. a, ee),
or the use of an old word in a new sense (e.g. e) (5.1).
nominative case (ee ae): the case in which the
subject is expressed, e.g.

Oa ae , Ol
ga is reading a book
(9.1.2, 10.1.1, 11.1.1).
number (): the grammatical property of a word which indicates
whether it is singular, dual (q.v.) or plural. The difference between
car/cars, mouse/mice, I am/we are is in each instance a difference of
number.
numeral (ee): a word denoting number, e.g. two, ve; see
also cardinal numeral and ordinal numeral.
object (ee): see direct object and indirect object.
oblique case (e ae): any case other than the nominative
(and in other Slavonic languages, vocative), i.e. in Russian
accusative, genitive, dative, instrumental, prepositional. In this book
the term is used to embrace the last four of these cases, but not
generally the accusative.
okan
e (ae): the phoneme o preserves its value in the pretonic

syllable, e.g. sov a (a); cf. akan
e above. In full (e) ae o

retains its value even in the syllable before the pretonic syllable, e.g.
molod oj (). In incomplete (ee) ae, o in the
xxviii
syllable preceding the pretonic syllable is reduced to , e.g. mlok o
() (1.5).
Old Church Slavonic (e` oa ): the South Slav
language that was used by the early Slav missionaries, in the ninth
and tenth centuries, for the transmission of Christian teaching to
other Slav peoples; the basis of the language used in Russia for
liturgical purposes and most literary forms before westernisation in
the eighteenth century.
ordinal numeral (e ee): numeral indicating
place in order or sequence, e.g. second, fth.
orthography (a): correct or accepted use of the written
characters of a language.
paradigm (aaa): table setting out the system of inection of a
word.
paronym (a): a word which may be confused with another to
which it is close in sound, written form and possibly meaning, and
which may be of similar origin, e.g. principal/principle. In this
book the term is used in a broad sense to include all easily confused
words, even those of quite different origin, e.g. e, e (3.4).
participle (ae): a verb form that combines both the qualities
of a verb (e.g. transitiveness or intransitiveness, active or passive
meaning, tense and aspect, but not person) and the qualities of a
noun (e.g. gender, case and number). Russian has present and past
active participles and present and past passive participles
(9.7.39.7.6, 11.11.211.11.4).
passive voice (aae a): the form of a verb which
indicates that the subject suffered the action, i.e. was not itself the
agent, e.g. I was hit by a stone, They were taught French by their mother.
perfective aspect (ee ): describes an action restricted
in its extent and thus presents it as complete; perfectives relate to the
beginning of an action (e.g. aee, to start to ring), the limited
duration of an action (e.g. e, to sit for a while), or the
completion of an action (e.g. , to drink up) (11.5); cf.
imperfective aspect.
periphrasis (eaa): complicated, round-about expression, use
of more words than is strictly speaking necessary, e.g. in this day and
age.
person (): form of the verb which represents: (a) the
person/persons or thing/things speaking (i.e. 1st pers, e.g. I/we
read); (b) the person/persons or thing/things spoken to (i.e. 2nd
pers, e.g. you read ); or (c) the person/persons or thing/things
spoken about (i.e. 3rd pers, e.g. he/she reads, they read).
phrase (aa): group of words lacking a nite verb but felt to express
a single idea or to constitute a discrete element in a sentence.
plosive (): consonant sound produced by momentary
stoppage of the air passage at some point, e.g. Russ b and p (labial
plosives), d and t (dental plosives), g and k (velar plosives); also
sometimes called an occlusive() or a stop.
xxix
predicate (aee): word or group of words which says sth about
the subject, e.g. I am studying languages; Cats catch mice. A verb is
generally the chief part of the predicate.
predicative adjective (eae aaee): adjective
that forms part of the predicate, i.e. which is separated from the
noun it qualies by some part of the verb to be or, in Russian, by
part of the verb to be that is understood, e.g. The book was
interesting, a a eea.
prex (aa): element added to the beginning of a word to
modify its meaning, e.g. predetermine, (8.38.5).
preposition (e): word that denes the relation of a noun or
pronoun to some other word, e.g. The book is on the table; I went
across the road; A plane ew over the houses (Chapter 10).
prepositional case (e ae): case used after certain
prepositions when they have certain meanings (9.1.2, 9.1.5, 9.1.8,
10.1.6, 10.3.5, 11.1.11); see also locative case.
present perfect continuous: the tense which in English indicates
that an action begun in the past is still continuing, e.g. I have been
living here for three years. In Russian this tense must be rendered by
an imperfective verb in the present tense (11.6).
pretonic syllable (ea ): the syllable before the stress,
e.g. Ma.
pronoun (eee): word used instead of a noun, e.g. he, she
(9.2, 11.2).
prosthetic (also prothetic; ee): sound inserted at the
beginning of a word for ease of pronunciation, e.g. the sound n in
a e (9.2).
proverb (a): short familiar sentence expressing a
supposed truth or moral lesson, e.g. Every cloud has a silver lining
(5.8).
register (): a variety of language determined by such factors as
medium, subject-matter, purpose and situation (1.21.4, 1.6).
relative pronoun (ee eee): a word which
introduces a subordinate clause describing a preceding noun or
pronoun (the antecedent), e.g. Eng who, which, Russ , e.g.
The man who sells newspapers; The table which I bought yesterday
(11.2.1).
reported speech: see indirect speech.
root (e): the base of a word which bears its fundamental
meaning, e.g. in , a, a, etc.
secondary stress (eee aee): in long words,
especially compound words, a syllable other than the main stressed
syllable which may also need to be pronounced with additional
force. Secondary stress is marked in this book by a grave accent, e.g.
eà.
semantic (eae): relating to meaning.
sentence (eee): minimum complete utterance, e.g. I told
him; Come back!
xxx
short form (of adjective; aa a): the truncated masculine,
feminine, neuter and plural forms, e.g. , a, , ,
which in modern Russian are indeclinable and which may only be
used predicatively (9.3.2, 11.3); see also predicative adjective.
simile (aee): rhetorical likening of a thing to sth else, e.g. drunk
as a lord, like a bolt from the blue (5.9).
Slavonicism (a): a form of Old Church Slavonic (q.v.)
origin. Many Slavonicisms exist in Russian alongside East Slav
forms. They are characterised by (a) certain phonetic features,
notably (with the Slavonicism rst in each pair): a/,
a/, ea/eea, aee/, a/a,
aa/a, /ea, e/,
/); (b) certain prexes, e.g. a (cf. a),
ea, ee (cf. ee), ee (cf. ee),
eee (cf. eea); () certain sufxes, e.g. eee,
e, , a, , ee, (cf.
), ae, a. Slavonicisms tend to have a
more bookish avour than related Russian forms of East Slav origin
and tend to occur in more elevated varieties of language.
soft sign ( a): the letter , the function of which is to
indicate that the preceding consonant is soft. The soft sign is
normally transliterated by the symbol

or by an apostrophe.
stress (aee): in all Russian words of more than one syllable, as in
such English words, one syllable is pronounced with more force
than the other(s). This stress is marked in this book, as in most
textbooks, by an acute accent, but it is not normally indicated in
Russian publications. Russian stress patterns (Chapter 12) are
numerous and complex.
stump-compound (aeaa): word compounded of segments
of other words, e.g. ea (ee a, terrorist act).
subject (eaee): the agent performing the action expressed by
the verb in an active sentence, or the person on whom or the thing
on which the action of a passive sentence is performed, e.g. The
priest delivered a sermon; We saw the queen; The man was struck by
lightning.
subjunctive mood (aaee aee): the verbal mood
which indicates that the action or state denoted by the verb in
question is regarded as hypothetical or subject to another action or
state, e.g. I wish he were right; I demand that it be done (11.10).
subordinate clause (ae eee): clause which
cannot function as a sentence in its own right but is dependent on
another clause which can, e.g. I think [main clause] that she is nice
[subordinate clause]; I like the house [main clause] which you have
bought [subordinate clause]; I went to bed [main clause] because it
was late [subordinate clause].
subordinating conjunction (e ): conjunction
introducing a subordinate clause, e.g. although, after, because
(11.12.211.12.3).
xxxi
substantivised adjective (aae aaee):
word which has adjectival form but is used as a noun, e.g.
ee, ice-cream; a, dining-room.
sufx (): element added to the end of a root or stem to
modify its use or meaning, e.g. writer, happiness (8.78.11).
syntax (a): grammatical structure in a sentence, or study of
that structure.
tense (e): verbal form indicating whether the action or state
denoted by the verb is viewed as past, present or future.
transitive verb (ee a): verb that requires a direct
object, e.g. I bought a car (4.4, 11.8).
tsokan
e (ae): loss of distinction between the affricates (q.v.) c

and c
. In hard (e) ae the standard soft hushing affricate

c
is replaced by a hard hissing affricate c, e.g. c udo (). In soft

(e) ae c
is replaced by a soft hissing c
, e.g. c
udo.
velar (ae): consonant sound produced by raising the back
of the top of the tongue against the soft palate (); in Russian
the sounds g, k, x.
vocative case (ae ae): case used in direct personal
address; now defunct in Russian, except in relics such as e and
and in certain colloquial forms in the spoken language (see
7.3.1). (The vocative survives in other Slavonic languages, e.g.
Czech, Polish, Serbo-Croat.)
voiced consonant ( a): consonant produced with
the vocal cords vibrating, e.g. Russian b, v, g, d, z, z; see also
voiceless consonant.
voiceless consonant ( a): consonant produced
without vibration of the vocal cords, e.g. Russian p, f, k, t, s, s, x,
c, c
, s s
.
vowel (a): sound produced by passage of air through mouth
without obstruction of the airstream, e.g. a, e, i, o, u.
word-formation (aae): formation of new words by
combining roots and afxes or by other means; also the study of the
structure of words and the laws of their formation in a language
(Chapter 8).
zero ending (ee ae): ending of a Russian noun in an
oblique case in which no inection is present e.g. a, soldier
(which is genitive plural as well as nominative singular); (gen pl;
nom sg ea, wife); e (gen pl; nom sg e, place).
xxxii
List of abbreviations
acc accusative
act active
adj adjective
adv adverb
agric agricultural
biol biological
C Central
col column
collect collective
conj conjunction
D demotic
dat dative
dimin diminutive
E East
econ economic
Eng English
esp especially
f feminine
g gurative
n nancial
Fr French
fut future
gen genitive
geog geographical
geol geological
Ger German
gram grammatical
imp imperative
impers impersonal
impf imperfective
incl including
indecl indeclinable
inn innitive
instr instrumental
iron ironical
lit literally
loc locative
m masculine
math mathematical
med medical
mil military
mus musical
N North
n neuter
NE North-East
nom nominative
non-re non-reexive
NW North-West
obs obsolete
OCS Old Church
Slavonic
ofc ofcial
part participle
pass passive
pej pejorative
pers person
pf perfective
phil philosophical
pl plural
poet poetic
pol political
prep prepositional
pres present
R register
re reexive
rhet rhetorical
Russ Russian
sb somebody
SE South-East
sg singular
Sp Spanish
sth something
subst substantivised
SW South-West
tech technical
theat theatrical
vulg vulgar
The Russian particle - is frequently abbreviated to -.
xxxiii
1 Varieties of language and register
1.1 The Russian language and its distribution
The Russian language belongs to the East Slav group of languages,
itself part of the Slavonic branch of the Indo-European family. The
relationship of Russian to the other modern European languages is
illustrated by Figure 1 (which includes only languages still used by
substantial numbers of speakers).
It is difcult to give accurate up-to-date gures for the number of
people for whom Russian is their native or rst language, or at least
their rst language for some purpose or purposes (e.g. professional or
social). This difculty arises for several reasons. Firstly, we are dealing
with several different categories of user, including the following: ethnic
Russians who are citizens of the Russian Federation; ethnic Russians
who are citizens of other former republics of the Soviet Union;
members of other ethnic groups who are citizens of the Russian
Federation; and members of other ethnic groups who are citizens of
other former republics of the Soviet Union but who continue to use
Russian at work or at home, perhaps because their community or
family is mainly Russian-speaking. It is not always easy to dene
whether Russian is the rst or second language of at least the latter two
groups. Secondly, there has been much migration between the regions
and states of the former Soviet Union since the collapse of the Union
in 1991, with the result that numbers and proportions of ethnic
Russians or other speakers of Russian in each former republic may
have changed signicantly over the last thirteen years. Thirdly,
considerable numbers of both ethnic Russians and members of
non-Russian ethnic groups who grew up in Russia or the Soviet
Union using Russian as their rst language have in the same period
emigrated from the Russian Federation to countries outside the
former Soviet Union. The number of Jews in the Russian Federation,
for example, fell from roughly 540,000 in 1989 to 230,000 in 2002 and
the number of Russian Germans has declined over the same period
from 840,000 to 600,000. It is difcult to determine how many
emigr es continue to use Russian as their rst language, or for how
long they do so, after their emigration.
The most easily quantiable group of Russian-speakers, of course, is
the citizenry of the Russian Federation, of which Russian is the ofcial
language. According to the census of the Russian Federation carried
out in 2002, the population of the Federation was a little over 145
million,
1
of whom some 116 million (i.e. almost 80 per cent) describe
themselves as ethnically Russian.
1
G
e
r
m
a
n
i
c
W
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G
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m
a
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G
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P
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r
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W
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B
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n
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r
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k
A
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b
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a
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A
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h
S
l
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P
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l
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b
o
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C
r
o
a
t
S
l
o
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B
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g
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r
i
a
n
M
a
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s
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n
B
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l
a
r
u
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a
n
(
i
.
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.

B
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r
u
s
s
i
a
n
,
W
h
i
t
e

R
u
s
s
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)
U
k
r
a
i
n
i
a
n
F
i
g
.
1
.
T
h
e
I
n
d
o
-
E
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r
o
p
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a
n
l
a
n
g
u
a
g
e
s
Among the remaining 20 per cent, or approximately 29 million, of
the population of the Russian Federation (many of whom will also
consider Russian their rst language) 160 nationalities were
represented, according to the 2002 census. The largest of these
non-Russian groups, in descending order, were Tatars (of whom there
were over ve million), Ukrainians (almost three million, although
their number in the Russian Federation has been decreasing), Bashkirs
and Chuvashes (over a million each), and Chechens and Armenians
(also over a million each, and their numbers in the Russian Federation
have been increasing). Figure 2 shows the composition of the
population of the Russian Federation by ethnic group, as revealed by
the 2002 census.
Of the non-Russian citizens of the Federation the Ukrainians and
Belorussians (whose numbers in the Russian Federation have also been
decreasing) are ethnically close to the Russians. Their languages (i.e.
Ukrainian and Belorussian respectively) are closely related to Russian,
which Ukrainians and Belorussians are likely also to speak with native
or near-native facility. However, many of the non-Russian citizens of
the Russian Federation (e.g. Estonians, Kazakhs, Latvians) belong to
quite different ethnic groups from the Russians, including
non-European groups. They may therefore speak a language that is
only distantly related to Russian (e.g. Latvian, which is also
Indo-European) or that belongs to a different linguistic group (e.g.
Estonian, which is a Finno-Ugric language, or Kazakh, which is a
Turkic language).
2
These non-Russian citizens of the Federation have
varying degrees of command of Russian. A substantial number of them
consider Russian their rst language.
It needs to be borne in mind, incidentally, that different Russian
terms are used to denote the different types of Russian who have
been identied in the preceding paragraphs. The substantivised
adjective (f a) denotes a person who is ethnically
Russian. Used as an adjective, this word also denotes the Russian
language ( ). The noun (f a), on the
other hand, conveys the broader concept of a person who is a citizen
of the Russian Federation but who is not necessarily ethnically
Russian. The adjective has a correspondingly broader
sense than the adjective , as, for example, in the name of the
country itself (Pa eea), which denotes a political
rather than an ethnic, linguistic or cultural entity.
The numbers of ethnic Russian and non-Russian speakers of
Russian outside the Russian Federation are more difcult to quantify.
Some idea of their number can be gauged from the fact that at the
time of the 1989 census (the last census carried out in the Soviet era)
there were 25 million ethnic Russians living in other republics of the
Soviet Union (see 6.11.1 for a list of these republics), the majority of
them in Ukraine. Moreover, since Russian was used as a second
language throughout the non-Russian areas of the Union, whose total
3
F
i
g
.
2
.
P
o
p
u
l
a
t
i
o
n
o
f
t
h
e
R
u
s
s
i
a
n
F
e
d
e
r
a
t
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o
n
b
y
e
t
h
n
i
c
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r
o
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p
,
a
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r
d
i
n
g
t
o
t
h
e
2
0
0
2
c
e
n
s
u
s
population in 1989 was 287 million, one may assume that the language
was used as a rst or second language by at least a further 50 million
Soviet citizens. However, the status of the Russian language is now
diminishing in the former Soviet republics in proportion as the
languages of the ethnic groups that are dominant in the new states (e.g.
Kazakhs in Kazakhstan) are promoted, particularly within the
educational system. Admittedly Russian remains a lingua franca for
commercial and diplomatic transactions in the former Soviet republics,
especially among the older generation of speakers who were educated
in Soviet times, when Russian was the dominant language throughout
the Union. On the other hand, the rise of English as the language of
global communication, and therefore the rst foreign language to be
taught in schools, may further weaken the status of Russian outside the
Russian Federation. One may predict that in twenty or thirty years
Russian will be less widely spoken in the former Soviet republics than
it is today, especially in those countries with a relatively small residual
ethnic Russian population (e.g. Lithuania). It is also possible that many
people who do speak Russian in those countries will use it less than
they do today and that they will have a poorer command of it than
non-Russians who speak Russian there now.
Russian is of course also spoken, with varying degrees of uency,
accuracy and proximity to the Russian now spoken in Russia itself, by
many emigr es or their descendants in countries outside the former
Soviet Union. Russians, or members of other ethnic groups who were
formerly Soviet citizens, have left the Soviet Union or not returned
to it at four main periods in the last ninety years or so: in the years
immediately or soon after the Bolshevik revolution of 1917; after the
Second World War (193945), following their displacement; in the
Br ezhnev period (especially in the 1970s, after the granting of
permission to Jews to leave the country); and from the mid-1980s,
following the further relaxation of emigration controls. The principal
destinations of these emigrants, at one time or another, have been
France, Germany, Britain, the US and Israel. Many members of the
Russian diaspora are permanently settled abroad but some mainly
more recent emigr es are only temporarily resident outside Russia,
perhaps because they are working or studying abroad.
Russian is also spoken by millions of people as a foreign language,
especially people from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe
who received all or most of their higher education in the Soviet
Union. Moreover, Russian has been widely taught outside Russia
since the Second World War, particularly when the Soviet Union was
at its most powerful from the 1960s to the1980s. Organisations such as
the International Association of Teachers of the Russian Language and
Literature (Meaa aa eaaee
a or MAP
) were set up in the Soviet period to support such

activity. However, the number of foreigners learning Russian
(estimated at some 20 million in 1979) has diminished in the
5
post-Soviet period, following the demise of Russian hegemony in the
Eastern bloc countries (East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia,
Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria) and the weakening of Russian
inuence in various states in other parts of the world (e.g. Cuba,
Angola, Ethiopia, North Yemen and Vietnam).
It should be added, nally, that Russian is one of the ofcial and
working languages of the United Nations and UNESCO.
Although Russian is thus widely distributed, and although it is also
the language in which one of the worlds great bodies of imaginative
literature has been created over the last two and a half centuries, it is
with the varieties of Russian that are spoken by ethnic Russians in
Russia today that this book is primarily concerned.
1.2 Varieties of language
The student learning a foreign language in a systematic way will
generally study a form of it, or the single form of it, which educated
native speakers consider normative, e.g. BBC English, Parisian
French, Tuscan Italian, Mandarin or Cantonese. In the case of Russian
this normative form is what Russians refer to as the literary language
(ea ). However, the term literary language suggests
to an English-speaker exclusively the written language, and the
expression standard Russian is therefore preferred in this book.
Standard Russian embraces the spoken language of educated people as
well as the written language, and its spoken form is based on educated
Muscovite speech.
Study of the normative form of a language should inculcate a
standard pronunciation and vocabulary and correct grammatical rules.
It is essential that the foreign student absorb such a norm both in order
that he or she should be able to communicate with educated speakers
of the language in a way acceptable to the largest possible number of
them, and in order to establish criteria in his or her own mind for
judging correctness and error in the language.
However, there comes a point in ones study of a foreign language
when it also becomes necessary to recognise that the concept of norms
is to some extent theoretical and abstract. This is so because a living
language is constantly evolving and because innumerable varieties of it
exist both within what is regarded as the norm and beyond the limits
of that norm.
For one thing, what people consider correct changes with the
passage of time. For example, authoritative Russian dictionaries
indicate end stress throughout the future tense in the verbs e
and e (e, etc., e, etc.), but many educated
speakers now consider e, etc. and e, etc. normal
and correct. As far as the historical evolution of Russian is concerned,
the student needs to be aware that while the Russian of P ushkin,
Turg enev and Tolst oi is easily comprehensible to Russians today, it
differs in some respects morphologically and especially lexically from
6
1.2 Varieties of language
the contemporary language. Moreover, Russian is undergoing rapid
change at the present time. This change is due to some extent to the
global technological and managerial revolution of the late twentieth
century, with its large new vocabulary, but also to the quite sudden
breakdown of the communist order in Russia and the political,
economic, social and cultural innovations and dislocations which that
breakdown has entailed. The concerns that these linguistic changes
have generated among educated Russians are dealt with in section 1.6
below.
More importantly from the point of view of this book, the language
spoken in Russia today, while having a common core, has numerous
varieties, as do modern English, French, German, Spanish and so on.
For native users of a language do not all use their language in the same
way. The language they use may vary depending on such factors as
where they come from, which social group they belong to, whether
they are speaking or writing, and how formal the context is in which
they are communicating. In other words varieties of language are,
in the terminology of the Romanian linguist Coseriu, diatopic (that
is to say, characteristic of a particular place, as are regional dialects),
diastratic (characteristic of a certain stratum, as are social dialects),
diamesic (determined by medium, e.g. whether the example of
language is written or spoken), or diaphasic (determined by degree
of formality).
The last two types of variation are particularly important for us here,
since no individual speaker of a language, whatever region or class he
or she emanates from and irrespective of whether he or she writes and
speaks what is considered the standard form of the language, uses the
language in the same way in all situations. People make linguistic
choices, which are determined by the situation in which they nd
themselves, selecting certain lexical, morphological and syntactic forms
from among the options available in their language. They may even
vary their pronunciation (and in Russian, their stress) according to the
context. It is important for advanced learners of a language to be aware
of this variety in the languages use, both in order that they may be
sensitive to the nuances of what they hear and read and in order that
they themselves may use language that is appropriate in a given
situation and has the desired impact. After all, a sophisticated
expression used in the wrong context may sound laughably pompous,
while a coarse turn of phrase addressed to the wrong company may
cause offence.
Bearing in mind what has been said about variety, one needs when
studying language to reect on the following factors. Who is using the
language in a given instance, and with what intent? What form of
communication is being used? What is its subject-matter? And what is
the context? In other words, one should consider the user, purpose,
medium, eld and situation.
Factors relating to the speaker himself or herself which help to
determine the type of language he or she uses are the speakers age,
7
sex, place of origin (see 1.5), level of education and social position or
status. These factors may impinge on language directly, by affecting a
persons accent, way of addressing others, range of vocabulary and
command of grammar, and indirectly, by shaping and delimiting a
persons knowledge and experience.
The purpose of communication in a given instance also has a bearing
on the form of language used. One may be using language merely to
impart information, as is the case for example in a scholarly article or
lecture, a textbook or a weather forecast; or to persuade, as is the case
in an editorial article, a lawyers speech in court or a political broadcast;
or merely for social intercourse, as is the case in a conversation with
friends. Language used for the rst purpose is likely to be logical,
coherent, matter-of-fact, relatively sophisticated syntactically and shorn
of emotional expressiveness. Language used for the last purpose, on the
other hand, is likely to be less rational and less complex syntactically,
and may deploy a range of emotional and expressive resources.
The medium used for communication also signicantly affects the
language used. Perhaps the most important distinction to be made
under this heading is the distinction between spoken and written
forms of language. The distinction has been dened by David Crystal
in the following way. Speech is time-bound and transient. The speaker
has particular addressees in mind. Because of the probable lack of
forethought and the speed of delivery the constructions used are
relatively simple and loose. There is a higher incidence of coordinating
conjunctions than subordinating conjunctions. Spoken language may
incorporate slang, nonsense words and obscenity. Utterances may be
repeated or rephrased and comments interpolated. It is prone to error,
but there is an opportunity for the speaker to reformulate what has
been said. Such factors as loudness, intonation, tempo, rhythm and
pause play an important role. In the event of face-to-face
communication extra-linguistic aids to communication might be used,
such as expression, gesture and posture. Speech is suited to social
intercourse, the expression of personal feelings, opinions and attitudes.
Writing, on the other hand, is space-bound and permanent. The
writer is separated from the person addressed, that is to say the reader.
The written language tends to be carefully organised and its syntax
relatively intricate. There is a higher incidence of subordination in it
than there is in speech. Documents may be edited and corrected
before they are disseminated and format and graphic conventions may
strengthen their impact. Writing is suited to the recording of facts and
the exposition of ideas. It should be noted, though, that there is no
simple correlation between speech and informality, on the one hand,
and writing and formality on the other. While the written language
tends to be more formal than the spoken language it is not necessarily
so. For example, the written language in the form of a letter to a
partner, friend or relation is likely to be less formal than such examples
of the spoken language as an academic lecture, a radio or television
interview, or a political speech.
8
1.3 Registers
As for eld, language is affected by subject-matter in an obvious
way, inasmuch as elds of activity and branches of knowledge have
their special terminology, for example, political, philosophical,
scientic, medical, musical, literary, sporting, professional and so forth.
However, the effect of eld on language may go further than
terminology. Groups have distinctive ways of expressing themselves:
doctors, for example, are likely to describe patients symptoms in
language altogether different from that used by patients themselves.
Finally, regarding situation, ones mode of expression may be affected
by the nature of the relationship that exists between the user and the
person or people with whom he or she is communicating. Language is
likely to vary according to such factors as whether one is speaking, for
example, to ones elders (with any one of a range of nuances from
respect, deference, sympathy or affection to condescension or
intolerance), to children (lovingly, reproachfully, sternly), to a superior
or junior at work, or to an intimate or a stranger.
1.3 Registers
The varieties of language that result from the interaction of the factors
described in 1.2 represent stylistic levels which, in common with
authors of other books in this series, we shall term registers.
3
Although
the number of registers that may be identied is quite large, for the
purposes of this book a scale will be used on which three main
registers are marked (low, neutral and high). These registers will be
referred to throughout the book as R1, R2 and R3, respectively.
Beyond the rst of these registers lie demotic speech (1.3.2) and vulgar
language (5.6) and within R3 lie various functional styles
(ae ) which will be classied here as scientic or
academic style, ofcial, legal or business style, and the styles of
journalism and political debate (1.3.4).
These registers, which are examined in more detail below, broadly
speaking reect a spectrum ranging from informality, in the case of
R1, to formality, in the case of R3. Insofar as this spectrum reveals a
view of language as low (e), neutral (ea) or high
(), it may be traced back in Russia to the work of the poet,
scientist and student of language Lomon osov, who in his euue
ne u e e (Preface on the Use of
Church Books in the Russian Language, 1758) famously dened three
linguistic styles (, ee, ) and laid down
the genres in which it seemed appropriate to use each of them. To a
considerable extent this spectrum of register runs parallel to that which
ranges from the colloquial form of spoken Russian at one end to a
bookish form of the written language at the other (although, as has
already been noted in the previous section, certain spoken media may
be more formal than certain written media).
It is important to appreciate that the boundaries between linguistic
registers are constantly shifting. In particular it should be noted with
9
regard to modern, post-Soviet Russian that what only recently might
have been considered improper at a higher level than R1 may now be
considered quite acceptable, or at least might be widely used, in R2.
Similarly, what was recently felt to be sub-standard may now be
widespread in R1. This lowering of boundaries and the broadening of
what was previously considered the standard, and also reactions to
these changes, are examined in more detail in 1.6 below.
Passages exemplifying the various registers described in this section
are provided, with translation and commentary, in Chapter 2.
1.3.1 The colloquial register (R1)
The principal function of this register is social intercourse. Its medium
is dialogue or conversation and its eld is ones personal relationships
and practical everyday dealings with others. It is therefore distinguished
by relative spontaneity, simplicity and the absence of forethought or
technical or ofcial tone. Non-lexical features, such as intonation,
pauses, stress, rhythm and tempo, play an important part in it. Meaning
is reinforced by non-linguistic resources such as facial expression and
gesture. The function, medium and eld of the register account for
many of the factors which it tends to exhibit in the areas of
pronunciation, vocabulary and phraseology, word-formation,
morphology and syntax.
r
Articulation is often careless and indistinct, and vowels may be reduced pronunciation
or consonants lost as a result of lazy or rapid delivery, e.g. gr
u (),
zdr assti (a), u t
a (y e), t oka (), vass
e (e),
p
iis
at (e). Local accent is marked (e.g. with aae and

associated phenomena r ae, treatment of g as occlusive or
fricative; see 1.5). Stress may differ from the accepted norm (e.g.
, , , a, a instead
of , , , a, a,
respectively).
r
This tends to be basic and concrete since the register is concerned with vocabulary
the practicalities of life. All parts of speech are represented in numerous
colloquial forms, i.e. nouns (e.g. aa, bully; aa, potato;
, crush, scrum); adjectives (e.g. , lanky; ,
meticulous; , odd; a, hard-working; aa,
lax); verbs (e.g. aa, to dig ones heels in (g); and
e (pf ), to have a nap; , to wail, howl; (pf ), to
cram in; () (pf ), to bang, crash; ea, to gossip
maliciously; e, to play tricks; ea, to linger, loiter;
(pf ), to take aback; eeaa, to overdo (lit to make too
much borshch); ee (pf ), to die; (pf ), to be unwell;
eea, to be secretive; aa, to jabber, natter; ,
to pull about, pester); adverbs (e.g. aa, enough; e, completely;
, n the quiet; ae, for quite some time now;
a, on the sly; , in a ash; a, a bit too
10
1.3 Registers
much/many; a, stark naked; e, havent/hasnt got time (to do
sth); ae, gradually, gently, tolerably; , slowly, softly, on
the sly; e, well and truly; ae, quite often; , a
tiny bit); and pronouns (a, what a/such a). Some colloquial words
are derived from the same root as non-colloquial words (e.g.
aa, cf. ae; ee, cf. ee).
r
The speaker has frequent recourse to various types of ller words (e.g.
a, a, a , e), hesitation markers (e.g. ),
comment clauses (e.g. ea ee; see 5.3 on all of these), and
attempts to engage an interlocutor, real or imagined (e.g. ae,
aee, e). The languages means of expressing emotion,
notably modal particles (e.g. e, e; see 5.4) and interjections
(e.g. ax, ; 5.5), may be exploited. Informal modes of address
predominate (7.27.3). People conversing in the colloquial register are
more likely to address each other as than as and to call each
other by their rst names, indeed by diminutive forms of them (7.3.1),
than by the combined rst name and patronymic.
r
Idioms (5.7) and expressive turns of phrase are used, giving a variety of phraseology
tones, for example ironic, scornful, jocular. Phraseology may be
structurally distinctive, e.g. e ee, only a few days; e
a, to be on ones guard; a e a, to be on tenterhooks;
e, to do ones utmost; aea e, to start again
from the beginning; e , any fool could see it (lit its clear to a
hedgehog).
r
Bookish sufxes, especially those of Old Church Slavonic origin, are word-formation
relatively scarce, but many other noun sufxes (see 8.7) abound and
indeed occur mainly in this register, e.g. -a (a, simple-minded
fellow); - (, good-natured bloke); -aa (eaa, idler); -a
(a, playboy); -a (aa, old chap); - (, boor); -a
(a, bloke with a beard); -a (aa, alcoholic; a, small
trader, mercenary person); -a (a, cramming, i.e. study); -e
(ae, spoilt brat); -a (a, bigwig); -a (aeaa,
cloakroom); - (, row, racket); - (e, running about,
bustle); - (e, lazy person); - (, chatterbox); -a
(a, fat woman); - (a, kid ); -a (ea, poor devil ).
Diminutive and pejorative sufxes (8.8) indicate a speakers attitudes,
e.g. - (, dear son); -a (a, wretched liar); -
(, little town or ghastly town); -a (a, hideous
beard ). The adjectival sufx - (, whacking great), the
adjectival prex e- (e, really stupid ), and the verbal sufx
-a (a, to be a tramp) are also characteristic of the
colloquial register.
r
In some masculine nouns certain forms may be preferred to standard morphology
forms in some cases, e.g. prep sg in - ( instead of e,
on leave; 9.1.5); nom pl in -a (ea instead of e, sectors;
9.1.6); gen pl in zero ending (a, instead of pa, of
11
grammes, , of tomatoes; 9.1.7). Diminutive forms of rst
names may be used in a truncated vocative form, e.g. Ta, Tania
(7.3.1). The sufx -e may be preferred in short comparatives (e.g.
e instead of ee, quicker) and the prex o- is commonly
attached to such comparatives (e.g. e, a bit better, 9.3.3). The
innitive forms a, a may be preferred to e, to see,
a, to hear (3.4). There is a tendency to simplication, which
entails weakening of certain grammatical rules, e.g. a speaker may
fail to decline all components of a numeral in an oblique case (11.4.3,
note 2) or both parts of a compound word (e.g. ae,
half a year earlier, instead of ). Forms may be used which
strictly speaking are grammatically incorrect, e.g. T ee ae
instead of T ee a, Youre brighter than us, and even e
a instead of e aa, by 1 March. Nouns may be used in
a case that is incorrect after the preposition that governs them. Thus
the dative case is commonly used after in expressions of time such
as ee, on expiry, in which the preposition means upon, after,
and should strictly speaking govern the prepositional case (
ee; R3).
r
The nature of the colloquial register makes for sentences consisting of
syntax
only one word (e.g. a, yes; e, n; , get away; a, forward; a
e, of course (iron); aa, please), incomplete sentences, and
simple sentences. In complex sentences coordinating conjunctions are
much more frequent than subordinating conjunctions. Syntax may be
disjointed, with repetitions (e.g. a, a, a, yes, yes, yes), weak links,
breaks in sentences and interpolations of various sorts (e.g. providing
comment, clarication or correction). Questions and exclamations
abound. Rules dictating the government of words may be relaxed, e.g.
a preposition might govern an innitive (a , about
having a chat) or might be combined with a word other than a noun,
pronoun or adjective (O a a e ea, Lets put off
our conversation until after dinner). Speakers frequently resort to ellipsis
e.g. a, Im [coming] to [see] you; 11.13) and other distinctive
constructions, which may involve various types of complex predicate,
e.g. Ca ea, [She] was standing singing; O a a,
He went and shouted; a eae, , she does nothing but;
a ee , Hes walking along quite unconcerned (11.13). Predicates
in such constructions may contain particles, e.g. Haa-
a, a e e, Well, Ill write, but she wont reply (5.4) or
they may consist of interjections, e.g. , banged (5.5).
It is worth adding, nally, that the low style is notable for what it lacks
as well as for what it contains. It eschews the complex subordinate
clauses, gerunds, active participles and passive constructions involving
reexive verbs that are characteristic of the high style as well as much
sophisticated or specialised vocabulary and many set phrases and
formulae.
12
1.3 Registers
1.3.2 Demotic speech (D)
Beneath the normal colloquial register, which may be used by all social
groups in informal situations, there are other linguistic strata whose
elements, unlike much in R1, may still sound more or less
unacceptable and discordant in R2. These strata include what will here
be termed demotic (ee, which is sometimes also translated
as popular speech), as well as youth slang ( e; see
5.1.4), thieves cant (a ), prison slang (e a)
and vulgar language (5.6).
Demotic is the spontaneous, informal speech of the uneducated (or,
if it is used by the educated, then it is used for special effect). It lies
outside the bounds of what is considered the literary standard (though,
as has been said, that standard is constantly shifting and continually
admits elements which were recently considered unacceptable). Unlike
the various registers embraced by the standard language, demotic
speech observes no norms. It is distinguished to some extent, as
illustrated by the following examples of features of mainly Muscovite
ee, by stress and morphological and syntactic peculiarities,
but above all by a layer of racy vocabulary.
r
Some nouns are stressed on a different syllable from that which bears
stress
the stress in the standard language, e.g. e (e,
document); e (e, kilometre); aa (aa, shop);
e (, youth); e (e (m), briefcase);
e (, driver).
r
Stress variation also affects some verb forms, e.g. , etc.
(standard , you ring); aa (aa, chased ); aa (aa,
gave back), and the short forms of past passive participles, e.g.
ee (ee, brought); ee (ee, brought (by
transport)); ee (ee, brought (by hand )).
r
Use of words considered unacceptable in standard usage, e.g. nouns vocabulary
such as ae, coarse, idle person; aa, head, nut; aa,
debauched person; aa, ugly mug; , belly, gut; aa, thief,
scrounger ; adjectives such as , disagreeable and dreary;
aa, high-handed; verbs such as aa, to stutter (of
engine, machine, heart); ea (e, ee), to bark, talk
nonsense, tell lies; e/e, to be a coward;
/, to nick; aa/aa, to get pissed;
aea/ae, to become stupeed; aa/a,
to fool, dupe; a/, to have a good time, to have fun;
e (pf ), to go off ones head; ee (pf; , ), to
nick; (pf ), to kill, knock off; ea/ee, to
rush off; aa/a, to pinch, scrounge; and adverbs such as aea,
recently; , never in ones life.
r
Use of the verbal sufx -a (see also 8.11), e.g. ea (pf ), to word-formation
bash; aa (pf ), to hit hard, bash.
13
r
The nominative plural form in -a for masculine nouns is more morphology
widespread than in the standard language (e.g. ea, drivers)
(9.1.6).
r
Types of declension may be confused, e.g. use of - as a genitive
plural exion for nouns other than masculine nouns, as in e (see
also 1.5.3).
r
The form e?, how much time/what is the time? in
which the noun is not declined (instead of standard
ee?).
r
Verbal conjugations may also be confused (e.g. aa instead of a,
from aa, I wave), or other non-standard forms may be found (e.g.
instead of , it burns).
r
Use of certain non-standard imperative forms, e.g. e instead of e,
eat, and ea instead of ea, go (by transport).
r
Non-reexive forms may be substituted for reexive forms, especially
in gerunds and active participles, e.g. e aa instead of
e aa, sat thinking, and ae instead of
ae , the house which has caught re.
r
Use of past passive participial forms in - where in the standard
language the ending - would be used, e.g. a
(a, torn).
r
Loose and broad use of prepositions, e.g. ee in the sense of because of
syntax
(-a), e.g. ee e a(a), I was late because of him. Non-
standard use of prepositions after verbs, e.g. (standard forms in
brackets) e - ( -), to worry about sb, and
aa - (aa e-), to be glad at sth.
1.3.3 The neutral register (R2)
This is the norm of an educated speaker, the standard form of the
language that is used for polite but not especially formal
communication. It might be used in broadcasting, among colleagues at
work, by educated people who do not know each other very well, by
teachers to their pupils. It is the register that the foreign student as a
rule rst learns and which is most suitable for his or her rst ofcial or
social contacts with native speakers. It is correct without being fussy
or pedantic. This register is perhaps best dened in negative terms, as
lacking the distinctive colloquial features of R1 and the bookish
features of R3, though it may to some extent contain elements of both
without altogether taking on a colloquial or bookish colouring. Both
forms of address, and , are possible in R2, depending on the
degree of intimacy between the people speaking. First names and
patronymics are likely to be used between acquaintances. On the other
14
1.3 Registers
hand, secondary diminutive forms of rst names (e.g. Haaea,
Taea; see 7.3.1) might seem overfamiliar.
1.3.4 The higher register (R3)
This register is most commonly the vehicle for ideas which have been
thought out in advance and are expressed in uninterrupted
monologue. The exposition of such ideas may follow established
patterns. Language in the higher register is therefore relatively well
organised and formal and may have recourse to set phrases and
formulaic expressions. It eschews elements that can be identied as
colloquial (1.3.1), including regional variation (1.5). Vocabulary may
be sophisticated, specialised or terminological. Syntax may be
complex. Constructions containing reexive verbs used in a passive
sense (11.8), gerunds (11.11.1) and active participles (11.11.2) are used
freely. Nouns in the same case, especially the genitive, may be
threaded together (so-called aae aee), e.g.
eae Mea e e ea, (lit) a
representative of the Ministry of the Interior of Germany. Nouns may be
preceded by adjectival phrases containing nouns, e.g. ee e
ee a, the rst communist state in the world.
Within this register the following functional styles may be identied.
(a) Academic/scientic style (a )
The purpose of this functional style is to report information. The style
may be appropriate in any medium from a monograph, learned article
or textbook to a lecture or seminar. It may also be used in many elds,
indeed in any academic discipline from the natural sciences (e.g.
physics, chemistry and biology), through the social sciences (e.g.
politics, sociology and economics) to the humanities (e.g. philosophy,
philology and the study of literature). (It should be noted that the
Russian word aa, like the German word Wissenschaft, has a broader
range than the English science, embracing all academic work, not
merely the natural and social sciences.) The language of the academic
style is characterised by logical and orderly development (hence the
copious use of transition words (5.2)). It is carefully formulated with
explanation of the relationships between things (hence the use of
numerous subordinating conjunctions (11.12.2)). Choice of words is
precise. Much vocabulary is terminological and words are used in their
literal meanings. Verbs which would occur in R1/R2 might be
replaced by phrases consisting of verb + verbal noun (e.g.
instead of a, grows; ee e ee eea
instead of ae eeaa, the temperature rises). Various
means are used to express a copula for which English would use some
form of the verb to be, e.g. , aae , eae
, all meaning is (4.2). This style is shorn of artistry and lacks the
expressive devices of the colloquial language described in 1.3.1.
15
(b) Ofcial/business style (a-e )
Like the academic style, this functional style has as its purpose
communication in the sense of reporting. It may be found in treaties,
legislation, regulations, codes of practice, forms, certicates, ofcial
correspondence and even public notices. Its eld spans diplomacy, law,
administration and commerce and even some of the standard methods
of address in letters (7.17). Whereas in other styles cliches may be a
defect, here they are more or less de rigueur. The language of this style
is therefore characterised by numerous formulae, e.g.: e a Ba
a, in reply to your enquiry (7.17); eea -
aee, to pay ones respects to sb; ae e, in due course;
ee, when things are normal (a Putinism, it seems).
Material is arranged according to some generally accepted form.
Terminology abounds. So also do the following phenomena: set
phrases (e.g. , to come into effect;
a, to full obligations; e ee, is subject
to conrmation); abbreviations (6.9); verbal nouns (see e.g. 8.7.1);
prepositional phrases based on a noun (e.g. ee, in the matter of;
e , in conformity with; e, with the object of ); complex
conjunctions ( , , in view of the fact that; e,
, in connection with the fact that; ee , , owing to the fact
that; see 11.12.3); and formulaic links (a a, e, in the event
that; c e e, , n condition that). Word order tends to be
straightforward. The ofcial/business style is impersonal and eschews
the expressive resources of the colloquial register. It is also relatively
stable and resistant to change.
(c) The styles of journalism and political debate
(e )
This functional style, or set of styles, differs from the
academic/scientic and the ofcial/business styles in that it may be
designed to persuade as well as to record or inform. Its medium may
be serious journalistic reporting in written form (in which case its
purpose may be primarily informative) or journalistic comment, a
polemical article, a political speech, propaganda, a pamphlet, or even a
slogan (in which case its primary purpose is to persuade, to inuence
opinion). The style is characterised by socio-political vocabulary. It
easily absorbs neologisms (5.1). It resorts to certain stereotypes and
cliches (a e , to give the green light) and periphrasis (e.g.
a ae, to express the hope; aa , to render
assistance; a ea, to harbour hatred; a eee, to
take a decision; , to carry out an inspection).
Introductory constructions indicate the source of information (e.g. a
ae a ee, as our correspondent reports; a,
according to information). Unlike the academic and ofcial styles, the
styles of journalism and political debate make use of such graphic,
16
1.3 Registers
emotive and expressive resources of the language as rhetorical devices,
repetition, parallelism and exclamation. They are mainly bookish but
elements of colloquial language are used to lend them vitality.
1.3.5 Styles of belles-lettres ( ee
ea)
Account must also be taken of the language used by the creative artist,
although this language stands apart from the scale of register that
stretches from the colloquial informality of R1 to the mainly bookish
formality of R3. Unlike the varieties of language dealt with in 1.3.1 to
1.3.4 inclusive, the language of the work of imaginative literature has
an aesthetic function as well as a communicative one. It may be
contrasted in particular with the academic style of R3, which
expounds ideas in conceptual terms and literally, for the language of
the work of art expresses ideas with the help of images and uses words
in non-literal ways. The medium of the language of belles-lettres may
be a poem, a play, a short story, a novel, or even a song. As for register,
the language of belles-lettres may, according to the authors purpose
and subject-matter, embrace all the registers and styles examined in
1.3.1 to 1.3.4, even the demotic and nowadays the vulgar. Unlike
the impersonal, objective styles of R3 (academic/scientic and ofcial/
business), it may be personal and subjective. It makes use of the
resources that the language possesses for expressing emotion and
attitude (e.g. modal particles, interjections, diminutive and pejorative
sufxes, the syntax of R1). It may deploy dialect words, jargon,
professional or common parlance or archaisms to lend a particular
colouring. Tone may be varied, from the elevated to the ironic or
parodic.
1.3.6 Language of the internet ( eea)
Finally, mention must be made of the language used on the internet in
all its forms, e.g. the world-wide web (Ma aa), email
(ea a) and chatrooms (a; sg a). Netspeak, as the
language of the internet may be called in English, contains features of
both written and spoken language as they were dened in 1.2 above,
following Crystal. Since the world-wide web may be used for
informative purposes and as a reference source it contains much
material couched in the formal written registers. (Some Russian
websites (a; sg a) that are of particular use for students of
Russian are indicated in the section on Sources.) The language of the
chatroom, on the other hand, is highly informal. It does resemble a
written medium, inasmuch as it may be edited before dissemination
and a record of it remains after it has been disseminated, but at the
same time it comes close to (without quite attaining) the immediacy of
speech. The language of email comes midway between these extremes,
17
since email is a medium that resembles written correspondence but is
generally less formal and is (or is perceived as) more transient. There
are grounds, then, for seeing Netspeak as a third medium which, in its
totality, embodies features of both writing and speech and which is
capable of spawning further new varieties of language.
While use of personal computers is now widespread in Russia
among young people, especially in the cities, it may be that Russian
users of the internet are still less broadly representative of the Russian
population as a whole than are British internet users of the British
population as a whole. Nevertheless the introduction of information
technology into Russia has had a signicant impact on the Russian
language, at least in the elds of lexis and phraseology. A large new
vocabulary has developed, most of it of English origin. This
vocabulary, on such matters as hardware and software,
word-processing, and use of the world-wide web and email, is dealt
with at 5.1.5, under the general heading of neologisms. At the same
time Russian, like English, has developed a distinctive informal register
for use in forms of two-way electronic communication. In email this
register is characterised by lightly edited or unedited composition,
simple syntax and casual forms of greeting and farewell (see 2.13
below). In chatrooms it is characterised by the tendency to spell words
as they are pronounced, recourse to slang, adoption of screen names
(; sg ) by participants, unconventional punctuation, and use of
symbols (smileys (a; sg a) or emoticons) to indicate
moods and reactions (see 2.2 below).
There is of course debate as to the extent to which the new
linguistic usage promoted by the internet should be welcomed or
resisted. To linguistic purists of the sort whose views are described in
1.6 below, the internet may be the bearer of bad linguistic habits. On
the other hand, it has been argued, by Nikolai Perei aslov in a recent
article (see Sources), that the internet is capable of transmitting good
works of literature alongside the vulgar or pornographic material that
is associated with it in the minds of many people. Russians would be
unwise, according to this view, to spurn the literary continent that is
developing on the internet, lest internet literature (ee-
eaa) drift away to an abroad which they will have to discover
at a later date, just as in Soviet times they had to discover other, earlier
forms of Russian emigr e literature.
1.4 Illustration of register in vocabulary
The following table briey illustrates the levels of language that have
been discussed, as they are manifested in Russian lexis, by showing
some of the colloquial and high equivalents (R1 and R3 respectively)
of the basic neutral words (R2) that are given in the middle column.
The table is arranged in accordance with the alphabetical order of the
neutral Russian words.
18
1.5 Regional variation in Russian
R1 R2 R3
e (pl) aa eyes (sg ; poet)
aa a head aa
ea ea girl ea
a (pl), aa e (pl) money ea (pl)
ea (impf ) a (impf ) to think (impf )
a (pl) ea food a
a (impf ),
a (impf; D)
e (impf ) to eat a (impf )
aa ea wife a
aa ea woman aa
a, a (D) face
aa, aaa (D) a (f ) mother ea
a (pl; sg e),
aa (slang)
aa car a (m)
a much/a lot e
ae (m)
ee
young man a
husband
a aaae punishment aa
aa (f ) eae misfortune ee
a ea clothes ae
aa, aaa,
a (D)
e father e (m;
parent in R2)
a (f ) help ee
aa ( paw in R2) a hand a (f )
a e (f ) death a
(impf ) a to sleep a (impf )
aa a old man ae
a
a/
ee
to die a (pf)
The verbs ea /e and a / , which also mean

to die and in R2 are used only of animals, may in R1 be used of humans, in which
case they have a pejorative tone.
Account must be taken, when considering variety in a language, of the
existence of geographic as well as social dialects. The higher and
neutral registers of a language (R3 and R2) are subject to little, if any,
19
regional variation, but the colloquial form (R1) does vary from one
region to another, both when used by relatively uneducated speakers
and even when used by educated speakers in informal situations.
Regional features often reect archaic usage that has died out in the
standard language and infringe that languages grammatical norms,
which the foreign learner is expected to observe.
Considering the enormous size of the territory of the Russian
Federation (which stretches over 8,000 kilometres from the border
with Belarus in the west to the Bering Strait in the east and some
3,000 kilometres from the Kola Peninsula in the north to the Caucasus
in the south and covers in all an area of some 10.5 million square
kilometres) the Russian language is surprisingly uniform. The Russian
spoken on the Pacic coast in Vladivost ok, for example, is easily
comprehensible to the Muscovite. This relative uniformity (compared
to the greater phonological differences in a much smaller country such
as Switzerland) results from the frequent migrations of populations and
the lack of major geographical barriers within the country. It has been
reinforced in post-revolutionary Russia by such processes as
urbanisation and the spread of literacy. Nevertheless, there is regional
variation in Russian, in pronunciation, vocabulary, morphology and
syntax.
The foreign student is not advised to use regional linguistic features,
which do not belong in the standard language or higher registers and
which may in any case seem out-of-place unless all the distinctive
features of a particular dialect are deployed consistently and
comprehensively. The following sections are therefore intended only to
give a supercial impression of the extent of regional variation in
Russian and to draw attention to a few of the salient regional features.
A number of the linguistic terms used in this section are explained in
the Glossary.
1.5.1 Standard pronunciation
The regional features listed in 1.5.3 below are deviations from the
standard, to which reference is made, unless otherwise indicated,
elsewhere in this book. The lexical, morphological and syntactic
features of standard Russian are examined in the following chapters,
but since standard pronunciation is not dealt with elsewhere it is as well
to list here a few of the phonological features of Muscovite speech on
which, owing to the status of Moscow as the capital city, standard
pronunciation is based.
r
aae: a and o are both pronounced as a when they occur in the
syllable before the stress or in the initial syllable of a word, e.g. trava
(aa), sav a (a), ablak a (aa). In other unstressed positions both
vowels may be reduced to { (like the reduced vowel at the beginning
of English about), e.g. m{lak ().
20
r
ae: after soft consonants e and a are both pronounced as i when
they occur in the syllable before the stress, e.g. n
isl a (ea), vz
il a
(a), c
is (a). This phenomenon is characteristic of many C

dialects as well as the standard language.
r
In the standard language, as in the N regional dialect and many
C dialects (see 1.5.2), the voiced velar g is an occlusive sound (like
Eng g). Voiceless g becomes k, e.g. nok (), sn
ek (e).
r
There are four labiodental fricatives, i.e. hard voiced v and soft voiced
v
and hard unvoiced f and soft unvoiced f
. At the end of a word or

before a voiceless consonant v and v
are devoiced, e.g. drof (), l afka

(aa), got of

t
e (e).
r
There are two distinct affricates, the hard hissing affricate c, as in cyg an
(a), and the soft hushing affricate c
as in c
aj (a). (This
distinction is also observed in most S and C dialects.)
1.5.2 Classication of Russian dialects
Dialects are dened not by a single phenomenon but by a set of
phenomena, on the basis of a so-called bundle of isoglosses. However,
the isoglosses dening the territorial limits of the use of one
phenomenon do not necessarily coincide neatly with isoglosses relating
to another phenomenon. Identication and classication of Russian
dialects is therefore a complex matter that will not be addressed here,
except insofar as it is possible to make a broad distinction between the
following regional forms of Russian that may be heard in European
Russia.
(a) The N regional dialects (eee aee), i.e. the Russian spoken
north of a line running a little to the north of N ovgorod, Tver
and
Nzhnii N ovgorod (but excluding St Petersburg). This regional dialect
embraces such groups of local dialects as the L adoga-Tkhvin group,
the V ologda group and the Kostrom a group. The N regional dialect is
characterised especially by ae and use of occlusive g.
(b) The S regional dialect (e aee), i.e. the Russian spoken from
the borders of Belarus and Ukraine in the west and south and up to a
line passing through Kol omna, to the north of Kal uga and Riaz an
.
This regional dialect embraces a SW group of dialects around
Smol ensk (inuenced by Belorussian features), an Upper Dnepr group,
an Upper Desn a group around Briansk, the Kursk and Ori ol group,
and a group including the Russian of Riaz an
, Tamb ov and Vor onezh.

The S regional dialect is characterised especially by aae and use of
fricative .
(c) The C dialects (eee ), i.e. the Russian spoken in the
lateral strip of territory running from the border with Belarus in the
west. This group of dialects embraces the N ovgorod group and the
Pskov group in the west, the group around Moscow, and the group
21
around Vladmir to the east. These transitional dialects exhibit varying
mixtures of N and S regional features such as ae and aae,
occlusive g and fricative .
1.5.3 Regional features
This section lists some of the principal regional deviations from the
standard form of the language which the foreign student will normally
learn and indicates in which broad regions these variations from the
norm might be encountered. It should be borne in mind that although
these deviations may be found in the language of belles-lettres they
will generally be altogether absent from the styles classied in 1.3.4 as
R3a, R3b and R3c and may occur only infrequently in R2. The
degree to which they will occur in R1 will depend on such factors as
the speakers background, education, age and experience, the
circumstances in which he or she is speaking and the identity of the
person being addressed. In general one may expect such features to
occur more markedly in the speech of the poorly educated rural or
provincial dweller. It is also important to emphasise that regional
features are not so strong as to make any dialect incomprehensible to
the speakers of another dialect or to speakers of the standard language.
Note: letters in brackets in this section (e.g. N, S, C, NE, SW) indicate the region(s)
in which the features in question may be encountered. However, they do not
imply that the feature is exclusive to that area or universal in it, even among
the sort of speakers whose speech may exhibit dialect features.
r
ae, e.g. t
ap
er
(ee), n
as
i (e), s
al (e), n
as u (e) (i.e. pronunciation

(cf. 1.5.1) strong ae; SE); or before hard consonants only, e.g. s
al o (e),
n
as u (e) (i.e. moderate ae; SW).

r
ae, e.g. sov a (a) (N regional and some C dialects).
r
Fricative , e.g. na a (a). Correspondingly, devoiced becomes x,
e.g. nox (), sn
ex (e) (S regional dialect). In some SW regions

bordering on Belarus and Ukraine g becomes h.
r
Labiodental v and v
, when they occur at the end of a word or syllable,

are pronounced as bilabial w, e.g. drow (), l awka (aa) (most S
and many W and NE dialects).
r
Initial v may become u, e.g. um
este (ee), u g orod ( ), and

some homophones may result, e.g. , (both pronounced un
os)
(some S dialects).
r
ae, e.g. caj (a), csto (), c udo (), i.e. hard ae
(NW and also many C and SE dialects); or c
aj, c
isto, c
udo, i.e. soft

ae (NE dialects).
r
Assimilation producing the long consonant m from the combination
bm, e.g. omm an (a) (some N dialects).
22
r
Simplication of the group st to s in nal position, e.g. mos ()
(some N and a few S dialects).
r
Occurrence in some words of the combination mn instead of standard
vn, especially damn o (a) and ramn o (a) (some N and S
dialects).
r
Tendency to more innovatory stress in the S dialects, e.g. movement of
stress
stress from prex to stem in the past tense of certain verbs (a
a, gave back); shift of stress from preposition to noun in certain
phrases (a ee a ee, on to the bank). The NE dialects are
more conservative in stress. In the eld of stress S practice has affected
the evolution of the standard language more than N practice.
r
A dialect may have a word different from the standard word to denote vocabulary
a certain phenomenon or action, e.g. (standard forms in brackets):
(, wolf ); some S dialects
a (a, beetroot ); some S dialects
(a a, ne weather)
e (, well); some S dialects
e (e, very much, awfully); also R1
e (e, cock(erel)); some S dialects
aa (ae, ant); some SW dialects
a/ (a, manure); some N dialects
a (aa, to plough); some N and WC dialects
Regional words may be used in particular to denote age-old features of
rural life such as paths, fences, outhouses, animal sheds, vegetables,
parts of a plough or certain implements and utensils.
r
A word which in the standard language or in some regions has one
meaning may in certain other regions have another meaning or an
additional meaning, e.g. (corn) may mean rye in SW dialects and
barley in NW dialects; aa (to plough) may in N dialects also mean to
sweep; a (weather in the standard language) may mean bad weather
in some N dialects and good weather in some S dialects.
r
Special words may be used in particular dialects to denote phenomena,
especially ora, fauna, topography, climate, clothing or architecture,
which are peculiar to the region in question, e.g. aa, a bay or inlet
in NW Russia; a, raised ground in swampy district, islet in river in
Siberia; e, a type of sea wind; a, a homespun skirt in S
Russia; aa, a peasant hut in S Russia.
r
Treatment of many nouns in -o that in the standard language are morphology
neuter, especially nouns with stress on the stem (e.g. e, e,
a), as feminine, e.g. a ea (e e, a bad business)
(some S and C dialects). This phenomenon is a logical consequence of
aae, since the unstressed nal o is heard as a.
r
Declension of the nouns a, mother, and , daughter, that differs
from the standard declension, e.g. nom sg a, a sg ae (some
23
N dialects). In some W dialects the nouns aa and a replace
a and respectively.
r
Use of the exion -e for the genitive singular of nouns in -a after
prepositions, e.g. e e (e , without relations); ee (
e, from [ones] wife); ee ( e, at [ones] sisters).
r
Occurrence of fewer nouns than in the standard language with
nominative plural form in -a, e.g. a (aa, eyes); (a,
houses); (a, meadows) (some N, W and SW dialects); or,
conversely, of more nouns with this nominative plural form than in the
standard language, e.g. ee (ee, villages); a (a,
horses).
r
Extension of the genitive plural ending - to neuter and even
feminine nouns, e.g. e (e), e (e), a (a),
() (many S dialects).
r
Various deviations from standard exions in dative, instrumental and
prepositional plural forms, such as: coincidence of dative and
instrumental plural forms, e.g. c a ( a, with hands), c a
(c a, with us) (many N dialects); use of dative and prepositional
forms of the type , ; a, a (some S
dialects); use of instrumental plural endings such as -a,-aa, e.g.
a, aa (a, hands).
r
Use of accusative/genitive pronominal forms ee, ee, ee
(S dialects).
r
Use of soft t
in third-person-singular forms, e.g. id
() (some S
and C dialects).
r
Various paradigms of , e.g. , e, etc.; , ,
etc.; , e, etc. (some S dialects).
r
Use of rst-person-singular forms of second-conjugation verbs
without epenthetic or consonant change, e.g. (),
() (some S and SW dialects).
r
Use of certain compound prepositions of the type -a, -,
syntax
which are not found in the standard language (used with instrumental
to indicate the site of action), e.g. - , under the hillside;
-a e, over the river (some N and S dialects).
r
Use of certain prepositions with a case different from the case they
govern in the standard language, e.g. e, , e + acc (cf.
genitive in the standard language), e.g. e e (e e, near the
river) (some N dialects).
r
Use of c + gen in sense of out of (cf. in the standard language), e.g.
a, to go out of the room; ea M, to come
from Moscow.
r
Use of nominative rather than distinctive accusative (or accusative/
genitive) form of a noun which is the direct object of a transitive verb,
24
1.6 Current debate about standard Russian
e.g. e a (e , to bring water); aa e
(aa ea, to rock a baby) (some N dialects).
r
Use of a + acc after short comparative adjectives (cf. genitive in the
standard language), e.g. O ae a Ca (O ae Ca, Hes
older than Sasha) (some S dialects).
r
Use of a pluperfect tense consisting of the past tense of + the past
tense of the verb denoting the action in question, e.g. A ee
e a, a , Snow had fallen in
September, but October was warm (some N dialects).
r
Predicative use of perfective gerunds, e.g. ee a, A tree is
down; Kaa e, The porridge is burnt (some NW dialects;
note, however, that the form , drunk, is used in this way in
the standard language).
r
Various impersonal constructions involving the use of a short form of a
past passive participle, e.g. C a ae, I sawed it up with
my own hands (lit with my own hands it has been sawn); M
aa, A lot of work has been done; Ce e, Ive been
sitting around/People have been sitting around at my place; or use of a past
passive participle that does not agree with the noun to which it relates,
e.g. O a e e, One soldier is buried here; M
, Some milk has been spilt.
r
Less differentiation than in the standard language of subordinating
conjunctions (which in any case occur less in R1 than in R2 and
especially R3; see 11.12.2); correspondingly broader use of certain
conjunctions, especially: in causal sense, e.g. O e a
a, a, Hes laughing at us for being so stupid; and a in
(a) conditional sense (=e, if ), e.g. a e, a ee
a a , If its calm Ill go, but if its windy I certainly shant;
(b) causal sense (= , because), e.g. Be - e a,
a eaa, I shant write myself, because I cant write; (c) temporal
sense (=a, when), e.g. a a , a a
, When it was hot the cats would lie down in the grass.
r
Use of the emphatic post-positive particle - (see 5.4 on use of this
particle in the standard language). In some dialects (esp N and E) the
article changes according to the gender and number of the noun, i.e.
-, a-a, -, -e. In some C dialects the forms
- and - r - may be used for the sake of harmony with the
ending of the noun to which the particle is attached e.g. a ee-,
e -.
We return at this point to the notion of a linguistic standard that was
broached in section 1.2 above. By linguistic standard we mean a
25
canonical form of a language which grammarians and lexicographers
have sought to codify and which certain works of literature are felt to
exemplify. In some countries it is the function of some institution (e.g.
the Acad emie francaise in France) to preserve this standard. (In Russia
this function is fullled by the V. V. Vinogr adov Russian Language
Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Linguistics Institute
of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the A. S. P ushkin Russian
Language Institute, and other institutions.) It will be clear from what
was said in 1.2 that the standard is not only the uniform language that
educated speakers are believed actually to use but also an exemplary
language that it is felt speakers of the language in general ought to
aspire to use. In other words, the term standard when applied to a
language has both a descriptive and a prescriptive sense.
This book is primarily descriptive. We aim to acquaint students with
contemporary Russian usage (its registers and functional styles, lexis,
morphology, syntax and stress) as we nd it rather than to exhort
students to adhere exclusively to usage that a purist might consider as
conforming to an educated standard. We therefore have no hesitation
in pointing out non-standard features of contemporary Russian. This
leaning towards descriptivism rather than prescriptivism, which is in
the spirit of the series to which this book belongs, is intended to help
the foreign student to become aware of the full stylistic and expressive
range that is available to the Russian native speaker. Evidence of such
awareness may raise the foreign learners authority in the eyes of native
speakers.
At the same time it is essential that a foreigner learning a language
should know what native speakers consider to be standard (the norm at
which they will probably feel foreigners should aim) and what they
consider sub-standard (and may therefore expect the foreign learner to
eschew). In particular, the foreign learner should understand that the
freedom that he or she enjoys to use the resources of the language
being acquired, especially its sub-standard forms, is on the whole more
limited than that enjoyed by native speakers. This statement is true as a
matter of fact, inasmuch as there will no doubt be lacunae in
knowledge of vocabulary, idiom and grammar that inhibit the foreign
user of a language. It also holds good with respect to etiquette. For the
relatively limited nature of the foreigners understanding of the cultural
contexts in which the foreign language is used is likely to be felt at
some level by native speakers to impose a duty on the foreigner to
observe a certain humility and linguistic restraint. The disapproval of
native speakers may easily be aroused by deployment of sub-standard
forms by the foreign learner in an inappropriate context.
Debates about what the standard form of a language is or should be
and about the desirability and feasibility of preserving, purifying or
reforming the language are commonplace among peoples whose
languages are widely used for political, commercial, administrative,
literary and other purposes as well as for everyday social intercourse.
With respect to the English language, for example, there has in recent
26
years been much discussion about such questions as the following. Is
standard spoken English the same thing as standard written English?
(It is widely thought by socio-linguists not to be.) Is there such a thing
as standard spoken English at all? Is it right to attempt to impose a
standard spoken form of English, including received pronunciation,
through the educational system? What are the social implications of
such a policy? What political assumptions lie behind the positions
taken up on such issues? Such debates are often fuelled by concern that
what is thought to be a standard form of language is being polluted by
the increasing toleration of non-standard pronunciation (e.g. the
pronunciation that characterises what is known as estuary English), or
by the inux into a language of lexis that is perceived by educated
users as coarse or vulgar, or by the establishment of grammatical
phenomena that are considered by such users to be incorrect.
A debate about the state of the Russian standard began in the late
1980s and has quickened in the 1990s and the early years of the
twenty-rst century. This debate needs to be seen against the
background of the political, economic, social and cultural changes
(eaa) that have affected the Russian language in the
post-Soviet period. For example, Russians now have much closer
contact with the West, as a result of increased opportunities for travel
abroad, the inux of a larger number of foreigners into Russia than in
the Soviet period, and easier access to Western culture, particularly
material and popular culture, through the media and the internet. The
one-party state of Soviet times has given way to a state with democratic
institutions in which political parties of various complexions compete
with one another. A free-market economy is developing. Mass media,
including new and independent television stations and newspapers,
have proliferated. Women have asserted themselves to a greater extent
than before. The Soviet cultural legacy is receding.
The effect of these changes on the Russian language, especially in
the areas of lexis and style, may be viewed in different ways. On the
one hand they may be seen positively as having enriched Russian with
numerous neologisms expressing new concepts or presenting old
concepts in a new light (see 5.1 below). They have also helped to
release the language from the ideological straitjacket of the Soviet era.
It is perhaps indicative of a recognition of the positive effect, or at least
the naturalness and legitimacy, of linguistic change that Russian
linguists have in recent years become more interested than they were in
Soviet times in usage in non-standard registers.
On the other hand the post-Soviet Russian language is widely
perceived, particularly by educated speakers brought up in the Soviet
period, as having undergone barbarisation (aaa). It has
come to be seen as a vehicle for mass culture. It has received numerous
loanwords (aa) of international currency. (Resistance to
what linguistic conservatives perceive as inundation with foreign words
was exemplied as early as 1995 by Solzhentsyns P a
ae (A Russian Dictionary of Linguistic Expansion).)
27
Numerous slang words (a) have come into common use,
many of them associated with youth culture (and often disseminated
through rock music) and others originating in the underworld. The
complaint is heard that whereas once people were encouraged to write
or speak in a way that was comprehensible to the masses (
aa) now the demand is that they write or speak in a way
that is entertaining to the masses ( a aa). Thus
the linguistic standard has been broadened and the average level of
speech in public contexts lowered. The point is not that mistakes were
not made before, of course, for languages are always used loosely by
many speakers. Rather it is that lax usage in Russian is now widely
disseminated in the mass media (CM, i.e. ea a
a), television serials (eeea), talk shows (-),
lms, advertising (eaa), contemporary ction and the public
speech of ofcials and politicians (whose parliamentary debates are
broadcast).
We should add to these complaints the fact that there often occurs
what might be described as a sort of linguistic ination. Certain words
lose their original worth, because a meaning comes to be attached to
them that is more trivial than their original meaning or simply because
they are overused. The process applies even to vulgar language (see
5.6) when it becomes habitual. The lexical currency is thus devalued.
In response to the perceived debasement of the standard Russian
language, or ea , commentators now routinely discuss
the ecology of the language (), expressing concern
about the phenomena that have come to be tolerated in public
discourse and lamenting the alleged impoverishment of the language.
For example, the authors of two recent articles in the paper
eaa aea (Ivan ova and Khlebts ova; see Sources)
complain about departures from the standard in the areas of
pronunciation, enunciation, stress, morphology, syntax, lexis and style
that they have observed in the media, even in broadcasts that are not
live and in which editors might therefore have been expected to ensure
a higher linguistic standard. They criticise correspondents and
presenters for halting and stumbling delivery, for speaking inaudibly
and with unclear diction, for speaking too quickly and omitting
syllables from words, and for pronouncing words in a colloquial or
demotic way. They disapprove of the appearance on central television
and radio channels of presenters who have a regional accent. (This
practice has long since been accepted in British broadcasting; in some
respects Russian purists are reacting to the shock of what to them is
novel.) They point to examples of non-standard stress, e.g. a,
a, a, e, e instead of a,
taken, a, they will include, a, gas pipeline,
, new-born, e, to facilitate, respectively.
In the eld of grammar, one area of particular concern to such
purists is the incorrect or innovative combination of nouns and
prepositions, e.g. a aee, ae, instead of
28
aee, in the government, a ae, in (the) Ukraine (see
note 1 on a in 10.1.6(c)). Another is the widespread incorrect
declension of numerals, e.g. , instead of a, about
200; ee instead of e e
, by 2001; and a e , instead of e
e , 2003. Khlebts ova points to the use of double subjects
(a colloquial phenomenon sometimes known in English as heads),
e.g. e ea, a aae ee e, todays
subject, it concerns an interesting problem. More pedantically, perhaps,
Ivan ova notes that certain nouns are inected that should not be, such
as the names of settlements () and large Cossack villages
(a). Conversely, other proper nouns, such as the names of cities
and villages, are not inected when they are in apposition, although
strictly speaking they should be, e.g. e H and
e aa, instead of e He, in the city of
Novosibirsk, and e ae, in the city of Basra, respectively.
As far as lexis is concerned, Ivan ova and Khlebts ova lament the
inundation of the language of the media with foreign, especially
English, vocabulary (see 5.1.2 below), slang (5.1.4) and professional
jargon, especially computing terminology (5.1.5). Furthermore they
bemoan the allegedly limited vocabulary of people who work in the
media and their consequent underemployment of synonyms and their
failure to distinguish between registers. They also complain of the
assignation of new meanings to words. For example, the verb
a, to feel, Khlebts ova believes, now does service for a,
aa, a and a (to think, suppose, understand and
consider, respectively), as in the question she has heard put to someone
on television: a aee, e Aea aa
ae? (How do you feel/What do you think, will
America ratify the disarmament treaties?). (In this modish use a
may be an anglicism.) Similarly the verb a/ has
gained currency as a synonym for aa/a ee,
/e and aa (to express an opinion, utter and
say, respectively). At the same time the volume of words that belong to
a relatively high stratum of Russian lexis, Ivan ova believes, has
diminished.
On the stylistic level Ivan ova criticises pleonasm (e.g.
-ee, the former ex-premier, and a aa, world
globalisation) and presenters continuing recourse to ofcial clich es (e.g.
a e, at the present moment; e e, to
undertake measures (an embellishment of the ofcial phrase
e, to take measures). Both authors deplore the ubiquitous use of the
vague llers a and a, sort of/like, e.g. a a ae,
they sort of rented it out; a ee e aa,
were like reforming the education system; a -a, like, a rock
group. Indeed it has become possible to talk of a as a
phenomenon emblematic of the debasement of which defenders of the
standard complain.
29
Those who deploy the language in advertising are held by
Khlebts ova to be particularly culpable, on the grounds that they
promote the use of absurd epithets (aa eaa e, the
most inammable comedy; eae , superbreathable
nappies), inated exclamations ( e a !, Try
the taste of pleasure! ), and youth slang (O ! or
O ! Have a good time! Have fun!). It is a further
source of concern to such commentators that words that were
formerly taboo, i.e. words denoting sexual organs or describing bodily
functions, have become commonplace in the language of light
broadcasting and journalism and popular entertainment. They also
complain that an anglicised, or rather americanised, less respectful,
more aggressive manner of addressing the listener, viewer or reader is
often adopted. This alien manner may extend to use of a rising
intonation at the end of an utterance in place of the falling intonation
that is characteristic of statements (as opposed to questions) in Russian.
The purists recommend various means of combating the poor
linguistic usage of which they complain. (These means might seem to
Westerners more or less impracticable and unlikely to produce the
results that the purists desire; in fact the purists, like all conservatives in
times of rapid change, run the risk of appearing jaundiced and
outmoded.) They argue, for example, that Olympiads and other
competitions should be organised and given publicity, and that prizes
should be awarded for success in them, in order that kudos might be
attached to those who demonstrate command of the language. In
addition Ivan ova proposes the following measures: that the linguistic
competence of people applying for jobs in which they will use the
language in a professional capacity be tested; that advertising be
scrutinised with a view to eliminating orthographic and logical errors
and the use of an aggressive tone; that the language of sections of the
media be permanently monitored and that linguists be invited regularly
to analyse and comment on the results of this monitoring; that the use
of vulgar language, slang, demotic vocabulary or low borrowings from
other languages be somehow prohibited in public discourse; and even
that editors be ned for poor linguistic usage in the media that they
manage.
It is important, nally, to emphasise that although the Russian
language has recently changed in signicant ways that are examined in
this book under such headings as the language of the internet (1.3.6)
and neologisms (5.1) it has not undergone fundamental grammatical or
for that matter lexical change as a result of the political, economic,
social and cultural transformation of Russia in the post-Soviet period.
The most important change to which we draw attention here is of a
socio-linguistic nature. It is that registers that were once seen as
relatively formal, such as the registers of political discourse,
broadcasting and journalism on current affairs, have been invaded by
the habits and phenomena of colloquial and demotic speech. It is
primarily to this redenition of the boundaries within which varieties
30
of language are used that those concerned with the ecology of the
language seem to be objecting, although of course they also fear that
unless the norms they advocate are disseminated they will in time be
altogether forgotten.
Notes
1. The population has decreased slightly, by almost two million, since 1989,
when the last Soviet census was carried out. Nevertheless the Russian
Federation is the seventh most populous country in the world, after China,
India, the US, Indonesia, Brazil and Pakistan. The census also reveals that:
almost three-quarters of the population live in towns (although the process
of urbanisation has ceased); women are in the majority; the average age of
the population is increasing; the literacy rate (which in any case was very
high in Soviet times) has increased; and the birth rate is declining.
2. Many other languages besides Russian and the minority languages already
mentioned above are spoken by the numerous ethnic minorities in Russia
itself, especially various Finno-Ugric languages (e.g. Karelian, Komi, Mari,
Mordvin, Udmurt), Caucasian languages (Abkhaz, Georgian, Ingush,
Lezgi), Turkic languages (Iakut, Kirgiz, Turkmen), languages of the
Mongolian group (Buriat, Kalmyk), and Tadzhik (a language of the Iranian
branch of the Indo-European family).
3. It should be noted that some linguists use the term style to designate a
variety of language viewed from the point of view of formality and the
term register to designate a variety of language determined by topic,
subject matter or activity, such as the register of mathematics, the register of
medicine, or the register of pigeon fancying (Trudgill in Bex and Watts).
31
2 Passages illustrating register
All the passages presented below have been edited. Three dots
(e; see 11.15 below) may indicate either a pause in the
original text or our own omission of a passage from it.
2.1 R1: from a TV show
The following passage is an excerpt from a popular TV show in which
people are confronted, in the presence of a studio audience, by
members of their family, partners, friends or enemies about problems
in their lives. The context of this excerpt is that a young man (Anton)
takes a young woman whom he wants to marry to meet his parents in
a provincial town outside Moscow. However, he has to leave her on
her own with his parents because he is called back to Moscow by his
employer. When he returns a week later he nds that his parents and
his girl-friend (Marina) are not talking to one another. When Anton
and Marina get back to Moscow Marina tells Anton she is breaking off
their relationship. Anton tells the presenter that he has tried to nd out
from his mother (Ella Georgievna) what has gone wrong.
A: aa a. Maa e- ee e
eae, a e e aa.
Be: A aae ee a. Baa aa

a eea. (B
a eea) ae,
aae, aa. (A) C a. 5
10
15
20
A: Maa, e ae, .
a eea: a, aa . . . . ae , ,
a eaa. X, a eaa. e ee
ea . Tee aa ea e a ee.
Be A (ee): e?
a eea: e, aae e? a ,
a ee e e ee ea.
aaaa.
Oa a a e e, e e e e
e a e, e.
A: Tee e e, ee a e a.
a eea: B a e a, a e a,
a , a . . .
Be: A - ? T, a e e ee ea,
e . . .
a eea: a a e aa- . . . (a aae

: aaa?). A e a .
Be: a . . . ? B e a?
a eea: a, e.
Be: Ta a e.
32
a eea: H, ee e. B . . . ee e. 25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
A: Oa e a, e. Me a,
.
a eea: a a? Me ea ee, a e
ae, ee ee, e ee
a. a e.
A: Oa e ee a, a a - a?
a eea: Oa e ee a, e a
a (eae e a ). E
e aa, ee
aa.
Be: ea . . . ee a. (B Maa)
ae, Maa. B ae e
e a, B. . .
Maa: Ca.
Be: A e a aa ? e a .
H, ae-?
Maa: e ea a . Me a a.
(A) Ta ea ee aa, e aa
eaa ea. B, a- e
a aa ea e e a ee. T
e ea e a a e . . .
Be: e . . .
Maa: a, , ae, a e e ae . . .
ae, ea eea e e, , a
. . .
A: e a.
a eea: A, eee, a: Maa,

e e e a a, aa
e, a , a e, e ea,
ea, e, a,
ee . . .
Maa: H, e , e? Be a e
ee.
a eea: H , a e e , e
a e . . . a, a.
A: ae. . .
Maa: a, a, a e a
ae.
A (ae): ae eae? ae
eae?
a eea: e e- ea . . . (Mae) ae,

ee aa . . . E
aa ea, e
a, e? e ?
Maa: e , a aa, e
e.
a eea: ee ee e e.
From the television programme O
a comp` ered
by Dmitrii Nagiev, broadcast on NTV in February 2004
Anton: I ask mum. Mum gives me some answer I dont understand, she just
wont give me a straight answer.
33
Presenter: Well lets ask mum herself. Your mum Ella Georgievna. [Ella
Georgievna appears.] Hello, take a seat please. [To Anton] Ask your
mum.
Anton: Mum, will you explain to me now what happened.
Ella Georgievna: Yes, Ive heard . . . everything. You know what, its a good
thing that shes gone. Its a good thing that shes gone. Ive hardly been
able to bear all this. You really dont need a woman like that.
Presenter and Anton [together]: Whys that?
Ella Georgievna: Why, he asks why. Well because she cant do a thing. Shes a
cow. She was with us for several days and I just dont want anything else
to do with her, I dont want her.
Anton: Any girl I brought home you wouldnt like.
Ella Georgievna: When theres another one, when theres another well talk
about it, but as for this one . . .
Presenter: Well what about this one? The fact that she cant do a thing, it might
change . . .
Ella Georgievna: Well shes just a . . . [a bleep mufes the word: possibly shit].
And she was just totally rude to me.
Presenter: What do you mean, a . . . ? In the literal sense of the word?
Ella Georgievna: Yes, in the literal sense of the word.
Presenter: Then she needs to be treated for it.
Ella Georgievna: Well, treat her for it then. Let her . . . get treated for it.
Anton: I like her, I love her. I dont care what you say.
Ella Georgievna: What do you mean you dont care? I know better than you,
you dont understand that Im the only person who wishes you well. For
the time being.
Anton: She was with you for just a week, how could you nd anything out?
Ella Georgievna: She was with us for just a week, and that was enough for me
[makes a gesture over her head]. I could hardly wait, I could hardly wait.
Presenter: Amazing . . . And we can hardly wait either. [Marina appears.] Hello
Marina. Youve obviously lived all these years without knowing you were
a . . .
Marina: Thank you.
Presenter: And whys mum saying that? Try and explain it to us. So whats it
all about then?
Marina: I didnt want to come here. Ive just been dragged here. [To Anton]
Anyway, I wanted to tell you that your mums just not a normal woman.
Obviously your mum decided to go along with some ancient tradition
and check up on my virginity. Thats to say her sons wife had to be an
innocent . . .
Presenter: Little girl . . .
Marina: Yes, so you see, like, how much that degrades me . . . Do you under-
stand, I was saving myself all the time for you, thats what, and then all
of a sudden I get this . . .
Anton: I dont understand.
Ella Georgievna: Anton, the only thing I asked of her was: Marina, Ive got
a very good friend here whos a doctor, lets pop round there on the quiet,
well, lets go and see the doctor, itll be all right, its a woman and shell
have a look at you and Ill know that you really are . . .
Marina: Whats that necessary for, what for? After all, your son trusts me.
Ella Georgievna: Well, when you have a son of your own youll completely
trust . . . just words.
34
Anton: Why . . .
Marina: Yes, I think that well, like, sort out our own lives for ourselves.
Anton [to his mother]: Why are you doing this? Why are you interfering in my
life?
Ella Georgievna: Ive seen a thing or two myself . . . [To Marina] And you
know what I want to say to you . . . If youre such a good girl, then what
have you got to be afraid of, why dont you just go and get checked? What
are you afraid of ?
Marina: Im not afraid of anything, I just want to tell you that youve got to
trust people a bit.
Ella Georgievna: I dont trust you at all.
The television programme from which the excerpt is taken follows the
format of Western talk shows such as ITVs Trisha and is therefore
symptomatic of the inux of Western popular culture into Russia.
Linguistically the excerpt illustrates the colloquial register that
people use for discussion, or argument, about highly personal matters.
Utterances are frequently incomplete or incoherent and people may
repeat themselves, e.g. o, a eaa (8), e,
aae e (11). The colloquial features of the passage
include the following.
r
Use of the familiar second-person-singular personal pronoun modes of address
(26, 28, 31), second-person-singular verb forms, e.g. ae (7, 65),
ae (47), eae (63), eae (64), and
second-person-singular imperative forms, e.g. (6). The
familiar forms of address are not conned to people who know each
other well (i.e. Ella Georgievna and her son, Anton, and Anton and his
girl-friend, Marina). Ella Georgievna also addresses Marina in this way
(and in this case the familiar form has a tone of condescension or
contempt). The presenter too at one point uses the familiar
second-person-singular imperative form C when addressing
Anton (5), thus entering into the intimate spirit of the exchanges.
r
Words such as a (21), the derogatory aa (12). vocabulary
r
Diminutive or familiar forms: e (53) and Maa (36),
a diminutive form of Maa (used by the presenter).
r
Repeated use by all three participants of the word , which occurs
in the expression a (323), or which may serve as a ller (6, 7,
17, 25, 48, 58). In one utterance by Ella Georgievna this word occurs
three times (1617). Other llers are used too: e (which is a
favourite of Ella Georgievnas: 13, 20, 21), and (41, 49) and
a (47, 61), both of which are characteristic of Marinas speech.
r
Use of modal particles, e.g. the post-positive particle - (18), (e)
(19, 40) and (40, 56, 58).
r
Turns of phrase such as H, ae- (40), a
syntax
(48-9), a (53), and a (59).
35
r
Use of a clause with the second-person-singular imperative form in a
conditional or concessive sense: e e (15), if you
[one] were to bring any girl or whatever girl you [one] might bring.
r
Use of the verb to suggest sudden action (67).
2.2 R1: based on a conversation in a Russian
internet chatroom
A: ae, e ae. C !
B to A: A eae?
C to D: a e e ee, e , aee a eea, e
aa eea a!!
E to F: e ea, a ae e? 5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
F to E: e a a:)))
G to F: ae e ea aae ,
H to I: ae?
I to H: a eae , e, a e a a
, a e eee a aa ae aa aa, a
, 30 a a e 32 a
A: eae, a ae e, a
C to E: a!! a e e! a e ae aa!!!
I to A: a
D to C: -e, a :) a -, aeaea, a
ae, aa, . .
A to I: C a, a !
F to G: ea , a e aa?
E to C: ?
A to B: Haaa?
C to E: e a , ea!!
B to A: a . . . A . . . ?
B to A again: a . . .
H to I: He ! Paaa!
E to C: e a
I to H: e ee ae, , aa ee,
ae
A to B: a, e
G to F: e a a
C to D: ae ae a a !! a . .
e e a!!
F to G: e, a :))
C to E: a ea aa, aa a, ea aea a!!
a e!
D to C: e . . . a ee a a ee . . . .
eee, a a a:))
I to H: a e a, a e a a
ae a e, a a e e ,
ae aae
H to I: ?!?!
E to C: e a a
G to B: a, e a a, a e
36
2.2 R1: internet chatroom conversation
B to A: E e aa, aa: ea))))
C to D: a, a!! ! ! ae!? 45
50
A to B: ea e a, e a
C to E: a, a!!! a e a e ,
ae e!!!
I to H: a . . . a- ea aaaa
D to C: Ceae eee, e e?:)
E to C: e ee
C to D: e a, e e, a a
e ee a a!!
H to I: Ha! aa e a aae!
A: Hello, my good friends. Happy New Year.
B to A: And what about strangers?
C to D: and so if it isnt a secret, apart from the fact that you live on another planet,
wheres your base on Earth!!
E to F: ive seen that already, so how do you intend to satisfy me?
F to E: i dont know your needs :)))
G to F: the main difference between a computer and brans [brains] is that people use it
H to I: And what else?
I to H: a taxi goes past, i wave him down, and he says to me like itll cost you a hundred
to get to town but im so meeean with money and anyway im so gorgeous and
hes asking for a hundred so i say thirty and thats it and I give him a great big
smile . . .
A: And strangers as well, although there arent many of them [i.e. A claims to
know almost everybody].
C to E: bravo!! and what else have you seen! or better still tell us what youve showen
[shown]!!!
I to A: hi
D to C: well rstly lets be on familiar terms:)) [that is to say, on terms which in Russian
make possible the use of the informal personal pronoun as the means of
address] and secondly, my lovely, as youve noticed, my base is in K. [D names
a provincial Russian town here].
A to I: Happy holiday, my lovely!
F to G: its a bold idea, is it based on personal experience?:)
E to C: what are you on about?
A to B: are you Natasha?
C to E: so who are you talking to there about what youve seen!!
B to A: Yes . . . And are you . . . ? [B uses As screen name here.]
B to A again: i beg your pardon . . . [B is apologising for having used the formal pronoun
instead of the informal now that she is getting to know A.]
H to I: Dont keep me on tenterhooks! Tell all!
E to C: im not withanyone [sic] im alone
I to H: he gave me a lift and he hands me his telephone number and says when you go
back you call me and he gives me a leer
A to B: thanks, of course
G to F: youre laughing at the truth
C to D: well at last were breaking down the barriers then and well be on familiar terms
all the time!! [i.e. they will address each other using the pronoun ] and i
havent heard a thing about K.!! [the town that D has named]
F to G: no, i love the truth:))
[At this point A asks B about the implications of her screen name.]
37
C to E: im going to burst into tears, such a sweet delicate little thing and all on her
own!! im the one who can relieve your loneliness!
[B now replies to As enquiry about her screen name.]
D to C: its a great shame you havent . . . weve got the reputation of a town full of
girls who want to get married . . . theyve run out of them in I. [D names a
neighbouring Russian town], but its quite the opposite here:))
I to H: nothing special, its just that wen i was standing freezing at the bus stop this
morning all over again, and no minibuses were running, this guy drives up again
H to I: And thats all there is to it?!?!
E to C: im not alone ive got a minder
G to B: ive got a dud zip le, i wanted to call a taxi, they sent a girl
B to A: Theres another scenario that people ask about: conquest))))
C to D: wow, wow!! how modest of you! and the big question! are you married!?
A to B: not yet, it would be better for you to get to know me
C to E: oh, so thats how it is!!! well we could sort of come to an agreement with the
minder, and then get to be on our own!!!!
I to H: hm. . . i didnt put it too well
D to C: If not, will you propose?:)
E to C: youll nd im more difcult to come to an agreement with [i.e. more difcult
than the minder]
C to D: well todays a holiday, so why not, but i think it would be worth our while to
get to know each other a bit better!!
H to I: OK! Lets drink to mutual understanding!
Of the participants in this conversation A, C, F, G and H are male and
B, D, E and I are female (as is clear from grammatical forms used in the
Russian, as well as from the content of the conversation).
The passage reects the chaotic reality of the internet chatroom
where numerous concurrent conversations go on in public, most of
them quite independently of one another but within view of the other
participants, and some of them not easily intelligible to outsiders who
do not know what has been said before.
From the linguistic point of view the passage illustrates the extreme
informality of speech in this medium. The participants, even those
who are apparently communicating with one another for the rst time,
express themselves with a greater freedom (exemplied by frequent
sexual innuendo) than would be usual among strangers if they were
suddenly brought physically together in a social situation.
The normal conventions of written language, which tends towards a
standard and is subject to editing, correction and revision, are not
observed in this cybertext. Consequently usage is extremely lax. For
instance, letters are omitted (thus for (7), for
e (31), a for a (38)). Words are misspelt, owing to careless
keying of characters or possibly to ignorance of correct usage, e.g.
aa (14) for aa, ee (27) for eee,
aaaa (49) for aaaa. Words are incorrectly joined together
(e (26) for e). Punctuation is often omitted, e.g. full stops at the
end of sentences, the comma or full stop required after e (26),
and the hyphen required in ae- (31). Incorrect punctuation
marks may be used, e.g. exclamation marks instead of a question mark
38
2.2 R1: internet chatroom conversation
(4, 14). Participants frequently insert emoticons into the text (6, 16,
33, 37, 44), that is to say they use a new form of punctuation that has
developed in the language of the internet. Rules relating to the use of
capitals are also broken. Thus a lower-case form is generally used for
the rst letter of the rst word of a sentence.
We try in our translation to preserve the avour of the original
cybertext by imitating the typing errors and lax usage of the
participants in the chatroom, omitting or misusing certain marks of
punctuation, and using lower-case letters instead of capitals where the
participants themselves have done so.
Participants spelling of words in this text, besides containing
mistakes, sometimes also reects pronunciation in rapid speech, e.g.
ae for e (11), for (12), a for (12),
a for ae (15), for (27). Participant Ds
spelling of the word a as aa (17) reects the
phenomenon of akan
e (see 1.5 above) in the second syllable.

Participant I spells some words in the affected, drawn-out way in
which she claims to have pronounced them in the conversation that
she reports, e.g. e (11; i.e. e), eee (11; i.e. ee).
Besides intermittently reecting colloquial pronunciation, the
passage also illustrates many other colloquial speech habits, e.g.
use of:
r
the informal pronoun (5, 16, 21, etc.), the related possessive forms
(6) and (35), and second-person-singular verb forms,
especially imperatives, e.g. Ceae (50); He (25); Paaa
(25); a (46); aa (54). Three of the participants actually
discuss or allude to such informal usage (16, 24, 31);
r
the very familiar form of address a (18);
r
simple syntax. Many sentences are constructed around an understood
verb to be, e.g. e e ee (3); e aa eea a
(3-4); a e aa? (19); Haaa (21); e a
(42); a (42); ae!? (45); e a (52).
Subordination, where it occurs, is of a simple kind: see e.g. the clauses
introduced by e (3, 50), (13), (3, 7), a (16), a (38)
and (44). In sentences that contain more than a single clause,
the clauses are most frequently linked by the coordinating conjunctions
(12, 27, 28, 39, 48), (52), or a, which is very loosely used (10, 11,
31, 37, 39). Often ideas are linked by no conjunction at all, so that
sentences may take on a rambling quality;
r
verbs in the present tense, in order to give a sense of immediacy to
reported events, e.g. a eae (10); ae
aae (3940);
r
ellipsis (see 11.13 below), e.g. e (10, i.e. he [says] to me);
(1112, i.e. he [says/asks for] a hundred-rouble note); ?
(20, i.e. you [are talking] about what?);
39
r
slovenly expressions, e.g. a (10), e (47), both meaning like
or sort of (see the comments in 1.5 above about a);
r
colloquial words or expressions and colloquial variants of words, e.g.
a e 32 a (12), lit to smile with all thirty-two teeth;
(25), lit to torment the soul, i.e. to keep sb in suspense;
ee (27), telephone number; (28), smiles, i.e.
ae; a (32), instead of a; (36), to no purpose, for
nothing; aa (39), a diminutive equivalent of ae
a, a xed-route taxi; aae (40), to roll up (trans), in the
sense of to drive up (intrans); ea (49), awkwardly, not well. The
expression (45), used by C, may be a conscious or
unconscious muddling of two established expressions, , a
blunt question, and , a stab in the back;
r
modish usage, slang or jargon, e.g. a, stationing of troops, in
the sense of place where one lives (4); the verb , to brake, in the
sense of to wave down a vehicle (10); , hundred-rouble note (11);
aa (42), guard in the sense of minder; , zip le (43), a term
from the language of computing;
r
particles, e.g. or (5, 16, 22, 31, 52); e (39); - (31); a as a
means of introducing a question (2, 23);
r
interjections, e.g. a! (14), a, a! (45), a (47), and phrases of an
interjectional nature, e.g. a! (47);
r
llers, e.g. a (49) and (31).
Occasionally a turn of phrase occurs that is associated with a higher
register, but such turns of phrase are used only for some clear stylistic
reason. For example, participant C deploys the high-own expression
a a eea (3), lit to dwell in the heavens, for jocular effect, and
later on he employs the phrase a e (34), to relieve
loneliness, euphemistically as a means of making a sexual advance.
Again, G uses the bookish copula aae , (7; see 4.2
below) because he is delivering himself of what he thinks is a rather
clever aphorism.
On greetings of the sort C ! (1) and C a!
(18), which are stylistically neutral, see 7.8 below.
2.3 R2: magazine interview with a popular actor
B e aa, ee a
a.
a a e ?

aa ea. e ee ee, e ee
ee.
a, e? 5
a e , e aaa. He
aa ee e.
40
2.3 R2: magazine interview with a popular actor
, ae e ae ee
e, e e.
ae, e -a e, e . a e e 10
15
20
25
30
35
40
ae, e a a e a
e. Hee ae e e, e
. Me a , e a, e
e. A e e. ,
. Me ea a . Oe e e
a, ae, ae ee aae
e, a. X a e e e e.
O e a, ee
e.
A a a a a aa?
a, e a e. A
a. e e a eae . . . B e, a,
aa e. E e ae a, e
e . . .
a eae eea ae a.
e a e a. e ea
ee eea , a eee. Oa
: H, a a , ae? ea a
eeaa . . . H ea. C , e
e a ! Mea e a- e e ea
a e e .
a a e a e ea. He
aa a , a- e a.
B ae a .
H aae-, aee, aa, a
ae . . .
B aae a e ae.
1994 . , e e e. H a PTP,
e a aa, aa e .
M ea a a. ee a a e
e aa, e a THT. O e e ea. a
e e ae.
From the Russian edition of Cosmopolitan, December 2002
Q: In one interview you said that youre able to be contented with very little. Is
that a formula for the right attitude to life?
A: Its my defence reex. The less you have the less you lose.
Q: So youre afraid of losing things?
A: Well its not so much that Im afraid as that I dont like being disillusioned. I
dont like making problems for myself.
Q: People say that fame has brought you more embarrassment than pleasure.
A: You know, actually Ive found it easier than others do. I never strove for fame and
so I dont feel at all uplifted or dizzy as a result of it. Some people just dont
believe that popularity can be a burden. People say to me What do you mean,
youre an actor, arent you, you must have wanted this. And I feel uncomfortable.
So now I go round staring at the ground. I nd it hard to be on show all the time.
Especially in the image of the guy I play, whos always drinking and swearing
41
and at the same time defending people and the law. Although my Larins far
from a positive hero. Hes your normal Petersburg layabout, but hes got things
he believes in and views of his own.
Q: And how close are you to this character, and how far away from him?
A: A long way away in that Ive got a different job. But close in all other respects.
Im not acting in the series . . . Travelling, relaxing, swimming, thats what I like
doing. In fact there are walks of life where all one has to do is travel round the
world . . .
Q: Thats how Dmitrii Krylov makes programmes about various countries.
A: Im green with envy. Id happily make a family lm about us travelling. Id mix
with people and ask them how theyre doing and how much cigarettes cost. Itd be
a down-to-earth lm. . . But its just a dream. On the other hand it could come
true. After all, there was a time when I dreamt of doing nothing and making
money and I ended up managing that. God heard my prayers and sent me our
police series. I dont make any effort to put myself forward. Things just happen.
Q: But I expect you had to try hard to start with, to gain authority . . .
A: To start with we approached it as hack-work. It was 1994. They shot the rst
eight episodes, I recall. But at RTR, where things were only just beginning,
nobody wanted it as it turned out. We happily forgot about the series. A year
and a half later they suddenly decided to show it, on TNT by this time. It was
broadcast without being advertised beforehand. And the next day we woke up
famous.
Although this extract is an example of the written language it is at the
lower end of R2 and tends towards R1, since it is based on an
interview. We may assume that it has been somewhat edited and
therefore tidied up for the purposes of publication in written form,
but the conversational origin of the piece is still very much in
evidence.
The familiar form of address () is used by the interviewer. Syntax
is simple, with little subordination. Sentences tend to be short (over 80
per cent are of ten words or less). There is frequent recourse to as a
subject, e.g.
a a e ? (2),
aa ea (3), e? (5), e (23)

and ea (29). The colloquial interrogative adverb ,
how much, is preferred to the stylistically neutral o (28) and the
colloquial preposition , about, is preferred to the neutral preposition
(40). Some of the vocabulary has a colloquial avour, e.g.
ae, to eff and blind (16), a, layabout (18), aa,
hack-work (37). There are expressive particles, such as postpositive -
(35), e (13, 23) and (28), and colloquial turns of phrase (especially
when the actor is quoting his own imagined words), e.g. a (4),
e (23) and a a ? (28). The interviewer also uses the
colloquial particle a to introduce a question (20, and on several other
occasions in the interview from which this passage is taken).
At the same time the vigour and spontaneity of speech have perhaps
been lost to some extent in the transformation of the interview into
the rather bland form required by the genre of the magazine feature.
What is printed, while linguistically simple, is grammatically correct,
uent and coherent.
42
2.4 Question-and-answer session with President Putin
2.4 R2: question-and-answer session
with President Putin
aa B., Tea a: Ba Ba, Ba
a ee a e e ea , B ae.
B.B.: B ee eae.
aa B.: He e e e. Ca.
B.B.: e ea a e a 5
10
15
20
25
30
35
e . e, eee
ee a, aa a e
eea a. Bea a ae, a
a e eee ea ea
a aaa,
e. e, e , e
e, a- a ee a. a, e
e a.
E
e e a, e e
aa aa , , e
e e a e, aa
ae . E
e e ae a
aa, a , aee?
E
a aa e. B aee,
a a e a , ae,
a a O aa aa
. a a a
e a- ea a. B
aa, e a e. e e a
O a aa aa e aa, e
e , e aa a a, a.
ee a e, eae . a aa
ee a e ee aa a,
a e.
e e e. aaa
e e ee a aa aae
, e e eea,
ae aa a ee ae. E
a, a, ea. e ee
, eae ea. H ae, ae e
ee , , a ee,
ee , ee e, ee
ee e e, e ee a.
ea
.
Published on the website www.Putin2004.ru
V. Kalashnikov, Tiumen
Province: Vladimir Vladimirovich, you wont be

able to do everything youve planned in the space of four years [i.e. in the
presidential term of ofce].
V. V. Putin: Well get it done with your help.
V. Kalashnikov: The term needs to be increased to seven years. Thank you.
V. V. Putin: Ive already answered these questions and Id like to reafrm my
position. Of course, its a desire for a certain stability, but such stability
might also turn into stagnation. One can always nd arguments by reference
to which one can innitely increase the time that this or that boss or this or
43
that leader stays in power. Of course, maybe ve years would be all right,
a more rounded gure as it were. I think seven is rather a lot.
If today one is to carry out the duties which the head of the Russian
state must carry out then bearing in mind the huge number of problems that
have accumulated one has to work at full steam. If one was to work like
that at full steam for seven years one could go mad, do you understand?
Theres another component to the problem as well. You know I thought
about this myself too and its that we want to achieve stability by under-
mining the Fundamental Law of State, the Constitution. The moment
we start to amend the Constitution, thats already the road to an unstable
situation. You only have to start and you wont be able to stop. Therefore
its better not to touch the Fundamental Law of State and to work within
the framework that the people who worked on that law have laid down.
Four years is not a big term but its not a small one either. Twice four
years if a person has worked all right, people will be able to understand
and value that. Thatll be eight years. And then the task of any leader,
especially of that rank, is to offer society a person whom he considers worthy
of carrying on work in that position. If people agree then theyll support
[him]. And thatll be a continuation of what is happening now. But in
that event, even if this is a worthy, experienced person nevertheless its a
different person and with him come fresh people, fresh ideas, [and] fresh
approaches to solving the problems facing the country. Thats always a plus.
This is an answer to one of many questions put to President Putin by
people from various parts of Russia at a face-to-face meeting held in
Moscow University on 12 February 2004 during the presidential
election campaign. In terms of register President Putins answer is fairly
neutral. As an example of the spoken rather than the written language
it exhibits many conversational features, especially with regard to
syntax, e.g.
r
reliance on constructions with a verb to be (stated or understood),
and often with : eee ee a
(67); e e (1112); e a
(1213); e a- ea a (223);
ee a e, eae (27);
e
e e (29); e ee (33); ee
(35);
ea (378);
r
sentences built around an impersonal form + innitive: a
(8); aa (16); a (18); e e a
(24);
r
the colloquial construction B aa (234);
r
the colloquial form a (13) and the expression a (35);
r
engagement with the listener: aee? (18), B aee (19).
At the same time the importance of the Presidents ofce and the
serious political subject-matter tend to raise the language above the
very informal, colloquial levels illustrated in the passages at 2.1 and 2.2,
as indicated by the following features:
44
2.5 R3a: academic style (historiography)
r
the copula aae , (301);
r
past active participial form a (16);
r
imperfective gerunds: a (8), e (15);
r
the use of the formal mode of address, B (2, 3, etc.).
There are also a few examples of the terminology and phrasing of the
professional politician, some of them perhaps characteristic of President
Putin in particular, e.g. e (6);
ae (17); aa (19) as a noun meaning component;
(23) aa e aa, e e , e
aa a a, a (256);
ea
(378).
2.5 R3a: academic style (modern historiography)
Taa aa aea eea. E
, . A ? aa a
e eaea? ae eeee a a
e a? aa ee, e a
e. ee ee , 5
10
15
20
25
30
35
aa ee , ae a
. Xaae, e a
ae eee, e a , e a
aae ea (ea e e
ee, e ea Be). Pe-e aaae e a
a a eea, a e e
a eeae, ae ea . . . A
eea, e ae e e, P ee
ae aea ae, ee, . . .
aa e ee eee
a e ae-ae, a ae
. e, Aee aea A
e ae
T a aa ea. ee e
e aae e-a e ee.
a a e a e a
ee, ee ae, a
, -aee, a
e e e e a
a, ee, eee a,
aa a e a
. H eea ea e, a
e-, e e ae. B.B.Pa, a
e eèe ee ee,
e eaa e , e: . . . a
aa e a e, ae ee ee, ee
e, e, , , e e,
ee e aa . . .. a a P
M ae ae a ee ee
ae ae e Tea. Oae
e aa a eea e a
e. B ae , a, e
45
a . ee e aa
ea e a eae,
ee .
From a chapter by S. V. Sergeev in Bee aee ee
P, ed. A. F. Kiseliov (Moscow: aa ae
e BA
OC, 1996)
Such is Pobedonostsevs curriculum vitae. His service record, his uniform.
But what lies beneath the uniform? What is the biography of the soul of the great
reactionary? What human feelings governed his actions? It is easier to pose these
questions than to answer them. Pobedonostsev was a man whose inner life was
complex and in many respects enigmatic and who carefully concealed that life from
the gaze of others. It is typical of him that unlike the majority of statesmen when
they went into retirement he did not trouble to write any memoirs (which would
certainly have been of no less interest than those of Witte). Just occasionally his
soul bursts open in letters to the correspondents with whom he is most intimate
and in a few of the entries in his unsystematic diary, of which there are various
bits, as well . . . But in Russia a man who does not cry on other peoples shoulders
is inevitably enveloped in an atmosphere of mystery, gossip and conjecture . . .
There is a quite widespread view of Pobedonostsev as a soulless, dry-as-dust
bureaucrat, a tedious monastic elder with a croaky voice. It is well known that it
was on Konstantin Petrovich that Tolstoi modelled Aleksei Karenin in Anna
Karenina. Archpriest Georgii Florovskii always calls the Chief Procurator an
ice man. When you look at the photographs of the grand inquisitor of Russian
public opinion [that were] taken towards the end of his life it does indeed seem
that it was as a matter of principle out of the question that a smile should play
on this sternly ascetic face, which lacked the usual Russian genial rotundity,
and that the bloodless, lifeless lips of this man who was half ofcial, half monk
were capable of enunciating nothing but the words of commands or prayers.
And yet the testimony of many people who met the Chief Procurator paints
quite a different picture of him. V. V. Rozanov, recalling an encounter with the
sixty-eight-year-old Pobedonostsev at a social gathering at which young people
predominated, was astonished to nd that this old man seemed younger than
any of us, or at least more vivacious, more animated by virtue of his movements,
speech, gentle, graceful humour and the indisputable intellect that shone in his
eyes . . . The French minister in Russia, Maurice Pal eologue, also remembered
the utter simplicity of the Russian Torquemada and the great charm of his
manners and speech. The usual image of Pobedonostsev is utterly destroyed by
his letters and diaries, in which you sense a vivacious, passionate soul that has
a capacity for profound and delicate feeling. In fact you could sooner reproach
Konstantin Petrovich for an excess of emotion and impressionability than for
coldness.
This is an extract from a piece of historical scholarship on the late
nineteenth-century conservative statesman Pobedonostsev who in the
1880s occupied the position of Chief Procurator of the Holy Synod
and acted as mentor to the emperor, Alexander III.
The passage is characterised by grammatical correctness, linguistic
precision, and the smooth ow of the argument. The author displays
his erudition by his wide range of reference and occasional quotation.
He strives to achieve literary effect by such means as use of rhetorical
questions (A ? etc.), marks of omission (o; see
46
2.6 R3a: scientic style
11.15) and the rhetorical device of anaphora (a e
ae-ae, a ae (16) and the two clauses
beginning with in the same sentence (216)).
At the same time the passage is not without more informal
features (e.g. the rather colloquial word a (16) and the
dearth of specialised vocabulary). It is as if the author is attempting
to show that post-Soviet scholarship, like post-Soviet political and
cultural life in general, is becoming lighter and more widely
accessible.
Syntactic features which do place the passage in a relatively formal
register include use of the following:
r
a gerund: a (27);
r
present active participles: ae (13), e (36);
r
past active participles: e (8), ea (9),
a (26), ee (32, in a quotation);
r
complex adjectival phrases preceding nouns: ,
aa ee , (56) and a ,
-aee, a
e (213);
r
the verb (15);
r
the somewhat archaic conjunction ee, than (39), which has a
rather literary avour, instead of the usual modern form e.
2.6 R3a: academic style (scientic writing)
Ce ee eae ee
àe e , e
e e eee e a ae
e ea eea. B e
a e a e,
e . B 1999 Me,
5
10
15
20
P a ee a aa
a e
ae e a 2,5 B ( e
e e e P a a
ae Me, He Te) . . .
B aee e e ee (C) e
ae e a ee a, e ae
aee ea e ee. Ba
C e eee
ea ea ea aeee
ee . ae a
C a ea ae
a e. eae e
ee a a e a e
e e a. eae e
e C e a
47
ea a a e
ea. e ee C , a,
ee ` ea è, 25
30
35
40
ee , eee
ee ee aeee.
Ha e ee C a
ea, e a, e ae ae
aee, a, ee a.
C ae e ea aa
e a aea aa, `
e a e aeaee. Peee
aae C ee eeae,
` e ee aa a a
eea ee ea. B eee
C aa e aa-e
ea. B eee e aae e ae a
ee C ae, ee, a e
C ee e e.
From an article published by Moscow University in 2001
Synchrotron radiation (the electro-magnetic radiation of ultra-relativistic electrons
or positrons which are speeded up in cyclical accelerators) has recently become a
crucial tool for the investigation of the properties of matter. All over the world
centres for the use of synchrotron radiation are being set up and costly sources
are being constructed. A synchrotron radiation source started functioning in the
Kurchatov Institute in Moscow in 1999. This is a 2.5 gigavolt electron storage
facility. (It is in addition to six sources already operating in Russia, synchrotrons
and storage facilities in Moscow, Novosibirsk and Tomsk) . . .
Synchrotron radiation is now used in virtually all elds of modern science
where the interaction of electromagnetic radiation and matter is studied. The high
brightness of sources of SR enables one to carry out spectroscopic investigations
with an extremely high spectral resolution with shorter exposures than previously.
Use of the polarisation properties of SR makes it possible to investigate the
spatial anisotropy of objects. Investigation of the absorption and uorescence of
gases and vapours produces information about the structure of the inner shells
of atoms. Investigation of molecular spectra with the aid of SR enables one to
obtain information about the processes of photoionisation and photodissociation
in molecular systems. SR is being successfully applied in biology, in particular
for X-ray ne-structure investigation of biopolymers, for X-ray microscopy, and
for spectro-photometric measurements with time resolution.
Alongside the numerous applications of SR in scientic research there is a
whole body of work that is of great practical importance, in particular in the eld
of X-ray microlithography. SR is also used for research into the effect of radiation
on materials and instruments under vacuum conditions, which is very important
for our knowledge of materials in space. Monochromatic SR [generated from]
X-rays is used in radiological diagnostics, which makes it possible substantially
to reduce the amount of radiation to which a person is exposed when undergoing
X-ray investigation. It may be possible to use SR in radiation technology and
radiation-chemical processes. Recent years have seen work connected with the
application of SR in science and technology move forward rapidly and new third-
and fourth-generation sources of SR are being developed.
48
2.6 R3a: scientic style
This passage is distinguished by precision and by the careful, logical
development of ideas. Words are used unambiguously and in an
impersonal way. There is no emotional content and such linguistic
features as modal particles, interjections and diminutives are therefore
altogether lacking. Features characteristic of the formal scientic
register include the following.
r
Specialised vocabulary, much of which is of Western origin. This vocabulary
vocabulary is either in the form of calques (e.g. e (3),
aeee (16)), or in the form of loanwords: (1),
ea (1), e (2), (2), e (3),
ee (15), ea (16), ea (16),
a (17), a (19), ee (20),
e (21), a (23), a (23),
a (22), e (25), ee (26),
a (30), a (32), etc.
r
Abundance of verbal nouns, especially with the sufx -e: ee
(1), eae (4), ae (5), aeee (16),
ee (19), ee (20), eee (27), eee (28),
aee (30), ee (32), eae (36).
r
Abbreviations: B (9), C (12, etc.).
r
Set phrases and formulaic phrasing: eee e (3, 38); phrasing
aee e (12); e (15); a
(18); e a (20); e (22); a
(30); e ae ae aee (2930).
r
Participles of various sorts, viz: present active, e (10), grammatical
forms
e (29); present passive, e (2).
r
Frequent use of reexive imperfectives in a passive sense, giving an
syntax
objective, impersonal air to the passage, e.g. a (5, 39),
(6), e (12, 31), ae (13), ee
(24, 34), aae (38).
r
Verbal nouns combined with : ee
(17), ee ea (36).
r
Combination of with nouns in the sense of in the eld of, in
connection with: a (5), ee
a (30), ee (39).
r
Complex adjectival phrase preceding noun: e e
e P a (910).
r
Parenthetical explanation to support assertions: eàe
ee . . . e e (13).
r
Use of ` to refer to all the matter in the preceding clause (32, 35).
49
2.7 R3b: ofcial/business style (legal)
1. Peaa a aaaea e ea a
e ee ee e e a eaa
eee e ee eae ea
e ea aae.
ae a`-, e è-, è-, a`- `, 5
10
a ae ea eea aaea
eeaae ae a eee ea a
e a (e, a) aa a e,
e, aa a ea eea
e aeae eae e
( a, e a aa ea) e ae.
E
a`-, e è-, è-, a`- `, a ae

eaa aa a (e),
e eae ae ee
e ae (e). 15
Oaa e a a aeae a
a a aeee ea a,
ea a aeaa.
2. Peaa a e P eea aae
a e e eaaee e 20
25
a ae a e a a
P eea. ae ee e aae
a aeae, eee eae eae a,
eee e a ae a
e, a a P eea
a a, a ae a aeae ae
a (a a).
3. Peaa a, eaa a eaaee, e
eea ee ee ea aee
(e), ae aeee (e) e e, a ae 30
eaa a, ae eaa
e aae P eea, e
ae.
E
ee eaae e ea,
eae aa e e, a ae 35
aeae aa, ae e.
4. Peaa a, ea ae ea,
a a e e ae
ea.
5. ae eae e e a 40
(eea e) ae e,
ee aae P eea.
6. Peaa e a a aa a, ae,
a a, a ae a a e,
50
2.7 R3b: ofcial/business style (legal)
ae e e a 45
ea.
From a law on advertising
1. An advertisement must be recognisable as such at the moment when it is
displayed, without any specialist knowledge or resort to technical resources, [and]
irrespective of its form or the means of dissemination being used.
It is not permitted in a radio, television, video, audio, or cinematographic output,
or in a printed work which is not of an advertising nature, to purposely draw
the attention of the consumer of the advertisement to a specic brand (model,
article) of a product or to a manufacturer, performer, or seller for the purpose of
creating and maintaining interest in them without proper preliminary notication
to this effect (in particular by means of the sign this has been authorised as an
advertisement).
If a radio, television, video, audio, or cinematographic output or a printed work
is disseminated in parts (series) the notication that it is an advertisement must
also be repeated as many times as there are parts (series).
Mass media organisations are prohibited from making a charge for carrying an
advertisement under the guise of news, editorial or authorial material.
2. Within the territory of the Russian Federation advertisements shall be in
Russian and, at the discretion of the advertisers, additionally in the state lan-
guages of the republics and the native languages of the peoples of the Russian
Federation. This provision shall not extend to radio broadcasting, television
broadcasting and printed works that are exclusively in the state languages of
the republics, the native languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation, or
foreign languages, or to registered trade marks (service marks).
3. It is not permitted to advertise products or to advertise the advertiser himself if
the activity in which he is engaged requires special permission (a licence) and that
permission (the licence) has not been obtained, or to advertise products which it
is prohibited to produce or sell under the laws of the Russian Federation.
If the activity of the advertiser is subject to licensing the number of the licence and
the name of the body which issued the licence must be shown in the advertisement.
4. The advertisement of products which are liable to compulsory certication must
be accompanied by the sign liable to compulsory certication.
5. The use in an advertisement of things to which there are exclusive rights
(intellectual property) is permitted in accordance with the provisions laid down
by the laws of the Russian Federation.
6. An advertisement must not provoke citizens to violence or aggression or cause
panic or incite dangerous actions which might damage the health of physical
persons or threaten their safety.
This text is drawn from a recent law passed by the Russian parliament
on advertising. It is the rst of two texts presented here to illustrate the
formal, written register that is used in ofcial, legal and business
documents. It exemplies language used in a dry, unemotional way for
the purpose of setting out laws, regulations, codes of practice, duties,
51
obligations and rights, or for recording binding treaties, agreements,
understandings, contracts and so forth. The great precision for which
authors of texts written in this register must strive (exemplied in this
document by the frequent recourse to parenthetical denitions (8, 11,
13, 15, 27, 30, 41) necessitates grammatical accuracy. At the same
time the requirement that ideas be expressed in such a way that
misunderstandings or differences of interpretation cannot arise tends to
produce inelegant sentences which are intended to be read rather than
heard and whose sense may not be clear until the reader reaches the
end of them (see the second sentence in clause 1 and the rst sentence
in clause 3).
Authors of this sort of document generally follow a well-established
pattern (e.g., in this text, the division of the statute into articles and
the sub-division of articles into clauses). They observe certain
conventions and utilise certain formulae. They eschew those resources
of the language which convey emotional nuance (e.g. modal particles,
interjections and diminutives) and which are deployed in social
intercourse (or even in the high register that is used for persuasive
purposes (see 2.10 below)). They also eschew the non-literal use of
language and the rhetorical or stylistic devices (e.g. metaphor, simile)
which may characterise texts produced by imaginative writers who are
striving for aesthetic impact (devices which may also be encountered
in the academic register (see 2.5 above)).
Leaving aside linguistic features that are notable by their absence, we
may say that the principal positive feature characteristic of the high
register in general that is found in this text is the free use of participles
of all descriptions, especially present and past active participles and
present passive participles, all of which are sparingly used in lower
registers, e.g.
r
present active participles: ea (37), a (45);
r
past active participle: ae (36);
r
present passive participles: aaaea (1), e (4),
eee (24);
r
past passive participles (which, however, do not belong so exclusively
in the high register): e (30), ae (31), aa (35).
Features of high register evident in this text that are particularly
associated with those sub-divisions of high register which have
informative rather than persuasive purpose (i.e. the sub-divisions
classied here as R3a and R3b) include the following.
r
Predilection for verbal nouns, especially with the sufx -e: word-formation
eee (2), eaee (3), aaee (4),
ae (5), aee (6), ae (9), eae
(9), ee (10), aeee (17), eaa (31),
eae (34).
52
2.8 R3b: ofcial/business style (commercial)
r
Use of reexive imperfectives in a passive sense, giving the text an
syntax
impersonal avour: e ae (11), aa (13; see
also 19, 22), (14), aeae (16), a
(38).
r
Threading of nouns in the genitive case: eea aaea
eeaae ae a eee ea
(7), in which there are no fewer than ve nouns in succession in the
genitive case. The sequence is made even more cumbersome than a
sequence of this length normally would be by the fact that the rst
noun in the genitive (aaea) relates to the noun but
the last four nouns (ae, a, eee, ea)
relate to the noun ae with which the sentence begins.
r
Use of the prepositional phrase e (32), which also has a
very formal avour.
There are various other formal words or turns of phrase in the text that
are characteristic of the ofcial sub-division of the high register, e.g.
ea (3), aea (10), ee (14),
e (20), e (20), e . . . ea
(37), e, ee. . . (412).
OOBO
P -1290
-a eee
Ca-ee 5 2004 .
1. PEME
T OOBO
PA
1.1. POABE
a ee, aae . 1.2. ae 5

a, e e e, e ae ae
e e ae, a AH eae e
e a .
1.2. Oe -a e ee . . .
2. EHA
OOBO
PA
2.1. AH eae ee, aae . 1.2. ee
10
25 007 000,00 (aa e e).
2.2. Ca eee a a POABA

25 007 000,00 (aa e e).
3. O
AHHOCT CTOPO
H
3.1. POABE
a eea ee, aae . 1.2.,

15
A
H eee a ea a
ae a a ae.
3.2. AH a eee a a
ae ae a ee POAB
, 20
53
aa . 2.2. ae a, e aee e
POABO
M ae, ee . 3.1.
3.3. POABE
aae, ee e ,
ee eea A
Haa e a ee,
e eee a a aa e 25
30
, ee eea POABO
M A
H ee
e aa, aee.
3.4. B ae ee A
HOM a eee
ee e, ee . 3.2. ae a,
POABE
aae A
He aee 0,3 (T e)
ea e aea eee a a e .
4. CPO E
CTBOOBO
PA
4.1. ae ea e a Ca
ee e Ca ae,
35 ee a .
4.2. ee ae a e eae
a a C.
5. OPC-MAO
P
5.1. H a e e ee ae
40 ee, eeee eaeae e
e a- aea ae , e
aae eee, eeeee eaeaee
ee e e aee /
ee e ee (-a
45 e).
5.2. aa -a ea a e
ee, e ee e ee 3 () a
e ae -a e e
e e ea
50 e ae e e e e
aa a aee e, ae
aa -a ea.
6. OCO
E CO
B
6.1. Be ee e ae
55 a a C
e ae .
6.2. ae ea, e a
e .
6.3. Be , eae ee a
60 ae a, ea ae Aa e
Ca-eea ea a.
AGREEMENT No. PK 1290
Purchase and Sale of Bills of Exchange
St Petersburg 5 November 2004
54
1. The subject of the agreement
1.1 The VENDOR shall sell the Bills of Exchange specied in clause 1.2
of this Agreement, the said Bills being his own property which has not been
mortgaged or sequestered, whereas the BANK shall assume ownership of them
and shall undertake to pay their cost.
1.2 The following Bills of Exchange are the object of this sale and purchase . . .
2. The value of the agreement
2.1 The BANK shall acquire the Bills of Exchange specied in clause 1.2 to
the value of 25,007,000.00 (twenty-ve million seven thousand roubles).
2.2 The sum to be transferred to the account of the VENDOR is
25,007,000.00 (twenty-ve million seven thousand roubles).
3. Obligations of the parties [to the agreement]
3.1 The VENDOR shall surrender the Bills of Exchange specied in clause
1.2 to the BANK with a Form of Endorsement within one banking day of the
signing of this Agreement.
3.2 The BANK shall transfer to the VENDOR the sum specied in clause
2.2 of this Agreement within one banking day of the date on which this Agree-
ment was made but not prior to the fullment by the VENDOR of the obliga-
tions stipulated in clause 3.1.
3.3 The VENDOR guarantees that he has full authority to transfer rights of
ownership of the Bills of Exchange to the BANK [and that this authority] is
unencumbered by any mortgage or other rights possessed by third parties and that
the Bills of Exchange are being transferred to the BANK by the VENDOR
together with any rights associated with them.
3.4 In the event that the BANKfails to transfer funds by the deadline stipulated
in clause 3.2 of this Agreement the BANK shall pay the VENDOR a ne
amounting to 0.3 (three tenths) of one per cent of the sum that is overdue for
each day that it is overdue.
4. Operative period of this agreement
4.1 The Agreement shall come into force from the moment it is signed by the
Parties and shall remain in force until the Parties have fully discharged the
obligations stipulated in this Agreement.
4.2 This Agreement may be terminated by mutual consent of the [two] Parties.
5. Force majeure
5.1 Neither Party is responsible in the event that it fails to full any obligation
imposed [upon it] by this Agreement, or fails to full any obligation on time or
in the proper way, if the failure to full the obligation or the failure to full it
on time or in the proper way is due exclusively to the onset and/or operation of
circumstances outside its control (force majeure).
5.2 The Party affected by force majeure shall inform the other Party of these
circumstances and their consequences in writing without delay and no later than
3 (three) banking days after the onset of the circumstances [in question] and shall
take all possible steps to limit as far as possible the adverse consequences of the
specied circumstances outside its control.
55
6. Special conditions
6.1 Changes and additions may be made to this Agreement on condition that
both Parties consent to them and they must be formally recorded in Addenda to
this Agreement.
6.2 The Agreement is made in two copies, which have equal legal force.
6.3 All disputes arising out of the application and interpretation of this Agree-
ment shall be dealt with by the Court of Arbitration of St Petersburg and
Leningrad Province.
This text, being drawn from a contractual document about sale and
purchase, exemplies language used for the sole purpose of providing
an unambiguous record of a binding agreement between two parties.
Like the legislative text presented in 2.7 above, it is therefore devoid of
linguistic features that convey emotional nuance. It also resembles the
legislative text, and the academic and scientic texts at 2.5 and 2.6
respectively, by virtue of its grammatical accuracy, syntactic complexity
and great precision. At the same time it has certain distinctive features
that are characteristic of legal usage, besides specialised terminology,
e.g.:
r
numbered clauses;
r
repeated cross-referencing;
r
use of capital letters and bold type to highlight headings and key terms;
r
use (albeit sparing) of initial capital letters (as in English legalese) in
nouns denoting certain documents or persons, e.g. , Ca;
r
the use of conventional abbreviations, e.g. . for , point
(translated in this context as clause);
r
rendering of monetary sums both with numerals and in full written
form in brackets. (Note the absence of commas where
English-speakers would expect them, to indicate units of thousands or
millions, and the use of the comma instead of the full stop to indicate a
decimal point (12, 14). See 6.3 for further examples.)
We have tried to adhere in our translation of this text to usage in the
equivalent English register. Note in particular that in English the
modal verb shall is used (e.g. in this passage shall sell, shall assume, shall
come) in order to express contractual obligation that is conveyed in
Russian by a verb in the present tense (a, eae,
ae) or, in some instances, by some part of the verb a, to
bind, oblige (e, a).
Other points of note, including features indicative of high register:
r
specialised nancial or legal terminology, much of it of Western origin, vocabulary
e.g. ee (2, etc.), a (13), a e (17),
a ae (18);
56
2.9 R3c: political journalism (reporting)
r
other ofcial parlance: ee (22, 29), eaea
(40, 42), (54);
r
abundance of verbal nouns, especially with the sufx -e:
eeee (13), ae (17, 33), aee (20),
ee (21, 34), ee (40, 42), aee (43, 47),
eee (46), eee (53), ee (53), eee
(58), ae (58), aee (59). Some of these verbal nouns
are negated forms, e.g. eee (28), eee (39, 42);
r
formulaic phrases, especially certain combinations of verb + noun, e.g. phraseology
ea e (7), e e (23),
a (33), a a (356), e
ee (39), e e (478), a e
e e (49), e a e (567),
ea ae (59);
r
formal prepositional phrases, e.g. ae ee (28),
e (49), (54);
r
present active participles, which lend the text a very formal avour, grammatical
forms
e.g. e (6), ae (6), e (7), e (56),
eae (58);
r
numerous past passive participles: aae (5, 11, 16),
ee (22), eee (25), aee (27),
eae (36), e (43), aa (45), ae
(50), ae (56);
r
use of reexive imperfectives in a passive sense, e.g. e (8),
syntax
eea (26), (54);
r
complex adjectival phrase preceding noun: aa -
a ea a (45);
r
use of as copula (9).
B MOCBE
OTPBA
ETCCA
MMT POCC
-EC
Ha e e BTO
ee P Ba e ee e
a Ea e M
e. Ta a P-EC, 5
10
a , a a e e.
ea ea
a e e e ae Ea.
a aa e ae e
e aa aa. Ha ee
M a eae a a,
eeaee e EC, a ae aa E.
B aa aa P-EC, ae e
Me, ae ae e ae
e P Be aa (BTO).
57
a Ma, aee ae 15
20
25
30
35
e eee aaa ee P Ea
ee e ea aa.
Haae aa Ma (MPT) ea e
aa, , ae a,
e aa.
B e ee aa ee ae
a e eee e a Ea e
, a eaa, ee ea
a a ea, a ee a a
a P, a ae e ea
a e. B ee, e e, E
ae a a . e e
ee e e a e aa a
ee ee e a. E
ea P ee e, ae
e, ea e, a e,
a ee a a ee
e.
Bee P BTO e a ea a
e a. Oae, E e
e e. Ha e e ea e
aa 147 a, eea TAP-TACC.
Izvestiia, Friday 21 May 2004
RUSSIAEU SUMMIT OPENS IN MOSCOW
The question of entry to the WTO will be decided at it
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, will discuss relations between Moscow
and Brussels with leaders of the EU in the Kremlin today. This time the
traditional twice-yearly RussiaEU summit will be out of the ordinary. This
is the rst top-level meeting since enlargement of the European Union.
There are no plans for separate bilateral talks between the head of the Russian
state and the participants at the summit. Two representatives of Ireland, the
country holding the EU presidency, have come to Moscow for the talks together
with the head of the European Commission.
It is expected that a bilateral agreement on the entry of the Russian Federation
into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will be signed within the framework
of the RussiaEU summit which opens in Moscow today. The Ministry of
Economic Development has said in a statement that this agreement will be the
nish of a six-year marathon of talks between Russia and the European Union
on joining this inuential international organisation. On the eve of the summit
the head of the Ministry of Economic Development (MED), German Gref,
told journalists that most of the matters being discussed by the [two] sides [had]
already been resolved.
During the previous round of bilateral talks in Paris last week [Mr] Gref and
the European Union Commissioner for Trade made substantive progress, in the
words of the Eurocommissioner, on important questions such as internal Russian
energy prices as well as access to the Russian market for European companies. Mr
Gref in turn conrmed that the European Commission understands our position
and is making compromises. For a long time internal Russian energy prices had
been the main point on which the two sides differed when it came to foreign trade.
58
The European Commission was demanding that Russia substantially increase
these prices on the grounds that cheap energy for industry [was] creating an
advantage for Russian goods in the European marketplace.
Russias entry into the WTO has already been ofcially supported by some
ten countries. It is expected that the European Union will join it as early as
today. As of today 147 countries are members of this inuential organisation,
ITAR-TASS reports.
This is the rst of two passages that illustrate the register of political
journalism. Unlike the following text (2.10), this report of a political
summit is intended to inform rather than to persuade. It is therefore
written in a dry, impersonal register very close to that of R3a and R3b,
but with an admixture of distinctive political terminology and idiom.
Features of R3 in general, or the political variety of it in particular,
include the following.
r
Present active participles: (5), eeaee grammatical
forms
(11), ae (12), a (31).
r
Present passive participles: ae (19).
r
Imperfective gerund: ae (30).
r
Reexive verbs used in a passive sense: ae (1), e (2),
ae (8), ae (13, 35).
r
The slightly inated adjective in the phrase a e vocabulary
eee (22), instead of the neutral .
r
Ofcial turns of phrase (sometimes in quotations of politicians words): phraseology
aa aa (12), aee e (1314), a
(27), a ee (32).
r
Use of as copula (37).
syntax
r
Occasional complex sentence structure, e.g. a ee
a a a P, a ae e
ea a e (256); E ea
P ee e, ae e,
. . . (2931). On the whole, though, syntax is uncomplicated, as
bets a text with informative purpose for the general reader.
r
EC (1, etc.), P (14, 25, 34), BTO (2, 14, 34), MPT (18), abbreviation
TA
P-TACC (37).
r
E (4, etc.), E (11), Ma (15,
stump-
compounds
18), ea (23).
r
a (1, etc.), ea a e e (67), e political
terminology
e (9), ee aee (13), e ee
aa ee (21).
r
aee ae e. . . aaa (1516), modish phrases
ee e (23).
59
2.10 R3c: political journalism (comment)
The following passage is from a political commentary prompted by the
rst trial of an American soldier charged with abusing Iraqi detainees.
APA
CATPE
MHACA
A
, e, aeae e a a
aae e e e. Aea a e
ae a aae a , ee
a a a. Ca a 5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
a e, a, a , a
a e e aee e a
e a aa a a a
e.
, e, e aea ea e
CM. e ee a e ae
a aa a a ae.
, e a e e
, a e e. H ae e a aa
a , a ae,
, ea, e aa ,
aea. He, aa a e a
eaa eaea. , e, ee ae
a , , aeae a ae aee
aaa-aa, a a eee e
aa ea ea. Oa
e- e . Be aa aaa a
ae e a e.
B ee e e
ee e ea, aee
e e e , e a
aà aae. B ee
a aeae, , e
aee a a aa, ea
e a aa ea e e, a
ae, a eaa ee
a a aa . B Bae, e, a, a
a ea a Caaa Xea a , a
a a , a a aa a
e eaa e ee ea e. Beee,
Bae a , aea a,
a eae ee aa aa,
aa a, a ea,
a e a e e ae. Tee e eaae
e e ee ae a. He e! C
e e ee ee e, e, e
aa ee a.
, e, ae a
aea e, eae a
ee aee ae e
a, , e ae ae
e . Oa Aee a e, e
a e a: , aa C ae a Paea
60
2.10 R3c: political journalism (comment)
ee ae aa. He e , a
e a e a aea a, a
ae e a ea a e ee a e
a. 50
Izvestiia, Friday 21 May 2004
Bushs Arabian prison tale
And this is really where a great mineeld begins for the Americans and specically
for Bushs team. The Americans are trying in Iraq to wage a so-called civilised
war that turns into a civilised occupation and back again. In particular it was
at one time an integral part of this policy to leave weapons in the hands of the
local populace of the occupied territory without any checks as to the reliability of
the populace. To all appearances the local mass media have not been censored.
At the same time all previous structures like the former ruling Baath Party
or the Iraqi army have been prematurely dismantled. People who had become
accustomed to submitting to the will of a dictator and marching under arms
found themselves with no role. Nobody even tried to ask themselves: supposing
we could come to an understanding with them, in the cynical oriental manner,
and make them obedient puppets, if one again puts it cynically. No, the gamble
that was taken in the Iraq war was quite idealistic. And it looks as if it was taken
in the sincere belief that the Iraqi people, having come to love the Americans for
rescuing them from a barbaric dictator, would enthusiastically set about building
the institutions of civil society and democracy. And yet for some reason that
hasnt happened. Instead of gratitude there is a guerrilla war with an extremely
unpleasant Islamicist complexion.
In the context of the oriental outlook and political philosophy the perception of
such trials both by commentators and among ordinary people will most probably
be quite different from what people with an Anglo-Saxon legal consciousness
expect. They will see in this a sign of shameful American weakness, they will
see an encouragement to people to ght more actively against occupiers who have
given [the Iraqis] a bit of rope and to resort among other things to the most
barbaric methods kidnapping people, online executions, well-publicised acts
of terrorism against peaceful inhabitants in various countries, and so forth. It
looks as if they have forgotten in Washington how they themselves were recently
condemning Saddam Hussein for gassing Kurdish insurgents and how the Iraqi
army in general would slaughter whole villages of Shiite insurgents including
women and children. More likely still they have forgotten in Washington that
the Americans have come to a country which until recently had been controlled
and governed, and controlled absolutely, only by methods of this sort and which
knows no other methods. Now it is being suggested to it [Iraq] that it should
prize all the delights of a fair trial. They wont prize them!
From the point of view of domestic consumption the effect [of the trial]
may of course be more favourable. It will undoubtedly be a sop to American
political correctness, democratic traditions and the deep-rooted respect specically
for the army, which people see as an institution that carries out the most noble
missions all over the world. However, even in America there are those who will
be grumbling: Corporal Sivits, theyll say, is carrying the can for Rumsfeld and
other Washington chiefs. Not to mention the fact that he himself might become
a sort of American Budanov [a Russian ofcer accused of shooting a Chechen
girl], provoking a reaction to his condemnation to satisfy the Iraqis that will
not be straightforward by any means.
61
Like the previous passage, this text contains various features of high
register, including the use of active participles and in particular the
prolic use of gerunds. However, its purpose is not merely to inform
but also to put a point of view and to this end the author deploys a
sprinkling of colloquial expressions, often with a hint of irony. The
passage is also notable for the care that the author takes to sustain his
argument, especially by means of frequent use of transitional words
(see 5.2), and for his maintenance of a sense of contact with the reader
by means of various conversational devices. Features of R3 in general
and of the political variety of it in particular include the following.
r
Present active participles: ee (4), a (28), e grammatical
forms
(44).
r
Past active participles: e (12), a (33),
ee (43).
r
Imperfective gerunds: (9; in a set expression), aa (15),
ea (28).
r
Perfective gerunds: ea (15), (18), a (48).
r
Use of a as copula: Ca a a . . . a
syntax
, (56).
r
Occasional complex sentence structure, especially involving use of
some variant of the phrase , , viz. a , (18), a ,
(32), , (35, 47), , (27).
r
Modish expressions: e (2), aae e e phraseology
e (3), e in the sense of among other things (389).
r
Colloquial expressions, used with a hint of incredulity or mockery: a
(14), ae a (46).
r
Phrases that appear to be quotations, or that are placed in quotation
marks to highlight them, perhaps with ironic intent: a
, (4), a a (5), e
(1213), ae a (39), ee
ee (40), aea a (48), a e
(49).
r
Transitional words and phrases which maintain the ow of an
argument: (10), Oa (20, 45), B ee (23), B
(26), Beee (34), C e e (3940), He e (47).
r
Devices suggestive of engagement with the reader: (2), He
(16), e (17, 31), the exclamation He e! (39), e (40),
e (41) and the particle indicating reported speech (46).
2.11 Classical poetry
It should not be forgotten, even in a book on contemporary usage,
that a magnicent literature has been created in Russian over the last
62
2.11 Classical poetry
two hundred and fty years and that this literature has greatly enriched
the Russian language and continues to inform the consciousness of
educated Russians. It is generally agreed among Russians that the
outstanding representative of their literature is the poet Alexander
Pushkin (17991837), who helped to fashion the modern literary
language and exercised a seminal inuence on many of the great
classical and twentieth-century writers. Pushkins poetry is not
well-known to western readers, partly because of the near impossibility
of translating it successfully. However, it continues to have a vitality
and resonance for educated Russians that it is hard to understand in
societies where poetry is generally of narrower appeal. It is therefore by
no means a purely academic exercise for the contemporary foreign
student of the modern language to emulate educated Russians by
learning passages of Pushkin by heart.
We therefore offer here the opening lines of Pushkins narrative
poem Me a (The Bronze Horseman), written in 1833.
(The reference is to the statue of Peter the Great (ruled 16961725)
erected on the bank of the River Neva in St Petersburg by the
eighteenth-century French sculptor Falconet at the behest of
Catherine the Great (ruled 176296).) Pushkin begins his poem by
imagining Peter contemplating the foundation of his northern capital
in the marshy wasteland near the mouth of the Neva. He then paints a
sparkling picture of St Petersburg, the city that by Pushkins lifetime
had sprung up there. The extract ends with Pushkin comparing
St Petersburg, the window that Peter had cut into Europe, to the
older, more conservative and inward-looking capital Moscow, which
was associated with traditional Russian institutions such as autocracy
and the Orthodox Church.
Ha ee
C O, e ,
a e. e
Pea ea; e
e e . 5
10
, eea
ee e a,
a;
e, ee a
B ae a a
e.
a O:
Oe e e.
e e a
Ha ae e. 15
20
e a e
B E ,
H a e.
Ca a
Be a a
ae a e.
63
e, a,
a aa ,
e, a
B , e; 25
30
35
40
e ee ,
ea a ,
O ee
a eee
C e e, e a
eea
a e e
ae; a
T e e
a a e;
B a ea Hea;
M a a;
Tee aa
E a,
ee ae e
ea aa Ma,
a ee ae
a a.
On a deserted wave-swept shore, He stood, lled with lofty thoughts, and gazed
into the distance. Before him the river sped on its wide course; a humble, lonely
skiff moved fast on its surface. On the mossy and swampy banks black huts were
dotted here and there the homes of miserable Finns; and the forest, impenetrable
to the rays of the sun shrouded in mist, murmured all around.
And thus He thought: From here we shall threaten the Swede; here a city
shall be founded, to spite our arrogant neighbour. Here we are destined by Nature
to cut a window into Europe; and to gain a rm foothold by the sea. Here, over
waters new to them, ships of every ag will come to visit us, and, unconstrained,
we shall make merry.
A hundred years passed, and the young city, the ornament and marvel of
the northern climes, rose, resplendent and stately, from the dark forests and the
swamps.Where once the Finnish sherman, Natures wretched stepson, alone
on the low-lying banks, cast his ancient net into unknown waters, now along the
banks astir with life tall and graceful palaces and towers cluster; ships from all
the ends of the earth hasten in throngs to the rich quays; the Neva has clothed
herself in granite; bridges hang above the waters; her islands have become covered
with dark-green gardens; and old Moscow has paled before the younger capital,
like a dowager clad in purple before a new empress.
Prose translation from The Penguin Book of Russian Verse, introduced and
edited by Dimi tri Obolensky
It is impossible in a brief description of Pushkins language and style to
capture the beauty of this passage. Pushkins verse derives dignity,
coherence and harmony from its diction, rhyme (aababccdcdefefgghcch,
etc.), and rhythm. (The metre is iambic tetrameter with an additional
(ninth) syllable in lines with feminine rhyme (i.e. rhyme in which the
64
2.12 Literary prose
stress is on the penultimate syllable).) Linguistic features that
distinguish this passage from the modern spoken language include:
r
Slavonicisms, which give the passage a lofty tone, as bets the subject
of national destiny that P ushkin is addressing: e (3), a (21),
a (23), (22);
r
other examples of poetic diction: the elevated verb e (24)
and the now obsolete adverb Oe (12);
r
feminine instrumental singular forms, in both nouns and adjectives, in
-: H (17), ae (39), (41). These forms are more
common in poetry and literary registers than in prose and ordinary
speech;
r
the forms ea (4) and ea (35), in which the reexive particle
retains its full form in spite of the preceding vowel. These forms too
are poetic.
Stylistic features that enhance the dignity of P ushkins verse, or
lend it elegance or charm, or help the poet to develop his themes,
include:
r
inversions, some of which convey the gravity of the subject-matter:
e (2): H (17), a
aa (22), a e (31);
r
symmetry: e, a (23); the sustained contrast
between the deserted wasteland that Peter has surveyed (e
ee . . . (25)) and the magnicent city that has subsequently been
built there (e a. . . (29)); the comparison of Moscow to a
widow, which is achieved by two pairs of lines (3940 and 412) that
are perfectly balanced: ee ae e/ea
aa Ma,/a ee ae/a a;
r
the quasi-deication of Peter the Great, the awesome presence akin to
the God of Genesis who is denoted by the pronoun O (spelt with a
capital letter; 2, 11). In both lines the pronoun derives additional
weight from its position after the verb;
r
personication of the River Neva, which is clothed in granite (35),
and of Moscow (402);
r
an alliterative quality that enhances the musicality of the verse:
ea a (26); C e e, e a
(29); ee ae e/ea aa Ma (3942).
2.12 Literary prose
The passage offered here as an illustration of modern literary prose is
from Nka, a short story by Vktor Pelevin. In clear, precise, simple
65
prose Pel evins narrator describes his relationship with Nka (a
diminutive form of the female name Veronka). Nka is a rather simple
creature who is never seen with a book and likes eating, sleeping and
gazing out of the window. The narrator, who seems to be an artistic
intellectual and would like to conde in and share his views with a
partner, is disconcerted by Nkas air of indifference and independence,
but is attracted by her grace, charm and natural spirituality. As the
relationship culminates in betrayal the readers normal expectations are
subverted when it turns out that Nka is not a woman but a cat.
He Ha a aa a a
ae aaa a ee,
a e e e, ee ea e,
a a aa, a ea. Haee,
e e ae e e; a a, 5
10
15
20
25
30
e a a e e,
e e , a e e ea . C
a a e aa, e -a e aa
aaea, a , a e aaa ea
. a a a aa a aa
e aa, a a, ee a e
ea e a e , Ha e a,
a e a, a a , a ,
a ea ee. H aaa a
e ee aeaa, a aa;
e e- e , e a ae a
aaea ea : aa a
e ee a ee, a
e ; e ea e; aea
a e eae ae ee. Me
ee H, a ; e a,
ea, ea a:
Ha, e e. Xa ee a ee a a.
B aeee aae a,
e , e , aea a a , ,
a e ae, aa ee, ae aae
e . . . Ha, e e aa . . . O
a e e, a e e
ee, e , e , a
, . . .
- a a e e, a a eae.
ae, a aa, a e a e ae
a a e e a,
a a ea.
Vktor Pel evin, Nka, Generation : Paa (Moscow:
Vagrius, 2001)
Its not that Nika was indifferent to comfort with pathological permanency
she turned up in the very chair I wanted to sit in but things existed for her
only while she was using them, and then disappeared. Thats probably why she
had practically nothing of her own; I sometimes thought that this was exactly
66
2.12 Literary prose
the type that the communists of old had tried to breed, having no idea what the
outcome of their efforts would look like. She did not take account of the feelings
of others, and not because her character was bad but because she often did not
suspect that they existed. When she accidentally broke an antique sugar-bowl
made of Kuznetsov china which used to stand on the dresser, and an hour later
I slapped her face without knowing I was going to do it, Nika simply did not
understand what she was being hit for she just rushed out and when I came to
say I was sorry, she silently turned her face to the wall. To Nika the sugar-bowl
was just a truncated cone made of shiny material and lled with pieces of paper;
to me it was a sort of money-box, where the proofs of the reality of being that
I had gathered throughout my life were stored: a little page from a note-book
that had long ago ceased to exist with a telephone number that I did not ring;
a cinema ticket with a stub that had not been torn off; a little photograph and
several blank prescriptions. I was ashamed of myself but felt it was stupid to
apologise; I did not know what to do and so I spoke in a rhetorical and muddled
way:
Dont be angry, Nika. Old things have strange power over you. To throw
away a pair of cracked spectacles is to admit that the whole world that you have
viewed through them is left in the past forever, or vice versa, its ahead of you, in
the realm of impending non-being, which is the same thing . . . Nika, if only you
could understand me . . . Fragments of the past take on the likeness of moorings
that tie us to things that no longer exist, from which you can see that what people
usually understand as the soul doesnt exist either, because . . .
I looked at her from under the palm of my hand and saw her yawn. God
knows what she was thinking about, but my words did not penetrate her beautiful
little head I might have had the same effect if I had been speaking to the sofa
on which she was sitting.
This is an example of the modern written language in its most highly
crafted form. The passage has an elegant, polished quality. It is the
antithesis of the spontaneous, broken utterances of colloquial speech
and the informal variety of the language of the internet, as exemplied
in 2.1 and 2.2 above. The purpose of the user differs too from that of
the authors of other texts presented in this section: it is not to inform,
as in the formal registers illustrated in 2.58 inclusive, but to produce
an aesthetic impact on readers.
The passage contains a number of features characteristic of higher
registers, especially a gerund and participles of various sorts, viz.:
r
imperfective gerund: e (7);
r
present active participles: ee (18; see also 29),
a (28);
r
past active participles: (11), ee (24);
r
past passive participle: e (25); this is not a commonly used
form and is less likely to be encountered in R1 and R2 than many
participles of this type;
r
adjectival phrases before nouns: ae a
aaea ea (1617); a e
ee a (1718);
67
r
complex syntax with much subordination: a . . . (4);
a a, . . . (56); e e , a . . . (7); a a
a aa . . . (10); a . . . (13);
ee, a e . . . (1819); a
a ea . . . (34); and the avowedly rhetorical e
, e , a ,
. . . (2930).
On the other hand there are none of the impersonal reexive verbs
used in a passive sense that are common in R3a and R3b. Nor are
there any examples of threading of cases or any of the prepositional
phrases, formulae and conventions that characterise R3b in particular.
It should be emphasised that although there are no colloquial
features in this passage their absence is not a necessary attribute of
literary prose, which may of course encompass colloquial and even
demotic forms, especially within the direct speech of characters. It is
not a prevalence of formal or informal features that distinguishes this
register but its aesthetic purpose. In the passage given here this purpose
is evident not only in the careful construction of sentences, as
illustrated by the use of active participles (which have an especially
literary avour) and by the examples of complex syntax given above,
but also in:
r
occasional alliterative patterns: ae (12),
-a e aa (8), a aa e
aa, a a (1011);
r
syntactic balance and symmetry: He Ha a
aa a. . . ee ea e
(13); e -a e aa aaea, a , . . . (89);
ea a (22).
r
implicit intertextual reference, to Nab okov, whose sense of the reality
of things that have not happened informs details such as the page from
the narrators diary with a telephone number that has never been called
and the cinema ticket that has not been used. (Elsewhere in the story
there is also explicit and implicit reference to the early
twentieth-century writer B unin, whose presence is felt in the storys
subtle eroticism.)
2.13 Language of the internet
A
:
aa :
a ae?
B eee e eee a ae
ee, Ba ee e e a e a 5
ea:)
68
Ha , a ee aaa
ae e eee
a ee.
e e e a a a, 10
, aee ee aa
a a . . . e aa
aae, e e eaa . . .
-e e ae aeae ae e ,
15 a . . . ae a-aa, a-aa
T e ee a ae e,
aa aa eee, e
a, a a:) a ea-a e
e:)
H a e e, e a ae www. . . e , 20
a a B a e aea:)) A ee
e a:)
H e a ee e , a a
aa a eee, a
e a :) eee P 25
e a e ee:)
P.S. a ee e e e, e
eee, ee , a:)
e e e , . a a e e
ee e e ae a ae. 30
From: . . .
Date: . . .
What a load of crap youre talking.
Peoples language naturally changes a great deal on the internet, and your
unhealthy ideas about linguistic purity cant stop it changing:)
I think it would be much more instructive to analyse the changes that have
taken place under the inuence of the internet and to bring out the reasons
for them. I dont mean words like online or virtual, what Im saying is
that the vast majority of people change their spelling and write it like they
hear it . . . thats what people do in chatrooms in particular, where they have
to type a lot . . . For instance I think its really cool to replace , with
. . . for example a-aa [to socialise with], a-
aa [to meet] Full stops are very rarely put at the end of sentences,
people usually try to say their whole thought in a single sentence, and bung in a
smiley at the end, just like me now [a]:) Incidentally ea-a [i.e. how
the word for now is spelt], thats another thing:)
And as for the whole culture centred on site www. . . com [a pornographic web-
site], Im not going to say anything about it because Im sure youre just not
ready for it:)) But thats where the futures at:)
Well there are lots of things like that and one really shouldnt dismiss that sort
of approach to language on the internet out of hand, when it would be really
69
worthwhile to bring them out into the open:) And this hasnt got anything to
do with being like a yokel out of the depths of Russia either:)
P.S. there are of course also kids on the net for whom a complex sentence is three
simple ones without a single comma:) Thats not what Ive been talking about
of course. What Ive got in mind is changes in language without distorting the
sense and comprehensibility [of it].
This text is a message sent as an email to an ofcially funded Russian
website devoted to maintenance of linguistic standards. The author
(who is a male, as the masculine form of the verb in the second
sentence of the post scriptum indicates) is addressing the subject of
linguistic usage on the internet. At the same time he self-consciously
uses his message to illustrate distinctive features of the email register.
Layout, punctuation, vocabulary, syntax and style, and to a lesser extent
orthography, all impart to the message a characteristically informal
tone which, given the nature of the site to which the message is
addressed, is challenging and slightly subversive.
r
As an email, the text is preceded by an indication of the subject, layout
author and date. It closes, as a letter also might, with a post
scriptum.
r
The author strives to accommodate each idea within a single sentence,
as he says people try to do when communicating on the internet
(1617). This habit may lend sentences a rather rambling nature (see
especially the fourth and sixth sentences; compare the participants in
the chatroom conversation at 2.2 above). Moreover, a sentence may
itself constitute a separate paragraph. This is the case with the rst ve
sentences of the message, and in the next three paragraphs too the
material which follows the opening sentence is not much more than
an appended afterthought.
r
The author relies mainly on commas or e (three dots) to punctuation
indicate pauses in his train of thought, avoiding the use of colons and
semi-colons.
r
More often than not he omits the full stop, thus adhering to what he
says is normal practice on the internet (16).
r
In lieu of full stops he very frequently uses the expressive device of
the emoticon, or smiley (6, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 28), another habit
characteristic of informal language on the internet to which he draws
attention (1718).
r
Internet terminology: ee (4), a (10), a (10), vocabulary
a (12), a (18), a (20) and the abbreviated form ee (27).
r
Colloquial forms: -e (14), e (14), (18),
aea (21), aa (24).
r
Diminutive forms: e (10), a (25).
70
r
Particles (see 5.4): (20, 23); a (20); post-positive - (but not
preceded in the text by the standard hyphen; 21); e (27, 29).
r
The demotic form (i.e. ) and the slang word in the
opening question (3).
r
The interjection: (25).
r
Syntax is simple. Only one simple subordinating conjunction, a a
syntax
(21), is used in the message. Links between ideas are established, if they
are explicitly established at all, by use of the coordinating conjunctions
(e.g. 5, 17) and a (24).
r
The dominant syntactic technique is use of a simple copula, stated or
understood, e.g. Ba ee e . . . e a (5);
ee aaa (7);
aae, (1213); e e (1819); ee
e a (212);
. . . e . . . (289).
r
Ellipsis (see 11.13): , in which some verb such as is
understood (1011; it should be noted that the preposition is
colloquial as well).
r
Other colloquial expressions, e.g. a a (18), a a (29),
and the colloquial transition word a (18).
r
The author follows the casual practices of ordinary speech. For style
instance, he makes no attempt to avoid repetition, resorting more than
once to the same or similar words or expressions: ae (4, 16); (e)
e (10, 29); e (14), ae (15); e (20),
e (23); (23), (25); e e (27, 29).
r
He seems also wilfully to cultivate an unpolished style. The phrases H
a e e (20) and e a (25) seem
particularly inelegant on account of the ugly succession of vowel
sounds (u, a, o) in the rst and the grotesque combination of ikh and
okh in the second.
r
The author refers to the practice of spelling words in a way that reects orthography
actual pronunciation as a fact of linguistic life on the internet (1113).
He also commends this practice himself (1415) and demonstrates it
by his spelling of ea as a (1819). All the same, the authors
innovations in spelling are actually very limited. In general his
orthography is careful and correct (cf. the careless and casual
orthography of the passage from a chatroom in 2.2 above).
r
Nor is the use of capitals in this message unconventional. After all,
each new sentence begins with a capital letter (except the rst sentence
of the post scriptum, which in any case the author may deem to have
begun with the abbreviation P.S.). Capitals are even used for the rst
letter of possessive and personal pronouns (Ba, B) denoting the
addressee(s) of the message, as is conventional in formal
correspondence (5, 21; see 7.17).
71
r
Features of the higher formal registers are not altogether absent. There absence of
formal features
is, for instance, a present active participle, ee (28), and a
reexive verb used in passive sense, a (16). However, there is a
notable dearth of such features, there being no examples of gerunds,
present passive participles, threading of cases, subordinating
conjunctions or complex prepositional phrases.
72
3 Problems of meaning: Russian words
This chapter lists some of the Russian words that give difculty to the
English-speaking student. The difculty may arise for any one of
several reasons. For example, the Russian word may have a wide range
of meaning. It may be easily confused with some other Russian word
or words. It may be deceptively similar to some English word. It may
occur in a plural form whereas its English equivalent occurs in a
singular form or vice versa. Or it may denote some phenomenon or
concept that is unfamiliar to an English-speaker.
3.1 Homonyms
Homonyms arise in several ways. Firstly, as a result of phonological
change a word may come to coincide in sound and form with another
word of different origin (as is the case with the pair ). Secondly,
identical forms may develop as a result of the processes of
word-formation, by the addition of distinct sufxes to a root
(e.g. a). Thirdly, it very often happens that an existing word
takes on quite a new meaning (e.g. e).
We also include here a few words (e.g. a) which strictly speaking
are not homonyms but which have a range of meaning that is
unexpected to English-speakers.
Many of the examples given here are full homonyms (i.e. they have
identical pronunciation and paradigms, e.g. in its different
meanings), while others are partial homonyms (i.e. they do not share
all the forms which each word possesses, e.g. , which does not
have plural forms in its sense of peace).
3.1.1 Examples of homonyms
bloc (esp pol)
pulley
a matrimony
defective goods, rejects
air, appearance
shape, form, state
view (e.g. from room)
species
aspect (gram term)
73
e time
tense (gram term)
a to tie
to knit
a/a to stroke (e.g. animal)
to iron (clothes; pf also a)
a to chase, drive, pursue
to distil
voice
vote
(m) pigeon
dove
throat
neck of bottle (though as a rule the dimin form is used in
this sense, except in the phrase a (D), to drink straight
from the bottle)
furnace, forge
bugle
a lip
bay, inlet (in northern Russia)
tree fungus
ee country (i.e. not town)
village
duty
debt
a (, ) to press, squeeze
(, ) to reap
ea victim
sacrice
e Earth
e land, soil
a caviar
calf (part of leg)
history
story
affair
aa map
playing card
74
3.1 Homonyms
club (society)
puff, cloud (e.g. of dust)
key (to door); also g, clue
spring, source (of water)
a skin
leather
a block (of wood)
pack of cards
a plait
scythe
spit (of land)
door-post
shoal (of sh)
herd (of mares with one stallion)
a st
strike force (mil)
wealthy peasant
course (programme of study; path along which sth moves)
year (of course in educational institution)
rate of exchange (n)
aa caress, kindness
weasel (gen pl a)
light
easy
ea (pl; gen e) forests
scaffolding
ea staircase
ladder
aa shovel
shoulder-blade
onion
bow (for shooting arrows)
aa to mass (mil)
to massage
ae matter (as opposed to spirit; phil)
cloth
aa machine
car
75
peace
world
peasant commune (in pre-revolutionary Russia)
e moment
factor
aa science
learning
a scientic
academic
aa beginning
premiss (i.e. postulate)
e sky
heaven
a leg
foot
to carry
to wear (clothes)
experience
experiment
a steam
fallow
e loop
stitch
buttonhole
noose
a slab (e.g. paving-stone)
stove (for cooking)
oor
sex
e eld
(pl) margin (of page)
brim (of hat)
a policy
politics
a shelf
weeding
a Polish woman
polka (dance)
76
3.1 Homonyms
to thrash (pf )
to unstitch (pf a)
ee subject (e.g. of study)
object (thing, topic)
aa programme
channel (on TV)
schedule; ea aa, curriculum
a novel
rmane
a arm
hand
(f ) trot
lynx
e light
world
society (i.e. the fashionable world)
e bright, radiant
light (of colours)
(f ) speed
gear (of engine)
word
speech, e.g. a a, freedom of speech; ea -
, to call on sb to speak
e advice
soviet (i.e. council)
ea Wednesday (acc sg e)
milieu, environment (acc sg e)
table
bureau, ofce (e.g. a , passport bureau)
board, cuisine (e.g. e , Sm org asbord, lit Swedish table)
e (f ) shadow
shade
a titanium (chemical element)
Titan (in Greek mythology)
boiler (old-fashioned bathroom water heater)
aa grass
herb
to extinguish, put out (pf )
to braise, stew
77
heavy
difcult
a member of strike force (mil); shock-worker
ring-pin (of gun)
drummer (in pop group; R1)
scientist
scholar, learned person
aa draught (in boardgame); a a, to play draughts
sabre
tongue
language
3.1.2 Homonyms with different plural forms
In a number of nouns the different meanings that the noun may have
are distinguished by use of different nominative plural forms (and, if
the noun denotes an inanimate object, this form is identical with the
accusative plural form).
r
In many such instances one plural form has the usual ending for
masculine nouns in - or - and the other has the stressed ending -a
or - (see 9.1.6), e.g.
nom pl in -/- nom pl in -a/-
hogs, fat men a ues
torsos, hulls a corps, blocks (buildings)
ae (political) camps ae holiday/prison camps
e (pl only) bellows ea furs
a images aa icons
e monastic orders ea medals
geographical belts a belts (clothing)
send-off (no sg) a (electrical) leads
omissions a passes, permits
sables (animals) sables (furs)
abacus (no sg) ea bills, accounts
(electric) currents a threshing-oors; also birds
mating-places
tones (sound) a tones (colour)
impediments a brakes (of vehicle)
e loaves ea crops
e owers ea
colours
The sg form is e in the meaning ower but e in the meaning colour.

78
3.2 Homophones and homoforms
r
Some partial homonyms have other variant plural forms, e.g.
nom/acc pl gen pl
e knee e ee
joint (in pipe) e ee
bend (in river) ea e
generation (obs) ea e
e (m) root e
roots (used for
culinary or
medicinal purposes)
e ee
leaf e
sheet of paper
ground, cause (for) ()
rein e
vessel, craft a
chamberpot a e
3.2 Homophones and homoforms
Homophones, which may offer material for word-play and puns, are
much more widespread in English than in Russian (e.g. bare, bear; right,
write). However, even in Russian they may occur as a result, for
example, of aae (see e.g. a), or ae (see e.g. ea), or
the devoicing of nal voiced consonants (see e.g. ), or even the
coincidence of a word and a phrase (e.g. e, dumb and e , not
my). In a given context it is most unlikely that any confusion as to the
meaning of a word which sounds the same as another will arise.
Homoforms (see e.g. ) arise quite frequently as a result of the
morphological complexity of Russian.
A very small number of Russian examples is given here to illustrate
both these phenomena.
I take on foot (from )
I take by transport (from )
mushroom
inuenza
(m) milk-agaric (type of mushroom)
(f ) sadness, melancholy
e prep sg of e, day
prep sg of of , bottom
79
Great Dane
dock
e (inn) to eat
(3rd pers sg and pl) there is/are
(3rd pers sg) is (see 4.2)
aa campaign
a company (in various senses)
ea nom/acc pl of ec, forest; also scaffolding
a fox
e I y (from ee)
I cure (from e)
meadow
onion, bow (see 3.1.1)
e f noun, stove
inn, to bake
a saw (tool)
f past tense of , to drink
fruit
raft
threshold
vice (fault, sin)
(impf ) to resemble
(pf ) to walk around for a bit
pond
twig
kin, sort, kind, genus, gender
mouth
a gen/dat/prep sg of a (f ), steel
pl past-tense form of a, to become
line of verse
m past-tense form of , to abate, die down, subside
post, pole, column, pillar
pillar (g, e.g. ea, a pillar of society)
80
3.3 Homographs
(impf ) to come down
(pf ) to go (there and back)
three
2nd pers imp of ee, to rub
labour
tinder
ourish (mus)
(f ) Indian ink
a instr sg of a, step, pace
adv, at walking pace
3.3 Homographs
Russian has many pairs of homographs, a large number of which
result from morphological coincidence (see e.g. aea, , below).
Only a very small sample is given here to illustrate the phenomenon.
aea gen sg of ae, address
aea nom pl of ae
aa atlas
aa satin
gen sg of a, water
nom/acc pl of a
a castle
a lock
iris (ower)
toffee
gen sg of e, sea
nom/acc pl of e
a torment
a our
acc sg of a, burden
1st pers sg of , to carry
a organ (biol, pol)
a organ (mus)
81
a (vulg) to piss (a, ae, etc.)
a to write (, e, etc.)
a 1st pers sg of aa, to cry
a 1st pers sg of a, to pay
a pore
a it is time (to)
e preposition meaning after
e prep sg of , ambassador, envoy
instr sg of , sweat
adv, then
ea pf, to run (there and back)
ea impf, to run down
e n past tense of e, to sit down
e village
a gen sg of , word
a nom pl of
forty
gen pl of a, magpie
e short comp form of , narrower
e already
3.4 Paronyms
There are in Russian, as in English, many words which may easily be
confused with other words that are similar in sound and written form.
The problem is compounded when, as is often the case, the two words
have related or similar meaning.
This section provides a small sample of such words, including a few
whose difference is mainly one of register rather than meaning. In
many cases the difference between two forms consists in the fact that
one is a Slavonicism and the other a Russian form (e.g. aa,
a; see Glossary). In others the difference is merely one of
gender (e.g. a, aa). Some of the less common meanings a
Russian word may have are omitted. Not included are verbal clusters
derived from the same root by the addition of various prexes (on
which see 8.3).
82
3.4 Paronyms
a bank aa jar, can
near, close neighbouring;
, Middle East
e burden e time, tense
a (R1) to see e to see
Note: a is used mainly in the innitive or the past tense and tends to have a
frequentative sense.
relating to water, e.g.
e , water
polo
aquatic, living in water, e.g.
a a, water
bird; operated by water, e.g.
a ea,
water-mill
raven a crow
eee Sunday eee resurrection
high, tall high-rise, e.g. of building
a main, principal relating to the head,
e.g. a ,
headache
Note: in R1 the form may also be encountered in the sense main, e.g. in
the phrase e ee, head ofce.
a town-dweller aa citizen
hot burning
a far-sighted (prescient) a long-sighted
ae relating to diplomacy a tactful, shrewd
aae relating to drama aa dramatic, sensational
spirit (pl; gen
)
scent, perfume
shower a soul
aa complaint aae salary
a heat (heat of day,
fervour, ardour)
aa hot weather
e cruel hard, tough
aeae remarkable, splendid ae signicant, considerable
aae curtain (large, e.g. in
theatre)
aaea curtain (e.g. in house)
83
healthy a sensible; a
, common sense
ee relating to land e made of earth, earthen
aeae important,
momentous
ae famous, renowned
ea betrayal, treachery eee change (see 4.1)
e imperial ea relating to an emperor
ae career (gallop), e.g.
e ae, at full
speed
aea career (progress in job,
etc.)
short (physical) a brief (abstract)
e in phrase Cee e ea, the Arctic Ocean
e taking place on/amid ice, e.g. ee e, the Battle on the Ice
(1242); ee aa, Arctic voyages
e consisting of ice, e.g. ea a, an ice layer; covered in ice, e.g.
ea ea, an icy peak; very cold (also g), e.g. e ,
an icy look
ae (R1) manner (way), e.g. a
ae, in
the Russian manner
aea manner (style); ae
(pl), manners
aea mathematician aeaa mathematics
aeae materialist (relating
to matter)
aea materialistic
(coveting goods)
e chalk e (f ) shoal, bank, shallows
e fur moss
peaceful
relating to the world, e.g. a a, world war
e world-wide
pier
also he says, they say
(particle; see 5.4)
(f ) (clothes-)moth
young
a younger, junior
relating to the young
a young-looking
84
3.4 Paronyms
a y
a dimin of a; also beauty-spot; also foresight (on gun), as in a
, to take aim
a midge
aea/ae to put on (clothing) ea/e to dress (trans), e.g. e
ea, to dress a child
e sky, heaven palate
eeee ignorant ee rude, impolite
offensive touchy, easily offended
a cautious, wary a dangerous
a base, basis, foundation ae founding; ground, reason;
also foot (of mountain,
column)
aa/a to remain, stay behind
a/a to leave behind
aaa()/
a()
to stop; transitive form also means to stay, e.g. e, in a hotel
aa/a to lag behind
a (pl; gen
a)
remains (of dead
person)
a (pl; gen
a)
remnants, leftovers
ee fatherland e patronymic
ae case (gram) a cattle plague
a steam, fallow aa pair, couple
eeaa/eea to pass, transfer eaa/ea to betray
a ame (see 9.1.10) e tribe (see 9.1.10)
a to lift a (R1) to lift (esp with
difculty)
politician, policy maker a politics
e relating to politics careful, tactful
quick to understand understandable, intelligible
act, deed misbehaviour
a festive a idle, vain
85
ae practical, i.e. relating to
practice, e.g. of help,
work
a practical, i.e. having
experience, expertise
a ashes, remains; dust
(rhet)
powder
/e to conduct, carry out,
trick
/
e
to produce, promote; but in
the expression
e , to
conduct an experiment
a cool cold
e (pf; R1) to read a (pf; R2) to read
a equal at, level, even, exact
a developed, i.e. mature,
advanced
a developed (i.e. past pass
part of a)
mouth a company (mil)
a (impf; R1) to whistle e (impf; R2) to whistle
eea middle ea Wednesday
milieu, environment (see
3.1.1)
a/a to listen (to)
a/a to hear
a (R1) to hear
Note: a is used mainly in the innitive or the past tense and tends to have a
frequentative sense.
e neighbouring e belonging to ones
neighbour
(impf ) to consist (in some
contexts to be;
see 4.2)
(pf ) to take place
to cost, be worth to stand
a side aa country (nation)
e uid, unstable e current, present
e technician ea technique, technology
a lucky a successful, felicitous
physicist a physics
86
3.5 Faux amis
(impf ) to inter a (impf ) to keep, preserve
e relating to economics economical
e electrician ea suburban electric train
3.5 Faux amis ( p )
There are in Russian many words of foreign origin which bring to
mind an English word but in fact have or may have quite a different
meaning from the English cognate. This section lists a few of these,
together with the usual Russian equivalents of the English word with
which confusion has arisen.
aaa shady enterprise adventure ee
aa (political) agitation agitation ee (anxiety)
ea (alarm)
aea identical, appropriate,
good
adequate a
aae member of the
Academy of Sciences
academic ee
eaae
(university teacher)
(scholar)
aaee academic (relating
to an academy
or to academia)
academic (scholarly)
eee (of no
practical signicance)
aa (abstract)
aaa
(impf ) + dat
to accompany
(musically only)
to accompany a/ (go
with)
a (go with)
aa punctual, neat, tidy,
conscientious
accurate (precise)
e (of shooting)
aa topical, pressing actual ee (real)
a (genuine)
e (existing)
a share (i.e. equity),
also political or
diplomatic action
action (i.e. an act) ee,
aa tonsillitis angina a aa
a (m) article (gram term) article in other senses: see 4.1
a (performing) artist artist in other sense: see 4.1
ae junior teacher (in
higher educational
institution)
assistant
aee (m; deputy)
87
aaa attack (mil) attack in other senses: see 4.1
ae audience (with
important person)
audience e (pl; gen ee;
spectators)
aea shady transaction affair e (matter)
a (love affair)
aa balance (econ, n) balance aee
(equilibrium)
ae swimming pool,
river-basin
basin a (washbasin)
a (bowl)
sponge-cake biscuit eee (sweet)
a (m; rusk)
a form (to be lled in) blank (omission)
e (in memory)
a (bullet)
ea of genius genial e (jolly)
(good-natured)
eae
(benevolent)
(pleasant)
a (likeable,
nice)
a (m) (military) hospital hospital a
a humane human eee
eaa ten-day period decade eee
instructional instructive e (edifying)
e (useful)
aea chamber, cell, video
camera (R1)
camera aaa
aa capital (n) capital a (city)
aa main, fundamental,
e.g. aa
e, major repair
capital a a (letter)
Note: ea a,
capital punishment
a cardboard carton a
e fruit-cake cake
composer compositor a
ea conservatoire conservatory aee,
eaa
(m) supervision control (management)
a (f; power)
e (inuence)
embarrassment confusion e (disorder)
aa (muddle)
88
3.5 Faux amis
eaea (R1;
muddle)
(R1; pushing)
e polite, proper correct a
cross-country race cross e
a sleep-walker lunatic ae
a
aa shop magazine a
a major mayor
aea demonstration manifestation ee
ea instantaneous momentous aeae
mechanic motorist a
exercise (physical) motion ee
e lens (of camera) objective e (f )
aee having passion, pathos pathetic ae (touching)
ea (sad)
a (pitiable)
eea
(see also e)
perspective (in art),
also outlook, prospect
perspective eea (in art only)
a e (point of
view)
a narrative poem poem (short) ee
ee claim, complaint,
charge, as well as
pretension
pretension ee (claim)
ae (claim)
ee
(f; pretentiousness)
a of principle, principled,
e.g. a
ee, person of
integrity
principal a (main)
e (leading)
a test, model (i.e.
prototype), sample
probe (med, geol)
eae
(exploration)
e avenue; also prospectus,
summary
prospect eea
ee rehearsal repetition ee
ea rejoinder, cue (theat) replica a
ee prescription (med),
recipe
receipt ee (receiving)
aa, a
(written
acknowledgement)
a nice (of person) sympathetic
(compassionate)
(responsive)
(approving)
89
e small public garden
in town
square a (f; place)
aa (shape)
a length of service,
probation
stage ea (theat)
a (of process)
chair; also stool (med) stool aea
ea diagram, outline, plan,
(electrical) circuit;
eae may
mean oversimplied, e.g.
eae
, simplistic
approach; ea,
microchip
scheme a (plan)
aa (plan)
e (plan)
ae (plot)
aa (intrigue)
e ee, in the
scheme of things
e, colour
scheme, lit choice of colours
e argument, point, e.g.
e e,
main points, as well
as thesis
thesis ea
(dissertation)
e (only in sense of
contention, proposition)
eeae spirited temperamental a (capricious)
c (obstinate,
awkward)
a transmission, relay translation ee
aa factory fabric a (f )
a overfamiliar, offhand familiar a (known)
e (well-known)
(customary)
a faction fraction aa (small part)
(f; math)
aaea reference
(testimonial)
characteristic aaea ea
ea (expert) examination,
analysis, study, test,
e.g. ea a
C, AIDS test
expertise ae (knowledge)
ee
(f; competence)
(experience)
ea may correspond to
Eng electorate, i.e. all
voters, or may have
narrower meaning, i.e.
group of like-minded
voters, constituency, e.g.
e
ea, communist
voters
electorate ae (pl; electors)
90
3.6 Problems of number
3.6 Problems of number
3.6.1 Nouns with plural form only
Many nouns exist which in English have a singular form but in
Russian have only a plural form, at least when they have certain
meanings. The word for a clock, for example, is a (gen a). Such
nouns may belong to any of the declension types. In the lists below
genitive forms (which cannot be deduced from the nominative forms)
are given in brackets.
a (p) gate
() election
a (ae) rake
e (ee) money
(e) jungle
a () rewood
() scent, perfume
() stretcher
(e) wallpaper
ea (e) handrail
() funeral
() send-off, i.e. farewell gathering
a (ae) sledge
() cream
e (ee) twilight
() day (24-hour period)
(e) gangway, gangplank
() abacus
ea (e) ink
aa (aa) chess
(e) cabbage soup
(e; in R1 also e) cr` eche
Many Russian nouns which are generally used only in a plural form do
correspond to English nouns which also have a plural form, e.g.
() trousers
e (e) scales
a (a) light frosts
a (ae) quotation marks
a (a) holidays
() skates
91
(e) curls
(e) rags
(e) people
() scissors
() spectacles
ee (ee) talks, negotiations
() verses
() efforts, trouble
(e) snowakes, cornakes
3.6.2 Nouns with singular form only
Some Russian nouns denoting fruits or vegetables give particular
difculty to the English-speaking student because they are used
collectively and, in R2-3 at least, have only a singular form, e.g.
a red whortleberries, cowberries
cherries
x peas
eea blackberries
ea (wild) strawberries
aa cabbage
ae (m) potatoes
a (cultivated) strawberries
a cranberries
gooseberries
onions
aa raspberries
(f ) carrots
aa a redcurrants
a a blackcurrants
If it is necessary to refer to one particular unit of the thing in question
then one may in some instances use a related word with the sufx -a
(e.g. a, aea), or one may insert the word a,
which refers to an individual unit, e.g. , ve of the thing to
which reference is being made.
Note 1 In R1 plural forms of some of these nouns may be encountered, e.g.
e, ve cherries; e ee, ten blackberries.
2 There are also of course many nouns denoting fruit and vegetables that do
have plural forms, e.g. ae, orange; e, cucumber; , tomato;
, apple (nom/acc pl ae, , ,
respectively).
92
3.7 Russian words difcult to render in English
This section deals with a number of common Russian words that are
not easy to translate into English because they do not obviously have
direct English equivalents. Many of these words without equivalents
(eaee a) are culture-specic. That is to say they
denote phenomena, values, preoccupations or a way of viewing the
world that are unfamiliar to English-speakers. Their meaning and
nuances may in some cases be fully understood only by reference to
certain historic or cultural factors that cannot be properly explored
here. In addition to such words that are clearly culture-specic we
include a few others whose meaning cannot be conveyed by a single
English word, so that they have to be rendered in English by a phrase
or descriptive paraphrase. We offer various possible translations of the
words given, for use in different contexts. In some instances we also
provide a brief gloss.
aa adventurous, animated, passionate; describes sb who
gets carried away with sth (see also ea
below) or is prepared to stake a lot on sth, e.g.
aa ee=gambler (g); also aae
: games of chance, gambling
ee absence of roads; bad condition of roads; season
when roads are impassable
ea lit person with white hands, i.e. sb who shirks
rough or dirty work; softie
lit weekdays, working days; g humdrum life,
colourless existence, the everyday; antonym of
a (see below in this section)
way of life; everyday life, daily routine, habitual pattern
of life; drudgery. The word (which is derived from
the verb ) evokes the material world and a
static conservative form of existence.
freedom, liberty, free will. The word implies lack of
constraint, natural freedom, even a state close to
anarchy.
a/
to make some public statement or appearance,

e.g. aaee, to speak in
Parliament; ea, to write in the
press; a, to appear for the
defence (in court); a, to be
interviewed on/give a talk on radio;
eee, to appear on television;
a, to give a paper; e, to
make a speech.
e (f ) destruction, ruin, wreck, downfall, death (esp tragic,
violent death in war or as a result of an accident)
93
English lacks a general noun from the verb to
perish (a/).
ea,
e
person on duty, e.g. at the entrance to a block of
ats or to a hotel corridor; the word suggests sb
who keeps watch
ee (m) lit sb who does sth, but usually only meaningful
in combination with some adjective, e.g.
ae ee, statesman;
ea ee, writer, journalist, man of
letters; ee ee, public gure;
eae ee, educator; e
ee, politician
e sincere, cordial, heartfelt, having soul (a)
ae natural, in the sense of bound to happen; in
conformity with some law (i.e. a natural order of
things, not necessarily or even primarily a
juridical order); normal or regular in one of these
senses; cf. a, legitimate, i.e. in accordance
with the criminal or civil law
a stagnation (g), i.e. political, economic,
intellectual stagnation. The word evokes the
climate of the Br ezhnev period of the 1970s as
Russians perceived it at the time of perestrika in
the 1980s.
e/ea fellow countryman, fellow-townsman, fellow-villager; a
person from the same district
evil, bad, wicked, malicious, vicious, unkind,
ill-natured, angry. There is no adjective in English
that conveys the full range of meaning of ,
which may be best dened as the antonym of
.
ee intelligentsia, professional class(es). The word
denotes a group of intellectuals who are
politically engaged but at the same time are
excluded from power and who feel a sense of
moral responsibility for the state of their
society.
aa business trip, mission, posting
a groats; a general word for grain from which kasha
can be made
big, large, large-scale, outstanding, important; major,
well-known. The adjective implies that all the
elements of a thing are large, e.g. ,
long-grain rice; antonym of e (see below in
this section).
94
face; person, e.g. aae , civilian;
eee , character (in play);
e , an ofcial; e ,
clergyman; ae , dummy, man of straw.
Note also: ee , physical person (leg);
ee , juridical person (leg).
(f ) personality, individual
a/
a
to enjoy looking at sth. The verb may sometimes
be translated by Eng to admire but it implies
feasting ones eyes on sth, including natural
beauty.
e small, ne (of rain, sand); also petty, shallow. The
adjective implies that sth is small in all its parts,
small-proportioned; antonym of (see
above in this section).
ea (person)
ea (the
phenomenon)
petty bourgeois person; petty bourgeois behaviour/
attitudes. The words are used in a gurative sense
to evoke sb who is narrow-minded, philistine, or
ea (adj) such behaviour; in Soviet parlance they were
used as pejorative terms to describe a selsh
mindset.
ee view of the world, set of beliefs. The word
implies something more systematic and
coherent than English outlook; cf. German
Weltanschauung.
ea sth which one cannot take ones eyes off. The
word denotes the quality of an object, admiration
of which one might express with the verb
a (see above in this section).
a newly erected building, building work in a new
town or district. The word brings to mind the
rapid urban development of the post-war Soviet
period.
ae (m) inhabitant, citizen, the average man, the man in the
street; g philistine in pre-revolutionary days. In
Soviet times the word was used as a synonym of
ea, i.e. a narrow-minded person without
social interests; it may now be reverting to its
pre-revolutionary role.
sb who has had only one love in her or his life or
who can love only one person at a time
e (pf ) to have a drink to cure a hangover, to have a
drink the morning after
describes sb who loses her/his temper with sb else
but does not subsequently harbour resentment
towards the person who angered her/him
95
ee next in turn, periodic, recurrent, regular, routine, usual.
The word is derived from ee (f), queue.
heroic deed, feat, act of heroism, sth done for the
general good
(adj)
(f )
morally low, tasteless, rude, common, banal, vulgar; an
object or act that can be described in this way.
No single English word has the same eld of
meaning although tacky, a recent borrowing from
American English, does convey the same notion
of lack of good taste.
a holiday in sense of festival, national holiday, festive
occasion, occasion for celebration, red-letter day;
antonym of (see above in this section)
(pl; gen
)
send-off, occasion or process of seeing off sb who
is leaving
space, spaciousness, expanse, scope, freedom,
elbow-room. The word evokes the wide open
spaces and seeming innity of the Russian
landscape.
ae synonymous with
aa scope, range, sweep, scale, span, amplitude. When
applied to character the word may suggest an
expansiveness and generosity that is admired.
aa ruin, collapse, devastation (esp after war, revolution
or some other cataclysmic event)
e/
ea
person of the same age
ones own (by blood relationship), native, e.g.
, native language; e, as
substantivised noun = relations, relatives, kith and
kin; antonym of (see below in this
section). The word has strong positive
connotations.
a (adj
ca)
a person who possesses natural gifts but lacks a
systematic, thorough education; (of metals)
nugget, piece of mined metal in chemically pure
form
e/
ea
synonyms of e/ea, respectively
ones own, my/your/his/her/our/their own; close in
meaning to (and therefore also having
positive connotations) and an antonym of .
Note: ee = person who is not related
but whom one trusts. See 11.2.6 on use of .
96
a (pf ) to put the evil eye (on)
unbroken, continuous, all-round, complete, entire, total,
e.g. a, unbroken fence; e
e, complete satisfaction; a
a, one-hundred-percent literacy
period of time, term, deadline
well-proportioned, elegant, shapely, well-balanced,
harmonious, orderly, well put together. The word
evokes sth that is aesthetically pleasing, pleasant
to the eye.
ea/
e + instr
to be carried away (by), to become keen (on), to be mad
(about), to fall for, to become enamoured (of ). The
word suggests great enthusiasm.
ea/e to have time (to do sth), to manage (in time), to
succeed (in doing sth in time)
a/aa
a
a
(all pej)
lout, boor, cow; loutishness, boorishness; loutish,
boorish. Xa denotes a person who behaves in a
crude, disgusting way and has no respect for
herself/himself or others. (The word is derived
from the name of the biblical character Ham,
who in Genesis 9 saw his father Noah naked and
told his brothers.)
sb elses, other peoples, not mine/ours; foreign, alien,
strange. The word is an antonym of and
and therefore has negative connotations.
97
4 Problems of translation from English
into Russian
4.1 English words difcult to render in Russian
This section lists in alphabetical order some of the more common
English words which give difculty for students learning Russian and
denes some of the Russian equivalents they may have. The list is
intended to encourage the student to think about the precise meaning
of the English word in a given context and to consider which of the
various possible Russian renderings is appropriate in that context. The
lists of Russian equivalents for the English words are not intended to
include all possible translations of the English word, merely to draw
attention to the ways in which Russian deals with the main elds of
meaning which the English word may have. In each entry the Russian
word/words which render the meaning of the English word that seems
most common or fundamental is/are given rst.
Rendering of English prepositions is dealt with separately in 10.4.
English has many phrasal verbs (e.g. to hold back, hold on, hold up) in
which the precise meaning of the verb is claried by the following
preposition. Translation of phrasal verbs is not considered here except
in a very small number of cases. It should be noted that in many cases
the function of the English preposition is fullled in Russian by a
verbal prex (see 8.3), as well as by a following preposition.
ACCIDENT
ea a emphasising effect on victim
aa involving machinery, transport,
etc., e.g. a ea, at
a power station
ee crash, e.g. ee ea, train
crash; aeee, shipwreck
aaa disaster; also g
a (f ) chance, contingency
ADVERTISEMENT
eaa with a view to selling
ee announcement (e.g. of job vacancy)
a short notice about coming event
AGAIN
ne more as before
a = (slightly more bookish)
a anew, afresh
e a one more time
98
AGE
a stage in ones life
e lit century; also age, e.g. ae
e, the Stone Age
e period
a epoch
AGREE
aa/a +
instr
to concur with
aa/a a +
acc
to consent to
/ to tally (of gures), to come to an
agreement about, e.g. ee,
to agree a price
aa/aa
- e- (trans)
to agree sth with sb
aa (impf ) + instr gram term
(pf ) to come to an arrangement
APPEARANCE
ee emergence, coming into view
a (f ) outward appearance, exterior
ee public appearance (e.g. on stage,
television), speech
air, look, aspect
APPLICATION
aee esp for abstract object, e.g.
aee o e a a, a
job application
aa esp for concrete object, e.g. aa
a aea, an application for
materials
a request, e.g. a o , an
application fr help
aee placing on, e.g. aee
a a, e.g. application of a
bandage to a wound
eee putting to use, e.g. eee
, e, application of
force, of a new theory
ae utilisation
eae diligence
ARGUMENT
controversy, debate, dispute (legal)
a quarrel
99
4 Problems of translation from English into Russian
a discord, dissension
o evidence
e thesis (see also 3.5)
aea argumentation
ARTICLE
ee manufactured article
a commodity
a in newspaper, journal, treaty,
contract
in treaty, contract
a =
a (m) gram term; also now commodity
ARTIST
x creative artist (e.g. writer, painter,
composer)
a performing artist, artiste
ASK aa/ to enquire
/ to request
aaa/aa to pose a question
a/a to make enquiries
aa/a to invite
ATTACK
aaee assault (in most senses)
aee offensive (mil)
ae raid
aaa military attack
a t (med)
t, pang, bout, e.g. a,
a, an attack of u, coughing
a heart attack
BAD
general word
nasty, e.g. a a, bad
habit; , bad dream
a (R1) lit mangy; nasty, lousy, e.g.
aa a, bad weather
wicked
e harmful, detrimental, injurious
severe, e.g. a e, bad
illness; e aee, bad
injury
100
rotten, e.g. of fruit
sour, e.g. of milk
putreed, e.g. of egg
e spoiled, off (of food)
e unsuitable, e.g. e
e, bad example
ea unfavourable
BALL(S)
a spherical object, billiard ball
a dimin of a
e.g. of wool
for games, sport
dimin of
cannonball
nonsense, rubbish
ea =
a (pl; R1 vulg) testicles
BIG
large
major, large-scale (see 3.7)
e/a// too big (see 11.3)
BLUE
dark blue
light blue
a (poet) sky-blue, azure
blue lm
a e ea like a bolt from the blue
BODY
e of human or animal; also solid
object, e.g. star
e torso
corpse
of carriage, car, etc.
oaa organisation
BOX
chest, container; ,
post-box
a smaller container than ;
a e, gear-box
a dimin of a
aa casket, trinket box
101
trunk
a booth, kiosk
a at theatre
Note: A a a, The box just opened, meaning The
explanation was quite simple (a quotation from a fable by Krylov).
BRANCH
e (f ) bough
a (f ) section, subdivision, e.g. a
e, branch of industry
a subsidiary section of organisation,
e.g. a aa, the
London branch of a bank
BREAK
a/a to fracture, e.g. a , to
break a leg; to cause not to work, e.g.
a ea, to break
a mechanism
aa/a to smash (into many pieces), e.g.
a , to break crockery
aa/a y to infringe, e.g. a y a,
a, to break a law, a rule
ea/ea to break off, interrupt, sever, e.g.
ea aee
e, to break off diplomatic
relations
ea/e to break (i.e. exceed ), e.g. e
e , to break a
speed limit
BRIGHT
vivid
e light-coloured, radiant
clever
BROWN
e cinnamon-coloured
a of eyes
reddish brown, e.g. ee,
brown bear
ae/aea (nouns) brown-haired man/woman
ae sunburned
of complexion, swarthy
a ea chocolate-coloured
ee beige
102
BRUSH
a for cleaning, brushing hair
(f ) for painting, e.g. aa ,
paintbrush
a dimin of , e.g. a
, shaving brush
ea broom
BURN
e/e (intrans) e.g. , the house is on re
e (trans) e.g. e , to burn rubbish
a/e (trans) to burn up, cremate
aa/ae to set light to
a/e to set on re (with criminal intent)
a (intrans) to blaze, ame, glow; also g, e.g.
a a, to burn with
passion
CALL
a/a to call, summon; impf only also
means to name, e.g. a a ?
What is your name? (lit What do they
call you?) Me

Aa, My
name is Anna.
a/a to call out, e.g. a aa, to
call the doctor
aa/aa to name
a/a to beckon
a/a to appeal to
a/a to call together, convoke
/ + dat to ring, telephone
a/a + dat to call on, visit
aa/a + dat to look in on
CAREFUL
proceeding with caution
ae thorough, painstaking
ae attentive, considerate
CASE
a instance
e legal case
(pl; gen ) set of arguments
ae basis, grounds, e.g. ae
a, the case for sanctions
aa e a a case study
(medical) patient
103
ae gram term
=container
(see also box)
ea suitcase
for spectacles, musical instrument
a glass case
CATCH
/a to seize, ensnare, e.g. a ,
to catch a sh
aa/a r a to grab, snatch, seize
aa/a to grasp; also g, e.g. a
, (R1), to catch the
sense, a cold
aa/a to take unawares
aaa/aa to nd, e.g. aa e a,
I caught him at home.
aaa/aa + instr to be infected with, e.g. Oa
aaa a, She caught
tonsillitis.
aa/ to detect, perceive, e.g. ,
a, to catch a sound, nuance
ae/ae to get caught up on, e.g. Pa e
a ae a , The
sleeve of my shirt got caught on a thorn.
a/ to catch a cold
CHALLENGE
(noun)
may translate challenge but is not so
widely used as this English word;
originally means calling out, e.g. to
duel
sth that drives one to act
aaa (difcult) task
ea problem; has wide range of meaning;
close to aaa
CHANGE (verb)
e basic verb
e/e (trans) to change, alter
e/e
(intrans)
to change, alter
e or ea/
e (also e
in R1)
to (ex)change (money), e.g. aae
ee a a , Lets
change our currency into roubles; to
change sth for sth else, e.g. e
ae, to change a dress (e.g.
because it is the wrong size)
104
eee/eee to shift (from one position to
another), e.g. eee
, , to change ones
position, tone
eee/eee intrans of eee/eee
aea/ae to change a coin or note into
smaller denominations
e/e to replace, e.g. e e,
aa, , to change linen, a
sentry, a tyre
eaa/
eaa (R3)
to transform, reform, reorganise
eaa/ea (trans) to turn (sth into sth else), e.g.
ea , to turn
water into ice
eaa/ea intrans of eaa/ea
e/e
(trans; R3)
to alter, modify
eeaa/eee to change transport, e.g. e a
eee a , We
must change to another line here.
eeea/eee to change ones clothes
ee/ee a + a to go over (to sth different), e.g. Oa
eea a a,
She changed her job.
eea/eea
(pf )
to change ones mind (and think better
of it)
aa/aa (pf ) to change ones mind (and decide not
to do sth)
a/a (pf ) to change ones mind (think again,
perhaps in response to warning)
CHANGE (noun)
eee alteration
e exchange, e.g. of information,
opinions, money into different
currency
eeea shift (from one thing to another)
ae when note or coin is broken
down into money in smaller
denomination
aa money handed back after purchase,
e.g. aa a, change out of
a pound
105
e (f ) coins of small denominations
ea replacement, e.g. ea e,
aaa, change of linen, guard
eaae transformation, reorganisation
eaee conversion (into sth else)
eee modication
eeaa from one vehicle or form of
transport to another
CHARACTER
aae nature, personality
a in work of literature
eee in play
type
a disposition
a (f ) person, individual
CLEVER
intelligent
aa talented
capable, able
a gifted
a =a
adroit, dexterous
skilful
e able, astute
CLOUD
a white cloud
a rain-cloud, storm-cloud
(pl; gen ) a, , cloud of smoke,
dust
COACH
a bus
a part of train
aea horse-drawn carriage
COAT
a (indecl) overcoat
a fur coat
a (R1) sheepskin coat
a short outdoor jacket
ea (R1) anorak
aa (R1) winter coat with fur lining
a raincoat, waterproof cape
106
e (R1) plastic raincoat
e (f ) (military) greatcoat
e (f ) animals fur
layer (of paint)
e coat of arms
COMPETITION
organised contest, e.g.
a, beauty contest; also
competition to get in somewhere
ae contest, match, e.g. ae
, aa, ea,
boxing, swimming, fencing competition;
also unorganised competition
eae sporting event
ee rivalry
e (economic) competition
COPY
reproduction
e specimen, example, e.g. e a
ea , I have two
copies of this book
e (photo)copy
COUNTRY
aa state
a native land
ee fatherland
e (f ) terrain
a (motion), a
(location)
outside the city or town
CUT (verb)
ea basic verb
aea/aea to cut into pieces, carve, slice
ea/ea to cut off
ea/ea to cut off; also g, e.g. ea ,
to cut a corner
ea or ea/ea
(R3, ofc)
to reduce by cutting, e.g.
ae ea a
a eee , The
government has cut public expenditure.
aa/a to cut down, curtail, e.g. a
a, to cut expenditure
eaa/ea to cut short, stop, e.g. ea
a aa, They have cut off the gas
supply.
107
/ to cut out (a pattern)
CUT (noun)
aee cutting down, curtailment, cut (n)
a reduction, discount
ee reduction, e.g. in price
eaee cutting off, cessation
DEVELOPMENT(S)
ae growth, unfolding, evolution
ae development of events
aaa working out/up, elaboration
ee photographic
aaae arrangement, e.g. aaae
a, development of contacts
DIE
a/ee to pass away (of natural causes,
disease, starvation)
a/ to perish, be killed (in accident, war,
natural disaster)
a (pf; R3) to pass away
/e
(R3, rhet)
to lay down ones life (in battle)
DIFFERENCE
aa extent of disparity
ae distinction (individual point of
difference)
aae intellectual disagreement
aa tiff
aee divergence; aee
e, difference of opinion
DIFFERENT
a various, diverse
a divergent
+ gen different from
e a + a dissimilar to
e + instr dissimilar to
a (impf only) to be different from, e.g. e
ae Ma
C` a-eea? In what way is
Moscow different from St Petersburg?
not the same as before, e.g. e
ee,
He was a different person after the war.
108
=
-a in different ways
DREAM
what one sees in ones sleep
ee (R3) =
ea daydream, ambition
eae reverie
() a bad dream, nightmare
EDGE
a brim, brink
a (not common) in various senses, esp physical, e.g.
a a, ae, edge of a
wing, material
cutting edge, e.g. a, edge
of a knife
(pl; gen e) margin (of paper)
a of forest
a (f ) facet; also brink (g), e.g. a a
, on the brink of war
eee superiority, advantage
EDUCATION
aae general instruction
ee tuition, e.g. ee ee
e a, co-education
ae upbringing
eee enlightenment
ENCOURAGE
/ to give incentive to
/ to cheer up, hearten
ea/ea to advise
a (impf and pf ) to stimulate, e.g. a
, to encourage growth
a (+ dat) to contribute to, promote
ea/ea to support
END
e general word
ae ending, conclusion; also gram term
tip, point, e.g. a, end of
ones tongue
a (R3; rhet) demise
a edge, limit, e.g. a a ea, at
the worlds end
109
e (f ) aim, goal
ENJOY
to like (sth/doing sth), e.g. Oa
, a e,
She enjoys music, playing tennis.
a/a
(impers)
to like, e.g. Me aa
ea, I enjoyed the play.
aaa/aa
+ instr
to take delight in, e.g. aa
, to enjoy nature
/e
(e)
to spend (time) pleasantly, e.g. B
e ? Did you
enjoy your holiday?
ee/ee to enjoy oneself, have a good time
a (impf; + instr) to have, e.g. a
ee, eae,
aee, to enjoy trust, a
reputation, respect
aa + instr to possess, e.g. aa aa,
e, to enjoy rights,
good health
EVIDENCE
ee indication, testimony
aae proof; ee
aaea, written evidence
a piece of (legal) evidence; ea
a, indisputable evidence
a sign, indication
ae (pl; subst adj) data
a (pl; gen a)
(a)
grounds (for thinking)
aae (legal) deposition
EXAMINE
aaa/ae to consider, e.g. ae
, to examine a question
aa/e to inspect, look over, e.g. e
aa, , to examine
baggage, a patient
ea (impf and pf ) to inspect, e.g. ea
, to examine a patient
e/e to check, mark (students work)
aea/aea
+ acc
to conduct an examination of
aa/ to cross-examine, e.g.
ee, to examine a witness
110
EXERCISE
aee exertion of body or mind, task
aa physical activity, drill
ea training
exertion (of the body for good
health), e.g. ea , to take
exercise
e (pl; gen e) military exercise
a (pl; gen a) military manoeuvres
EXPERIENCE
what one has learnt
eea (pl; gen
eea)
what one has lived through
a incident, e.g. e a,
unpleasant experience
FACE
front part of head; also exterior
dimin of , e.g.
ea, a childs face
aee expression
a (R1) mug
ea dial (of clock, watch, gauge)
FALL
aa/()a basic verb
aa/a of rain, snow, in the phrases
a e, it snowed; a
a (e.g. in weather report),
it rained
aa/a of leaves
aaa/aa to fall to pieces, disintegrate
aa/a -
to fall into sbs hands

a/ of wind
a/ to get lower, e.g. e, ea
ae, the standard, price is
falling
/
+ acc
to fall in love with
aa (pf ) to fall silent
FAT
thick, stout, corpulent
portly (polite)
plump (of people), greasy, rich, fatty
(of food)
111
corpulent, obese
FEAR
(f ) dread, e.g. e, fear of
darkness
a terror
fright
aee apprehension, misgiving
FEEL
a/a to be aware of
a e (intrans) e.g. a e e?
How do you feel?
a/ to sense
a/a to explore by touch, e.g. a
- , to feel sbs pulse
a/a to run ones hand over
a/a
to feel ones way

a/a to experience
eea/ee to endure, suffer, go through
FIGHT
a/a + instr to scrap, brawl
aa/a + instr to do battle with, e.g. of armies
to wrestle, struggle (also g)
ea (impf ) to wage war
FIND
a/a to nd (as result of search)
aaa/aa to come across, encounter, e.g. aa
- a, to nd sb at home
a/e to consider, e.g. O a
, They nd
Russian difcult.
ea/e to encounter
a/ to discover
aa/a to bring to light, e.g. Mea
a ea e,
The mechanic found a
fault in the engine.
aa/a legal term, e.g. a e
, They found him guilty.
FIRE
(m) general word
a conagration, e.g. e a,
forest re
112
bonre
a open re, replace
ardour
(AT) FIRST
aaa at the beginning
ea (R1) =aaa
ee e rst of all, rst and foremost
ee for the rst time
-e in the rst place
a e a in the rst instance
e a at rst sight
FOLLOW
/ a + instr to go after
ea/ea a +
instr
to go after
ea/ea + dat to emulate
e a + instr to watch, track, keep up with, e.g.
P e a , The CIA is
following them; e a
e , to
follow political developments
a/ to observe, e.g. e,
aa, to follow a diet, rules
a/ to understand
FOOD
a general word
ea what is eaten; ea e, food
and drink
(ee) food products
e (sg) foodstuffs, provisions
(sg only) provisions, victuals
e (pl; gen e) canned food
cuisine
a dish
ae nourishment, feeding
animal fodder
FOREIGN
a general word; Me
a e, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
ae =a; aea
ea, the foreign press
113
e external; e a,
, foreign policy, trade
alien
FREE
at liberty, unconstrained
e relaxed, at ease
ea free of charge, e.g. eae
aae, free education
FREEDOM
a freedom in most senses, e.g. a
, ea, a,
a, freedom of the individual,
press, speech, assembly
free will; e , Land and
Liberty; Haa , The
Peoples Will (nineteenth-century
Russian revolutionary parties)
FREEZE
it is freezing, i.e. there is a frost
/a (intrans) e.g.

Oe a, The lake has
frozen.
aaa/a
(trans)
e.g. aee co, frozen
meat; also g, e.g. ae
aaae e, The
government is freezing prices.
to be covered with ice, as of river, road
/ (intrans) to suffer from/feel the cold
eee/eee (intrans) to turn to ice, become numb with cold
FRIEND
general word
a female friend
dimin of
e(a) not so close as /a
a comrade, pal
a/aa
(subst adj)
acquaintance
supporter
eae (m) well-wisher
FRUSTRATION
ae despair
e feeling that there is no way out
e sense of impotence
aa annoyance
114
aaee irritation
a esp psychological
a (f ) state of being frustrated
FUNNY
e laughable
aa amusing
a strange
e incomprehensible
e suspicious
GIRL
ea little girl
ea girl (after puberty); also as term of
address to (young) woman (see 7.4)
ea (R1, D) affectionate term; also in folklore,
e.g. aa [sic] ea, fair maid;
also pej, i.e. slut
ea maiden, virgin
aa female shop assistant
GLASS
e glass (as material), window-pane,
windscreen (of vehicle)
aa tumbler
a small glass (for drink)
a dimin of a, e.g. vodka glass
e tall glass, for water, juice (at formal
dinner)
a wine glass, goblet, chalice
(pl; gen ) spectacles
GOAL
e (f ) aim, purpose
a (pl; gen ) (sport) goalposts and net
what is scored in sport
GOOD
general word; ,
good-looking
in various senses, kind
e useful
protable, e.g. a ea, a
good deal (i.e. business arrangement)
a successful, e.g. a , e,
ee, a good visit, day, translation;
aa a, a good buy
115
ee interesting
e cheerful, e.g. ee aee,
good mood
pleasant, agreeable
able, capable
obedient
a (short forms only) skilful, clever, e.g. O a a,
Hes good at everything.
GOVERNMENT
ae ruling body
aee system of government
aee + instr act of governing; also gram
term
GREET
a/a
+ instr
to say hello to
ea to welcome (also g, e.g.
ea eee,
to welcome a proposal)
ea/e to meet, receive
a/ to receive
GROW
a/a (intrans) to get bigger
aa/a (intrans) to get bigger, increase
aaa/aa (intrans) to accumulate
aa/a
(intrans)
to get a little bigger
aa/a (trans) to cultivate, e.g. a ,
to grow vegetables
ea/e
(intrans)
to increase, e.g. e
e eae, The
mortality rate is growing.
a/ to let grow, e.g. ,
, to grow ones hair, beard
GUN
rie
e sawn-off shot-gun
e pistol
ee revolver
e machine-gun
a cannon
116
HARD
rm, solid, e.g. , hard
ground; a, hard sign
difcult
g, e.g. a aa, hard work;
e , hard conditions;
e eea, hard times
forceful, e.g. a, a hard
blow
severe, e.g. a a, a hard
winter
strict
stale, e.g. e, hard bread
(adverb) e r diligently, with application, e.g.
e/ aa, to work
hard
e =e
HARVEST
a crop, yield
aa reaping
a gathering in, e.g. a e,
a, wheat harvest, potato
harvest
gathering, e.g. ,
e, fruit harvest, vegetable harvest
HAT
a hat with brim
aa fur hat; aa aa, knitted hat
ea peaked cap
aa peaked cap, esp mil
top hat
HAVE
y (with noun or pronoun in
gen + e)
to have (esp concrete objects, e.g.
a e a aa, We have a
black car.)
e to have (with abstract object, e.g.
e a, , to have
a right, an opportunity)
aa + instr to possess (esp qualities, e.g.
aa aa,
ae, to have talent,
presence of mind )
117
HEAD
a part of the body
aa g, e.g. aa eea,
aa, head of delegation,
administration
aa chief, superior, boss
e (m) leader, manager
HEAVY
general word
e.g. , a,
a, heavy rain, a heavy cold, blow;
e ee, heavy trafc
in slightly bookish phrase
, heavy rain
e in slightly bookish phrase
ee ee, heavy trafc
HERE
here; also at this point (not
necessarily spatial)
e here
a to here
here is
HOLE
a general word
a, a dimins of a: small hole, e.g. in
clothing
e (f ) tear, slit, crack
ee opening, aperture
a pit, hole (in road); a a,
air pocket
a in sport, e.g. on golf course; in ice
(for shing)
HOLIDAY
time off work
a festival, e.g. Christmas, Easter
a (pl; gen a) school holidays, university vacations
e free day, day off
e day when shop, institution is not
working. Note: e
, Its my day off; e
(i.e. pl form) may mean weekend.
rest, recreation, leisure
118
HOT
a e.g. aa a, hot weather
hot (to the touch), e.g. a
a, hot water, , hot
soup
spicy, piquant, e.g. , a
hot sauce
IDEA
e general word
(f ) thought
a (R3) a thought
a dimin of a
e concept, understanding
eaee notion; eae e e,
Ive no idea.
a plan
ae scheme, project
aeee intention
INFORM
a/
a + acc
to notify
a/ + dat to report to
ea/e + acc
(R3b)
to notify
e/e
+ acc (R3b, negative
overtone)
to notify
a/a -
e (R3b)
to notify
/e a + acc to denounce, inform against
INTEREST
ee attention, pursuit
aeea (f ) concern, stake (in), e.g.
aeea eae,
an interest in the outcome
e (pl; gen e) premium paid for use of money
nancial share
INTRODUCE
ea/ea to present, introduce (a person), e.g.
Oa eaa e aa,
She introduced Ivanov to me.
/e to bring in, e.g. e
a, to introduce a new law
119
/e to incorporate, e.g. e a
e, to introduce a correction
in a document
INVOLVE
ea/e + acc to draw in, e.g. O e
aea, He got involved
in the demonstration.
a/a +
acc
to be drawn in (=passive of
ea/e)
aa (impf only) +
prep
to be involved in, i.e. take part in
ea/ea +
acc
to get involved in, i.e. interfere/meddle
in
JOB
aa work, employment
(f ) position held
a (f ) duty, responsibility
e post
post, e.g. , good job
ee mission, assignment
aaa task
LAST
e last in series, e.g. eee
e, the last name in a list
most recently past, e.g. a
eee, last week
LAW
a rule, statute; also scientic formula
a the subject or its study
a law and order
a rule, regulation
e a the legal profession
e in expressions such as ea
a, law school; e
ae, law faculty
LEADER
e (political) leader
e (m) director, manager
(m; R3, rhet) chief
eea a leading article (in newspaper)
LEARN
/a + dat of
subject learned
to learn, study, e.g.
aeae, to learn mathematics
120
/ + acc to learn, memorise
a/ + acc to study, e.g. a aea,
to learn mathematics; pf
implies mastery
aa/a + instr to study, e.g. aa
, to learn Russian
aa/a to nd out
LEAVE
/ to go out
ea/ea to go out (by transport)
/ to go away
ea/ea to go away (by transport)
ea/ee to go away by plane, y off
a/a to set off
/ to depart (of transport), e.g. e
e, The train leaves
at midday.
ea/ee to depart (of plane)
a/a to withdraw
a/a to leave behind; also to bequeath
a/ to abandon, forsake
a/ to abandon, forsake, e.g.
e, to leave ones wife
aa/a to forget to take, e.g. a
ae, I left my umbrella
on the bus.
LIGHT
e general word
eee lighting, illumination
e shaft of light, patch of light
(m) on plane, ship; (pl; gen
e), lights (in buildings)
aa lamp
aa headlight (on vehicle)
e trafc light
e searchlight
aa spotlight (in theatre)
LINE
in various senses
row, series
ea cord, rope
121
ea (pl , gen ; dimin
ea)
shing-line
a on page
LONG
spatial, e.g. a a, a long
street
temporal, e.g. e e, a long
time
(A) LONG TIME
a long time
a + gen long before, e.g. a a,
long before the end
a for a long time, e.g. O ea
a, He went away for a long
time.
a long ago; also for a long time, in the
sense of long since, e.g. a
a , I have
been studying Russian for a long
time.
LOOK
e/e
a + acc
to look at, watch
e/e a + acc to look/peer/gaze at
e (impf ) to have a certain appearance, e.g.
O , He looks
well.
e a it looks like rain
a/ a +
a
to glance at
Ca(e)! Look! i.e. Listen!
aa a + instr to look after (care for)
aa/e
a + instr
to look after (keep an eye on)
LOSE
e/e in various senses
aa/a (R3) e.g. a , to lose ones
illusions
a/ + gen to be deprived of, e.g. a
e a, to lose ones
driving licence
a/a game, bet, etc.
aa/a to lose ones way, get lost
122
aa/a of timepiece, e.g. M a
a a e e,
M watch loses ten minutes
a day.
MAKE
ea/ea in various senses
/e to produce
/ to manufacture
aaa/aa to manufacture, produce, work out,
draw up
ea/ea to manufacture, process
/ to cook, prepare
a/a to cook (by boiling)
aa/aa + inn to compel (sb to do sth)
aaaa/aaa to earn
(pf ) in construction e e
a ea, She will
make a good teacher.
MANAGE
(impf only) + instr to direct, be in charge of
a (impf only) + instr to direct, be in charge of
aea (impf only) + instr to direct, be in charge of
a/a +
instr
to cope with
e/e + inn to know how (to do sth)
/ +
inn
to contrive (to do sth)
aa/a (3
rd
pers
only; impers)
to succeed, e.g. Me/e/e a
a ea,
I/he/she managed to nish my/his/her
dissertation.
ea/e a + acc,
+ dat
to be in time (for), e.g. O e
e, He managed to catch the train.
/ to get by, e.g. M , Well
manage.
MARRIAGE
aa wedding
ea process of getting married (from
point of view of man)
ae married state (for woman)
a matrimony
e (R3) wedlock
123
(g) union, alliance
MARRY
e (impf and pf ) a +
prep
to get married (of man to woman)
/ a a +
acc
to get married (of woman to man; lit
to go out behind a husband)
e/e to get married (of couple)
ea/ea to get married (of couple in church)
ea/ea (trans) to marry (i.e. what the ofciating
priest does)
MEAN
e to have in mind
aea to imply, i.e. convey a meaning
e aa to intend to say
a to signify, have signicance
aa to signify, stand for, e.g.
aa CA? What do
the letters USA mean?
aeea to intend to
aee/aeea/aee
(m/f/pl forms used as
predicate) + inn
intend(s) (to do sth)
MEET
ea/e + acc to meet (by chance), go to meet, e.g.
M e a, We
met them at the airport.
ea/e
+ instr
to meet with (by arrangement); also
to encounter, e.g. e
ae, to meet difculties
a/a
+ instr
to make the acquaintance of, e.g. O
a e Pe, He
met her in Rome.
MEETING
ea encounter
ae appointment, rendezvous
ae gathering (formal, e.g. party
meeting)
aeae formal session (people sitting and
discussing)
eae (high-level) conference (people
consulted, decisions made)
political rally
124
MISS
a + dat to long for, yearn for, e.g. a
e, to miss ones country
a + dat similar to a but not so
strong
aa/a a +
acc
to be late for, e.g. a a
e, to miss a train
e aa/a + a to fail to hit, e.g. e aa
e, The bullet missed the target.
a/ to fail to attend, e.g.
a, to miss classes
/ +
gen
to go past, e.g. Oa a
a, She missed the turning.
MOVE
a/ (trans) to change the position of sth, set in
motion
a/ + instr to move part of ones body, e.g.
ae, to move ones
nger
a/ (trans) to move sth a bit
a/ (trans) to move aside
a/
(intrans)
to move aside
eea/ee to shift (from one place to another),
e.g. ee e a
aa, to move the clock back
a/ (trans) to shift, budge (from some point),
e.g. a e ea,
to move the bed from its place
a/
(intrans)
to shift, budge (from some point)
ee/ee to stir
eeea/eeea to move to new accommodation,
e.g. eeea a a,
to move to a new at
eea/eea =eeea/eeea in the
sense above
ee/ee to go across, transfer, e.g. ee a
a, to move to a new job
a/ to touch, affect (emotionally), e.g.
Er e a e
, His kindness moved me to tears.
to go, proceed
125
+ instr to move piece in board game, e.g.
O e, He is moving a
pawn.
aa/a
(intrans)
to develop (of events, action), e.g.
C aa,
Events are moving quickly.
MUCH
a lot
a by a large margin
a with short comp adj, e.g. a
e, much better
() too much
e with verbs, very much, e.g.
a
ea e e a, I
like this play very much.
NAME
(n) in various senses, incl given
name
e patronymic
a surname
a nickname, name of pet
e nickname, sobriquet
aae designation, appellation
ea reputation
NEED
a need, necessity, want
e (f ) necessity, inevitability
e (f ) requirement
ea poverty, indigence
NICE
pleasant, agreeable
a likeable (of person)
kind, good
e kind, courteous
sweet, lovable
ae charming (of person)
ee delightful, charming (of thing)
comfortable, cosy
of food, tasty
NIGHT
(f ) general word
126
ee evening, time of day up until
bedtime, e.g. e ee,
tonight
NOTE
aa written message or memorandum
aea a mark, e.g. ae a ,
notes in the margin
ea sth jotted down
aeae observation, remark
eae additional observation, footnote
a musical note
aa (a also
possible)
bank-note
NOW
ea at the present moment; just now (in
the past); presently, soon (in the
future)
ee now, nowadays, today (esp in contrast
to the past)
e (R3, obs) nowadays
. . . now . . . now, e.g. ,
e, now rain, now snow
NUMBER
in various senses; also date
e of bus, journal, etc.; also hotel
room
ee telephone number
a gure, numeral
e quantity
OLD
a in various senses
middle-aged (showing signs of
ageing)
e previous
former, ex-, e.g. ee,
the ex-President
a ancient, e.g. a , an
old city
e ancient (even older than
a), e.g. e ,
ancient history
e dilapidated; also in phrase Be
ae, the Old Testament
127
ae obsolete, out-of-date
ORDER
aaa/aaa to book, reserve, e.g. aaa
eae, to reserve a table in a
restaurant
aa/aa +
dat + inn or
to order (sb to do sth)
ee (impf and pf; R3) +
dat + inn or
to order (sb to do sth), e.g. ee
e , I ordered him to leave.
PART
a (f ) portion, component
share
ae participation, e.g. a/
ae -, to
take part in sth
(f ) role, e.g. in play; a , to
play a part (also g); /
, to take a part
(in play)
a musical part
a of country, region
PAY
a/aa - a
-
to pay sb for sth
aa/a - to pay for sth, e.g. a
a, , to pay the expenses,
the bill
Note: Russians themselves may say a a -, but this usage is
considered incorrect.
aa/
a -
to repay sb, pay sb back
aa/a to pay out, e.g. a
aa, to pay wages
aa/a - to pay sth (which is due), e.g.
a , a, to pay a
subscription, tax
aaa/
aa + instr
to settle accounts with
a (pf ) a
-
to pay with ones life for sth
eea/
aeea
ee (R3b)
to pay ones respects
128
aa/a ae
a + a
to pay attention to
aea/ae - to pay a visit to sb
PAY(MENT)
a in various senses; a
a, payment in instalments;
a a, cash payment
aa for amenities, services, e.g. aa
a a, ee, payment for gas,
tuition
aa of costs, e.g. aa a,
a, ea, payment for a at,
food, travel
aa of sum due, e.g. aa ,
payment of duty
aaa wages, salary
a (R1) =aaa
aae salary
subscription
PEOPLE
individuals, persons
a a people (ethnic group)
POUR
(trans and intrans) basic verb
aa/a (trans) e.g. a a, to pour a
drink
aa/a to pour out (to several people)
a (impf; trans) basic verb, of solids, e.g. a
, to pour rice
a (impf; intrans) of solids, e.g. e e
ea, Sand is pouring from the sack.
a (impf ) g, e.g. a a,
Smoke was pouring from the house.
(pf; intrans) to gush (of blood, water); also g,
e.g. Ha a a,
A crowd poured into the street.
POWER
a (f ) authority
a strength, force; aa a,
horse power
e energy, e.g. ea e,
nuclear power
(f ) might
129
(f ) esp tech, e.g. ae,
the power of an engine
eaa an inuential state; eeaa,
a superpower
(f ) ability, capacity
ee (f ) math term
PRESENT (adj)
a now existing; aee e,
the present time or the present tense
ee modern, contemporary
e todays, e.g. eee
ae, the present
government
in attendance, in the place in
question
PREVENT
ea/ea + dat +
inn
to hinder, impede, stop (sb from
doing sth)
eaa/ea to avert, stave off, forestall
ea/
ea + dat
to obstruct, impede
PUT
a/ into lying position
a/a into standing position
aa/a into sitting position. Note also:
a - , to put
sb in prison
aa/ to lay, e.g. ea
e, to put a child to bed
a/a to insert, e.g., a
a, to put a key in a lock
ea/e to hang, e.g. e e a
e, to put washing on a line
ea/e to place, accommodate, e.g. e
e a, to
put guests in a spare room; e
e ea,
to put money in a savings bank
ea/e (in past tense
ea=e)
to do with, e.g. a ea/e
? Where have you put the
book?
aa/a to shove in, e.g. a
aa, to put ones hand in ones
pocket
130
a/ to stick out, e.g. , to
put ones tongue out
aaa/aa in the phrase aa , to put
a question
a/ to put forward, e.g.
e, to put forward a theory
aea/ae to put on, e.g. ae , to put
on a hat
aa/ to put off, defer
a/a to put away, clear up
QUEEN
ea monarch
aa playing card
e (m) chess piece
aa of insect, e.g. bee, ant
ea homosexual
(subst adj; R1) gay
QUIET
not loud, tranquil, calm
e noiseless, e.g. ea aa, a
quiet car
tranquil, calm, peaceful
a taciturn
REACH
/ + gen to get as far as (on foot)
ea/ea + gen to get as far as (by transport)
a/a
+ gen
=/ and
ea/ea, but implies
some difculty
/e
+ gen
to carry (of e.g. news, sounds,
smells), e.g. e ,
A rumour reached her.
a/
+ gen
by touching, e.g.
a, I an reach
the ceiling.
aa/a + gen to stretch as far as (of things and
people)
a/ + gen to attain, e.g. e, to
reach a goal
REALISE
a/ to understand
aa/a to acknowledge, e.g. a
, to realise ones mistake
131
aa/a ee
- (R3)
to be/become aware of sth (esp a
difculty)
e/e to bring into being, accomplish
eaa (impf and pf ) to convert into money; also to
implement, e.g. eaa a,
to realise a plan
REMEMBER
(impf ) basic verb
a/ to recall, recollect
aa/a to memorise
a in phrase He a(e) e
, Remember me kindly.
Note also the phrase eea(e) e + dat, remember (me) to, i.e. give my
regards to.
RESPONSIBILITY
ee (f )
a (f )
answerability, obligation, e.g.
a a, the
ministers responsibilities
RICH
a in various senses
a well-to-do, prosperous
eee well provided-for
luxurious, sumptuous
+ instr abounding in, e.g. a

ea, a region rich in natural
resources
fertile, e.g. a a, rich
soil
fatty (of food)
spicy (of food)
a sweet (of food)
RISE
/ to mount, ascend, e.g. Ce
e a, The
sun rises at six oclock.
aa/a to get up
a/ to go up
a/ to get higher, e.g. e
a, Prices are rising.
ea/e to increase
aa/a to grow
132
a/
a + instr
to tower over
a/ to be promoted, gain advancement
aa/a a +
a
to rebel against
ea/e to be resurrected, e.g. X
e , Christ rose
from the dead.
ROOM
aa general word
e hotel room
a auditorium, classroom
a hall, assembly room; a a,
waiting-room
e space
RUBBISH
refuse
litter, dust
(f ) trash
(f ) junk (old and broken things)
a junk (things no longer needed)
ea nonsense
ea =ea
(more bookish) nonsense
e ae (R1) to talk rubbish
SAVE
aa/a to rescue
ee (impf ) to put by, preserve, e.g. ee
, to save ones strength
eea/ee to put money by
a/a to put aside (for future use), e.g.
a a a
aa, to save a bottle of milk for
tomorrow
a/a -
e-
to spare sb sth, e.g.
a
e , This saved
me a lot of trouble.
/ (a +
e)
to use sparingly, economise (on), e.g.
e, , to save
time, labour
aa/aa to gain, e.g. aa e, to
save time
133
SCENE
ea in various senses
ee spectacle
ee part of drama
ea set, decor
aa scandalous event, row
ea landscape
e place, e.g. e ee, the
scene of the crime
SERIOUS
e in various senses
grave, e.g. a e, a
serious illness
acute, e.g. a ea, a
serious problem
SERVICE
a in various senses
a assistance, good turn, e.g.
aa/aa y- ,
to do sb a service; also facility, e.g.
ae , public
services
ee (R3) act, process of serving, e.g.
ee e, serving ones muse
ae attention, e.g. in shop, restaurant;
also servicing, maintenance, e.g.
ae a, of a car
aae self-service
e attention (from waiter, etc.)
e set of crockery
rite, ceremony
aa at tennis, etc.
SHAKE
(impf; trans) basic verb
(impf; intrans) basic verb
a/ (trans) to rock, stagger (g), e.g. Oa a
ea e, She was
shaken by this event.
a/ to shake up, rouse; ,
to shake dice
a/ to shake oneself
a/ to shake out, e.g.
ae, to shake out the table-cloth
134
a/ to shake off
a (impf; intrans) to tremble, shiver, e.g. Oa
a, She is shaking with cold.
a/a to undermine, e.g. a -
e, to shake sbs faith
/ + instr to make a threatening gesture with, e.g.
- a, ae,
to shake ones st, nger at sb
aa/aa to shake ones head
a/a -
to shake hands with sb

SHINE
ee (impf ) to glitter, sparkle, e.g. E aa
ee a, His eyes shone
with joy.
e (pf ) to sparkle, glint
a (impf ) to shine (esp g), e.g. a a
ee, to shine on the stage
ea (impf ) to sparkle, glitter, gleam
e (pf ) to ash
to beam, e.g. Ce e, The sun
is shining (viewers subjective
impression).
e of source of light, e.g. aa
e , The lamp is shining
brightly (objective statement).
e to gleam, glint, esp when giving
light is not seen as the primary
function of the subject, e.g. E
aa e, Her eyes were
shining.
e (impf ) to be on (of light)
ea (impf ) to twinkle, icker, e.g. ea
eae, The star is shining.
SHOE
outdoor shoe
aa slipper, ipop
a sandal
aa clog
(pl , ) ankle-high boot
a (pl a, a) high boot
ae (pl ae, ae) felt boots
135
(pl; gen ) trainers
(f ) footwear
SHOOT
e (impf ) basic verb
aea/ae to shoot dead
ea/e to bombard
aea/ae to execute by shooting
ea/e to wound by shooting
a (impf ) to tear along
/e
+ gen
to rush past
a to shoot at goal
a/ to shoot a lm
SHOP
aa general word
aa small shop, store
ea department store
a food shop
SHOW
aa/aa general word
/ to manifest, e.g. ee
e, to show an interest in music
SIDE
a in various senses
of body or physical object
slope, e.g. a, , side
of a hill, mountain
ee bank, shore, e.g. ee e, ea,
side of a river, lake
a edge, e.g. e a a a,
to sit on the side of the bed
a of road
of ship
aa team
a (f ) outside, exterior
SIGHT
ee vision
aspect, view
glance, opinion, e.g. a e
, at rst sight
ee spectacle
136
eae (f ) touristic attraction
e aiming device
Note: also the phrase a - , to know sb by sight.
SIT
e to be seated
a/e to sit down
aa/e to take a seat
a/e to sit (for a dened time)
aea (intrans) to be in session, e.g. aae
aeae, Parliament is sitting.
e to be a member of, i.e. to sit on
(a committee)
ea ae to sit an exam
aa ae =ea ae
SKIN
a in various senses
a hide, pelt (of animal)
a thin skin, e.g. a aa,
a, a, grape skin,
sausage skin, tomato skin
a peel (of fruit, e.g. apple)
a thick skin, rind (e.g. of an orange,
cheese)
ea crackly dry skin (e.g. of onion)
ea on milk, etc.
SMALL
ae in various senses
e =ae
a (short form predominates) little, too small, e.g.
a aa e
aa, This hat is too small for me.
ee not numerous, e.g.
eea a, a small
group
e petty, unimportant, trivial, of small
calibre, status or denomination,
etc., e.g. e , small print;
ea a, small fry; ee
e, small change
e small-minded
eae insignicant, e.g. a
eae , to play a
small part
137
ee second-rate
bad, poor, e.g. ae,
a, a small appetite, harvest
modest, e.g. , a
small income
SMELL (verb)
a (intrans; impers) +
instr
to have the odour (of ), e.g. e
ae a, aa, It smells of
burning, tobacco here.
aa (intrans; impers;
R1) + instr
to smell slightly of
a (intrans) to emit a bad smell
(impf; intrans) + instr to stink, reek (of ), e.g. B e
e , It smells of sh in the
kitchen.
/ (trans) of animals, to perceive by smelling,
e.g. B aa, The
wolf smelt a hare.
a/a of humans, to perceive by smelling
a/a (aa) =a
a/a to sniff
a/a to smell out, get wind of (also g)
(impf ) to have a sense of smell
SMELL (noun)
aa odour
e sense of smell
aa aroma
aae fragrance
(f ) stink, stench
SOUND
general word
noise, e.g. ea, , ,
the sound of the wind, rain, sea
scream, squeal, yelp, screech
hubbub (not harmonious)
crash, din, thunder
rumble, hum, e.g. e, the
sound of trafc
ae buzz, drone, humming, e.g.
ae , the sound of bees
ae babbling, e.g. ae , the
sound of water
138
chinking, clinking, e.g. e,
aa, the sound of coins, glasses
ring (sound of bell)
ee babble, e.g. ee aea, the
sound of a baby
aa roll, peal, e.g. aa a, the
sound of thunder
whistling, warbling, hissing
squeak, scraping
knock, thump, thud, tap
treading, tramping; ,
the sound of hoofs
e crackle, e.g. e a, the sound
of a bonre
a clap (e.g. of thunder)
ee rustle (e.g. of papers, rushes)
rustle (soft, indistinct, perhaps of
animal)
SPEND
a/a to pay out, e.g. a e, to
spend mone
aa/aa
(R3b)
to expend, e.g. aa
e, to spend money
/e to pass, e.g. e e, to
spend time
STAND
to be standing
aa/ to stand (for a specied time); to
stand idle, e.g. Ca
aa, The machines stand
idle.
a/a to put into standing position
a/a to move into certain positions, e.g.
a a , to stand on tiptoe
aa/a to get up
/e to endure
ee/ee to endure
ea/ea to withstand, stand up to, e.g. E
a e e , Her
book will not stand up to criticism.
aa/a e to remain in force, e.g. Peee
a e, The decision stands.
139
(impf ) in expression a e,
How do things stand?
STATE
e condition
ee position, state of affairs
aee mood, state of mind
a body politic
STATION
a general word, e.g. aa,
radio station; ea, power
station; also small railway station,
underground station
a railway terminus, mainline station
a in phrases ae a,
polling station, and e
a, police station
aa /
aaa a
lling station
STEP
a ae
e (f ) on ight of stairs
ea =e; also step on ladder
ea ladder, staircase
ea step-ladder
a footboard (of vehicle)
steps into building, porch
(f ) tread, e.g. a , heavy
step
a gait, way of walking
ea measure, e.g. a/
e, to take steps
a (n, indecl) dance step
a in phrase - a,
to follow in sbs footsteps
Note the expression + instr, to be in step with.
STOP (verb)
aaa/a
(trans)
to bring to a halt
aaa/a
(intrans)
to come to a halt
aaa/
a (trans)
to suspend, e.g. a
ae, to stop payments
140
eaa/ea (trans) to arrest progress, e.g. ea
ee a, to stop nuclear
tests
eaa/ea
(intrans)
to come to an end
eeaa/eea + impf
inn
to cease (doing sth), e.g. O
eea a, He stopped writing.
a/ + impf inn to give up (doing sth), e.g. Oa
a , She has stopped
smoking.
ea/ea + dat +
inn
to prevent sb from doing sth, e.g.
Pa eae e aa, The
radio is stopping me working.
ea/ea to interrupt, i.e. stop (sb) talking
aea/aea to detain, e.g. O aea
e, He was stopped by a
policeman.
ea/ea +
gen of verbal noun
to restrain (sb from doing sth)
aa/a to plug, seal
STORM
rainstorm, tempest
a thunderstorm
ee (f ) snowstorm
a blizzard (snow swirling)
a =a
a snowstorm (in steppes)
aa hurricane
a squall (at sea); also barrage (mil and
g)
gale (at sea)
(m) whirlwind; also g, e.g.
e , the
revolutionary storm
a hail; also g, e.g. a ,
e, a hail of bullets, insults
military assault
STORY
aa tale
e (f ) novella
aa fairy tale
series of events
141
ae anecdote, joke
aa plot (literary term)
a fabrication, invention
ea cock-and-bull story
a in newspaper
STRING
ea cord, rope
ea twine
a thread, e.g. a ea, a string
of pearls
a of musical instrument
row, series
eea line of people, animals or vehicles
e (f ) chain
STRONG
in various senses
e sturdy, robust, e.g. e a,
strong tea; ee , strong wine
stout, durable, e.g.
ae, a strong foundation
rm, e.g. a ea, strong faith
ee convincing, e.g. ee
, a strong argument
TEACH
/a - + dat
of subject taught or + inn
to give instruction, e.g. e
a , I am teaching
him Spanish; Oa aa e
a a e, She taught
me to play the violin.
a/ =/a
a/ -
(R1)
to give sb a good lesson
eaa (impf ) to give instruction in higher
educational institution
TEACHER
e(a) schoolteacher
eaae(a) in higher education
ae(a) sb responsible for general
upbringing, including moral
upbringing
aa mentor
142
THEN
a at that time; also in that case in
conditional sentences (see 11.9)
afterwards, next
ae afterwards, next
THICK
fat, e.g. , a thick
slice
dense, e.g. a, a thick fog;
, thick soup
(R1) dull-witted
THIN
not fat or thick, e.g.
, a thin slice
slender, e.g. e , a thin face
a lean
a emaciated
a =a
of liquid, e.g. , thin
soup
e sparse, e.g. ee , thin hair
eee unconvincing, e.g. eee
, a thin argument
THINK
a/a basic verb
a/a to think up, invent, fabricate
a/a to think over, ponder, e.g. O
a a, He thought over the
plan.
a/a to think up, devise, e.g. O
a , They
thought up an excuse.
a/a =a/a
to engage in thinking, e.g. Oa
, She thinks clearly.
a/e + a + instr to consider, e.g. a e
e, I think my
sister is a capable woman
e/ee/a ae I/you/we think
e/ee/a ae =e/ee/a ae
e//
e -
to think well/highly/badly of sb
TIME
e in various senses; also tense
143
a occasion
a epoch
e period
e age, century
xed period, term
e moment, e.g.
e, at the right time
e season
a instance, e.g. e a
e, nine times out of ten
a hour, time of day, e.g. a?
What time is it? B a? At
what time?
a mus term, e.g. a/
a, to keep time
a + inn it is time (to do sth)
spare time, leisure, e.g. a e, in
ones spare time
a a (R1) in no time, in a jiffy
Note also -e, on time; ee, for the rst time; aaee
(R3), in good time.
TOP
e in various senses
ea summit, e.g. ea , the top
of a mountain
ea apex, e.g. ea eea, the top
of a tree
aa top of the head
e (f ) surface
a of a pen
a lid, e.g. a , the top
of a box
aa beginning, e.g. aa a,
the top of the page
ee e rst place, pre-eminence
e at the top of ones voice
a e ee on top of the world (lit in seventh
heaven)
ae on top
e from the top
144
TOUCH
a/ basic verb, e.g. -
a, to touch sth with ones hands;
also g, e.g. E a
e, Her words touched me
deeply.
aa/
+ gen
to make contact with, e.g. He
e a,
Dont touch the hot iron.
aaa/a to affect, touch on, e.g. a
e, to touch on a theme
aa/ + gen to make contact with, e.g.
a, to touch the ball; to touch on,
e.g. a,
to touch on a difcult question
aa/
+ dat
to touch lightly, brush against
aa/a + gen to reach, e.g. a a, to
touch the bottom
a/
+ gen
to stretch as far as, e.g. O
a, He touched the ceiling.
a/a +
instr
to compare in quality with, e.g. B
aeae e e
a e, No one can touch
her in mathematics.
e (R1) to cadge, e.g. O e e
, He touched me for a ver.
e e not to touch food
e not to touch alcohol
Note the expression aea/ae - a e, to touch sb to
the quick.
TRY (verb)
a/a to attempt
a/a =a in R1/2; also to
sample, taste (food)
aa/aa to attempt (more effort than
a)
e (impf ) + inn to strive (to do sth)
e/e to try on (shoes, clothing)
TURN (verb)
oaa/e (trans) basic verb, e.g. e ,
, , to turn a key, steering
wheel, ones head
aa/e
(intrans)
basic verb
145
aa/e to turn (inside) out, e.g. e
aa, to turn out ones pocket
aaa/ae to turn (a corner), e.g. ae a
, to turn a corner; also to tighten
or to shut off by turning, e.g.
ae a, a, to tighten a
nut, turn off a tap
aa/e to turn ones head; to turn out, e.g.
C e ae, Events
turned out differently.
eeaa/eee to turn over, invert, e.g. eee
a, to turn a page
aa/e to turn up, appear, crop up
aaa/ae
(intrans)
to swing round, do a U-turn
aa/e to turn off (in a new direction), e.g.
e , to turn off the road
/ to twist, wind, e.g. ,
to turn a handle
ee (impf; trans) + acc
or instr
to rotate, twirl, e.g. O e
, He is twirling his umbrella.
ee (intrans) to rotate, revolve
aa (trans) to rotate, revolve
aa (intrans) to rotate, revolve, e.g. e
ee aae, The wheel is
slowly turning.
/a to whirl, spin round
aa/aa -
a + acc
to direct sth at/towards, e.g.
aa ae a
ee aa, to turn ones
attention to the next task
eaa/ea -
+ acc
to change sth into (sth)
eaa/ea
+ acc (intrans)
to change into (sth)
a/a + instr to turn into, become, e.g. O a
e, He has turned into a
drunkard.
aa/a
-
to address oneself to sb
ee/ee + dat to switch over to, e.g. Oa eea
, She turned to
another question.
146
a/ to turn on (switch, tap)
a/ to turn off (switch, tap)
a/a to turn out, extinguish, e.g. a
e, to turn out the light
/a to turn out, drive out, e.g. Oe
a a , The father
turned his son out of the house.
/a to turn away, banish
aa/a +
gen
to turn against, e.g. Ta aa
, The crowd turned
against the police.
aa/aa + instr to turn out/prove to be, e.g. Oa
aaa ea aa,
She turned out to be an excellent lawyer.
aa/a aa a
+ acc
to turn a blind eye to
ee/ee to turn pale
ae/ae to turn red, blush
USE (verb)
e/e + a in various senses
a/a
+ instr
to make use of, e.g. a
a, to make use of services
a (impf and pf )
+ acc
to utilise
e/e to apply, e.g. e e
e, to use nuclear energy
aa to exploit
ea/e + dat to resort to
VIEW
what can be seen, e.g. a
e, view of the lake;
e a, birds-eye view
opinion, e.g. a ,
in my view
ee opinion
eee conviction
a e point of view
VILLAGE
e community with a church
ee smaller community than e; also
means country(side)
settlement
147
VISIT (verb)
ea/e to call on, go to, esp places
aea/ae to call on, esp people
a/ae (R3b) to pay a visit
y - to be a guest at sbs place
/ + dat to go to (as a guest)
/ + gen to stay with (as a guest)
a/a + dat to call on
a/a + prep to spend some time in (town, country)
aa/e to inspect, e.g. e
eae, to visit the
sights
ea/ea
+ instr
to consult (e.g. doctor)
WAY
(m) road, path, esp in abstract sense, e.g.
a a , n the way back;
a , halfway
a road
aaee direction
means, method
e means, method
a manner, fashion, e.g. a a,
in this way
way in
way out
ee wa across
ae distance, way off
Note: way is often not directly translated in adverbial phrases, e.g.
-e, in a friendly way.
WIN
a/a to be the victor, also trans, e.g.
a , to win a prize
ea/e to triumph, prevail, e.g. Oa
ea ee, She won the race.
aa/aea (trans) to gain, secure, e.g. aea
ea, to win a gold
medal
ea (pf ) e (R3) to triumph
WINDOW
general word; also free period for
teacher
dimin of ; e.g. of ticket-ofce
148
a small window within window
which can be opened for ventilation
a shop window
a stained-glass window
WORK
aa in various senses
labour
a ofcial/professional service
e position at work
a (pl; gen a) studies, classes (at school, university)
aaa task
ee (f ) activity
eee creation produced by artist
ee =eee; ae
e a, collection of
Pushkins works
e corpus of works by writer, uvre
WORKER
a sb who does work
a white-collar worker
a manual worker
=a, but more respectful
ea proletarian
e (R3, rhet) toiler
aa (m and f; R1
slightly pej)
hard worker
WORLD
in most senses, esp abstract,
including e.g. spheres of existence
or activity, civilisations
e all over the world
the animal world
ae the vegetable world
a the scientic world
e the ancient world
e narrower use, tends to be more
concrete, e.g. Ca e, the Old
World; H e, the New World;
eee ea, journey
round the world
e a the Earth, globe
eea universe
149
e society
(pl; gen ) circles
(f ) life
WRONG
e /a/ not the right thing
e a not at the right time
e a not in the right place
e a not to the right place
e ae to the wrong address
ea of person, e.g. O ea, He is wrong.
ea incorrect, e.g. eae eee,
wrong decision
mistaken, erroneous
a/ to be mistaken
a false, e.g. aa a, wrong note
e unsuitable
e a
+ impf inn it is wrong to/one should not

e
=e a
e ee
=e a
e aae is not functioning
aae (R1) plays up from time to time, e.g. of
mechanism
Stylistically these synonymous forms may be arranged in the following

ascending order of formality: e a, e , e ee.
4.2 Translation of the verb to be
Translation of the verb to be into Russian gives rise to much difculty, for
it is rendered by some form of its most obvious equivalent, , in only
a small proportion of instances. The following list gives some indication
of the numerous verbs to which Russian resorts in contexts in which
an English-speaker might comfortably use some part of the verb to be.
r
, which is omitted altogether in the present tense (the omission
sometimes being indicated by a dash; see 11.15) may be used when the
complement offers a simple denition of the subject, e.g.
Be ea e a.
The childs weight is about four kilogrammes.
a a a.
It was a short war.
Note: on use of case in the complement of see 11.1.10.
150
r
a=to be in habitual or frequentative meaning, e.g.
E aae Me, ae a a e a.
Her husband works in Moscow but is home for all holidays.
E ae a e a.
His foreign friends often came to see him.
r
/ may be used when the complement denes the
subject, e.g.
O a e eaa a e
eaa eae
ee .
The products of corrosion of the metallic surfaces of the pipes are the
fundamental sources of the irradiation of personnel at nuclear reactors.
Ce aae ee ee
a aae eee a ae.
The talks which took place in Damascus were the latest attempt to nd an
Arab solution to the Gulf conict.
Note 1 As is clear from the avour of the above examples, / belongs
mainly in R3.
2 The complement of / must be in the instrumental case. The
complement is the noun that denotes the broader of the two concepts, whilst
the subject, which is in the nominative case, denotes the more specic
concept, the precise thing on which the speaker or writer wishes to
concentrate.
3 It follows from what is said in note 2 that such relatively vague words as
, source; eea, prospect; a, attempt; a, cause;
ea, problem; ea, result; ee, consequence; a, part, will
usually be found in the instrumental case when / is used.
4 In practice the subject (i.e. the noun in the nominative) often follows
/ (see the rst example above) because the phrase at the end
of the sentence carries special weight and it is on this phrase that the speaker
or writer wishes to concentrate (see 11.14 on word order). However, the
choice as to which noun should be put in which case does not actually hinge
on word order.
r
ea (impf ) is much less common than
/ but fulls the same function of bookish substitute
for , e.g.
aea ea e e e
ee a.
These materials are the usual admixtures in the alloying elements of steel.
Note: the complement of ea is in the accusative case.
r
a (pf ) is now frequently used as an apparent synonym for
/, e.g.
aa a eee ea.
Technical malfunctions were the cause of the disaster.
151
ae a a a ae a
ae aa a .
The closure of the base was one of the components of a programme of defence
cuts.
Note: all the points made in notes 14 on / will apply also to a
when it has this function.
r
aa + prep is frequently used in R2/R3 in the sense to
consist in, e.g.
Oa a ea e aae
, ee .
One of the main causes of the lycee pupils discontent is that they are worried
about their future.
r
+ prep=aa in this sense, e.g.
ee e ee eea
, e.
The advantage of CFCs over other substances is that they are not toxic.
r
a/a=to constitute, to amount to; this verb is followed
by the accusative case and is particularly common in statistical contexts,
e.g.
B ae ae a e.
Armenians are a minority in this region.
Teeaa eaa e e aa
ee a.
The temperature of the reactor at the moment the submarine was destroyed was
70 degrees.
Note: this verb is particularly common in the phrases a/a a, to
be a part (of ) and a/a ee, to be an exception.
r
a (impf ) may be used when to be denes the position or
location of people, places or things, and also when state or condition is
being described, e.g.
ee a a e.
The President was on holiday in the Crimea.
e a a ea.
Chernobyl is close to the border with Belarus.
A a e ae.
The airport is under the control of the rebels.
Oae a .
The equipment is in excellent condition.
r
ae (f aea, n ae, pl ae) may
also be used when location is being described, e.g.
ae ea ee T.
Cyprus is about 60 kilometres south of Turkey.
152
r
, ea, e=to stand, to lie, to be sitting, respectively, e.g.
O e.
Hes in the foyer.
e a e.
The letter is on the desk.
O ae a.
Theyre in the waiting room.
r
=to be worth, to cost, e.g.
C e ee?
How much is a colour television set?
r
a=to be present, e.g.
Oa aa a aea.
She was at the meeting.
r
aa=to work (as), e.g.
O aae a.
Hes a cook.
r
, to serve, is more or less synonymous with aa but
slightly more formal, e.g.
O a.
Hes in the army.
r
=to fall (of dates), to stand in a certain relationship to, e.g.
aae Pe a ee a.
The Orthodox Christmas is on 7 January.
O e ae.
He is my great-grandfather.
r
e is the copula when the subject and complement are the same, e.g.
aa aa, e .
I am beginning to nd out who is who.
Oa e a.
A mistake is a mistake.
Note: e also occurs in R3, in the scientic/academic or ofcial/business styles, in
denitions, e.g. aa e , e
a, A square is a rectangle all of whose sides are equal.
r
ea, to exist, may translate there is/there are, e.g.
e, ee .
I believe there is a God.
B a a ee e .
There is a risk of war breaking out in such situations.
153
r
e may also translate there is/there are in the sense of to be available,
e.g.
B e ee e.
There is a museum in the town.
e eee ae .
There is interesting information about this.
r
(pf ) may translate there was/will be in the sense of to take
place, e.g.
B e a e-ee.
There will be a press conference at ten oclock.
Note: the verb to be may be used in English purely for emphasis, e.g. It was only then
that he realised what had happened. When it has this purely emphatic function to
be is not rendered in Russian by any verbal equivalent or substitute. The
emphasis is conveyed instead by word order, by the manner of the speakers
delivery, or by use of some adverb such as e, namely, precisely, or ,
only, or by some particle such as e or (see 5.4 below). Thus the above
sentence might be translated: O a , .
4.3 Translation of English modal auxiliary verbs
Modal verbs express the mood or attitude of the speaker towards an
action. The English modals give rise to much difculty for the
English-speaking student trying to render their meaning in a foreign
language, as they do for the foreign student of English, because each
modal is used in various ways and is more or less interchangeable with
one or more other modals in some meanings (e.g. can/could, can/may,
may/might). Moreover, the differences of meaning between certain
modals (e.g. must, should, ought, may, might) may be so subtle that
English-speakers themselves will not agree on the verbs precise
nuances.
Not all the possible translations of each English modal are given in
this section, but most of their important functions are covered.
CAN (a) expressing ability or possibility: , , or (in the sense to know
how to do sth) e, e.g.
This can be done at once.
ea a.
I cant lift this box. He .
He an swim. O ee aa.
(b) expressing request r permission (can is synonymous in this sense with
may except in very formal English): , , e.g.
Can/May I come in? M ?
Can I go to the park, mum? Ma, a? (R1)
You can/may smoke. B ee .
154
(c) expressing right, entitlement: , e a, e.g.
We can vote at eighteen. M ee a a
eaa e.
(d) with verbs of perception, when can bears little meaning: auxiliary
omitted, e.g.
I can see a dog. a.
Can u hear? C?
(e) expressing doubt: ee, e.g.
Can this be right? Hee aa?
(f ) in negative (cannot), synonymous with may not, must not, expressing
prohibition: e + impf inn; e + 3rd pers pl verb; also e
aeae, eae (R3; formal, e.g. in notices):
You cant go in. He .
You cant smoke here. e e .
e e aeae.
(R3)
You cant run up and down the
escalators.
ea aaa
eae.
(g) cannot help: e e + inn, e.g.
I cant help laughing. e e e.
COULD
(a) past tense of can, i.e.=was/were able to: use past-tense forms of the
translations given under can above;
(b) polite request: e ee ; e ; aa, e.g.
Could u help me? He ee e?
He e?
Could you pass the salt? eeae, aa, .
(c) could have (also might have), expressing unfullled possibility in past:
/a// , e.g.
She could/might have done it
[but did not].
Oa a ea.
(d) could have (also may have, might have), expressing uncertainty as to
whether action took place: e , e.g.
She could/might have done it
[and may have done].
Me a eaa .
(e) expressing emotion, wish: various translations, e.g.
She could have wept for joy. Oa a a aaa
a.
I could have killed him. Me e e.
155
MAY
(a) expressing request or permission: see can (b);
(b) expressing possibility: , e , e (=e in
R1), a (perhaps), , e.g.
He may lose his way. O e a.
They may have gone home. O, e (), .
She may be right. Oa, a, aa.
It may be snowing there. B, a e.
(c) after verbs of hoping and fearing and in concessive clauses (see 11.10)
may is not directly translated, a future or subjunctive form of the
Russian verb being used instead, e.g.
I hope he may recover. Hae, ee.
I fear he may die. , a e e.
I shall nd you wherever u
ma be.
a a, e .
(d) expressing wish in certain phrases:
May the best man win. a e e!
May he rest in peace. M a e!
(e) may not, expressing prohibition: see can (f ).
MIGHT
(a) expressing possibility: synonymous with may (b) (though might is
perhaps more colloquial);
(b) might have in the sense could have, may have: see could (c) and (d);
(c) after verbs of hoping and fearing and in concessive clauses:
synonymous with may (c);
(d) expressing formal polite request in interrogative sentences: various
formulae, e.g.
Might I suggest that . . . e e e,
. . .
Might I discuss this matter with
you tomorrow?
Me , aa aee
e e a?
(e) might have, expressing reproach: /a// , e.g.
You might have told me that. B e aa .
MUST
(a) expressing obligation, necessity: e/a/, a,
, ee (see also note on wrong in 4.1), e.g.
She must work. Oa a aa.
We must get up early. M a a.
You must come at once. Tee a a e.
(We) must hurry. H .
One must observe the rules. Cee a aa.
156
(b) expressing certainty: , surrounded in the written
language by commas, e.g.
She must have gone. Oa, , a.
He must know this. O, , ae .
(c) must not, expressing prohibition: see can (f ).
OUGHT
(a) expressing advisability, recommendation, obligation (more or less
synonymous with should): ea , e/a/,
e.g.
He ought to drink less. E ea ee .
She ought [is obliged] to be at
work today.
Oa a a ae
e.
(b) ought not, expressing inadvisability, prohibition: e ea ,
e.g.
You ought not to laugh at him. (Ba) e ea e
a .
(c) ought to have, expressing reproach, regret at omission: ea ,
e /a a/ , e.g.
She ought to have passed her
examination.
Oa a a a
ae.
You ought to have helped us. Ba ea a.
(d) expressing probability (less certain than must (b) but more certain than
may (b) and might (a)): ae(e), e, e.g.
They ought to win. O aee a.
She ought to be [probably is]
home by now.
Oa e e a.
SHALL
(a) expressing rst person singular and rst person plural of future tense:
future tense, e.g.
I shall write to him. a e.
(b) expressing promise or threat (synonymous with will): perfective future,
e.g.
You shall receive the money
tomorrow.
e aa.
You shall pay for this. T a aa.
(c) in questions asking whether sth is desirable or obligatory: impersonal
construction with dative subject (or with no subject stated) and
innitive, e.g.
Shall I call in tomorrow? Me a aa?
Shall I bring you some more
vodka?
e a e ?
157
(d) in R3b, in legal and diplomatic parlance, expressing obligation
(synonymous with will ): present tense, e.g.
The Russian side shall meet all
these costs.
Pa a e a e
e a.
SHOULD
(a) synonymous in ordinary English speech with would (a), (b) and (c);
(b) expressing advisability, recommendation, obligation: more or less
synonymous with ought (a);
(c) should have, expressing reproach or regret at omission: more or less
synonymous with ought (c);
(d) expressing probability: more or less synonymous with ought (d);
(e) expressing modest assertion: various formulae, e.g.
I should think that . . . Me ae, . . .
I should say that . . . aa(a), . . .
(f ) expressing surprise, indignation: various formulae, e.g.
Why should you suspect me? C a a e
eaee?
How should I know? Oa e a?
You should see him! e a e!
(g) as a subjunctive form in certain subordinate clauses: + past
tense, e.g.
Everybody demanded that he
should be punished.
Bce ea,
aaa.
I proposed that they should return
the money.
e(a),
a e.
WILL
(a) as auxiliary forming second and third person singular and plural of
future tense (and in ordinary English speech also rst person singular
and plural forms): future tense, e.g.
She will arrive tomorrow. Oa ee aa.
(b) expressing probability, e.g. Shell be home by now: more or less
synonymous with ought (d).
(c) expressing habitual action: imperfective verb, e.g.
Hell sit for hours in front of the
television.
O e aa ee
ee.
Note: Boys will be boys, Ma a aa.
(d) expressing polite invitation, exhortation or proposal in the form of a
question: see would (d);
(e) will not, expressing refusal or disinclination: various renderings, e.g.
158
4.4 Transitive and intransitive verbs
I will not do it.
e ea.
e aee(a) ea.
e ea.
WOULD
(a) as second and third person singular and plural auxiliary (and in
ordinary speech also rst person singular and plural), expressing
conditional mood: past-tense form + , e.g.
They would go out if it stopped
raining.
O , e
ea .
(b) as second and third person singular and plural auxiliary (and in
ordinary speech also rst person singular and plural) indicating future
in indirect speech (see 11.6(a)): perfective future, e.g.
I told you I would come. ee aa, .
He said he would ring me. O aa, e.
(c) with like, expressing wish: e/ea/e , e ,
e.g.
They would like to leave. O e .
I would like to thank you
warmly.
Me e e
aa a.
(d) expressing polite invitation, exhortation or proposal in the form of a
question (more or less synonymous with will ): various formulae or a
modied imperative, e.g.
Would you close the window,
please?
Ba e a ? or
Bac e a a ?
Would you wait a moment? e ,
aa.
(e) expressing frequent action in the past: imperfective past, possibly with
a suitable adverb or adverbial phrase, e.g.
They would often pick mushrooms
in the wood.
O, a, a
e.
As a rule she would read in the
evenings.
Oa, a a, aa
eea.
4.4 Transitive and intransitive verbs
A particular problem that confronts the English-speaking student of
Russian is the morphological or lexical distinction which Russian
makes more widely and clearly than English between transitive and
intransitive verbs. Many English verbs which may function as either
transitive or intransitive forms (e.g. to improve, to hang) must be
rendered in different ways in Russian depending on whether or not
they have a direct object. The student needs to be aware of two types
of distinction.
159
r
The distinction between transitive and intransitive usage may be made
by the use of non-reexive and reexive forms respectively, e.g.
a
ea a, This measure will improve [trans] the situation
and Ca , The situation will improve [intrans]. This
type of distinction applies to a very large number of common verbs
(see 11.8).
r
Other English verbs must be rendered in Russian by different verbs
depending on whether they are used transitively or intransitively, e.g.
Oa eae a a e, She is hanging [trans] a picture on the wall,
but aa a ee, A picture is hanging [intrans] on the wall.
Common English verbs which must be rendered in Russian by distinct
transitive or intransitive forms include the following:
trans intrans
to boil / e/e
to burn e/e e/e
to drown / /
to grow aa/a a/a
to hang ea/e e
to hurt / e
to rot / /
to sink / or
a/a
/ (R1)
/a
to sit (down) aa/a a/e
to smell a aa or
a/a
a
to stand a/a
Note: in some cases the Russian transitive and intransitive verbs contain the same root,
but in others they are derived from quite distinct roots (e.g. e/e
and e/e).
4.5 Translation of English forms ending in -ing
This English form has many functions, and Russian renders these
functions in various ways.
(a) English progressive tenses: an imperfective verb, e.g.
I am going home. .
She was writing a letter. Oa aa .
Theyll be watching TV tonight. O e ee
e ee.
160
4.5 Translation of English forms ending in -ing
(b) attendant action: a separate clause, which in R3 might contain a
gerund (see 9.7.19.7.2, 11.11.1), e.g.
He broke his leg while playing football. a a/a ,
a ee .
(c) action prior to that denoted by the main verb: a subordinate clause,
which in R3 may contain a perfective gerund, e.g.
I telephoned him on nding out
about this.
a , (a)
e.
After discussing the matter they came
to a decision.
O e,
ee.
(d) in an English phrase describing a noun (equivalent to a relative clause):
either a relative clause with or, in R3, an active participle
(see 9.7.39.7.4, 11.11.2), e.g.
a factory producing lorries a, /

for a rm specialising in trade with
Russia
, a
eae/
eae
e Pe
(e) English verbal noun describing some action or process, result or place
of action, material, inner state or abstract concept: a Russian verbal
noun (possibly with the sufx -e, see 8.7.1), e.g.
reading ee
teaching ee
building ae
lodging e
lining aa
feeling
hearing
(f ) English gerund, denoting some activity: verbal noun or innitive, e.g.
His favourite subject is drawing. E ee
ae.
I like playing chess. a aa.
(g) after verbs of perception: subordinate clause introduced by a, e.g.
I heard you singing. a(a), a ea.
We saw him getting on a bus. M e, a a
a.
(h) after the verb to keep: + imperfective verb or e eeaa +
imperfective innitive, e.g.
She kept (on) repeating the same words.
Oa a e e a/Oa e eeaaa e e
a.
161
(i) after from used with verbs such as prevent, stop: Russian innitive, e.g.
You are preventing/stopping me from working.
T eae e aa.
(j) often a construction containing in the case appropriate in the
context followed by + innitive may be used, e.g.
We all have an interest in taking the best decisions.
Bce aeea , ae ee.
4.6 Translation of too, also, as well
The distinction between ae and e gives rise to problems for
English-speakers. Tae may be used in most circumstances, but e
is more restricted in its use. The following distinction can be made:
r
e may be used when an additional subject is performing an action,
e.g.
T ? e .
Are you going to the cinema? Ill come too.
. ea e .
I like music. My wife likes music too.
r
ae (often in the phrase a ae) is used when a single subject is
performing an additional action or performing an action that affects an
additional object, e.g.
e (a) a ae, a ae aa(a).
I went to an exhibition today and did a bit of work too.
ee ea, a ae ea.
Im interested in literature and also in the theatre.
It should be noted that is very often used in the sense of also, too, as
well, e.g.
e e eae. B
ae e.
The economic crisis will lead to unemployment. Social problems will also arise.
Ha Aa aea a a. Haae
eee a ae
aa ae.
A huge hole has been discovered over Antarctica. A reduction in the ozone layer
is being observed over many densely populated regions of the planet as well.
Note: in clauses with a negative verb may have the meaning either, e.g.
ee- e , e a a
. B e e e a ea e e e, The prime
minister did not explain why ination had risen to such a [high] level. Other serious
problems found no place either in his speech.
162
5 Vocabulary and idiom
5.1 Neologisms
The radical changes in Russian life since the mid-1980s, the sudden
greatly increased exposure to Western inuence, and the introduction
of large numbers of new institutions, habits and concepts have led to
the ooding of the Russian language with neologisms. These
neologisms relate to almost every area of life, but are especially
numerous in such elds as politics, economics, social problems, law and
order, science and technology, education, culture, sport and fashion.
Many of the neologisms are loanwords from other languages,
nowadays mainly from English. Neologisms of this type may require
slight phonetic adaptation, especially when the English word contains
the letter c followed by e or i, e.g. e, genocide. The majority of
them are absorbed into Russian without morphological adaptation, if
they are nouns (e.g. , brieng), although some (especially those
ending in -) will be indeclinable (e.g. a (n) publicity).
However, the adjectives and verbs among loanwords, and also many
borrowed nouns, require the addition of Russian afxes to the foreign
root (e.g. ea, top-down (of management); a, to
take part in meetings (R1, pej); aàae, self-nancing).
Many other neologisms are derived from existing Russian resources
by various means, including composition of acronyms (e.g. ,
vagrant), afxation (e.g. ee, person who operates in the shadow
economy) and polysemanticisation (e.g. a/, to launder
(money)), perhaps on the basis of some foreign model (e.g. e,
hawk, used in a gurative sense).
The following section very briey indicates the main waves of
Russian lexical borrowing. In 5.1.2 and 5.1.3 we provide a small
number of examples of very recent loanwords from English and of
neologisms derived wholly or partly from existing Russian words or
roots. These words belong in R2, and may therefore be used in most
contexts, unless otherwise indicated. In 5.1.4 we deal with slang of
various sorts. Section 5.1.5 looks at the large body of new terminology
that relates to computing.
5.1.1 Western loanwords in Russian
A large number of words have entered Russian from non-Slavonic
peoples and languages at various times in its history, for instance: from
the Varangians who established the Riurikid dynasty in the ninth
century (e.g. (m), anchor); from the Turkic nomads who
inhabited the southern steppes in the early Middle Ages (e.g. a
163
(f ), horse); from Greek around the time of the conversion of Russia to
Christianity in the tenth century (e.g. ae, angel; eaee, the
Gospels); from the Tatars who ruled over Russia from the thirteenth to
the fteenth centuries (e.g. e (pl), money; a, customs;
, label ); from German, from the time of Peter the Great at the
beginning of the eighteenth century (e.g. a, bank; ee,
university; e, weather-vane); from French, from the middle of the
eighteenth century on (e.g. e, waistcoat; e, orchestra; ea,
play).
In the twentieth century a huge number of words of foreign,
especially English, origin entered Russian, e.g. aaa, motorway;
e, grapefruit; a, jazz; e (m), cocktail; a,
combine (harvester); ae, tanker ; ae, trawler; e,
trolleybus (all borrowed in the 1930s); aaa, aqualung; a,
badminton; (n, indecl), bikini; (n, indecl), hobby (all in the
post-Stalinist period when Zhdanovism abated and attitudes towards
things Western relaxed).
The inux of borrowings from English has been particularly rapid
since the introduction of glasnost
by Gorbachov in the mid-1980s and

the subsequent break-up of the Soviet Union.
1
These neologisms had
meanings which existing Russian words did not convey, or at least did
not convey with the necessary avour, e.g. eee, bestseller ;
ae, voucher; aa, globalisation; aa, diaspora; ,
donor ; e, impeachment (which in application to Russian
political life only became possible with the establishment of a bicameral
parliament); a, innovation; aa, infrastructure;
, clip (i.e. short TV item); e, consensus; ,
consortium; , corruption (in political and nancial sense);
(n, indecl) lobby (i.e. pressure group), ae, lobbying,
and , lobbyist; aa, marathon (in g sense); a
(m, indecl), member of the maa, and a, maa; eae,
mentality; ae (illegal) drugs business; aa, drug addiction;
-a (pl, indecl), know-how; e, pornography business;
e, priority, and e, having priority; e, rating;
ee, respondent, e.g. to questionnaire; -a, rock music;
e, racket (i.e. crime), and e, racketeer ; , sponsor (also
sugar-daddy, i.e. man who keeps a mistress); e, teenager ;
e, thriller; a, fax; aa, charisma, and aae,
charismatic; , hospice; ae e, charter ight.
A particularly large number of the loanwords of the late twentieth
century had to do with the new economic conditions in which
centralised planning and state ownership were giving way to private
ownership and a free market, e.g. e, broker; e,
hyperination; e, dividend; e, dealer (on stock exchange);
e, investor; ea, indexation; , offshore;
aa, privatisation, and aa (impf and pf ), to
privatise; -a, holding company. Other foreign words
relating to economic matters that had already been borrowed in
164
5.1 Neologisms
pre-revolutionary and early Soviet times achieved a new currency in
the post-communist period, e.g. a, share, equity; aea, leasing;
e (tone now neutral), business (i.e. economic activity); a,
stock exchange.
5.1.2 Recent loanwords from English
Although loanwords from English are of course particularly easy for
English-speaking learners of Russian to grasp and deploy, they do need
to be studied carefully. For one thing a loanword may be used in a
much narrower sense than its equivalent in the language from which it
is borrowed. Thus means image only in the sense of character as
perceived by the public; a, crime, and , suicide, denote not
an individual action but only an organised social phenomenon; and
e, sex, has the relatively restricted meaning of sexual activity.
Moreover, once accommodated by a language a loanword takes on a
life of its own. It may acquire new meaning and even become a false
friend (as have many of the faux amis in 3.5). English-speakers should
also be aware that stress in a Russian loanword may fall on a syllable
different from the one on which they would expect to nd it, as in
ae, marketing, , monitoring, and ea, penalty
(sporting term).
It is also sensible to use very recent loanwords from English with
some caution, since their position in the language may still be insecure
and some of them will in due course be discarded. Furthermore such
words may be perceived in different ways by different native speakers.
While in some circles use of western loanwords may give the speech
of the user an attractively cosmopolitan air, in others the alien tinge
that they lend to speech may be unwelcome. It should also be
remembered that many neologisms may be incomprehensible to large
numbers of Russians, particularly to older people, who nd it hard to
keep abreast of the changes that are taking place, and to the poorly
educated, who are unfamiliar with the Western languages and societies
from which the new words and concepts are drawn.
There follows a short list of some English words and phrases that
have been recently borrowed or that have recently acquired new
meaning:
a (pl; gen a) bucks (i.e. dollars)
ee babysitter
e brand (in its commercial sense)
a grant
e collapse of the rouble in August 1998
ee image-maker
e impeachment
a indicator (e.g. political, sociological)
165
a casting ( for lm, TV)
e hitman
a() to clone/be cloned
eee manager (but not the top person; the
Russian term is not so prestigious as
manager)
ee ( political ) message
ee newsmaker
a oligarchs (i.e. men who have accumulated
enormous wealth as a result of
privatisation of Soviet state resources)
a PR
a to promote, plug
a PR man/woman, spin-doctor
ae suspense (of novels and lms)
e`-e second-hand
- talk show
ea headline
e a happening (i.e. event)
e e exclusive interview
5.1.3 Neologisms derived from existing Russian words
The following list contains a small number of neologisms (phrases as
well as words) derived from the resources of Russian rather than
foreign languages, although some of them contain elements that were
originally borrowed (e.g. eea). The list includes existing
words that have recently taken on new meaning in certain circles (e.g.
ee), words formed through composition (e.g. aa) and
phraseological calques (aaae ).
Many neologisms of this sort, particularly those that are used in an
ironic or jocular way, may be classied as slang, to which the next
section is devoted.
The polysemanticisation that some of the words in this section
illustrate can of course enrich a language. However, when it results in
the creation of cliches or vogue expressions with little substance, as is
the case with some of the words and phrases given below, then equally
polysemanticisation may lead to a certain linguistic impoverishment,
the sort of ination to which reference was made in 1.6.
aa cashpoint
e combatant, ghter, now used e.g. of
militant fundamentalists, e.g.
eee e, Chechen ghters
166
5.1 Neologisms
e sb who is on the state payroll
a/ to start the clock ticking (lit to switch
on the meter)
ee reasonable (originally a legal term
meaning responsible, of sound mind )
B e e
e.
A thief should be in prison (said
about the oligarchs (see 5.1.2
above); a quotation from a popular
lm).
B e e. lit The East is a delicate matter (said as
counsel of caution when dealing
with Eastern nations which
function in a way unfamiliar to
Europeans; also a quotation from a
popular lm).
e/ee vote of condence/no condence
aae eee civil disobedience
aaa humanitarian aid
aa/a e e to give the green light
aa/a
a
to score an own goal
a ea . I feel for my country (i.e. because it is
suffering or being humiliated;
another quotation from a popular
lm).
aaa/aa
(e aa)
to send off the scale (he went through
the ceiling/went ballistic)
ae e meaningful event, i.e. sign of the
times
eea aa convertible currency
a e small business
aa ea multi-party system
a a ae
(HC)
Value Added Tax (VAT)
ee illegal earnings
eea petro-dollars, i.e. foreign currency
earned by export of Russian oil
a lit werewolves with epaulettes (i.e.
police who are themselves engaged
in criminal activity)
e ae limited liability company
ee
167
a/a lit simple, monosemantic; used to
describe (over-)simplied or
black-and-white approach to
complex issues
a/ to publicise, give voice to
e a
e
weapons of mass destruction
ae ee money-laundering
a a ea witch hunt
a porn
ee a post-Soviet space
aaae rocking the boat
e in the sense of mode, e.g.
ee, in normal mode
a a reshufe (lit castling [chess term] of
personnel )
a a market economy
e a e to be addicted (lit to sit on the needle)
e a e e to be dependent on oil (said of the
contemporary Russian economy)
member of security forces, which
are known collectively as a
a
ea aa one-man band (lit one-actor theatre)
eea a shadow economy
ee person operating in the shadow
economy
a mobile (telephone)
e prisoner of conscience
ea brain drain
e originally shuttle; now also sb who
goes abroad to buy goods cheaply
and resells them in Russia for prot
eee a the human factor
ea the negative side of life or its
depiction
ea a the fourth estate, i.e. the media
It has also been pointed out, for example by Ryazanova-Clarke and
Wade (see Sources), that with the re-emergence of the Church as an
ofcially acceptable institution in Russia in the post-Soviet era new life
has been given to words and expressions with a religious colouring,
168
5.1 Neologisms
including some Slavonicisms embedded in biblical expressions, e.g.
e, in vain; a e e, a voice in the wilderness; e
eaa, the promised land; ea a, the apple of ones eye; a
ee, the golden calf; e , and others of that ilk; e
ee, seek and ye shall nd; a , a , an eye for an
eye, a tooth for a tooth; a e, the talk of the town. These
expressions may have a range of functions. They might for example be
used for rhetorical purposes (especially in the language of nationalistic
politicians and commentators), or as a means available to people of
more Westernist outlook of disparaging nationalistic forces, or simply
as a jocular device in everyday speech. They may accordingly be
classied as nowadays belonging either to R3 or R1 depending on
their context.
5.1.4 Slang
Slang is a stratum of lexis that dees the standard and is unorthodox
and more or less subversive. It is associated particularly with youth and
marginal groups. The words which abound in youth slang
( e) relate especially to parents, sex, drink, drugs,
ghting and the police, for instance: (to denote parents) (lit
relatives in R1), (lit shoe-laces); and (in the meaning to have sex)
a, , ee, a (all pf ). Further
varieties of slang are associated with business (e e,
a), the criminal underworld (e a (indecl), a
, or e) and the world of computer-users (see 5.1.5 below).
Some slang is derived from foreign words, e.g. , greens (i.e.
dollars; gen ); a, to drink; e, to get a loan;
, oldies (i.e. parents).
There follows a short list of examples of slang of one sort or another
that have been in vogue at some time over the past ten years or so.
However, foreign learners should use such words with caution, both
because slang is by denition non-standard and because it tends to
become dated more quickly than other areas of lexis (indeed some of
the expressions listed here that are now modish may well seem stale by
the time this book is published).
a (pl; gen a) money
a member of criminal fraternity
aa criminal fraternity
hallucination; e , Hes
hallucinating/seeing things.
ea bullying of new recruits by older
soldiers (e, i.e. grand-dads)
ee (m) demobilisation
eaa (policemans) truncheon
169
eee roubles (i.e. wooden things)
aa/a to arrange, book, secure, e.g. a
, to get a table (in bar, restaurant)
a. Its settled.
aa sb who puts out a contract, i.e. hires a
hitman
aaa/aaa
-
to put out a contract on sb (i.e. to arrange
to have sb killed)
aa to get into/caught up in a mess
a (sg aa;
gen pl ae)
snags, hitches
ee greens (i.e. dollars; =); also
people concerned with protection of
the environment as a political issue
a kicks
a very attractive girl
(adv )
(now dated)
brill, knockout, fantastic
/a
( )
to dodge (military service)
e godfather, i.e. leader of criminal clan
(adv ) cool, wicked
a protection (i.e. criminal racket)
ea to give protection
unwillingness to do sth because one is
too lazy, e.g. e , I cant be
bothered.
sucker, dolt
scam
e policeman
a mobile (telephone); slang variant of
(R1), which is also a
recent neologism
aa (pf ) to get pissed
ae pressure, threat
aea/aea a
-
to threaten/put pressure on sb
a (=ae (e)) cash
op, failure, asco
(pf ) to make a wrong decision, cock sth up
freak; person without any principles
170
5.1 Neologisms
a/a to have a good time, to have fun
a/ =a/a
aa/aaa
a
to invest in something secure (lit to park
ones money)
aa (impf; R1) to joke (make cutting remarks)
(R1) (barbed) joke
foul-up, cock-up, gaffe
aa showdown, inghting, sorting-out
a lit to chop, split; in new slang to make sb
talk, e.g. Me e ae, You
wont get anything out of me.
aa (adj
ae)
hype (hyped ), e.g. aea
ea, hyped singer
ea/e to come off drugs (lit to come off the needle)
(impf ) to smoke a lot (including hashish)
a/a to come off the wagon (i.e. to start drinking
again)
buffoonery, mockery, self-mockery, perhaps
with implication that the fun touches
a raw nerve
aa horror lm
bore, slow tedious person (lit brake)
a to hang about together
a get-together, do
aa/
(now dated)
to have a ght (=a/a)
indicates rude gesture; equivalent to
damn in some phrases, e.g. Me
, I couldnt give a damn.
Note: , couldnt-care-less attitude. See also 5.5 on interjections indicating
annoyance.
aa freebie; a a, for free
a layman, non-specialist, not an expert
(lit tea-pot)
a a thousand (in roubles or foreign
currency)
aa heavily made-up woman
(lit plastering)
5.1.5 Computing terminology
One area of vocabulary which has greatly expanded in recent years is
the eld of terminology relating to computing and the internet.
171
Neologisms in this eld include both loanwords (almost entirely
from English) and existing Russian words that have taken on new
meaning.
ea e
basic components
and functions of
the PC (e
e
)
personal computer
a desktop
/e monitor
a screen
aaa keyboard
aa key
(f ), a mouse
hard disk
soft disk, oppy
ae a- CD
ae ae CD player
DVD DVD
e printer
a aa sound card
ae scanner
e modem
device
aee a information storage
aa (f ) multitasking
a (f ) memory
ae (m)
using the
computer
(ae
ea)
user
eaa ea operating system
a (m) password
aa program
aa installation
ae (f ) e toolbar
e (m) briefcase
e (n, indecl) menu
a/
(a e)
to click (on a button)
() e (double) click
aae formatting
eaae editing
ae copying
eeeee moving
172
5.1 Neologisms
eeeae renaming
eae cutting
eae pasting
eee highlighting
aa insertion, pasting
aee deletion
aea replacing
a/a to save
e document
a le
aa folder
aa table
e column
ea cell
ea subject
window
a icon
font
bold
italics
symbol
aae spelling
a default
a recycle bin (normally waste bin)
virus
aa virus protection
aa aa antivirus program
commands and
control buttons
(a
ae)
Start
O Open
aa Edit
B View
Ha Find
Haa Back
Be Forward
Ca Create
Bea Cut
Ba Insert
. a Delete
173
a Copy
Ca (a) Save (as)
Oea Cancel
Ba Restore
Ce Minimise (lit Roll up)
Pae Maximise (lit Unroll )
ea (f ) Print
a Pause
B Exit
a Close
ae Favourites (lit Selected)

O Browse (lit Survey)
aae (pl; sg aae) Options
Caa Help
Shortcut (lit Label )
Haa Settings
Ce Tools
O Empty recycle bin
B e Shut down computer
eea Restart
Ma aa
the internet
(ee, e)
World Wide Web
a eea internet service provider
ee e connecting to the net
a (adj a) online
aa navigating, surng
ae browser
a a information gateway
a site
aaa bookmark
a aa home page
screen name
Search
ee Go
aee Next
Home
aa Download
aa/a to download
e-ee video-conference
174
5.1 Neologisms
aeee eaa log off
e ae
email (ea
a (R2); ee,
e, all R1))
email address
ee message
O From
To (lit To whom)
ee Subject
ee attachment
Ca ee Compile/New message
Oa Send
Oe Reply
eea Forward
ae (m) sender
ae (m) recipient
mailbox
e inbox
eee previous
eee next
aea addressee
aea a address book
a mailing list
eeaea a junk mail
a spam
aa (R1) @
aa/aa
slang (a;
all R1)
to update
a browser (=ae)
a sound card
PS (because these Cyrillic letters are
produced by the keys that produce p
and s on an English keyboard, and
users do not think it worth
switching to Roman just to key in
these two letters (which in Russian
correspondence are always written
in Roman))
in my (humble) opinion (the Russian
form is made up of the initial letters
of the four English words in this
phrase)
aa keyboard (=aaa); a
a, to type
175
click (=e)
e/a mouse left/right click
, aa computer
a mouse (lit rat)
eaa message
/a to send by email
a program
aa download
a trouble, problem
ae hacker
a to use
e user
5.2 Transition words
The words or phrases in the following list are frequently used to link
points and give coherence to an argument. Many of them (e.g.
-e, etc.) are by their nature more likely to feature in the
written language and the more formal speech of R3 than in the
colloquial language of R1, and may therefore be contrasted with some
of the llers given in the following section.
e () e without (any) doubt
e in the end, after all
a ee indeed (conrms preceding idea)
a a ee in fact (contradicts preceding idea)
ae in any case
-e rstly
- secondly
-e thirdly
e you see, you know
ae (R3) briey, succinctly
(R3) for, i.e. because (cf. Fr car)
a thus, so
e/ae
(R3)
to my/our regret
e besides
e in short
e moreover
ae lastly
176
5.3 Fillers
a on the contrary
ae for example
ee undoubtedly
a however
in a word, in short
consequently
ee e rst of all, above all
. . .

on the one hand . . . on the other hand
a aee it goes without saying
e moreover
eae consequently
ee e (R3) it must be noted
a a in this way
e e eee nevertheless
e that is (to say)
5.3 Fillers
Alongside transitional expressions of the sort exemplied in 5.2, which
give coherence to a line of thought, languages have a stock of words or
phrases that may be inserted in an utterance for various other purposes.
Such interpolations might represent a speakers comment on the
reliability of information (e.g. ae), indicate the source or status of
the information (e.g. -e), describe the way an idea is expressed
( a), make some sort of appeal by a speaker to his or her
interlocutor (ae), or express a speakers attitude to what is said
(a e). Often interpolations mean very little, serving mainly to ll
out an utterance, perhaps in order to give the speaker time to marshal
further thoughts. (Interpolations of this latter sort are known in
Russian as a-aa.) Unlike the transition words given in 5.2
most of the llers given in this section belong primarily to the more
informal spoken register (R1).
In the expressions in the following list which address an interlocutor
(e.g. a(e) (ee)) both the second-person-singular and the
second-person-plural forms are given.
/e do you see
evidently, obviously
a(e) (ee) fancy, just imagine
so there we are
er . . .
they say
177
aa roughly speaking
ee really
lets suppose, say
a in other words
ae/aee you know
a evidently, it seems
a so, then
(e) excuse (me for saying so)
a = a
ae unfortunately
a fortunately
a sort of, like
e of course
a (aa) by the way
e a between ourselves
e incidentally
a e unfortunately
e e/ee you wont believe it
well
e e in all probability
ae ee at least
ae aa to tell the truth
(e) allow (me to say it)
(e) pardon (me) (as expression of objection)
ae/aee (do) you understand
to put it simply
ea(e) ee imagine
(e) forgive (me for saying it)
ae lets be frank
ae ae the main thing
a(e) a you dont say (iron)
a(e) listen
a/ae youll agree
a so
a aa so to speak
a sort of, like
e who knows (anticipating sth unpleasant)
aae as they say
178
5.4 Modal particles
5.4 Modal particles
Modal particles are not often encountered in the relatively objective
varieties of the formal written language (esp R3a/R3b) but in the
spoken language, and in particular in colloquial conversation, where
subjective utterances abound, they are extremely important. However,
they are not easy for the English-speaking student to master, since
English often achieves the nuances that particles convey by means of
tone of voice or intonation rather than by lexical means. Moreover, the
precise meaning or function of the Russian particles is elusive, partly
because they are in most cases polysemantic and also because they
interact with word order, phrasal stress and intonation to produce
complex and variable nuances.
This section lists a number of the less elusive functions of the most
important modal particles. At the end of the section a list is given of
other particles which have a lexical or morphological function rather
than a modal one.
(a) placed at the end of an utterance, exhorts the hearer to give an answer
or agree to sth, e.g.
a
Mee a, a? Want an ice-cream?
B e, a? Is everything all right then?
T (a)? ee, a? Are you ready? Shall we go then?
(b) occurs in vocative expressions (see 7.3.1) when a diminutive name is
repeated, in which case the particle is placed between the two words in
the vocative, e.g.
Ta, a Ta! a ae,
e a ee ?
Tania, what do u think, should
I go to the party?
Ma, a a! T e e? Mum! Will you help me?
(c) placed at the beginning of an utterance, gives a spontaneous link with
what has been said or assumed, e.g.
Oa e a
a a?
Where did you get such a lovely
scarf ?
A a. My husband gave it to me as a
present.
M ? Can I speak to Mitia?
A a ae. Hes at work.
A a e? When will he get home?
B e. A e aae? At six. Whos that asking for
him?
(a) expresses mild assertion of sth which the speaker considers obvious;
sometimes this assertion constitutes an objection to another point of
view, e.g.
e
Be ae e e. For it just couldnt be otherwise.
179
a a. M e a
e e e.
Its time to have supper. After all, we
havent eaten since this morning.
T, ae a. Tolia, put your hat on.
He . I dont want to.
Be e a e
.
But its minus 10.
He a . Im not going to read these books.
Be a a
aee.
Then youll fail your exam.
(b) expresses gentle reproach or warning, e.g.
Hy, a! e aa(a),
e a e.
Thats enough. I told you not to
make a noise.
T e e e aae
a a a.
You just dont pay any attention to
what I say.
(c) expresses surprise at an unexpected discovery, e.g.
e aa? Wheres my hat?
e a ea e. I hung it on the peg.
A e e a e. But it isnt there.
e e (a), a e
aaa.
I hadnt realised that she was already
a postgraduate.
(d) in questions, encourages sb to give the answer the speaker wants to
hear; in this sense fulls the same role as the English tail question, as in
the following examples:
T e e a? You will come and stay with us for a
bit, wont you?
Be e aee? You wont be late, will you?
(a) expresses demonstrative meaning, which may be rendered in English
by this or here, e.g.
O e. They live in this house here.

aa. O
e .
Try this salad here. Its very nice.
(b) with interrogative pronouns and adverbs, lends emphasis of the sort
rendered in English by the verb to be, e.g.
B e a. This is where he fell over.
B e ea(a)
ee e .
Thats why I advised you not to go
out.
B e . This is what I have in mind.
(c) with the future tense, may express promise, resolution, warning or
threat, e.g.
. B . Ill give up drinking. Youll see.
180
5.4 Modal particles
e . B a
ea!
Its slippery. Youll fall.
T a(a) . B aa
e ea.
Youve broken the window. Ill tell
your parents about your pranks.
(d) in exclamations, may express such sentiments as surprise or
indignation, in which case the particle itself is stressed, e.g.
ee e. The president has died.
B a? Really?
B a ee ! So thats the way you live now, is it?
B eae eea!
e.
So thats what you do in the evenings.
You get drunk.
(e) in exclamations, may also intensify the speakers emotional response to
sth, e.g.
B , a e a! Its so nice that you havent forgotten
us.
(a) expresses objection or remonstration in a very familiar tone, e.g.
a
a a ee e
ea(a).
I wouldnt have done that if Id been
in your place.
(b) expresses agreement or concession (see also (d), (b)), e.g.
M, ea ? Can I leave now?
a , e a. Go ahead, its all the same to me.
, a,

O. I might ask Olia.
a . T
a ee ae.
Go ahead and ask her. But I dont
suppose shell tell you.
(c) expresses insistent suggestion, friendly advice or reassurance, e.g.
a e e. aa. Dont make a racket. Im working.
a e e, aa ea
.
Dont worry, daddyll come back in a
minute.
(d) in a vague answer, carries a casual, indifferent tone, e.g.
a a eaa? Wheres she gone off to?
a e a. C. Oh, I dont know. Siberia I think.
(e) with an indenite pronoun containing the particle -, expresses
certainty against a background of vagueness, e.g.
- a . Were sure to buy something or other.
- a aae a. Youre bound to nd someone in.
(f ) In exclamatory questions, expresses amazement, e.g.
a ae e a(a),
ea?
Surely you knew he was married?
181
a a e ea !
He e .
What! Get lost in broad daylight?
Thats not possible.
(a) expresses a feeling on the speakers part that sth is unreasonable or does
not correspond to reality, e.g.
e
A e ea! And you call yourself a mechanic!
A e ,
ee/ea
e.
And you still say youve no aptitude
for music!
(b) expresses emphatic afrmation or denial, e.g.
E ! Ill say!
Hy, ae? Have you had enough to eat?
E a ae! Ill say.
(a) categoric emphasis on what the speaker considers a compelling point
or an indisputable fact, e.g.
e
Pae a a?
e e eeaa.
Surely youre not going to work?
Youve got a temperature after all.
e e a aa.
B e a aee, e e.
I cant play chess. You yourself know
very well that I cant.
(b) with imperatives, expresses insistence on the part of the speaker
together with impatience or irritation, feigned at least, that the order
has to be given or repeated, e.g.
Aa! e ee a. Aliosha, come here at once.
(c) in questions, may indicate that the speaker cannot envisage or accept
any answer other than the one he or she invites, e.g.
B e e e? You surely wouldnt tell a lie, would
you?
T e e e ea,
e ae?
Youre surely not going to say you
dont know, are you?
(d) in questions framed with an interrogative pronoun or adverb, may
express incredulity or perplexity on the speakers part, in which case it
may correspond to the English sufx -ever, e.g.
e e (a)? Wherever have you been?
e e aaee a
?
Why on earth do you object to this?
e e a a
Pe?
Whatever can we give him for
Christmas?
(e) may also be used in questions in which the speaker asks for precise
information, e.g.
B e, - .
e ?
You say that somebody was killed.
Who exactly was killed?
182
5.4 Modal particles
B e e ee
a? Ha a e e?
So you live in the centre as well?
Which street do you live in?
Note 1 e may be shortened to .
2 e is generally placed immediately after the word or phrase which it
highlights.
(a) expresses emphasis, in which case it has the same function as e
(see note at end of 4.2), e.g.
Oa a a ee. M
a a.
She was at the conference. Thats
where we met.
M ae. B
eae, aaa a.
We approached a cafe. This is where
were going to eat, she said.
(b) may correspond to ae, even, e.g.
ae, aa aa
aa, a e a(a)
.
Apparently our side won, and I
didnt even hear about it.
(c) may correspond to , although, e.g.
e a e, a e
.
I dont want to go out, although its
warm outside.
(d) may increase uncertainty, e.g.
Me , a
?
You may have read this book.
Me , a(a). I may have done.
(e) with an interjection, may intensify an exclamation, e.g.
Ox, ! God, youre scruffy!
O ee a a e.
Ox ae!
He an play the violin. Oh, and
how he plays!
(a) attached to imperative forms, produces gentle informal exhortation or
friendly advice, e.g.
-a
ea, -a a a
.
Lenochka, come out here for a
moment would you.
e-a, a a
ea.
Just look how pretty shes become.
e-a a. B
aaa.
Go and have a rest. Youve worn
yourself out with work.
(b) attached to an imperative used in a conditional sense (see 11.9,
note 3), expresses a challenge to sb to do sth perceived as difcult,
e.g.
e-a ae
e, a .
You try speaking to this lad and
youll see how difcult he is.
183
-a a e e
ea!
You just try standing out in the frost
without gloves on.
(c) attached to the rst-person-singular form of a perfective verb, indicates
irresolution in the speaker, e.g.
A -a a a e. I think I might walk to work.
-a e . Perhaps Ill buy my daughter a new
skirt.
(a) with a perfective innitive, expresses vague intention or hesitancy on
the part of the speaker, e.g.
B ea ? Shall we go to the theatre? I dont

know.
ee e ? Should I perhaps warn them?
He e? Shouldnt we buy some sweets?
(b) combined with e, expresses a very polite request or suggestion (which
may be ironical), e.g.
He aee e, a
a a a?
Could you possibly tell me the way to
Red Square?
He e a? You couldnt possibly be quiet for a
bit, could you?
He e ?
(iron)
Would you be so kind as to leave?
(a) exhorts sb to say or do sth, e.g.
Hy, a ea? Well, how are things?
Hy, , e a(a). Cme n, tell us where youve been.
Hy, e. Well, lets be going.
(b) reinforces the expression of attitudes such as objection, bewilderment,
annoyance, frustration, e.g.
Hy e ea?
Ce e ae.
What on earth am I to do with you?
You just dont do what l say.
Hy a ee ,
a ?
However many times have I got to
tell you to take your shoes off ?
(c) introduces expressive exclamations, e.g.
Hy, aa aa! Well, what a stroke of luck!
Hy, e! But of course!
Hy, a! But thats terrible!
(d) expresses qualied permission or acceptance (see also a (b)), e.g.
a(a). Im tired.
Hy, ee. Lets take a breather then.
M, a a
?
Can I have a look at your
motor-bike?
H, e. All right.
184
5.4 Modal particles
(e) in D, precedes a verb in the innitive to stress the intensity of an
action, e.g.
Haa , a a! An argument broke out, and did
he shout!
(f ) in D, with the accusative form of a personal pronoun, expresses strong
disapproval, e.g.
A e! Get lost!
a ea. Take the medicine.
H e! To hell with it!
(g) also acts as a ller when the speaker is trying to collect her or his
thoughts, e.g.
He a. Hy . . . aa?
a a.
I dont know. Well . . . What can I
say? Ill try to nd out.
(a) introduces a suggestion in response to a setback, in which case a
often corresponds to English then, e.g.
a
e e a. Theres no soap here.
Ta e! Then bring some.
E e e? Ta
e e.
He wont be there? Then well get
by without him.
(b) with the same word used twice (a being placed between the word or
words used twice), indicates concession on the part of the speaker, or
acceptance of a suggestion, or that some property is fully manifested,
e.g.
aae e .
Ca?
Lets meet in the cinema. Is that
OK?
B a . The cinema it is then.
a ee ? aa a
a?
How shall we get home? Shall we get
a taxi?
Ha a a a a. All right then, well get a taxi.
B C a
.
God, its cold in Siberia in winter.
(c) expresses approximation with time, distance, quantity, etc., e.g.
a ee? When will you get here?
a a e. About six oclock.
ae ea? Is it far to the centre?
Ta ea a. About two kilometres or so.
C e a? How much does the sh weigh?
a a . About ve kilos.
185
(a) stresses sth, e.g.
-
B - e. Thats just it.
- e a.
.
Dont forget your umbrella. Its
raining.
(b) in stressing part of an utterance, may reinforce a contrast, e.g.
Ce- e e,
e e.
The walls are built but there isnt a
roof yet.
- (a) eae,
a ee.
Ive fullled my promise, but youre
procrastinating.
(c) in constructions in which a word is repeated and in which - stands
after the word when it is rst used, expresses concession, e.g.
a- , a a e ae
a.
She doesnt read my letters, although
I make a point of writing to her.
aaaa/
aaa, a a aee
a/aa.
I failed the exam, although I
worked really hard.
(d) in certain phrases expressing strong negation, has a euphemistic
nuance, e.g.
a e e- eea. The books pretty dull.
Me e e- e
e.
I really didnt want to talk to her.
He a- e
.
It wasnt all that easy to calm him
down.
(e) in exclamations with a tone of admiration or wonder, e.g.
Oa aaa. ae aa-! Shes beautiful. What wonderful
eyes!
Ha- a e! a
a?
What a lot of people at the market!
What are they selling there?
(f ) lends intimacy or informality to an utterance, e.g.
B ea- (a) ea? Did you go to the theatre yesterday
then?
a e a-?
a ea.
What should we call you then?
the doctor asked the child.
Note: used as a particle - is always attached to the word that it is intended to
emphasise; it cannot stand on its own and never bears the stress.
(a) intensies some word denoting afrmation, negation or degree, e.g.
T a(a)? Are you tired?

a . E
e . I certainly am. I can hardly move.

O e eea a
a.
Hes completely given up calling on
us.
186
5.4 Modal particles
(b) expresses acceptance or concession, perhaps reluctant, e.g.
a e a e. Will you lend me your umbrella
for the day?
e , e a e
ee.
All right, but dont leave it on the
train.
ee eae? Me,
, e ?
Is the smoke bothering you? Shall
we ask them to stop smoking?
. Oh, let them smoke.
(c) with an imperative, lends the order a blunt but good-natured tone, an
air of camaraderie, e.g.
M . Tee ee
.
Youd better keep quiet about that.
Youve got nothing to be proud of.
. Get a move on.
(a) may mean if only or at least, or may have the same meaning as ae,
even, r ae e, even if, especially in set phrases, e.g.
()
()
ea a e. Do come, if only just for a day.
A,
e!
Oh, if only there were just one
letter from her!
X e, e a. I couldnt tell you to save my life.
(lit Even if you kill me I wont tell
you)
(b) introduces an example which readily springs to the speakers mind; in
this use it may be translated by for example, to take only, e.g.
e. B e. People are lazy. Take you for
example.
(a) may introduce a question, perhaps with a tone of surprise, disapproval
or indignation, e.g.
, e? So youve got stomach-ache, have

you?
, , e ae
e?
What! He says he doesnt know me?
(b) combines with a personal pronoun in the nominative to form elliptical
exclamations in which some verb such as is understood,
e.g.
Me , ae e
-?
Would you like to have something
else to eat?
! (a). What are you saying? Im full.
ee aa a . Ill pay you for the beer.
! He a! For goodness sake! Its not necessary.
187
-
Miscellaneous
particles
form indenite pronouns (see 11.2.5)
-
-
ea indicates reported speech, e.g. O, ea, e

a, He said he hadnt heard.
contraction of ; =ea
- (obs) (=a r a) form of address to a
social superior, e.g. serf to lord; also used
ironically; widely encountered in classical
literature
- (-) forms reexive verbs (11.8)
allegedly, ostensibly, supposedly, e.g.
ea aaa, a supposedly impossible task
(but the speaker does not believe it to be so)
5.5 Interjections
Interjections by their nature belong to the colloquial speech of R1.
The following list gives some common interjections with translations
that attempt to capture their avour rather than the literal meaning of
the words.
ax! admiration wow!
a! (slang) great!
e! brill!
ee! brilliant!
aeae! wonderful!
! great!
e! super!
a! great!
e! super!
! magic!
e! marvellous!
agreement OK, agreed
aa OK, agreed
e (mil) yes, sir/ay, ay, sir
all right
a OK, ne
good
e! annoyance to hell with him/it!
188
5.5 Interjections
!/ a
!
go to hell!
a e! (vulg) go to hell!
! (D) bother/damn/sod it!
H, , a!
(slightly vulg)
What the hell are you doing?
, ae/a// oh damn, Im fed up with it/you
aea a + acc to hell with, damn
aa! clear off, get lost!
a! clear off, get lost!
a a! like hell!
!/ e! to hell with it!
e + instr (vulg) to hell with
Note: see also 5.6 on vulgar language.
ax! disbelief, surprise oh!
e ! my God!
! good heavens, good gracious!
e! whatever next!
a!/ ! really?
a a! (R2) well, I never!
(R1) well, I never!
a ee! (D) well, I never!
! well, well!
a!
fright, pain
oh! ouch
a! ah! oh!
! ouch!
ox! ah! oh!
e ae!
objection
n way!
a a ee! not for anything!
e ! nothing of the sort!
ae!
warning
attention!
! careful!
(e)! look out!
(e) ae!
miscellaneous
God knows!
! shoo! (to cat)
/a/
e !
God bless! (when sb sneezes)
189
-! thats it! (expressing approval)
a! =-
ee! take that! (accompanying blow)
ee + nom so much for
ee a! well, how do you like that!
aa come on (encouragement)
aa aa go on/pull the other leg (when sb is told
sth implausible)
e ! Ill say! (expressing conrmation)
/ea a e talk of the devil (on appearance of sb
one has been talking about)
a here you are/here, take it, e.g. Ha ,
Here, take the book.
a ee/a a it serves you right
e ee/a!
(R3, obs)
it serves you right
a a for Gods sake
! shh! hush!
! ugh! (expressing revulsion)
e ! who knows! (anticipating sth
unpleasant)
e a! touch wood!
Some interjectional forms, most of them derived from verbs, may interjectional
predicate serve as a predicate in R1, e.g.
Aa . They set off and were in town in no time.
a/a/ e
e.
I banged/slapped him on the back.
O a . He leapt on to the roof.
O e. He knocked on the window.
O e. They nipped into the shadow.
5.6 Vulgar language
This section must be prefaced by a triple warning. Firstly, the foreign
student should be aware that no matter how good ones command of
another peoples language one may strike a discordant note or even
give offence to a native speaker if one falls into very familiar registers
in general and the vulgar register in particular. Secondly, it cannot be
overemphasised that a vulgar word may have a greater impact in the
Russian context than does its English lexical equivalent (even though
190
5.6 Vulgar language
the same anatomical features and sentiments are involved), since the
English word occurs in a society that uses such vocabulary, for better or
for worse, with relative freedom. Thirdly, it should be understood that
whereas in Britain vulgar language may nowadays be used as freely by
women as by men, in Russia the use of such language by a woman is
likely to shock both men and women more than the use of that
language by a man. The foreign student of Russian should therefore
avoid using vulgar language if he, or especially she, wishes to win
acceptance in any sort of polite Russian society.
On the other hand, with the sudden inux into Russia of things
Western, including pornography, vulgar language is a reality of Russian
life that foreign students are much more likely to encounter now than
they would have been in Soviet times. It has also found its way on a
large scale into serious literature, including works published in Russia
as well as those published abroad by emigres. The introduction of
vulgar language into works of art may be traced to the brief thaw under
Khrushchov. Vulgar words occur, for example, in Solzhentsyns Ou
e aa eua (A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich). In the age
of gl asnost
and the post-Soviet era such language has come to be widely

used with great freedom in the works of writers such as Aleshk ovskii,
Venedkt Erof eev, Lim onov, N arbikova, Petrush evskaia, Evg enii Pop ov
and Znik, some of whom, it should be noted, are women, and many
of whom are writers of literary note. The foreign student may
therefore usefully acquire a passive knowledge of this area of language.
The word meaning foul language, a, is derived from a, mother,
expressions of abuse towards ones mother being the most offensive sort
of obscenity. Further expressions of the same origin include ae
and aea (which also mean foul language) and the verbs
ae, to use foul language, and aa, to eff and blind.
A small selection of the very numerous obscenities available to the
Russian-speaker is given below.
ea (, ) to puke
ea (e, e; past tense
, e)
to fuck; also to curse, discipline
severely
e e fuck off
e fucking (noun)
a a bollocking
a fucking (adj)
ea e- to fuck about with sth
aa (m and f ) pain-in-the-arse
a fucking (as epithet; lit fuck your
mother)
aa/a (less vulg
than ea)
to screw, bonk
191
a (a,
ae)/a
to piss
a (, )/a to piss
a/ to have a piss, take a leak
a (dimin a) arse
arse-licker
e (, ) to fart (silently), foul the air,
bullshit; to shit oneself, i.e. to be
afraid
fart (weak person), coward
ee (e)/ to fart
e farting
e farter, old fart
a (, )/aa to shit
e aa he doesnt give a shit
aae arse-hole, shit (i.e. person)
a/a - to shit all over sb (g)
e crap, dung (also person)
shit
shit (bag) (i.e. person)
a cunt
/ to swipe, nick, steal
(dimin ) prick (also person)
fuck all
a fuck off
e =
ea =
shit (nonsense, rubbish)
e =
lousy, fucking awful
e =
a arsehole (person)
bollocks (nonsense)
a (m and f ) wanker
to masturbate
(f ) swine, bastard
(f ) whore; also used as exclamation:
sod it!
a tart
192
5.7 Idioms
5.7 Idioms
An idiom is an expression peculiar to a particular language. It may have
a rough equivalent in another language, but its meaning may not be
readily apparent to a foreigner or even logically explicable.
Russian is particularly rich in its stock of idiomatic expressions,
which are a source of pride to native speakers. These expressions lend
colour and vitality to a speakers language and appropriate use of them
enhances the speakers authority.
The idioms given in this section are widely used in modern
Russian. While many of them are colloquial, they may well be
deployed in the literary language and in R3c as well as in everyday
speech in order to impart vitality, vividness and even an air of authentic
national distinctiveness. On the other hand they are unlikely to be
encountered in the formal objective registers of R3a and R3b.
The idioms are arranged in alphabetical order according to the letter
with which the key word, usually a noun, begins. Where only one
member of an aspectual pair of verbs appears either that member
predominates or only that member may be used in the idiom in
question. Wherever possible an idiomatic English equivalent of the
Russian idiom is given. In many cases a literal translation of the
Russian idiom is provided as well. Often this literal translation helps to
elucidate the meaning of the Russian idiom but in some instances it
serves merely to draw attention to the colourful nature of the idiom. In
yet other cases, where there is no English equivalent of the Russian
idiom, we provide a literal translation and if necessary an explanation
of the context in which the idiom may be used.
Note that a few of the words that appear in these idioms (e.g.
aa, a, , e, ) have no other use in
the modern language or occur only in a small number of such set
expressions.
A
Haa a to begin at the beginning (a is the Slavonic name
of the rst letter of the Cyrillic alphabet)
a/ Ae lit to discover America, i.e. to say sth well-known
a to fritter away ones time

O e . lit He didnt move his brow, i.e. He didnt turn a
hair.
a/ aa lit to hurl itself in ones eyes, i.e. to be striking
a e a as if nothing had happened
B
( e) a . lit Everything comes tumbling out of (his) hands, i.e.
(He) is all ngers and thumbs.
193
a - e lit to know sth along and across, i.e. inside out
E a e a. lit Its still written on the water with a pitchfork, i.e.
Its not written in stone/Its still up in the air.
. lit And the ends/traces into the water, i.e. None will
be the wiser.
a a lit like sinking into the water, i.e. to vanish into thin
air
/e a lit to bring out into clear water, i.e. to expose, show
in true colours
B e a. (Theyre) thick as thieves.
e e lit a sparrow thats been under re, i.e. an old hand
ea to be on ones guard/keep a sharp look-out
a eae lit to look for yesterday, i.e. to waste time on sth
futile, to go on a wild-goose chase
a a a to talk t ete-` a-t ete

a e lit without blinking, i.e. without batting an eyelid
aa/a aa a - to turn a blind eye to sth
a a e- lit to break ones head over sth, i.e. to rack ones
brains
/ to go up in the world
aa/a a a lit to step on a rake (so that the handle comes up
and hits you), i.e. to make a mistake which has
painful consequences; a a e e a,
to make the same mistake again
e a only just, with difculty
a e a lit a spoon of tar in a barrel of honey, i.e. a y in the

ointment
e ea n coward
e a - to sing sbs praises
e a aaa. lit He has an unbuttoned soul, i.e. He wears his
heart upon his sleeve.
E
ea e aa to rule with a rod of iron
e to talk nonsense
a a lit to get lost in three pine-trees, i.e. in broad daylight

ea ae to travel without paying the fare
194
5.7 Idioms
H e . lit The path cant be seen, i.e. Its pitch dark.
a lit to put ones teeth on the shelf, i.e. to tighten ones
belt
ea a a to hold ones tongue
a a to shout at the top of ones voice (the expression

refers to Ivanovskaia Square in the Moscow
Kremlin; the square is so big that it is hard to
shout right across it)
K
aa old stager, person who has been around
ea ae a a a - lit to keep a stone in ones bosom, i.e. to bear a
grudge against sb
ae ee a stumbling block
(O) a aa e ee. (Hes) not at a loss for a word.
aa a to stir up trouble
aea a to put things right
/ e lit to go into (its) rut, i.e. to settle down again
(of life, situation; not a negative expression,
unlike Eng to get into a rut)
a/ e lit to knock out of (its) rut, i.e. to unsettle
a a e . Not a thing can be said against it.
/e a to make ends meet
a a a lit to be left at a broken trough, i.e. to be back where
one started
( e) a a. (He has) good luck.

e, a. (Theyre) at sixes and sevens.
e lit to sit in a puddle, i.e. to get into a mess
(//a) e (a). I/he/she wasnt born yesterday.
M
a a to go swimmingly
ee a lit a bears service, said of action that is
intended to be helpful but in fact has the
opposite effect
e aae lit between the hammer and the anvil, i.e. between
the devil and the deep blue sea/between a rock and a
hard place
e e, ee eea a land of milk and honey
195
Ma e ea. lit Little insects are running up (my) back, i.e. It
gives (me) the creeps.
O e . He wouldnt harm a y.
ea a lit to make an elephant out of a y, i.e. to make a
mountain out of a mole-hill
H
e ea to go away empty-handed
a ee -
(R3, bookish)
lit to run like a red thread through sth, i.e. to stand
out (of theme, motif )
a a to live like a lord
a to live in grand style
a e lit to get up on the left foot, i.e. to get out of bed on
the wrong side
a e e- to be on close terms with sb
e a lit not to feel ones legs under oneself, i.e. to be
dropping (from tiredness)
ea/e to be crestfallen
aa/aa to put on airs
- a to lead sb a dance
ea to nod off
a - to dupe sb
a to be duped
O
e to speak plainly/without beating about the bush
, ee to go through re and water (and in the Russian
copper tubes as well!)
a lit from the re into the ames, i.e. out of the
frying-pan and into the re
e() e lit between two res, i.e. between the devil and the
deep blue sea
ae ae e a not to raise a nger

- aa e a lit dont put your nger in sbs mouth, i.e. a person
is not to be trusted
a ae e to be wide of the mark
e a a - lit to look at sth through ones ngers, i.e. to shut
ones eyes to sth
a/a a -
a
to put a spoke in sbs wheel
eea ee to beat the air
196
5.7 Idioms
a e aa. lit A mountains come off (my) shoulders, i.e. (Its) a
weight off (my) mind.
a to wait for sth to turn up
a to know the whole truth
aa/a to hit the nail on the head
ee - lit to grind sb into powder, i.e. to make mincemeat
of sb
e e a lit everything except birds milk, said when every
possible dish is served at a meal
a a lit to defeat/break up into uff and dust, i.e. to put to
rout
e e lit to re cannons at sparrows, i.e. to use a
sledgehammer to crack a nut
( e) e a eee. (He) keeps chopping and changing.
P
aa - e a lit to show sb where the craysh spend the winter =to
give sb a dressing-down
y - lit sb has a mouth full of troubles, i.e. sb has his/her
hands full
a a - to give up sth as lost
e a lit to sit with arms folded, i.e. to twiddle ones
thumbs
dreadfully, wretchedly
aa a aa lit to work having rolled up ones sleeves, i.e. to work
with zeal
aa aa lit to work having put ones sleeves down, i.e. to work
in a slipshod manner
a neither sh nor esh, neither one thing nor the other
C
a aa aa. (pej) They make a pair.
- to play a dirty trick on sb
( -) not a word has been heard (of sb)
B e aa aa. lit Thats where the dog is buried =Thats the crux
of the matter.
a e a - to know sth inside out
/e lit to take ones litter out of the peasant hut, i.e. to
wash ones dirty linen in public
e lit to be born in a shirt/blouse, i.e. with a silver
spoon in ones mouth
ea - to hide sth under a bushel
197
/ lit to emerge dry from water, i.e. unscathed
e a, e a without a hitch
a a in a jiffy
T
e e aee to be not quite oneself
B ee, a e e. The more the merrier.
a/ - to confuse sb
a e ee lit beyond thrice nine lands, i.e. far, far away
(a formula from fairy tales)
T aa lit to Tula with ones samovar, i.e. coals to Newcastle
(in tsarist times Tula was where samovars were
made)
a/a to go up a blind alley, to come to a dead end, reach
deadlock

aa/a lit to cast a (shing-)line, i.e. to put out feelers
aa/a a to swallow the bait
a/ a to come to ones senses
a/aa - ee a lit to wind sth round ones whisker, i.e. to take good
note of sth
a lit from mouth to mouth, i.e. by word of mouth
a/ - e to turn a deaf ear to sth
a - lit to burn incense for sb, i.e. to praise sb to the skies
a ea lit to underfeed the little worm, i.e. to have a snack

y a a a in the middle of nowhere, the back of beyond
e e. lit The matter is in the hat, i.e. Its in the bag.
e ee lit at the pikes behest, i.e. as if by magic
aa apple of discord, bone of contention
ee a. lit Theres nowhere for an apple to fall, i.e. There

isnt room to swing a cat.
aa/ -
lit to put sth in the long-term box, i.e. to shelve sth,

put sth off
198
5.8 Proverbs and sayings
5.8 Proverbs and sayings ( )
A proverb is a short statement expressing a supposed truth or moral
lesson. Russian is rich in such colourful utterances, many of which are
felt to express folk wisdom. A foreigners knowledge of the more
common among them is likely to impress a native speaker, provided
that they are used correctly and sparingly.
The following list contains many of the best-known Russian
proverbs. Those proverbs that are distinctively Russian and proverbs
that differ in their terms from their English equivalents have been
given preference in the selection. Where possible a close English
equivalent is given, often with a literal translation. Where there is no
close English equivalent a literal translation is offered together, if
possible, with an approximate English equivalent. In a few cases (e.g.
Hea e aaa) the literal meaning makes the sense
of the saying obvious.
Note: occasionally stress in a word used in a proverb is on a different syllable from
the syllable on which it normally falls, perhaps because of the need for an
internal rhyme (see e.g. the stress on a (instead of standard a) in the
rst proverb in this list).
a ea a. lit Misfortune has come, open the gate(s), i.e. It never

rains but it pours.
a ee. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Ce e e. One may as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb.
e e . Poverty is no sin.
e . lit The rst pancake is like a lump, i.e. The rst
attempt is usually botched.
B
Be e Live and learn!
C a - . lit If one is to live with wolves one has to howl like a
wolf, i.e. When in Rome do as the Romans do.
Ca a e e
e.
An old bird [sparrow in Russian] is not caught with
chaff.
aa a a . lit A frightened crow is afraid of a bush, i.e. Once bitten
twice shy.
Hea e aaa. An uninvited guest is worse than a Tatar. (The Tatars

were the sovereign power in Russia from the early
thirteenth century to the late fteenth century.)
B , a a e. lit Its nice as a guest but its better at home, i.e. Theres
no place like home.
199
aa a e a. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
ee a . Strike while the iron is hot.

e e ee. lit Living through ones life is not like going
through a eld, i.e. Life is not a bed of roses.
a aa ,
e ae.
lit If you run after two hares you will catch neither.
K
He e;
a.
lit Dont spit in the well, you may need to drink
out of it, i.e. Do not antagonise people whose help
you may need later.
a a a. Make hay while the sun shines.
He aea,
e .
lit Its not all Shrove-tide for the cat, Lent will come
too, i.e. After the dinner comes the reckoning.
B a. lit Every sandpiper praises its own bog,
i.e. people praise what is dear to them.
Oa aa e e eae. One swallow does not make a summer

[spring in Russian].
e e e. lit You cut down the forest and the bits of wood y,
i.e. You cannot make an omelette without breaking
eggs.
M
M ee. Its a small world.
B a a e
.
lit You dont go into sb elses monastery with your
own set of rules, i.e. When in Rome do as the
Romans do.
Ma e a a lit Moscow wasnt built all at once, i.e. Rome was
not built in a day.
H
e e e a. lit Where there are seven nannies the child is not
watched, i.e. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
B eeee, a e. It will all come right in the end.

. lit We shall live and we shall see, i.e. Time will
tell.
ee, . As a man sows so shall he reap.
200
5.8 Proverbs and sayings
aa aa e. lit Truth pricks the eyes, i.e. Home truths are hard to
swallow.
P
C aa e e. lit Ones own shirt is nearer to the body,
i.e. Charity begins at home.
P ee a e. The Russian is wise after the event.
Pa aa aea. lit The sherman spots a sherman from afar,
i.e. Birds of a feather ock together.
C
Cea e . Whats done cant be undone.
Ce a e. lit Boldness takes cities, i.e. Nothing ventured nothing
gained.
C a e . lit You cant feed a nightingale with fables,
i.e. Fine words butter no parsnips.
C e aee. lit The well-fed cannot understand the hungry.
T
Ta , e a e. lit Its good where we are not, i.e. The grass is always
greener on the other side of the fence.
Te ee, ae e. lit [If] you go more calmly youll get further,
i.e. More haste less speed.

, a a e. Two heads are better than one.
X
Xe e e ae. lit Horseradish is no sweeter than ordinary radish,
i.e. There is little to choose between two unpleasant
things.
He a e a lit Theres no evil without good, i.e. Every cloud has a
silver lining.
e a. lit People count their chickens after autumn,

i.e. Dont count your chickens before they are hatched.
He a ae , a e
a.
The devil is not so terrible as he is painted.
B e e . lit In a quiet whirlpool devils are found, i.e. Still waters
run deep.
ea e. lit Your tongue will get you to Kiev, i.e. Dont hesitate
to ask people.
201
5.9 Similes
A simile is an explicit likening of one thing to another. Languages have
a stock of such comparisons, some of which are distinctive to that
language. While the foreign student should take care not to use similes
excessively or ostentatiously, their occasional use in the right context
adds colour and authenticity to ones language, both spoken and
written. The following list gives some of the commonest Russian
similes. It is arranged in alphabetical order of the key word in the
comparison.
() a ea ee (to whirl around) like a squirrel in a wheel (said of sb
frantically busy)
a ea. lit Its raining as out of a bucket, i.e. Its raining cats and
dogs.
a a lit like water off a goose, i.e. like water off a ducks back
a e downcast, crestfallen
a e like a pea against a wall (said of action that is futile)
a e ea lit like thunder in the middle of a clear sky, i.e. like a
bolt from the blue
(, e) a a a (to be) on thorns/tenterhooks
a e a lit like two drops of water, i.e. alike as two peas
() a a a (to live) a cat and dog life
a cold as ice
a - a ae lit to know sth like ones ve ngers, i.e. like the back of
ones hand
a a e like a sh in water, like a duck to water, in ones element
() a a (to ght) like a sh against ice (said about futile
struggle)
a e a lit like snow on ones head, i.e. like a bolt from the blue
a aa a ee like a dog in the manger
a lit naked like a falcon, i.e. poor as a church mouse
a a aa as on hot coals
a aaa like the devil from incense (said of sb shunning sth)
Note
1. The word a (f ) is itself an example of the much smaller number
of Russian words that have been borrowed by English and other Western
European languages; a, ee, eea, ,
aa, are others.
202
6 Language and everyday life
6.1 Measurement
The metric system has been used in Russia since it was introduced on
an obligatory basis by the Bolshevik government in 1918. The British
imperial system will not be understood by Russians, although some of
the words denoting units of measure in that system may be familiar to
them. Comparisons of units of different systems in the following
sections are approximate.
6.1.1 Length, distance, height
Approximate metric equivalents of imperial units of measure of length:
1 inch = 25 millimetres
1 foot = 0.3 metres
1 yard = 0.9 metres
1 mile = 1.6 kilometres
The Russian words for the imperial units are , , , ,
respectively.
The Russian words for the basic metric units of measure of length are:
e millimetre
ae centimetre
e metre
e kilometre
Some rough equivalents:
10 ae 4 inches
1 e just over a yard
100 e 110 yards
1 e ve-eighths of a mile
100 e 62 miles
a () e
ee (1,83)
a man 6
tall
a () e
ee (1,75)
a man 5
tall
a () e
ee e (1,68)
a man 5
tall
ea () e
ae (0,90)
a girl nearly 3
tall
203
Note: the versions of the above phrases without the preposition are more
colloquial.
A plane might y at an altitude of 30,000 feet, i.e. a e e
[R3: e] e.
The highest mountain in the world, Everest (ee or
a), has a height of roughly 29,000 feet, i.e. e
e e e.
6.1.2 Area
Approximate metric equivalents of imperial units of measure of area:
1 square inch = 6.45 square centimetres
1 square foot = 0.09 square metres
1 square yard = 0.84 square metres
1 acre = 0.4 hectares
1 square mile = 259 hectares
The Russian adjective for square is aa. The metric unit of
measure for large areas is the hectare, ea (= 10,000 square metres).
Some rough equivalents with imperial measurements:
aa e just over 1 square yard
10 aa e just under 12 square yards
a eaa nearly 5 acres (about the size
of 3 football pitches)
250 ea about 615 acres (roughly the
area of Hyde Park)
20,000 aa e nearly 8,000 square miles
(roughly the area of Wales)
6.1.3 Weight
Approximate metric equivalents of avoirdupois units of measure of
weight:
1 ounce = 28.35 grams
1 pound = 0.45 kilograms
1 stone = 6.36 kilograms
1 hundredweight = 50.8 kilograms
1 ton = 1,016 kilograms
The Russian words for these avoirdupois units are , , ,
aee, a, respectively.
The Russian words for the basic metric units of weight are:
a milligram
a gram
a kilogram
204
6.1 Measurement
ee 100 kilograms
a (metric) tonne (1,000 kg)
Some rough equivalents with avoirdupois weights:
200 a aa about 7 oz of butter
a just over 1 lb of meat
a e () 65 a man of just over 10 stone
a e () 100 /
ee
a man of about 15
1
/
2
stone
aa e () 1000 /

a car weighing just under a ton
Note: the versions of the above phrases without the preposition are more
colloquial.
6.1.4 Volume
Approximate metric equivalents of imperial units of measure of
volume:
1 cubic inch = 16 cubic centimetres
1 cubic foot = 0.03 cubic metres
1 cubic yard = 0.8 cubic metres
1 pint = 0.57 litres
1 gallon = 4.55 litres
The Russian words for the last two imperial units are a and
a, respectively. The Russian adjective for cubic is e; litre
is . Some rough equivalents:
a a about a pint of beer
a about 1
3
/
4
pints of milk
ea 50
a petrol tank which holds about

11 gallons
Note: small quantities of drinks may be ordered by weight, e.g. a ,
100 grams of vodka; e a a, 200 grams of brandy.
6.1.5 Russian pre-revolutionary units of measure
Words relating to the earlier system of measurement will of course be
found in pre-revolutionary literature and documents, and in some cases
may persist in contexts in which they no longer have to do with
precise measurement. The main units were:
e = 1
3
/
4
or 4.4 cm
length
a = 28
or 71 cm
ae (f ) = 7
or 2.13 metres
ea =
2
/
3
mile or 1.07 km
205
Note: e - a a, to measure sth by ones own standards
e , to travel a long way
aa e e-, to get a smattering of sth
ea = 2.7 acres or 1.09 hectares area
= 36 lbs or 16.38 kg weight
= 2 pints or 1.23 litres liquid measure
ee (f ) = 5 pints or 3 litres
e = 21 pints or 12.3 litres (10 , 4 ee)
6.1.6 Speed
Some rough equivalents:
60 e a 37 miles an hour
300 e
e
186,000 feet per second (the speed
of light)
6.1.7 Temperature
The centigrade scale constructed by Celsius is used, and the Fahrenheit
scale will not be generally understood. The formulae for conversion
are:
C = (F 32)
5
9
, e.g. 77
F = 25
C
F =
C
9
5
+32, e.g. 15
C = 59
F
Some equivalents:
e aee
a (100
, a e , i.e.
boiling point of water)
212
a a (ea) (30
above zero) 86
aa a (ea) (20
above zero) 68
e a (ea) (10
above zero) 50
ee paa (ea) (4
above zero) 39
(m; 0
, a aea ,
i.e. freezing point of water)
32
a e / a
a (5
)
23
aa a e /aa
a a (20
)
4
a e / a
a (40
)
40
206
6.4 Time
The normal temperature of the human body (98.4
F) is just under
37
C, i.e. a e a, more precisely a e

e.
6.2 Currency
The basic unit of currency is the rouble (; m). The smaller unit,
the kopeck (ea), of which there are a hundred to the rouble, has
with post-Soviet hyperination become valueless. The ofcial rate of
exchange () was approximately 1 = 50 roubles in mid-2004.
Salaries are described in monthly terms (e.g. e e
e, 8,000 roubles a month).
Russian pre-revolutionary coins, the names of which may be
encountered in classical literature and pre-revolutionary documents,
included the a (3 kopecks), a (10 kopecks) and
(50 kopecks).
The names of the main foreign currencies that are used or are familiar
in Russia are: a, dollar; , pound; a, Swiss franc; and
latterly e, euro.
6.3 Fractions and presentation of numerals
A decimal point is indicated in writing by a comma and is read as
follows:
3,1 e a ea (a, part, is understood)
4,2 ee e e e
5,5 e e
7,6 e e e e
8,9 e e e e
Because the comma is used to indicate a decimal point it cannot be
used to separate blocks in numbers involving thousands and millions,
which may instead be spaced out in the following way:
23 987 aa e ee e
2 564 000 a a ee ee
6.4 Time
The 24-hour clock is widely used for all ofcial purposes, e.g.
ee aae
15.00 a.
The conference begins at 3.00 pm.
e ae 21.00 a. The train leaves at 9.00 pm.
207
If the 24-hour clock is not used, and one needs to specify which part
of the day one is talking about, then one of the following forms (in the
genitive case) should follow the stated time:
ya in the morning
in the afternoon
eea in the evening
in the night
e.g. e a a, at eight in the morning; e a
eea, at ten in the evening.
Note: ee implies any time up until bedtime, whilst indicates the period after
midnight. English-speakers should note in particular that tonight in the sense of
this evening should be translated e ee.
In R1/2 time is frequently presented in simplied forms such as
aa, three twenty or e a , eight thirty-ve, rather
than the more cumbersome aa e and e
aa e, respectively. Forms such as e, half
(past) six, are also preferred in R1/2 to the fuller a e.
Russia contains eleven time zones. Speakers may therefore need to
specify which time zone they have in mind, e.g. e a
ee, at ten oclock Moscow time.
6.5 Telephone numbers
In big cities these will normally consist of seven digits, which will be
divided up and read in the following way:
243-71-59 e , ee , e e
391-64-27 a e , ee ee, aa
e
However, it would also be perfectly acceptable nowadays for the
foreign speaker, for the sake of convenience, to treat each digit
separately.
6.6 Postal addresses
These have until recently been presented in inverse order to that used
in English, that is to say in the order country, postcode, town, street,
building, addressee. The abbreviations . (, block), . (,
house), . (aa, at) may be used. The name of the addressee is
put in the dative case. Examples:
P 197343, . aa 253223,
Ma, . ,
208
6.8 Public notices
. Taea, . 3a, . 22,
. 23, . 36, a C..
Eee B.A.
However, since 1997 Russian practice has changed, perhaps in order to
bring it in line with Western European practice, so that an address
should be set out in the following way:
: e B.A.
a: . Ca Aa, . 3, . 5,
Ma,
P 119026.
6.7 Family relationships
Russian has what to an English-speaker is a bewildering multiplicity of
terms to denote family relationships, including e.g. ,
brother-in-law (wifes brother); , brother-in-law (husband of wifes
sister); ea, sister-in-law (wifes sister); ee (m), brother-in-law
(husbands brother); a, sister-in-law (husbands sister); (m),
brother-in-law (sisters husband or husbands sisters husband) or
son-in-law; and eea, sister-in-law (brothers wife) or daughter-in-law
(sons wife). Fortunately for the foreign learner, however, these terms
now have largely historical signicance. They were once widespread in
the extended family in the rural community, and may be encountered
in classical literature, but they are not used in modern urban society.
One still does need, though, to know the terms for father-in-law and
mother-in-law, which have to be rendered in different ways depending
on whether the speaker has in mind the parents of the wife (ea) or
the husband (), viz:
e (m) father-in-law (father of ones wife)
a mother-in-law (mother of ones wife)
father-in-law (father of ones husband)
e (f ) mother-in-law (mother of ones husband)
To translate brother-in-law or sister-in-law an appropriate descriptive
phrase such as a e, wifes brother, ea aa, brothers wife, or
e, sisters husband should now be used.
6.8 Public notices
A number of grammatical structures are characteristic of public
notices, the language of which may be seen as a variety of R3b.
(a) Where an order or prohibition is expressed the imperative is often
rendered by an innitive form. In an instruction the innitive is
209
perfective, whilst in a prohibition with the particle e it is imperfective,
e.g.
e e. (in plane)
Fasten seatbelts.
aa a e . (in bus and underground)
In the event of an accident break the glass with the hammer.
Pa e a. (in museum)
Do not touch.
He .
No smoking.
He a. (in ofces, etc.)
Do not enter in your coat.
He ea aaa. (in underground stations)
Do not run up and down the escalators.
He . (on doors of underground train)
Do not lean.
aa e .
Keep off the grass.
(b) Instructions and prohibitions may also be couched in the imperative,
e.g.
e ae a. (in tram)
Pass down the vehicle.
Ca a. (on back of road vehicle)
Keep your distance.
He eae e aa. (in bus)
Do not distract the driver by talking to him.
He e. (on crane)
Do not stand under the arm.
(c) Prohibitions may also be expressed with a past passive participle, e.g.
B ae.
Unauthorised persons not admitted.
aee.
Smoking prohibited.
a aee. Oa .
Bathing prohibited. Danger of death. (lit dangerous to life)
aa e a aee.
It is forbidden to bring and consume alcoholic drinks.
(d) An exhortation may be couched in a third-person-plural form, or with
the words a, request, or , we ask, e.g.
a e .
No smoking here.
a aa e.
Please close the door.
210
6.9 Abbreviations
a e . (in zoo)
Please do not feed the animals.
a/ aa . (in self-service shop)
Please hand in your bags.
(e) Statements providing information, and also prohibitions, are often
rendered by a reexive verb, e.g.
Bea e 8 a. (on letter box)
Collection of letters takes place at 8.00 (am).
C e ae. (in restaurant)
No service at this table.
B eae. (e.g. on building site)
Entry to people who have no business here strictly forbidden.
(f ) Some notices or instructions incorporate gerunds (see 9.7.19.7.2,
11.11.1), which are characteristic of R3, e.g.
, ae e.
Turn out the light when you leave.
Oa , ee ae ea.
Check that you have put the postcode on when you post your letter.
(g) Miscellaneous notices:
a a . (on train windows) Closed for the winter.
a a e. (ubiquitous) Closed for repairs.
a a /ee. (in shops) Closed for stock-taking.
e. (at road crossing) Go.
e. (at road crossing) Wait.
Ce. (at road crossing) Stop.
ee. (on doors) Pull.
O e. (on doors) Push.
C! (at road crossing, etc.) Stop.
O! Be aee. Warning. High voltage.
O! Oae. Caution. Wet paint.
6.9 Abbreviations of titles, weights, measures and
common expressions
. a boulevard, avenue
. e century
a gram
. year
. town, city
. Mr
a ea hectare
211
-a a Mrs
. a main
oc. ae state
. house
.. ae BC
.. eea a railway
. e inhabitants
.. a aee etc., and so on
.. e etc., and so on
- ae publishing house, press
. e named after
- institute
. aa at, apartment
a kilogram
- e committee
/ e a kilometres per hour
e metre
. a minute
- e ministry
. naval, marine
a. ae e.g.
a. a peoples
a. aa national
.. New Style (post-revolutionary
calendar)
.. ae AD
. island
. a province
. e lake
. a square
. e avenue
. ea river
. rouble
- a region
.. e a of this year
. (e) see, vide
. a compare, cf.
.. a Old Style (pre-revolutionary
calendar)
212
6.10 Acronyms and alphabetisms
. aa page
.. ee agricultural
a tonne
. volume
.e. e that is to say, i.e.
.. a a since
. a street
- ee university
.. e pound sterling
. a hour, oclock
Acronyms and alphabetisms function as nouns. They have a gender of
their own, and many (those which can be pronounced as a single
word, as opposed to a succession of individual letters) also decline, e.g.
AC, register ofce; OOH, UN(O), which decline like masculine
nouns ending in a hard consonant.
Acronyms and alphabetisms continue to abound in the Russian
press and most of those given below will therefore be widely
understood.
Those acronyms and alphabetisms which denote Soviet institutions
or phenomena or the names of countries or institutions in the
communist world as a whole and whose signicance is now mainly
historical are indicated below with an asterisk.
AC aaaa a petrol station
A Ae a Arguments and Facts (weekly
newspaper)
AH Aae a Academy of Sciences
AH- A- Antonov (Russian aircraft)
ACEAH Aa a
-B

A
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN)
AC aa ea atomic power-station
AM aa-Aa aa Baikal-Amur Railway (i.e. East Siberian
railway)
e ee ea ea lit without denite abode, i.e. vagrant,
down-and-out
TP èa armoured personnel carrier
BB a e gross domestic product (GDP)
BBC Be-Be C air force
BHX Baa e a
a
exhibition of Soviet economic
achievements (in Moscow)
213
BM Be-M (military) navy
BH a aa gross national product (GNP)
BOB Bea eeea a lit Great War of the Fatherland, i.e.
Second World War
BO Bea aa
aàe
World Health Organisation (WHO)
B e-e e militaryindustrial complex
BC e armed forces
BTO Bea a aa World Trade Organisation (WTO)
B ee ee aeee higher educational institution
A aea aa
e
Soviet/Russian trafc police
ATT eeae aee aa
e
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT)
P
eaa eaea
Pea
German Democratic Republic, i.e. former
East Germany
ae e
ea e
Committee responsible for putsch in
USSR in August 1991
P
ae aeaee
aee
Soviet military intelligence
B aee aee
e e
Ministry of Internal Affairs
C èa hydroelectric power-station
T -ae ee road accident
EC Eee e/
Ee
European Community (EC)/European
Union (EU)
X -ae communal housing service
AC (e) a a aa
register ofce
- - Iliushin (Russian aircraft)
M ea Institute of World Literature
(in Moscow)
e ae
ea
Committee of State Security (KGB)
HP ea
Ha-eaea
ea
North Korea
P ea a
P eea
Communist Party of the Russian
Federation
CC
ea a
Ce Ca
Communist Party of the Soviet Union
(CPSU)
214
ea ae
ee
Leningrad State University
MAAT Meae ae
a e
International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA)
MPP Mea a
e a
International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development
M M ae
ee
Moscow State University
MHP Ma Haa Pea Mongolian Peoples Republic
MO Me Ministry of Defence
MC Me e e Ministry of Communications
MXAT M ee
aaee ea
Moscow Arts Theatre
HATO Ceèaae North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
(NATO)
H a-eae scientic research institute
HB
Ha aa e
e
Peoples Commissariat of Internal Affairs
(Soviet police agency, 193443)
H
a ea a New Economic Policy (of 1920s)

OA Oee Aae a United Arab Emirates
OB
Oaa Baa a Warsaw Treaty Organisation

OBP Oe ea visa and registration department
OOH Oaa Oe Ha United Nations Organisation (UN)
OO Oaa Oe
ae
Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO)
OE Oaa a-
e
Organisation of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC)
OCP Oaa e
ea a
Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD)
BO -a a anti-aircraft defence
PAH Pa Aae a Russian Academy of Sciences
P Pa eea Russian Federation
CB -eea aa convertible currency
CH Ce ea
a
Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS)
C ee ee joint venture
CCCP
C Ce Cae
Pe
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
(USSR)
CA Cee a Ae United States of America (USA)
CB
Ce e
a
Council for Mutual Economic Aid
(COMECON)
215
TACC
Teeae ae Ce
Ca
TASS, i.e. the Soviet news agency
TB eeee TV
TH aàae a multinational corporations
T - Te- Tupolev (Russian aircraft)
P eeae aea Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
P
eeaa Pea ea Federal German Republic, i.e. former

West Germany
C eeaa a ea Federal Security Service
P ea a P Central Bank of Russia
ea e Central Committee (of CPSU)

P eae aeaee
aee
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
eae ee lit extreme event, i.e. emergency, some
natural or man-made disaster
HECO Oaa OOH a
aa, a
United Nations Educational, Scientic
and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
6.11 Names of countries and nationalities
The following lists are not exhaustive, but give the names of most
countries of the world, grouped according to continent or region,
together with the adjectives formed from them and the nouns
denoting male and female representatives of each nationality.
The sufxes most commonly used to denote nationality are -e and
-, for males, and -a and -a for females. However, in certain
instances the expected feminine form cannot be used or at least seems
unnatural to native speakers (and is therefore omitted from the lists in
the following sections). In other instances no noun at all is derived
from the name of the country to denote nationality, or at least Russians
might hesitate to use a form that does in theory exist. When in doubt
as to whether a particular noun denoting nationality may be used one
may have recourse to a phrase with e, inhabitants, e.g. e
, people who live in Burundi.
In some foreign words the letter e is pronounced ; this
pronunciation is indicated in brackets after the word in question. An
asterisk after a place-name in this section indicates that the noun in
question is indeclinable.
Note: nouns and adjectives denoting nationality do not begin with a capital letter in
Russian (see also 11.16).
6.11.1 Russia and the other states of the former Soviet Union
In this table the name of the former Soviet republic is given in brackets
where it differs from the name of the new state.
216
country adjective man/woman
Russia P /a
Russian Federation Pa eea /a
Note: , as mentioned in 1.1, has come to be used to denote the nationality,
which embraces people who are not ethnically Russian and things which are
not culturally Russian.
Armenia Ae a a/aa
Azerbaijan Aeaa aeaa aeaae/
aeaaa
Belarus ea (f ) (e) e e/ea
Estonia e/a
Georgia /a
Kazakhstan aaa aa aa/aaa
Kyrgyzstan (Kirgizia) a () /a
Latvia a a or
a
a/aa
Lithuania a e/a
Moldova Ma (Ma) a r
aa
aa/
aaa
Tadjikistan Taa a a/aa
Turkmenistan Tea (Te) e e/ea
Ukraine aa a ae/aa
Uzbekistan ea e e/ea
6.11.2 Other regions and national minorities of Russia and
the former Soviet Union
region adjective ethnic group
Abkhazia Aa aa aae/aaa
Baikal region aaae aaa aaae
Baltic region aa (also
a)
a a(e)/
aa
Bashkiria a a a/aa
black earth region e e
Buriat region /a
Caucasus aa aa aae/aaa
Chechnia e ee eee/eea
Chuvash region a a a/aa
217
Crimea a/
aa
Note: in the Crimea, .
Dagestan aea aea aeae/aeaa
Ingushetia e /a
Kalmyk region a a a/aa
Karelia ae ae ae/aea
Kuban a (f ) a ae/aa
Note: in the Kuban, a a.
Mari Republic Maa
Pea
a ae/aa r
a (m and f, indecl)
Mordvin region M /a;
also a (collect)
Moscow region e
mountain region (i.e.
Caucasus)
or (pl; sg e)
Ossetia Oe e e/ea
Siberia C (f ) /a
steppe e (f ) e
taiga aa a a
Tatarstan Taaa aa aa/aaa
Transcaucasia aaae aaa
tundra a
Udmurt region /a
White Sea coast Ceee e /a
Yakutia /Caa /a
6.11.3 Europe (E a)
Albania Aa aa aae/aaa
Austria

A a ae/aa
Belgium e e ee/ea
Bosnia e/a
Bulgaria a a a/aa
Croatia Xa a a/aa
Czech Republic ea Pea e e/ea
218
Denmark a a aa/aaa
England

A a aa/
aaa
Finland /a
France a a a/aea
Germany ea ee ee/ea
Great Britain Bea a/
a
ae/aa
aa/
aaa
Note: a, aa, aaa tend to be used to encompass where
necessary all things British or all British people unless it is intended to make
specic reference to Scottish or Welsh things or people.
Greece e ee e/eaa
Holland a/
Hea
a/
ea
ae/aa r
eae/
eaa
Hungary Be ee e/eea
Iceland a a ae/aa
Ireland a a ae/aa
Italy a a ae/aa
Luxembourg e e ee/
ea
Norway He e ee/ea
Poland a /a
Portugal a a ae/
aa
Romania P /a
Scotland a a ae/
aa
Serbia Ce e e/ea or
ea
Slovakia Ca a a/aa
Slovenia Ce e ee/ea
Spain a a ae/aa
Sweden e e e/ea
Switzerland ea ea eae/
eaa
Wales /
a
e r
ae/aa
219
6.11.4 Africa (
Aa)
Algeria A a ae/aa
Angola Aa a ae/aa
Benin e e ee/ea
Botswana aa a e a
Burundi
e
Cameroon ae ae aee/aea
Chad a a e aa
Egypt Ee ee e/ea
Ethiopia /a
Ghana aa a ae/aa
Ivory Coast ee C
e eea
C
Kenya e e ee/ea
Libya e/a
Mauritania Maa aa aae/
aaa
Morocco Ma
aa aae/
aaa
Mozambique Ma a e Maa
Namibia Ha a e Ha
Nigeria He e ee/ea
Rwanda Paa a ae/aa
Senegal Ceea eea eeae/eeaa
Somalia Ca
a ae/aa
South Africa
-Aaa
Pea (A
P)
àa e A
P
Sudan Ca a ae/aa
Tanzania Taa aa aae/aaa
Togo T e ee/ea
Tunisia T e/a
Uganda aa a ae/aa
Zaire a a ae/aa
Zambia a a ae/aa
Zimbabwe ae
a ae/
aa
220
6.11.5 America (Aea)
Argentina Aea ae aee/aea
Bolivia e/a
Brazil a a ae/aa
Canada aaa aa aae/aaa
Chile
e/a
Colombia e/a
Costa Rica a-Pa aa aae/
aaa
Ecuador a a ae/aa
El Salvador Caa aa aae/aaa
Guatemala aeaa () aea aeae/aeaa
Guyana aaa aa aae/aaa
Honduras a a ae/aa
Mexico Mea ea eae/eaa
Nicaragua Haaa aaa aaae/
aaaa
Panama aaa aa e aa
Paraguay aaa aaa aaae/aaaa
Peru e
ea eae/eaa
United States of
America
Cee
a Ae
aea aeae/aeaa
Uruguay a a ae/aa
Venezuela Beea ee eee/eea
6.11.6 Asia (
A)
Afghanistan Aaa aa aae/aaa
Bangladesh aae aae aaee/aaea
Burma a a ae/aa
Cambodia aa/
a
a/
a
ae/aa r
ae/aa
China a a ae/aa
Note: aa cannot be used for Chinese woman; it used to mean nankeen (type
of cloth).
221
India
e/aa
Note 1 The forms /a, originally Hindu, are often used instead of
e/aa.
2 The adjective e and the noun ee refer to American Indians.
The feminine form aa may refer to an Indian woman of either
race. The noun ea means turkey.
Indonesia e e ee/ea
Iran a a ae/aa
Note: the forms e, e, and e/ea also occur, but like
their English equivalents (Persia, Persian, Persian man/woman) they are not
used with reference to the modern state of Iran.
Japan e/a
Korea e e ee/ea
Note: ea cannot be used for Korean woman; it means brisket (meat).
Laos a a a/aa
Malaya Maa aa aae/aaa
Malaysia Maa aa aae/aaa
Mongolia M /a
Nepal Hea ea eae/eaa
Pakistan aa aa aae/aaa
Singapore Ca a ae/aa
Sri Lanka -aa a e -a or
()a
Thailand Taa aa/
a
aae/aaa r (in pl)
a
Tibet Te e ee/ea
Vietnam Bea ea eae/eaa
6.11.7 The Middle East ( B)
Iraq a a e aa or a
Israel a (m) a a/aa
Jordan a a ae/aa
Kuwait e e e ea or
ee
Lebanon a a ae/aa
222
6.12 Inhabitants of Russian cities
Palestine aea ae aee/aea
Saudi Arabia Caa Aa a e Ca Aa
Syria C e/a
Turkey T e /aa
Note: gen pl , though may be heard in R1.
Yemen ee () ee eee/eea
6.11.8 Australia and New Zealand
Australia Aa aa aae/aaa
New Zealand Ha ea ea eae/eaa
6.12 Words denoting inhabitants of Russian and former
Soviet cities
Nouns denoting natives or inhabitants of certain cities (e.g. Bristolian,
Glaswegian, Londoner, Parisian) are rather more widely used in Russian
than in English (at least in relation to natives or inhabitants of Russian
cities). Moreover a wider range of sufxes (both masculine and
feminine) is in common use for this purpose than in English, e.g.
-e/-a, -a/-aa, -/-a, -/-a, -/-a. However,
it is not easy for the foreigner to predict which sufx should be applied
to the name of a particular Russian city. A list is therefore given below
of the nouns denoting natives or inhabitants of the major Russian
cities, and of some cities of other former republics of the USSR.
Several major cities (like the names of many streets, squares and
other public places) have been renamed in the post-Soviet period.
(Usually the pre-revolutionary name has been resurrected.) In such
cases the former Soviet name is given in brackets.
Note: in the case of some of the less important cities the nouns denoting their
inhabitants may rarely be used or may have only local currency.
city adjective inhabitant
Aae aae aaee/aaea
Aaa (f ) aaa aaae/aaaa

a a ae/aa
B e/a
Ba a e(a) Baa
223
Ba a e(a) Baa r
ae/aa
Ba a/aa r
e/a
Be e ee/ea
Ba () /a
Eae
(Ce)
eae eaee/eaeea
Eaea
(eè)
eaea eaeae/eaeaa
/a
aa (f ) aa aae/aaa
e e e/ea
a /a
aa aa aae/aaa
a a ae/aa
a/aa
/a
M a/aa
Ma /a (also /
a; obs)
H H
()
e ee/ea
H e/a
H e/a
H e Ha (also )
Oea e e/ea (pronunciation also
possible)
O /aa
/ /a
a/aa
Pa a/aa
P a/aa
Pa (f ) a ae/aa
Caaa
(e)
aa aaa/aaaa
Ca-ee
(ea)
ee
(ea)
eee/eea
(eae/eaa)
Caa aa aaa/aaaa
(also aae)
Cea (m) ea eae
224
6.13 Jokes and puns
Ce e /a
C e/a
Ta a ae
Ta a ae/aa
Ta a e Ta
Te (f ) (a) e e/ea
T /aa
Ta /a
Xaa aa aaa/aaaa
Xa a aa/aaa
a e/a
a (m) a ae
Note: a noun of a similar sort to those denoting inhabitants of certain cities is
derived from e, land, earth, i.e. e/ea, which means person from
the same region.
6.13 Jokes (ae) and puns (aa)
Ae, by which Russians mean a joke or little story that captures
some aspect of the everyday world or a political situation in an
amusing way, have for a long time played an important role in Russian
life. They express peoples reactions to ofcial stupidity or to the
absurdity of their situation or offer a generalised representation of
topical political, economic or cultural events. They are also a useful
source of linguistic material for the foreign learner.
Ae had a particularly important function in Soviet times,
providing people with a verbal outlet for their frustration at the
mistakes or inefciency of party ofcials. The low educational level of
many party workers, for example, gave rise to the following popular
joke: aee, e a e a ?
e a a a ee, Do you
know why Wednesday is the day for Communist Party meetings? Because they
cant spell Tuesday or Thursday (In Russian ea is slightly easier to
spell than or ee.)
The period of perestr oika, especially

El
tsins (i.e. Yeltsins) term in

ofce, also gave rise to numerous jokes and puns which expressed a
jaundiced view of current affairs, e.g. aaa, i.e. aaa,
catastrophe, + eea; ea, i.e. e, crap, instead of
e + a. Peoples disappointment with the results of
privatisation, when they came to feel that they were getting nothing
while a greedy few were becoming billionaires, found expression in the
coinage aa, in which the insertion of the sound x turns
the loanword aa into a noun with the Russian root a,
suggesting snatching or stealing (see also the word a in 5.1.2).
225
The recent inundation of the Russian language with anglicisms
(a), which reects the post-Soviet openness and receptivity
to what is going on in the outside world, has prompted numerous
letters to newspapers by people who have not been able to understand
what they were reading in the Russian press. Misunderstanding of
anglicisms also lies behind a joke in the form of a dialogue between
two boys, who think that three foreign words that are unfamiliar to
them all relate to the same subject (confectionery):
T e a? Have you tried Snickers?
a, a! Yes, theyre great!
A a a? And Mars?
Ce! Fantastic!
A aa a? What about Tampax?
He! No, I havent.
e , a aa! Well, dont, theyre just cotton-wool!
(The frequency of jokes about Tampax probably reects unease, in the
post-Soviet world in which commercial advertising has all of a sudden
become pervasive, about the publicity given to a product that is so
personal.)
Financial crisis, and in particular the collapse of the rouble in 1998,
has been a further source of wry jokes, such as the following:
ee a. a
a ea?
A man phones a bank. How
are things with you?
B . Everythings OK.
, ae, e a a! I must have the wrong number.
The similarity of the words for bank (a) and jar (aa), and the
coincidence of their prepositional singular forms ( ae), provide an
opportunity for punning which has given rise to a further,
untranslatable joke on the same theme:
e e a e? Where do Russians keep their money?
B ae. A a
a.
In the bank. And they keep it (i.e. the
jar) under the bed.
The recent emergence in post-Soviet economic conditions of a class of
very wealthy people (e e) also provides fertile ground for
Russian humour. English-speakers familiar with the Essex jokes of
the 1990s will recognise the spirit of the following:
O
: C, a
a a a.
One new Russian says to another:
Look at my tie, I paid a hundred
dollars for it.
226
6.13 Jokes and puns
eae:
, a
a e
aa .
The other replies: You didnt do too
well, you can get one round the corner
for 220.
Animosity towards the nouveaux riches who aunt their wealth is
reected in a spate of popular jokes based on a tale from folklore (and
perpetuated in a fairy-tale by P ushkin). In the tale an old man catches
a golden sh and lets it swim back into the sea without asking anything
in return. To thank the old man for this act of generosity the sh tells
him it will grant the old man any wish that he might have. In the
current joke the roles of man and sh are reversed:
H a
e:
e ee a, a a?
A new Russian catches a golden
sh and says to it: Well, what
is it you want, golden sh?
It should be emphasised, nally, that many jokes ourish because of
their topicality and that their appeal, like that of slang (5.1.4 above), is
therefore ephemeral. At the same time it is useful for the foreign
student to know that as a conversational genre the joke remains very
popular and that it often depends for its success on linguistic subtlety,
especially exploitation of the opportunities that Russian offers for
punning, as well as on the verbal dexterity of the speaker.
227
7 Verbal etiquette
7.1 Introductory remarks
Every language has conventional formulae to which its speakers resort in
certain situations that constantly occur in everyday life: addressing others,
attracting their attention, making acquaintance, greeting and parting,
conveying congratulations, wishes, gratitude and apologies, making
requests and invitations, giving advice, offering condolences and paying
compliments. Telephone conversations take place and letters are written
within established frameworks that vary according to the relationship
between those communicating and the nature of the exchange.
Ignorance of the formulae in use for these purposes among speakers
of a language may make dealings with them on any level difcult and
unsuccessful or may even cause offence. Or to look at it from a more
positive point of view, the speaker who has mastered a limited number
of these formulae will make her or his intentions and attitudes clear, set
a tone appropriate to the situation and thereby greatly facilitate
communication and win social or professional acceptance.
One may say that there are particular advantages for the foreign
student of Russian in deploying the correct formulae in a given
situation. In the rst place, Russians are aware of the difculty of their
language for the foreign student and have little expectation that a
foreigner will speak it well, let alone that a foreigner should be
sympathetic to their customs, of which they are inured to criticism.
They therefore tend to be more impressed by and favourably disposed
towards the foreigner who has mastered the intricacies of their
language and is prepared to observe at least their linguistic customs
than are perhaps the British towards foreign English-speakers. And in
the second place, it would be true to say that Russian society has
remained, at least until very recently, in many respects conservative and
traditional and has adhered quite rigidly to conventional procedures,
including linguistic usage, at least in the public sphere.
The following sections give some of the most common
conventional formulae that are of use to the foreign student of
Russian. Many of the formulae may occur in very numerous
combinations of their parts, only a few of which can be given here.
One may introduce many formulae, for example, with any one of the
following phrases meaning I want or I should like to. (The phrases are
arranged with the most direct rst and the least direct last.)

e(a)
Me e
Me e
228
7.2 Use of and
Often the grammatical forms used in the formula (in particular
choice of or forms) are determined by the context. A formula
used exclusively in a formal situation, for example, is likely to contain
only forms.
The formulae given in this chapter may be taken to be stylistically
neutral and therefore of broad application unless an indication is
given that they belong predominantly to R1 or R3. In general,
formulae in the lower register are characterised by ellipsis (see 11.13)
while those in the higher register are more periphrastic and often
contain the imperative forms e or aee (allow [me]/
permit [me] ).
Translations of the formulae given here are often inexact in a literal
sense; an attempt has been made instead to render the spirit of the
original by the most appropriate English formula.
7.2 Use of and
English-speaking students, having only one second-person form of
address (you) at their disposal, must take particular care with the
second-person pronouns in Russian. To use them incorrectly is at best
to strike a false note and at worst to cause offence.
If one is addressing more than one person, then only may be
used. If on the other hand one is addressing only one person, then
either or may be used. As a general rule one may say that is
more respectful and formal than , but a fuller list of factors that
determine choice of pronoun would include the following
considerations.

degree of intimacy to adults on rst meeting
to adults not well known to the
speaker
to people well known or close to
the speaker
to ones partner, parents, children
children to other children
Note: one may switch from to as one comes to know the addressee better.
This switch may take place almost immediately between people of the same
age, especially young people, or it may be delayed until some closeness
develops. Even when one knows a person well and feels close to them one
may remain on terms; this is particularly the case among educated older
people who wish to preserve the sense of mutual respect connoted by .
relative status to seniors in age or rank to juniors in age or rank
Note: one may address ones seniors as if one knows them well enough; con-
versely, to address a junior as appears condescending unless there is some
closeness and mutual trust between the speakers.
formality of
situation
in formal or ofcial contexts in informal or unofcial contexts
229
7 Verbal etiquette
Note: even if one normally addresses a person as one should switch to in a
formal or ofcial situation.
state of relations cool, stiff, strained, excessively
polite
disrespectful, over-familiar
The point here is that subversion of the normal rules indicates that the
relationship is not as it should be, given the degree of intimacy, relative
status and formality or informality of the situation. The speaker
therefore chooses the pronoun which in normal circumstances would
seem inappropriate.
7.3 Personal names
All Russians have three names: a rst or given name (), chosen by
ones parents; a patronymic (e), derived from ones fathers
name; and a surname (a).
7.3.1 First names (ea)
Use of a persons rst name only is an informal mode of address. The
foreigner may use the rst name, in its full form ( e) or in its
shortened form ( ae), if one exists, in addressing
children and students. However, it might seem impolite if one were to
use the rst name on its own on rst acquaintance to an adult
(particularly ones seniors in age or status) unless invited to do so
(therefore see also 7.3.2).
The majority of Russian rst names have shortened forms and
diminutive forms. The foreigner must be aware of these forms, which
may be confusing in their abundance and variety, because they will be
frequently encountered in informal conversation and in imaginative
literature. However, great care must be taken both to use them only in
the right circumstances and to distinguish the nuances of the various
forms. Three principal forms must be distinguished apart from the
shortened forms that can be derived from most rst names, viz:
r
a truncated version of the shortened form which amounts to a form in
the vocative case for use when a person is being called or addressed;
r
a diminutive form which is a term of special endearment
(hypocoristic). Such forms are usually derived from the shortened
form, if one exists, by using one of the sufxes -ea and
-a/-ea for men and women alike, e.g. C
aea, Baea,
aea, ea, Haaea, Taea. These forms are used
by parents or relations in talking to their children. Among older people
they are used only when addressing those to whom one is very close;
r
a further diminutive form derived from the shortened form by using
the sufx -a (e.g. Ba, a, ea, ea, Haaa,
Taa). Such forms may be used by young children addressing one
230
7.3 Personal names
another. When used of adults about children or about other adults
these forms may express disapproval or even verge on coarseness, but
equally they may express affection in a jocular way towards people to
whom one is very close.
The following lists give the most common mens and womens rst
names and some, but by no means all, of the shortened or diminutive
forms that may be derived from them. Fashions vary over time and in
different sections of the population, but the majority of the names
given here have been widespread since pre-revolutionary times and
now occur in most strata of the population.
Mens rst names
full form shortened vocative of hypocoristic pejorative
of name form short form diminutive diminutive
Aea Caa, a Ca, Caea,
a
Caa, a
Aee Aa, a , A Aea,
ea
Aa, a
Aa T T Tea, T Ta
Ae Aa A Aea Aa
Aa Aaa Aa Aaea Aaa
ea a
Ba Ba Ba Baea Baa
Bae Ba Ba Baea Baa
Bae Baea Bae Baea Baea
Ba Ba Ba Baea Baa
B B, Ba B Bea Ba
Ba B B Bea Ba
Bea Caa Ca Caa Caa
ea ea e ea ea
a ea a
a, M , M a,
Mea
a, Ma
Ee e e eea ea
a Ba Ba Baea Baa
a a
a ea,
a
e ea a
Ma Ma M Mea Ma
231
7 Verbal etiquette
Ha ea a
Oe Oee,
Oeea
Oea
ae aa a aea aa
e e eea ea
Pa P
Cee Cea Ce Ceea Cea
Caa Caa, Ca Ca, Ca Caea,
Caea
Caa
Cea Ca C Ca Ca
ea
a
Womens rst names
full form shortened vocative of hypocoristic pejorative
of name form short form diminutive diminutive
Aeaa Caa, a Ca, Caea,
a
Caa, a
Aa A

Aa

Aa
Aa

A, Ha A, H

Aea, Ha

Aa, Hpa
Bea Be Bea, Bea Bea
B Ba B Ba
aa a a aa aa
Ee e e eea ea
Eaea a a aea aa
Eea ea, Aa e ea,
Aa
ea, Aa
ea, ea a
a,
a
a
a
aa aa a aa aa
ea a
a a, , a a, a,
Ma M Ma Ma
Maaa Pa P Pa Pa
Maa Ma Maa Maa
Ma Maa Ma Maea Maa
Haea Ha Ha Haea Haa
232
7.3 Personal names
Haa Haaa Haa Haa,
Haaa,
Haaea
Haaa
Ha H Ha Ha
O
a

O O O
ea

Oa
Paa Pa Pa Paea Paa
Ceaa Cea Ce Cea Cea
C/C C C Cea Ca
Taaa Ta Taa Taaa Taaa, Ta
Taa Ta Ta Taea, Taa Taa
a
a, a
ea,
ea
a
7.3.2 Patronymics (ea)
A patronymic is a name derived from the name of ones father. Russian
patronymics are based on the full form of the rst name and are
obtained by the addition of one of the following sufxes:
in mens names in womens names
following hard consonants - -a
following soft consonants or
replacing -e -ea
replacing a or - -a
In colloquial speech the patronymics are shortened, and their normal
pronunciation is given in the right-hand column of the table below.
When the patronymic is combined with a rst name, as it almost
always is, then the two words in effect merge into one and only the
ending of the patronymic is inected.
colloquial pronunciation
rst name patronymic of patronymic
Aea Aea Aea
Aee Aeee Aee
Aa Aae Aa
Ae Aee Ae
Aa Aae Aa

Ba Ba Ba
233
7 Verbal etiquette
Bae Bae Bae
Bae Bae()e Bae
Ba Bae Ba
B B B
Ba Ba Ba
Bea Bea Bea
ea eae ea
e
e
Ee Eee Ee
a a a
e
a a a
e e e
Ma Ma Ma
Ha Hae Ha
Oe Oe Oe
ae a a()
e e()
Pa Pa Pa
Cee Ceee Cee
Caa Caa Caa
Cea Cea Cea
Note: the forms in the right-hand column above are not necessarily the only possible
truncated forms, nor are all patronymics truncated in pronunciation.
Patronymics should as a rule be used in the following circumstances:
(a) when a persons full name is being given (e.g. in introductions or in
answer to an ofcial question);
(b) together with the rst name, as a polite form of address to an adult
with whom one is not on intimate terms. In this latter use it
combines with the full form of the rst name (e.g. a e,
Eea ea), not a shortened or diminutive form. This polite
form of address corresponds to an English form with title and surname
(e.g. Mr Smith, Mrs Johnson, Dr Collins).
Note: the patronymic on its own may be encountered as a form of address among
older people in the countryside, e.g. e! aa!
234
7.4 Attracting attention
7.4 Attracting attention (eee a)
The following formulae are commonly used to attract the attention of
a stranger. With the exceptions indicated all are polite if not very
polite. Some include part of the request that they generally introduce,
e.g. for information of some sort.
e (aa)! a seeking directions,
help, or
information
e?
e (aa)! a
e?
Cae, aa, a
e?
Excuse me, how do I get
to the underground?
B e ee aa . . . ?
He ee
aa . . . ?
B e aee . . . ?
He aa . . . ?
Ba e a
aa . . . ?
Ba e aa . . . ?
Could you tell me . . .
e , ae,
a?
e e, ae,
a ?
Could you tell me the time please ?
Note: because the above formulae are all polite and suitable for use to strangers it
would not be appropriate to couch any of them in the form.
M e/a a ? Could I speak to you for a moment ?
Note: this expression is more familiar, may be used to acquaintances, and is
commonly couched in the form.
The initial response to an approach which does not itself include a
responses to
requests for
information
request may be as follows:
a. Yes.
a, aa. Yes, please.
? What ?
Ca (a). Im listening (to you).
e ee/ea? (R3b) How can I be of help?
a a. (R3b or iron) At your service.
Hy? (R1) Well ?
ee? (R1) What do you want ?
(Hy) e ee? (R1) (Well) what do you want ?
If the addressee is not sure that it is he or she who is being addressed,
an elliptical response might be:
235
7 Verbal etiquette
B e?
B e?
Are you talking to me ?
If the addressee has not heard or understood the request, the response
may be:
-? (R1) What was that ?
e, aa. Could you say that again?
e, e aa(a). Im sorry, I didnt catch what you said.
aa? What did you say?
If the addressee cannot answer the question, the response may be:
He a. I dont know.
He aa. I cant say.
He a. (R1) I cant say.
The widespread forms of address for calling people unknown to the calling for
attention
speaker, both of them stylistically neutral, are:
M ee! (to males) Young man!
ea! (to females) Young lady!
Note: these forms of address are used, despite the literal meanings of the terms
(young man and girl respectively), to call not just young people but also
people up to middle age.
At a higher stylistic level an educated person might use:
a! Youth!
At a lower stylistic level, one might use one of the following familiar
forms of address, perhaps preceded by the coarse particle !
ae! (R1) Lad!
! (R1) Friend!
e! (R1) Friend!
The pronoun would be appropriate, indeed expected, with
these forms of address (which should, however, be avoided by the
foreign student), e.g.
, ae, e e
a? (R1)
He mate, have you got a light ?
At this level, one might provocatively use some attribute of the
addressee as the form of address, e.g.
, a! (D) Hey, you with the beard!
, a! (D) Hey, you with the specs !
In familiar speech, older people, especially in the country, may be
addressed as:
ea! Grandfather !
aa! Grandmother !
236
7.5 Introductions
Young children might address older strangers as:
! lit Uncle ! (cf. Eng mister ! )
ea! lit Little uncle !
T! Auntie ! (cf. Eng missis ! )
Tea! lit Little auntie !
Children speaking to their grandparents might use the words
e, grandad, and a, granny, nan.
Foreigners may be addressed as (Mr) r a (Mrs ) +
their surname, e.g.
C! Mr Smith!
a a! Mrs Brown!
!
other forms of
address
Doctor !
Cea! Nurse !
e! Professor !
! Friends !
e! Colleagues !
Pea! Lads !
Ma! Boys !
e! Girls !
e! (Young) girls !
e! Pupils !
a a! Ladies and gentlemen!
7.5 Introductions (a)
a a.
introducing
oneself
e(a) a
a.
Me e a
a.
Me e a
a.
lit I want/should like to meet
you/make your acquaintance.
aa(e) a!
aa(e) a!
lit Lets meet/get to know one
another.
e ( a)
a. (R3)
Paee ( a)
a. (R3)
e ea. (R3)
Paee ea. (R3)
Allow me to introduce myself
to you.
All the above formulae precede naming of oneself. The form of ones
name that one gives depends on the degree of formality of the
237
7 Verbal etiquette
situation. Young people meeting in an informal situation would give
only their rst name, perhaps even in a diminutive form, e.g.
(Me ) Ba. My name is Vladimir.
(Me ) B. My name is Volodia.
(Me ) Taa. My name is Tat
iana.
(Me ) Ta. My name is Tania.
In a formal situation one would give ones rst name and
patronymic, e.g.
Me Ha e. My name is Nikolai Petrovich.
Me O
a Ceeea. My name is Ol
ga Sergeevna.
or even all three names (rst name, patronymic and surname), often
with the surname rst, e.g.
Ee Evgenii Borisovich Popov
a aa Taaa Irina Pavlovna Tarasova
a, Cee e Goncharov, Sergei Petrovich
Note 1 The nominative case is preferred after the verb form when people
are being named (see the examples above), although the instrumental is also
grammatically possible after a, e.g.
, a e
e (R1), My name is Igor, but people call me Gosha.
2 The formula e tends to be omitted if the surname is included.
In a formal situation connected with ones work one might give
ones position and surname, e.g.
e M
eea e
Moscow University Professor
Kuznetsov
e e
aa
Director of the City Museum
Goncharova
Having named oneself one may proceed in the following way to ask
for the same information from the other person:
A a a ? And what is your name ?
A a ae ? And what is your rst name ?
A a ae e? And what is your rst name and
patronymic ?
A a aa a? And what is your surname ?
O
e ! responses to
introductions
Very pleased to meet you.
Me e a
a.
I am very pleased to meet you.
O
e a(a) ! Very glad (to meet you).

a a(a). Ive heard about you.
Me a . Ive been told about you.
If the people have already met, one of the following formulae might be
appropriate:
238
7.6 Greetings
M e a. Were already acquainted.
M e ea. Weve already met.
a a. I know you (already).
a e- e(a). Ive seen you somewhere.
ae, aa. lit Meet each other.
a a introducing other
people
+ instr
I want to introduce you to
e(a) a a
+ instr
ea a + a
e a a
+ instr (R3)
Paee ea
a + a (R3)
Allow me to introduce you to
7.6 Greetings (ee)

a(e) !
general greetings
Hello.
e! Good day.
e ! Good morning.
ee! Good evening.
e! (R1) Hello.
a(a) a ea.
(formal; to audience)
I am pleased to welcome you.
aa! (on sbs arrival
for a stay)
Welcome.
C e! = aa
Xe-! revived archaic welcome to
guests at gathering, indicating
hospitality
() (e) a(a) e/a e. responses to
greetings
(I) am (very) glad to see you.
() e a(a) e/a e. (I) am glad to see you too.
a /e ?
enquiries about
ones affairs and
health
How are you getting on?
a aee ? How are you getting on?
a /aa ? Hows life ?
a () ea? How are things going ?
? (R1) Whats new?
a /a
//a/e?
How is your husband/son/
brother/father ?
a /aa
ea/a/ea/a?
How is your wife/daughter/
sister/mother ?
a e ee ? How do you feel ?
H, a ? (solicitous, e.g. after
illness)
How are you then?
239
7 Verbal etiquette
aeae. Marvellous.
Bee. Splendid.
Ha. All right. (This is the most
frequently used colloquial
response of to an enquiry
about how one is.)
X. Fine.
He. OK.
He a. I cant complain.
He. All right.
ae, e . Not bad.
H a, a. (R1) Middling.
Ta ee. (R1) So-so.
Hea. Not too good/well.
. Bad(ly).
e e aa(e) ! (R1) Better not to ask.
Xe ea! (R1) Couldnt be worse.
! (R1) Dreadful(ly).
aa (a) ea!
unexpected
meetings
lit What a (pleasant) meeting,
i.e. How nice to see you.
aa (a) ea! What a (pleasant) surprise.
He a(a) e/a e
(e).
I didnt expect to meet you
(here).
a a! (R1) Fancy meeting you here !
a a a(a) ? How did you get here ?
?
meeting after long
separation
lit Whos this ? i.e. Its good to
see you again after so long.
? Is it you?
T ? Is it you?
a e e. We havent seen each other for a
long time.
C e e e.
e e e e.
C e, !
We havent seen each other
for ages.
B /a.
meeting by
arrangement
Here I am.
T a /B a e ? Have you been waiting long ?
e a(a) ? Am I late ?
e aa(a) a a? I havent kept you waiting,
have I ?
e/a. responses at
meeting by
arrangement
Ive been waiting for you.
T /a -e/ Youre on time.
B -e.
A, . (R1) So here you are.
e , e a. Better late than never.
240
7.7 Farewells
7.7 Farewells (ae)
a. Goodbye. (lit until [the next]
meeting; cf. Fr au revoir)
e! Lets meet (again) soon.
eea! Till this evening.
aa! Till tomorrow.
eea! Till Monday.
a(e) ! = a or may
suggest parting for ever (cf. Fr
adieu as opposed to au revoir)
Be e!
Be ! All the best.
Be! (R1)
a! (R1) So long.
Ca! (R1) Good luck.
C ! Good night.
M e . Well see each other again.
He aa(e) a.
phrases associated
with parting
Dont forget us.
(e). Come again.
a(e). Drop in again.
(e). Give us a ring.
ea(e). Come again. (to sb travelling
from afar)
(e). Write (to us).
a(e) ee a. lit Let us know about you.
M , a e
a.
= Youre always welcome to come
again.
eea(e) e + dat Give my regards to
()e(e) ee/
/a.
Give your children/daughter/son
a kiss from me.
He ae . Remember me kindly. (to sb
going away for good)
It might be appropriate as one is preparing to part to use one of the formulae
preceding parting
following phrases:
e . Its late.
Me a . Its time I was leaving.
Me a
.
Its been nice talking to you.
At the end of a business meeting it might be appropriate to use one of
the following formulae:
M . Weve agreed about everything.
M a . Weve found a common language.
e, aea(a) a. Im sorry Ive kept you.
e, (a) a
ee.
Im sorry Ive taken up so much of
your time.
241
7 Verbal etiquette
7.8 Congratulation (aee)
Congratulations are generally couched in a construction in which the
verb a/a, to congratulate, which is followed by c
+ instr, is used, or more often simply understood, e.g.
a a ee
ea!
Congratulations on the birth
of your child.
C Pe! Happy Christmas.
C H ! Happy New Year.
C e! Happy birthday.
C a! Happy wedding anniversary.
C a! said to sb emerging from bath
or shower (literally expressing a
wish that a person has been
refreshed by the right sort of
steam in the apa or steam
room of the a)
The phrase might end with e or a as a direct object of the verb,
but the inclusion of this pronoun is not essential. Examples:
C ee a e! Congratulations on your silver
wedding anniversary.
C ae eea a ! Congratulations on graduating.
For more formal congratulations one of the following formulae may
be used:
e a a
+ instr (R3)
Allow me to congratulate you on
e
ee/eee/e/
e ae c +
instr (R3)
(Please) accept my
sincere/heartfelt/warmest/warm
congratulations on
O e a/eea
a a c + instr (R3)
On behalf of the company/
university I congratulate you on
Congratulations might be accompanied by the giving of presents, giving presents
in which case one of the following formulae might be used:
B ee a. (R1) Heres a present for you.
ee. (R1) This is for you.

a a . I want to give you a book.
aa, e a
a. (R3)
Please accept our gift.
7.9 Wishing (eae)
Wishes are generally couched in a construction in which the
imperfective verb ea, to wish, is used or understood. In the full
242
7.9 Wishing
construction this verb is followed by an indirect object in the dative,
indicating the recipient of the wish, and an object in the genitive
indicating the thing wished for. The verb ea may also be followed
by an innitive. Examples:
ea ee a! I wish you happiness.
ea a e! I wish you every success.
Be ae! All the best.
aea! Bn appetit.
Ca ! Bn voyage.
e ! (said to ageing
person)
Long life.
ea ee e! Get better quickly.
More formal wishes might be rendered thus:
e ae
e/ee/eee/
e ea.
(Please) accept my best/most
sincere/heartfelt/warmest wishes.
Wishes, or an element of wishing, may also be expressed by means of
the imperative or by , ma, e.g.
Baa(e). Get better.
ee(e) e. Look after yourself.
Pa . (said to
child)
Grow big and clever.
ee e ! Ma all be well for you.
ee e! Ma you have good luck.
Note: the expression H a ea, Good luck, is said to a person about to take an
examination. (Originally the purpose of this expression, which literally means
Neither down nor feather, was to wish sb good luck as they set off to go
hunting.) The response is K ! To the devil.
Speeches and toasts are a very much more widespread feature of
toasts
Russian life than of British life. Even at an informal gathering in
the home speeches may well be delivered and toasts proposed to
guests by the host and others, and the guests should themselves
respond with speeches and toasts of their own. A toast might be
proposed in one of the following ways:
(a) ae e! (To) your health.
a + acc I want to drink to
eaa a + acc I propose a toast to
a a a + acc I raise my glass (lit goblet; poet) to
e a a +
a (R3)
Allow me to raise my glass to
Paee a a
+ a (R3)
Allow me to propose a toast to
243
7 Verbal etiquette
Note: it is the preposition a that should be used in toasts to translate Eng to, not a
(which is commonly used in error by English-speakers in this context); see
also the note at the end of 7.10 below.
7.10 Gratitude (aa)
Ca. Thank you.
e a. Thank you very much.
Ca a ae. (said to
audience after talk or lecture)
Thank you for your attention.
Ca, a e. Thank you for hearing me out.
aa a a e. Thank you for your hospitality.
e aae/aaa
a.
I am very grateful to you.
a a(a). I am much obliged to you.
e aee/
aea a a ee
e.(R3b)
I am very grateful to you for
your valuable advice.
e(a) a I should like to express my
aa a , (R3b) gratitude for the fact that
Note: for is rendered by a + acc in such expressions.
The recipient of thanks routinely dismisses gratitude as unnecessary:
responses to thanks
aa. Dont mention it. (cf. Fr de rien; but
note that e is not used in
this sense)
He /He a . Its nothing.
H , ae ! (R1) Dont be silly, its nothing.
Note: the expression a e is used as a response to some expression of thanks
for hospitality such as Ca a ee (Thanks for treating me/Thanks for
the food and drink). The expression is only used in this sense. It should not be
confused with a ae e (see 7.9 above).
7.11 Apologising (ee)
Apologies are most often framed with one of the verbs /
, to excuse; /, to apologise; or a/
, to forgive.
(e), (aa). Im sorry. (lit Excuse me)
(e) a e. Im sorry to trouble you.
(e) e a ,
a(a) ee/a .
I am sorry that I forgot to ring you.
(e), (aa). = (e)
(e) e. Forgive me. (for more serious
transgressions)
244
7.12 Request
e. Forgive me.
e/a
ee a a ,
I must apologise to you for the fact
that
a(a) ee a. I we you an apology. (lit I am
guilty before you)
e (e)
e. (R3)
(Please) accept my (profound)
apologies.
e e (a ea).
(said by child)
I shant do it again.
Note: for in apologies is rendered by a + acc.
The recipient of an apology might respond in one of the following
responses to
apologies
ways:
He! Its nothing.
He a (). Theres nothing to apologise for.
a /! (R1) What are you (apologising for)?
Hy, /Hy, a . (R1) Well OK.
Ta . (speaker not entirely
happy to forgive)
All right/OK.
7.12 Request (a)
Requests may of course be expressed by the imperative form of an
appropriate verb (see 9.6.11 and 11.5.6). A request in the imperative
may be introduced by the following very polite formulae:
ee/ea + imp
e e + imp
/a + imp
e + imp
Would you be so good as to
E a e + imp
If its no trouble to you
E a e a + imp
However, requests may also be framed in many other ways. Inclusion

of e or in formulae of the sort which follow increases the
politeness of the request. Examples:
Oe a + inn
e(a) a +
acc
He a +
inn
I (do) ask you to
I should like to ask you for
Could I ask you to
(a) a e .
(polite prohibition)
I would ask you not to smoke.
Me , ee a? Would you take your boots off ?
B e ae ae? Would you put out your cigarette?
245
7 Verbal etiquette
In R1 a request might be couched as a question in the second person
singular of the perfective verb, e.g.
aa e a? Will you make me a cup of tea?
A request might also be introduced by one of the following formulae,
all of which mean Can you or Could you, and all of which are followed
by an innitive:
B ee
B e ee
B e
Mee
He ee
He
Permission may be sought by means of one of the following phrases,
all of which mean May (I), and all of which are followed by an
innitive:
M (e)
He (e)
M
He
e e
Paee e
Accession to a request may be indicated by one of the following
agreement
responses:
aa. By all means.
X. All right.
a. (R1) OK.
Cea. At once.
C . Straightaway.
Ha(e). (R1; said when sth is
being handed over)
Here you are.
Ha, . (R1) Here you are, take it.
The following responses indicate permission:
permission
a, e. Yes, of course.
a, aa. Yes, by all means.
Paee. Of course.
e. It goes without saying.
The following phrases might be used to indicate refusal:
He .
refusal
I dont want to.
He . I cant.
a, e . Im sorry, but I cant.
e a + inn (R3b) I am not able to
246
7.14 Reassurance and condolence
Prohibition might be expressed by one of the following formulae:
prohibition
He. No, one/you cant.
K ae, e
ae a + inn
Unfortunately I cant allow you to
H e ae. No way.
H a . Not for anything.
H a ea. In no circumstances.
O e e e. There can be no question of it.
7.13 Invitation (aee)
aa e/a a a
e.
I invite you for a u of coffee.
X a e/a ee. I want to invite you to my place.
(e) a. Come to our place.
/e e? (R1) Will you come and see me?
ea(e). Drive over to us.
a(e) a. Call on us.
aa(e). (R1) Drop in.
B(e). Come in.
(e) a a. Make yourself at home.
Ca, e!
acceptance of
invitation
Thank you, with pleasure.
C a! Gladly.
O! Willingly.
ae . I shall denitely come.
7.14 Reassurance and condolence (eee,
eae)
/ye. Calm down.
He e/ee. Dont worry.
He /e. Dont get agitated.
He a/ae. Cheer up.
He aaa/
aaae.
Dont be upset.
He aa(e) . Dont lose heart.
He a(e)
e.
Dont take this to heart.
He aa(e) a a. Dont pay any attention to this.
B(e) . Put it out of your mind.
B . Itll all end up all right.
B e e! Everything will be all right.
B ! Itll all pass.
B ! (R1) Things will sort themselves out.
ee/a . I sympathise with you.
Me a e/a. Im sorry for you.
247
7 Verbal etiquette
He e eae. It cant be helped.
e /aa a. Its not your fault.

ee/a ee e. My sincere condolences.
e e Please accept my deepest
ea. (R3) condolences.
Paee a a Permit me to express my deepest
e ea. (R3) condolences.
ae ae e. I share your grief.
Note: the negative imperatives in these expressions are couched in imperfective
forms.
7.15 Compliments (e)
T ea ! You look splendid.
B a e! You look so well.
a ee! What a kind person you are.
B e e. You havent changed.
Ba e a a e. You dont look your age.
e ae . Youve got beautiful hair.
Tee a a. This hair-style suits you.
Te a a. Short hair makes you look younger.
Ba e ea. Bright colours suit you.
Note: compliments may of course be delivered with various degrees of
expressiveness by the inclusion of such words as e, a, a, a.
Ca a e. responses to
compliments
Thank you for (your) compliment.
B e e. Youre flattering me.
B eeaee. Youre exaggerating.
a. Its nice to hear that.
a(a), a a. Im glad you liked it.
Te aa
ee/a.
One could say the same about you.
7.16 Telephone conversations (ee a)
The person picking up the telephone may use a formula of the
following sort:
A! (pronounced a) Hello.
a. Yes.
Ca. lit Im listening.
e ae. Petrov speaking.
aa eea. Pavlova speaking.
The person making the call might begin in one of the following ways:
a Ceee? Is that Ivan Sergeevich?
, a? Is that you, Ivan?

248
7.16 Telephone conversations
If the caller has dialled the wrong number, one of the following
responses might be used:
B (e).
Youve got the wrong number. B ea aa e.
B e a a.
e a e. Theres no one by that name

here.
If the caller wants to speak to someone other than the person who has
answered the phone, he or she may use one of the following formulae:
(e), aa,

O
e.
Ma I speak to Ol
ga Petrovna
please?
(e) ee
Baa Haea.
May I speak to Vladimir
Nikolaevich?
M a? (R1) Can I speak to Katia?
Me aa. (R1) I need Ivan.
Me Cee, aa. (R1) I want Sergei.
Ta a? (R1) Is Tania in?
The person who answers the telephone may call the person whom the
caller is asking for in one of the following ways:
a Aeeea, a
ee.
Irina Alekseevna, youre wanted n
the telephone.
a ee! Its for you, Lara.
Haa, e! (R1) Natasha, its for you.
In a place of work a person might be more formally called to the
telephone in one of the following ways:
B Ma, a
ea.
Viktor Mikhailovich, theres a call
for you from the ministry.
Ce Cea, a
aa.
Semion Stepanovich, someone from
the bank wants to talk to you.
Ha ea, a
aa eea.
Nina Dmitrievna, someone from
the university wants to talk to you.
The person who has answered the telephone and is summoning the
person whom the caller wants to speak to may say to the caller:
Cea . Ill get him/her.
Cea (a) . Hes/Shes coming.
(e) (). Just a moment.
O . Just a minute.
O e. Just a second.
e. Wait (please).
He a(e) . Dont put the receiver down.
If the person sought by the caller is not available, the person who
answers the telephone may say:
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7 Verbal etiquette
E ea e. Hes not here at the moment.
(e) e. Ring a bit later.
Ba e e a? Could you ring again?
If the person sought is not available the caller may say:
eea(e) e/e,
Aea.
Tell him/her that Aleksandr
rang.
(e) e/e

Ae. Ask him/her to ring Alla.
/ee ee a. Ill call again in an hour.
In the event of problems with the telephone one might say:
. ee. Its a bad line. Ill call back.
Ha ea. We got cut off.
The conversation may end thus:
Hy, . lit Well, thats all.
a. (R1) So long.
C. (R1) Well talk again.
e. (among people close to one
another, esp women)
lit I kiss (you).
e(a) a a.
(R3)
I must nish.
7.17 Letter writing (eea)
Letters may be begun with the following formulae, which range from
the intimate (R1) to the formal type of address used in ofcial
correspondence (R3b).
Ma Ta! Darling Tania,
ae! Dear Pavel,
aae Ma e! Dear Mikhail Petrovich,
Maae a Ceee! Dear Ivan Sergeevich,
àae Ae a! Dear Andrei Pavlovich,
Note: the form of address may be affected by the form of rst name (full form or
diminutive) which the writer uses to the addressee and which, like the form of
address itself, indicates the degree of intimacy, distance, respect between the
writer and addressee.
The following formulae, again arranged in ascending order of
formality, may be used at the end of a letter immediately before the
signature:
Oa e, lit I embrace you,
e e, lit I kiss you,
a, (R1) So long,
Be e, (R1) All the best,
a, Goodbye,
Be /e, All the best,
250
7.17 Letter writing
C , With love,
C ee e, lit With heartfelt greetings,
C a ea, With best wishes,
C e aee, With sincere respect,
Note: Russians tend to express themselves more effusively and in more emotional
terms than the English, and such formulae reect that fact.
In the formal ofcial/business style of R3b formulae of the following
sort may be employed:
B e a Bae 1- aa . . .
In reply to your letter of 1 March . . .
eae ee Bae a 2- ae.
We conrm receipt of your letter of 2 April.
a eaee e Ba a.
A contract will be forwarded to you without delay.
M ee ae Bae ea.
We look forward to receiving your reply.
aae ee e:
We append the following documents:
Note: it is conventional in letters in this style to begin the second-person-plural
forms of address with a capital letter (B, Ba, etc.).
251
8 Word-formation
8.1 Principles of word-formation
The stock of words in a language is increased over time by various
procedures. In Russian the main procedures have been borrowing (see
5.1.15.1.2), afxation (with which this chapter is mainly concerned)
and composition (see 8.12).
Knowledge of the main principles of Russian afxation helps a
student to extend her or his vocabulary, because it enables the student
in many cases to understand the precise sense of a word and to
recognise the words relationship with other words derived from the
same root.
The student needs to be able to identify the basic components of a
Russian verb, noun, or adjective, i.e. its prex (if it contains one), root
and sufx (again, if it contains one), e.g.
prex root sufx
, to enter
aa, to untie a a
aa, a glass aa
aa, glass-holder aa
ae, description ae
ae, reader ae
, kitten
, tasty
e, homeless e
Similar principles apply in English, but they are in evidence in words
of Greek or Latin origin (e.g. psycho/logy, trans/late, in/scrip/tion) rather
than in the words of Germanic origin which constitute the bulk of the
most common, everyday vocabulary of English. Some of the English
prexes and sufxes derived from Latin that are equivalent to Russian
prexes and sufxes are noted in the following sections.
It should be emphasised that while an understanding of Russian
afxation and of the meanings of a words components aids recognition
of words and retention of vocabulary, the principles of word-formation
cannot be applied in a wholly predictable way. The foreign student
must therefore check that a word whose form may be inferred from
the principles given here does actually exist.
252
8.2 Types of consonant
The lists which follow are intended to illustrate the main principles
of Russian afxation and in particular to give the student some
knowledge of the main verbal prexes and noun sufxes. However, the
lists of afxes are not exhaustive, nor does the chapter describe all the
functions that a given afx may have.
8.2 Types of consonant, spelling rules and
consonant changes
It is helpful when studying Russian afxation (and grammatical
inection; see Chapter 9) to bear in mind the following factors relating
to pronunciation, orthography and the transformation or insertion of
certain consonants in particular circumstances.
8.2.1 Hard and soft consonants
Russian has ten letters which represent vowel sounds: a, e, , , , y,
, , , . These letters may be divided into two categories, viz:
col 1 col 2
a
o
y

e
The vowels represented by the letters in col 1 follow hard consonants,
whereas those represented by the letters in col 2 follow soft consonants.
Therefore letters in col 1, such as a, y and , which frequently occur
in the standard endings of Russian nouns, are replaced by letters in
col 2 (, and respectively) in endings which follow a soft
consonant. Compare, for example, acc/gen/instr sg endings of a,
saw, which has a hard , with those of e, which has a soft :
e
e
e
8.2.2 Use of the hard sign
The sole function of this letter in the modern language is as a
separative sign between the consonant with which a prex ends and a
root beginning with a vowel that would in other circumstances soften
the preceding consonant (i.e. one of the vowels in col 2 in 8.2.1 above;
in practice this vowel is usually e, sometimes r ). Thus ea, to
drive in; ee, dishevelled; e, to travel all over;
ea, to travel away; aea, to drive off in various directions;
e, congress.
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8 Word-formation
8.2.3 Devoicing of consonants
The consonants in col 1 below are voiced, whilst those in col 2 are
their unvoiced equivalents. Col 2 also contains unvoiced consonants
which have no voiced equivalent.
col 1 col 2

If two consonants belonging to different categories fall adjacent then

one of the consonants must change to its equivalent in the other
category. In prexes ending in (e.g. e-, -, -, a-) this change is
reected in the orthography: thus ee, useless, a,
to disperse. In other circumstances, however, devoicing of consonants is
not reected in orthography. For example, the letters in col 1, which
denote voiced consonants, are used in nal position even though the
consonants they represent are devoiced when they occur at the end of
words (e.g. the words , cofn; a, Ivanov; , friend; a,
garden; , knife; a, time, are pronounced grop, Ivanof, druk, sat,
nosh, ras, respectively).
8.2.4 Spelling rules
(a) After , , , , , and the letter cannot occur (except in a
very small number of words, especially names, of foreign origin). It
must be replaced, in those endings where would be expected, by the
letter , e.g. , , as opposed to a.
(b) The letters and do not occur either after , , , , , , and
, except in a few words, especially proper nouns, of foreign origin
(e.g. , Hugo; , jury; , Zurich). They must be replaced,
in those endings where they would be expected, by a and y
respectively, e.g. e and ea, as opposed to and .
(c) Unstressed o is not found after , , , r and is replaced by e
after these letters, e.g. in the neuter nominative singular adjectival
ending ee (cf. the normal ending for this form, as in ae,
e).
(d) The vowel is always stressed, e.g. in , ight. It follows that
cannot occur if the stress in a word is on any other syllable (contrast
and e).
254
8.3 Verbal prexes
8.2.5 Consonant changes
A number of consonants (e.g. the velars , , ) are changed in certain
circumstances into consonants of a different type (e.g. the hushing
consonants , , ). Thus it commonly happens that the consonant
with which a root ends is transformed into a different consonant when
certain sufxes are added to the root or when certain adjectival or
verbal exions are added to it (see 9.3.3, 9.6.8).
The main changes, which will be encountered frequently in the
examples given in the following sections, are:
, as in ee, movement, from the root
, as in ee, ferment, from the root
, as in ee, liberation, from the root
, as in aee, expression, from the root a
, as in , eastern, from
c , as in ee, attitude, from the root
, as in e, cleaner, from the root
, as in e, I y, from ee
, as in eee, illumination, from the root e
x , as in a, tranquillity, from the root
8.2.6 Epenthetic
Before certain sufxes or exions the consonant is added to a root
ending in , , , , , e.g.
///ee, deepening
///ee, surprise
///ee, astonishment
//, I shall buy
a/a//, I shall rule (lines on paper)
8.3 Verbal prexes
There are some two dozen prexes which may be added to a simple
verb in order to modify its meaning or to create a verb with a related
but different meaning. A few of these prexes are to be found in
only a small number of verbs, but the majority occur in many
verbs.
Most of the common prexes may be used in various senses. They
may indicate the direction of the movement denoted by the basic
verb (e.g. , to go into), or they may in some other way dene
the precise nature of the action denoted by the verb (e.g. aaa,
to start to cry). In many instances the prex, perhaps combined with
some other afx, bears a subtle meaning which in English must be
rendered by some adverbial modication of the verb (e.g. ae,
to shoot dead; aea, to have had enough of running about;
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8 Word-formation
a, to whistle from time to time; , to open
slightly).
Note 1 Prex and aspect: normally the addition of a prex to a simple imperfective
verb makes the verb perfective, e.g. a (impf ), aa (pf ); a
(impf ), a (pf ). In some instances (e.g. in the verb aa) the prex
has no function other than to make the verb perfective (i.e. it adds only the
sense of completeness of the action to the sense already conveyed by the
imperfective). However, in other instances (e.g. in the verb a) the prex
provides a further modication of the meaning (a means to tie, but
a means to tie together, i.e. to unite, to join, to link). (See also 8.6 on
inxes.)
2 Prexes consisting of a single consonant or ending in a consonant may have to
add o for the sake of euphony, e.g. -, -.
Most of the prexes which verbs may bear are listed below. A
few of the less common meanings which may be borne by some
of the prexes are omitted. The directional meaning of each prex,
if the prex has such a meaning, is dealt with rst in each
instance.
- (-) (a) movement into, or sometimes upwards:
/e to bring in (by transport), import
ea/e to drag in, involve
ea/e to climb into/up
(b) + -: action carried out with care or absorption; the prex occurs
only in a few verbs in this sense:
a/a + acc to listen attentively to
aa/e + acc to peer at, scrutinise
- (-)
- before
unvoiced
consonants
movement up:
ea/ee to y up, to take off
/ to go up, mount, ascend
aa/a to lift, load up on to
- (- before
unvoiced
consonants)
of OCS origin; borne by verbs unlikely to occur in R1:
ea/ea to abstain, refrain from
/ to renew
ea/e to resurrect
- Note: this prex is always stressed when it occurs in perfective verbs.
(a) movement out of:
/e to take out (by transport), export
a/ to take out
256
8.3 Verbal prexes
(b) action carried out to the fullest possible extent; the prex does not
occur in many verbs with this meaning:
aa/a to boil thoroughly
(c) action carried out to an extent sufcient to obtain the desired
result; the prex does not occur in many verbs with this meaning:
aa/ to obtain through asking
Note: the imperfective here will carry a sense of trying to obtain through
asking; see 11.5.3.
(d) + -: in a few perfective verbs indicating that an action has been
carried out to a sufcient degree:
aa to have a good cry
a to have a good sleep
- (a) movement as far as or up to a certain point:
/ + gen to reach (on foot)
a/a + gen to reach, get as far as
(b) action supplementary to some action already carried out:
aa/a to make an additional payment
(c) + -: action carried through to its intended outcome; the prex
occurs with this meaning in only a few verbs:
to get through (on the telephone)
a- (a) movement behind:
a/a to go behind, set (of sun)
(b) in a number of verbs indicating that a call or visit is/was/will be
made:
aea/aea
aa/a
to call in on/drop in on
a/a
(c) used as a prex to render simple verbs perfective, a- may indicate
the beginning of an action; this usage is particularly common in
verbs describing some sound:
aee to start to ring
ae to burst out laughing
a to start pacing around/up and down
(d) may indicate that a space is lled or that sth is covered or closed by
the action:
aaa/aa to block up, obstruct, pile up with
a/a to ll in (form, questionnaire)
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8 Word-formation
(e) used as a perfective prex a- may indicate that an action,
particularly a harmful one, has been carried to an extreme degree;
the prex occurs with this meaning in only a few verbs:
a to og to death
ae to shoot (and kill)
(f ) + -: may indicate that action has gone on for longer than one
might expect or that the agent has been more than normally
engrossed in it:
aaa/aa to be/get engrossed in conversation
aa/aa to be/get engrossed in reading
- (- before
unvoiced
consonants)
(a) in many verbs has original directional meaning out of, though now
this meaning may not be obvious; cf. Eng ex- (abridged form e-):
a/a to elect
ea/e to extract, derive
a/ to exclude, rule out
(b) action affecting the entire surface of sth; occurs with this meaning
in only a few verbs:
a/ to gnaw to shreds
ea/ea to cut to pieces/cut in many places
(c) exhaustion of a supply of sth; occurs with this meaning in only a
few verbs:
a/a to use up all of (some writing
material, e.g. paper, ink)
(d) action carried out to the fullest possible extent:
a/ (intrans) to dry up altogether
(e) + -, and in perfective forms only: to do or suffer sth unpleasant
to the extent that it becomes habitual:
a to become an inveterate liar
a- (a) movement onto or into (in the sense of collision):
aea/aee to swoop on, run into (of vehicles)
aaa/aa to attack, fall upon
(b) in some verbs, predominantly perfectives, to denote action affecting
a certain quantity of an object; the direct object is generally in the
genitive case, indicating partitive meaning:
aa to boil a certain quantity of
a to buy up a certain quantity of
(c) + -: in verbs (predominantly perfectives) denoting action carried
out to satiety or even to excess:
258
8.3 Verbal prexes
ae to eat ones ll
a to drink as much as one wants; to
get drunk
e- insufciency; attached to very few verbs:
eaa/ea + gen to be insufcient
eea/ee to underestimate
- (-, -) (a) movement round in various senses, viz comprehensive coverage,
bypassing or overtaking, encircling or surrounding:
/ to go all round, get round
/a to overtake
a/a to frame
(b) thorough action covering the whole surface of sth:
ea/e to paste over
aa/e to look over, inspect
(c) in verbs derived from a different part of speech, especially an
adjective; the prex is very common in this function:
aa/a to enrich (from a)
a/ to liberate, free (from )
(d) + -: in verbs indicating that an action is mistaken:
a/a to make a mistake (in counting)
aa/ to make a slip (in speaking)
e- (e-
before unvoiced
consonants)
(= verbal prex o- + adjectival prex e-/e-): loss or
deprivation of the thing denoted by the root of the word; used with
only a small number of verbs in this meaning:
ea/e to dehydrate (i.e. take away water)
eea/ee to render harmless, neutralise,
defuse
ea/e to weaken (i.e. take away strength)
- (-) (a) movement away from, or off (cf. y- below); the prex is very
common in this meaning:
ea/ee to y away, y off, rebound
/ to go away, go off, depart (of
transport), come away from
a/ to take away
(b) in verbs with gurative meaning, may carry the sense of back (cf.
Eng re-); the prex is common in this meaning:
a/ to beat back, repel
aa/a to reect
259
8 Word-formation
(c) in perfective verbs, to emphasise that action is at an end or has been
carried out to its required limit; the prex is not widely used with
this meaning:
e to come off duty
aa to nish ones work
epe- (a) movement across or transference from one place to another (cf. Eng
trans-):
ee/ee to cross (on foot)
eeaa/eea to pass (across), transfer, transmit
eeaa/eee to change (transport)
(b) to do sth again (cf. Eng re-); the prex occurs in many verbs in this
meaning:
eeaa/eee to look at again, review
eeaa/ee to rebuild, reconstruct
(c) to do sth too much (cf. Eng over-):
eeea/eee to overheat
eeea/eee to overestimate
(d) + -: reciprocal action:
eea/ee to exchange glances
eea (impf only) to correspond (i.e. exchange letters)
o- (a) in many perfective verbs, to indicate action of short duration or
limited extent; it may be attached to indeterminate verbs of
motion; the prex is very common in this meaning:
to have a talk, talk for a bit
to take a stroll
e to have a bite to eat
aa to do a bit of work
to walk about for a bit
(b) + inx -a- r -a-, to form imperfective verbs with iterative
meaning (i.e. action repeated off and on for some time):
a to look at from time to time
aa to gossip, talk about every so often
aa to cough from time to time
a to whistle off and on
- (-) (a) action below or from below:
ea/ea to support
a/a to sign (i.e. write underneath)
a/e to stress, emphasise (i.e. underline)
260
8.3 Verbal prexes
(b) movement towards; this is the commonest directional meaning of
this prex when it is used with verbs of motion:
/ to approach, go towards/up to
a/a to call up, beckon
(c) movement upwards:
aa/ to throw/toss up
a/ to lift, raise
(d) action that is not far-reaching:
aa/a to tint, touch up
ea/ea to clip, trim
(e) action that adds sth:
aaa/aa to earn some additional money
(f ) underhand action:
a/e to set re to (criminally), commit
arson
a/ to bribe, suborn
a (impf only) to eavesdrop
e- (e-) action that precedes or anticipates sth (cf. Eng fore-); mainly in
bookish words characteristic of R3:
ee (impf; no pf ) to foresee
eaa/ea to avert, prevent, stave off
eaa/eaa to foretell, prophesy
- (a) movement to a destination:
ea/ea to come, arrive (by transport)
/e to bring (by hand)
/ to come, arrive (on foot)
(b) attachment or fastening of an object to sth else:
a/a to tie/attach/fasten to
aa/ to pin to
(c) action that is not fully carried out:
aaa/a to halt
a/ to half-open
a/ to lower a little
- (a) movement by or past:
ea/ea to run past
/ to go past (on foot)
261
8 Word-formation
(b) movement through:
ea/e to eat through, corrode
a/ to let through, admit, omit
(c) as a perfective prex, in many simple verbs when the duration of
the action or the distance covered by it is dened:
e a aa to sit for two hours
ea e e to run ten kilometres
(d) thorough action:
a/a to think over
aa/a to roast thoroughly
(e) oversight (only in a few verbs):
a/e to overlook
(f ) loss:
a/a to lose (game, at cards)
(g) + -: unintentional revelation:
aa/ to let the cat out of the bag
a- (a-); a-
before unvoiced
consonants
(a) movement in various directions or distribution (cf. Eng dis-); verbs
of motion bearing this prex become reexive:
aea/aea to run off (in various directions)
aea/aee to y off, scatter, be shattered
aea/ae to accommodate, place (in various
places)
(b) action that uncovers or undoes sth (cf. Eng un-); the prex is used
in many verbs with this meaning:
aa/aa to untie
aa/a to unload
- (-) (a) movement off or down from:
ea/ea to run down
ea/e to climb down/off
a/ to take off
/ to come down
(b) convergence (cf. Eng con-); verbs bearing the prex in this sense
may become reexive:
ea/ea to run and come together
/ to come together, meet, gather, tally
(of gures)
a/ to ow together, blend, mingle
262
8.4 Noun prexes
(c) joining, linking:
a/a to tie together, connect, link, unite
e/e to unite, join
(d) + indeterminate verbs of motion to form perfective verbs which
indicate that the subject moved in one direction and then back
again; contrast homonyms or homographs which are imperfective
verbs of motion indicating movement down or off (see (a) above):
ea to run somewhere and back again
to go somewhere and back again
(on foot)
y- (a) movement away from; this prex differs from - in that it suggests
that the subject moves right off, whereas - describes the
progressive separation of the subject from the point of departure:
ea/ea to go away (by transport)
/ to go away
a/a to remove, take away, clear away
(b) in verbs with comparative meaning derived from an adjectival root:
a()/() to improve (from )
ea()/e() to diminish (from e)
a()/() to make worse (non-re)/get
worse (re) (from )
Note: the non-reexive forms of the above verbs are transitive, the
reexive forms intransitive.
(c) removal or diminution:
ea/ea to cut, reduce
a/ to take in (clothes)
(d) achievement in spite of opposition; uncommon in this meaning:
to stand ones ground
(e) abundance:
a/a to strew with
8.4 Noun prexes
Although the main function of the prexes listed in 8.3 above is to
modify the meaning of verbs, they do also occur, with similar
meaning, in many nouns. Some idea of their function and its extent in
the formation of nouns may be gained from the following list of nouns
which consist of prex + the root (indicating going, motion,
movement on foot) + (in some cases) a noun sufx.
263
8 Word-formation
(a) sunrise
ee ascent
entrance, entry
exit, departure
income
a (a) sunset
aa a nd
round (of doctor), beat (of policeman);
bypass
waste-products
ee crossing, transition
approach
arrival
passage
a() expense, outgoings
aae expenditure
(pl; gen e) gangplank
similarity
departure, withdrawal
Adjectives may also be derived from some of these nouns, e.g.
(e) rest-day
protable, lucrative
a resourceful
roundabout, circuitous
not harbouring resentment (see 3.7)
ee transitional
similar
8.5 Adjectival prexes
A number of prexes, some of them of foreign origin and
international currency, may be attached to adjectives, e.g.
a/a amoral
a/a anti-fascist
e/ all-powerful
a/ (bookish) best
e/ small
e/ not stupid
e/e/ae not without foundation
e/ (R1) really stupid
/aea pro-American
e/ (tech) extra-high-powered
a/e ultraviolet
Other prexes, of Russian provenance, combine with the sufxes -
and - to form adjectives, e.g.
264
8.6 The verbal inxes -a-/-a-
e/e harmless
e/e innite
e/a extramarital
/e intravenous
/e pre-war
a/e foreign (lit over the border)
e/ae interplanetary
e/a international
a/ table (e.g. a e, table
tennis)
a/ superlinear
/ (according to) income (e.g.
a, income tax)
/e posthumous
/ underwater
/ near Moscow
e/e post-revolutionary
e/ pre-election (i.e. just before)
/a relating to the Baltic region
e/eee supernatural
8.6 The verbal inxes -a-/-a-
These inxes have two functions:
(a) used in combination with the prex - they form iterative verbs (see
8.3, o- (b));
(b) they form secondary imperfectives (e.g. a, to sign), i.e.
forms derived from a simple verb (e.g. a, to write) to which some
prex has been added, thus creating a perfective verb (e.g. a)
whose meaning needs to be preserved in an imperfective form. Further
examples:
secondary impf pf with prex simple verb
aa, to untie aa a
eeea, to re-do eeea ea
a, to lose a a
a, to nd a a
aa, to puncture
aa, to undermine a a
aaa, to unwind aa a
eeaa, to review eee e
aa, to suck in a a
eeaa, to rebuild ee
265
8 Word-formation
Note 1 Unstressed o in the root of the simple verb, and sometimes stressed , change
to a in secondary imperfective forms.
2 Secondary imperfectives belong to the conjugation 1A (see 9.6.2) and are
characterised by stress on the syllable immediately before the inx.
8.7 Noun sufxes
The sufxes used in the formation of Russian nouns are very
numerous. They may be used to indicate:
(a) people by reference to, for example, their qualities, characteristics,
occupations or places of origin;
(b) types of animal;
(c) objects;
(d) abstract concepts;
(e) female representatives of a group;
(f) an attitude, ranging from affection to loathing, on the part of the
speaker towards the object in question.
Note 1 Many sufxes are used within more than one of the above categories.
2 Properly speaking some of the sufxes included in this section and almost all
those in 8.9 might be treated as combinations of more than one sufx, e.g.
--e; --; --; --.
8.7.1 The principal noun sufxes
The following list of noun sufxes is arranged in alphabetical order.
The sufxes -a, -ee, -e, -, -, -e are particularly
common. The sufxes relating to categories (e) and (f ) above are dealt
with separately in 8.7.2 and 8.8 respectively.
-a/- sufxes dening people by reference to their place of origin
(see also 6.12), to some characteristic, or to the object with
which their occupation is associated, e.g.
a sherman
e poor man
seaman
bachelor
-aa/-a very expressive sufxes used mainly in R1 to dene people by
reference to a particular action. The nouns formed with these
sufxes are of common gender.
a bigwig
aa bouncer
266
8.7 Noun sufxes
a thug
aaa boss
a fast liver, hard drinker
-a/ - used to form nouns that indicate a persons social status, religion,
ethnicity, or place of origin (see also 6.116.12), e.g.
nobleman
e peasant
aa Martian
a Moslem
a Slav
a southerner
Note: in some words the sufx used is -, e.g. a, Bulgarian;
, boyar ; , Georgian; aa, Tatar.
-a/-e sufxes of foreign origin dening people in relation to some action
or object, e.g.
a musician
a emigre
e opponent
-a/- used in very numerous verbal nouns of international currency (cf.
Eng -ation), e.g.
aa administration
eaa declaration
a consultation
ea modernisation
aa organisation
aa privatisation
Note 1 In words with a stem ending in a soft consonant the sufx used is -,
e.g. , inf lation; e, correlation.
2 The sufxes - and - also occur, e.g. , instruction;
e, expedition.
-a a relatively uncommon sufx dening people by reference to their
occupational activity or salient characteristic, e.g.
a rich man
a hunchback
a violinist
- used to form nouns which denote the young of living creatures, e.g.
ee foal, colt
kitten
lion-cub
267
8 Word-formation
piglet
lamb
Note 1 After hushing consonants the sufx is -, e.g. , wolf-cub;
, baby mouse.
2 The plural forms of nouns with this sufx are not formed in the usual way
(see 9.1.9).
- e used in some words of international currency which dene people
by reference to their eld of activity (cf. Eng -er, -or), e.g.
boxer
conductor (of orchestra)
e producer (of play, lm)
-e a very widespread sufx denoting a person by reference to (a) some
action or occupation; (b) a certain quality; or (c) place of origin or
residence (in which case the forms -ae/-e (see also 6.116.12)
are common), e.g.
(a) eee refugee
ee rower, oarsman
e merchant
ee singer
e trader
(b) aae handsome man
e miser, skinint
(c) aae African
ae person from Baku
e Japanese
-e/-e with adjectival roots, in neuter abstract nouns which tend to be
bookish and are therefore prevalent in R3, and which denote a
quality, e.g.
ee greatness
ae indifference
ae sang-froid
e health
- of foreign origin, in nouns denoting a doctrine or system and also
activities or tendencies (cf. Eng -ism), e.g.
ae atheism
aa capitalism
optimism
a romanticism
a socialism
tourism
aa fanaticism
268
8.7 Noun sufxes
- used in words of international currency which dene a persons
eld of activity, e.g.
historian
e technician
chemist (not dispensing
chemist: aea (m))
-a a sufx of foreign origin indicating a eld of knowledge, a
discipline (cf. Eng -ics), e.g.
aeaa mathematics
a physics
a economics
-a miscellaneous functions, including:
(a) with verbal roots, to indicate the result of actions, e.g.
aa cavity
aaa scratch
(b) with noun roots, to denote an individual specimen of an object
usually referred to collectively, e.g.
a (collect ) a raisin
aea (collect ae, m) a potato
(c) to denote the meat of an animal or sh, e.g.
aaa mutton
a salmon
(d) to denote dimensions, and in some other abstract nouns:
a depth
a length
a silence
a width
-e used in words of international currency to dene people by
reference to their activity or outlook, e.g.
ee collector (e.g. of stamps)
ee revolutionary
- a sufx of foreign origin which denes people by reference to
some doctrine they hold or art or skill they practise (cf. Eng -ist; see
also -), e.g.
ae atheist
ee cyclist
a journalist
269
8 Word-formation
- the sufx used to form male patronymics; it may also indicate place
of origin (see also 6.12), e.g.
Cee son of Sergei
person from Omsk
-a (a) with verbal roots, in nouns denoting a process, an instrument, or
the result of an action, e.g.
aa note
aaa refuelling, seasoning
a grater
a cleaning, purge
(b) in R1 predominantly, with adjectival roots, to denote objects which
in R2 are described by the adjective in question + a noun, e.g.
ea = e a ve-year plan
Tea = Tea
aee
Tret
iakv Gallery
-a often in R1, with verbal roots, to denote an instrument or place
associated with an action, e.g.
eaa clothes-hanger
aaa cigarette-lighter
a (R1) smoking room
aeaa (R1) cloakroom
- a sufx of foreign origin denoting a specialist or person of learning
in a particular eld (cf. Eng -logist; see also -), e.g.
biologist
ee meteorologist
- a sufx of foreign origin denoting a science (cf. Eng -logy; see also
-), e.g.
biology
ee meteorology
psychology
sociology
-e extremely common, in verbal nouns (cf. Eng -ing, -ment, -sion,
-tion), e.g.
aee expression
ee achievement
aee pollution
ee announcement, declaration
ee approval
ee liberation
270
8.7 Noun sufxes
ee singing
ee continuation
aee widening, expansion, extension
eee increase
ee improvement
ee worsening, deterioration
Note: consonant changes affecting the rst person singular of second-
conjugation verbs (9.6.8) are also in evidence in nouns of this type, e.g.
aee.
- several uses, including:
(a) with noun roots, dening people by reference to their character,
occupation or activity, e.g.
a envious person
a defender (including sportsman)
helper
(b) with verbal roots, dening people by reference to their actions, e.g.
e traitor
e nomad
(c) denotation of objects which contain sth or accommodate some
creature, e.g.
cowshed
e coffee-pot
mine
- with verbal roots, to indicate:
(a) a person who performs an action, e.g.
e eater, mouth to feed
player, gambler
(b) the action itself or its result (perhaps what is left over after it), e.g.
a throw, also spurt
e a yawn
fragment
e (pl; gen e) leftovers (of food)
core (of fruit after eating)
cigarette-end
a a jump, leap
list
Note: the o in this sufx as used in (b) is a mobile vowel, hence gen sg
a, etc.
271
8 Word-formation
- a sufx of foreign origin denoting an agent (cf. Eng -or; see also
-), e.g.
e professor
a tractor
- this sufx, and related sufxes (e.g. -, -, -), are
the most widespread sufxes used in the formation of abstract
nouns. They are particularly prevalent in R3. With adjectival roots,
- is used to form feminine nouns denoting a quality (cf. Eng
-ness, -ery, -ity, etc.), e.g.
e gaiety
possibility
stupidity
youth
wisdom
a bravery, courage
e honesty
clarity
Note: after hushing consonants this unstressed sufx becomes -e, e.g.
ee, freshness (see 8.2.4(c)).
Added to the roots of present active participles, or to the roots of
adjectives derived from them, the sufx - may be used to form
nouns denoting a capacity or potentiality (cf. Eng -ity), e.g.
visibility
aeae sickness rate
e necessity, inevitability
Added to the roots of past passive participles, the sufx - may
be used to form feminine nouns denoting a condition resulting
from an action, e.g.
agreement, understanding
a isolation
aa wear and tear
-a with adjectival roots, to form abstract nouns denoting quality or
condition (cf. Eng -ness), e.g.
a speed
a deafness
aa beauty
a sharpness
a emptiness
ea blindness
a cleanness, purity
272
8.7 Noun sufxes
- (a) with roots of nouns referring to people, in nouns denoting
position, quality, branch of activity (cf. Eng -ship), e.g.
a authorship
e peasantry
e membership
(b) With adjectival roots, in nouns denoting a quality or condition, e.g.
a richness, wealth
e solitude, loneliness
e superiority
-e (m) a sufx added to the root of transitive verbs to form masculine
nouns denoting an agent, usually a person, but also possibly a thing
(cf. Eng -er, -or), e.g.
ae engine
e spectator, viewer
ae elector, voter
eae inventor
ee ghter (aircraft)
e amateur
ee re-extinguisher
ae writer
ae buyer, purchaser
eaae teacher (in higher education)
ye teacher (in school)
ae reader
- a sufx of foreign origin used to denote persons who do or things
which carry out some activity denoted by a word with the sufx
-a or related sufxes (see -a; cf. Eng -(a)tor), e.g.
aa aviator
a incubator
instructor
aa organiser
- mainly in R1, a sufx applied to verbal roots to form nouns which
dene persons by reference to some action which they perform or
to which they are prone, e.g.
chatterbox
liar
talker
a braggart
-/- sufxes dening persons by reference to some object or institution
associated with their occupation; also denoting some objects by
reference to their function, e.g.
273
8 Word-formation
aaa drummer
a bomber, bomber pilot
ae stone-mason, bricklayer
counter (person, i.e. teller, or
instrument, i.e. meter)
-a a sufx added mainly, but not exclusively, to proper nouns, to
indicate a syndrome or set of circumstances associated with a
person or place, e.g.
ea political terror associated with
Ezhov (chief of Stalins secret
police 19368)
aa red tape
a behaviour associated with
Oblomov (eponymous hero of
Goncharovs novel)
-e with noun roots and a spatial prex, to form nouns denoting
region, e.g.
ae polar region
eee coast, littoral
ee foothills
e seaside
Note: the sufx -e may also have this function, e.g. e, foot (e.g.
of mountain).
8.7.2 Noun sufxes denoting females
Several sufxes denote females of a type. These sufxes may
correspond to sufxes denoting males of the same type (e.g.
aa/a, female equivalent of aae), or they may be
added to a masculine noun in order to transform it into a feminine
one (e.g. /a, tigress). Sometimes the masculine noun to which
the female sufx is added already bears a sufx itself (as in
e/a, female teacher, where the sufx -a is added to
/e).
Some of the commonest female sufxes are listed below, together
with a note on their relation to masculine nouns denoting people of
the same type and with a few examples.
-aa/-a feminine equivalents of -ae/-e and -a/- (see 8.7.1;
also 6.116.12), e.g.
aeaa American woman (m aeae)
aaa English woman (m aa)
aa Italian woman (m ae)
274
8.7 Noun sufxes
ea woman from Kiev (m e)
Note: the sufxes -aa/-a may correspond simply to the masculine
sufx -e, e.g. aa, Chinese woman (m ae).
-/- a nble lady (m a)
e heroine (m e)
a nun (m a)
-a/-ea sufxes of foreign origin, used in nouns of foreign origin, e.g.
aa actress (m a)
ea poetess (m )
-a added to masculine nouns denoting persons and also to some nouns
denoting animals, e.g.
aa cook (m a)
a she-elephant (m )
a cowardess (m )
Note: the root of the masculine noun may undergo some change before the
sufx is added, e.g. aa, doe-hare (m a).
-a added to some masculine nouns without a sufx; also feminine
equivalent of -e (see 8.7.1), e.g.
aaa beautiful woman (m aae)
ea singer (m ee)
aa tsarina (m a)
-a also a feminine equivalent of -e; added to nouns in -, -
(see 8.7.1), e.g.
aa artiste (m a)
a Muscovite woman (m )
a Japanese woman (m e)
-a feminine equivalent of - and also added to nouns in -e
(see 8.7.1), e.g.
aa worker (m a)
ea teacher (m e)
-a added to masculine nouns to denote female of the type; also (in
R1, but nowadays rare) to denote wife of the male, e.g.
eeaa (woman) secretary (m eea)
eeaa generals wife (m eea)
- added to nouns in -, e.g.
chatterbox (m )
275
8 Word-formation
8.7.3 Miscellaneous noun sufxes
Although the commonest noun sufxes have been dealt with in the
preceding sections, there are also many others, as briey exemplied in
the following list. (Sufxes, or groups of related sufxes, are arranged
in alphabetical order.)
/a voltage
a/a sabotage
/aa (R1, pej) hack
/a tramp, vagrant
/a bedspread
/a (R1, pej) intriguer
/ (R1, pej) rufan
e/a (m) librarian
/a (m) dictionary
a/aa (R1, pej) old man
/a struggle
/a friendship
a/a complaint
/a tuition
a/e cemetery
e/e refuge
/e college
e/ea heart(land)
/a travel permit, pass (to sanatorium)
a/ payment
a/a person with a sweet tooth
e/e rst place, championship
e/ (f ) illness
/ (f ) fear
/ (f ) life
/ fuel
/a expensiveness
/a novelty
/ bronchitis
ea/a unemployment
/a hospital
ee/a ashtray
ae/e owner
/ alarm clock
/ refrigerator
e/ fan, supporter
/ belfry
a/ ploughed land
/ stamping
/ whisper
e/ scurrying
276
8.8 Diminutive, augmentative and expressive sufxes
a/e government
a/e closure
/ shaving
a/ shepherd
e/ (R1) idler
aa/a postgraduate study, postgraduate student body
ea/a literature
e/a grandad
ee/a (R1) cheerful person
a/ (R1) kid
/ (R1) ragamufn
/ (R1) little nest
e/a veal
Russian is rich in sufxes which either indicate the size, especially
smallness, of an object or are indicative of the speakers attitude (which
may be affectionate, tender, attentive or scornful, ironic, disparaging)
towards it. Many sufxes may serve both a diminutive and an
affectionate (hypocoristic) purpose. Note though that in certain nouns,
or in some nouns when sufxes are used in certain meanings, the sufx
has lost its original diminutive or hypocoristic function (e.g. when the
noun a means the handle of a door).
As a rule diminutives and augmentatives are of the same gender as
the noun to which the sufx is attached, even when the sufx ends
with a vowel normally associated with another gender. For example,
the noun , god-forsaken town, is masculine like even
though nouns in -o are generally neuter.
Because they are highly expressive colloquial forms diminutives
belong primarily to R1, although they are widely used in the literary
variety of the written language and in folk poetry. They are less likely
to be encountered in the neutral R2 and are generally altogether
absent in the more formal varieties of R3, especially R3a and R3b.
The following lists of diminutive, augmentative and expressive
sufxes are not exhaustive; they contain only some of the more
productive sufxes.
8.8.1 Diminutive and hypocoristic sufxes
-ea a diminutive of heightened expressiveness, used mainly with nouns
denoting people and with proper names that are already in a
diminutive form, e.g. Caa:
ea darling
Caea Sasha dear
277
8 Word-formation
- added to masculine nouns; may also convey scorn, e.g.
little nail, tack
shower
little house, cottage
spout (of jug, teapot)
little table
e so-called student
-a diminutive form of sufx -a when it denotes single specimens of
an object, e.g.
ea grain of sand
ea snowake
a piece of straw
aa tea leaf
-a the most widespread diminutive sufx; added to feminine nouns;
may also convey scorn, e.g.
a little head (e.g. of pin)
a daughter
a little r-tree
ea a silly idea
a lid
a little leg, leg (e.g. of chair)
eea a (nice) song
a little hand, handle (e.g. of door),
arm (e.g. of chair)
ea little arrow, hand (e.g. of
clock)
aa cup
-/- added to masculine nouns, which may have to undergo a nal
consonant change to accommodate the sufx (see 8.2.5); may also
convey scorn, e.g.
ee breeze
small town
a idiot, clot
hobby-horse
-e (-e)/- (-e) added to neuter nouns, e.g.
eae little mirror (e.g. in car)
ae little dress
ee small tree
- added to masculine nouns ending in , , , , , , e.g.
aaa little drum
pancake
278
little bell
a novel (pej)
8.8.2 Double diminutive sufxes
Some sufxes are really double diminutive sufxes. They may help to
form nouns denoting particularly small objects or they may serve as
terms of special endearment.
-e added to masculine nouns, e.g.
e tiny little leaf
ee little ower
-e added to neuter nouns, e.g.
ee little place
e little word
-a/-ea/-a added to feminine nouns, e.g.
a tiny little star, asterisk
ea tiny little arrow, little hand
(e.g. on watch)
a nice little (bottle/drink of ) water
ea dear little sister
8.8.3 The augmentative sufx -e/-a
-e is added to masculine and neuter nouns, -a to feminine
nouns, e.g.
e a very large town
a a massive beard
8.8.4 Pejorative sufxes
The basic function of pejorative sufxes is to indicate scorn or
contempt on the part of the speaker or writer towards the person or
object in question. At the same time these sufxes may also have a
quite different function, i.e. they may express affection in an ironic
tone (cf. the possible affectionate nuance of diminutive forms of rst
names in -a (7.3.1)). The main pejorative sufxes are:
-a/- The sufx -a may be added to masculine animate and feminine
nouns; - may be added to masculine inanimate and neuter
nouns, e.g.
279
8 Word-formation
a (m) a wretched liar
(m) an awful town
(n) letter (pej)
Note: the form aa, brother, on the other hand, is affectionate.
-a/-a This sufx is applied mainly to feminine nouns. The form -a
follows hushing consonants, which may result from a consonant
change in the root of the noun when the sufx is added.
Examples:
aa foul old hag (or dear old woman!)
aa wretched nag
a dreadful book
aa cur (or a dog one is fond of !)
8.9 The principal adjectival sufxes
In this section some of the more common adjectival sufxes are given.
Closely related sufxes are treated together.
Note: - is used when the ending is stressed.
-a/-
-a/-a
-/ -
variations on the same sufx, used in many adjectives indicating the
material or thing from which sth is made, e.g.
ee wooden
e glass
a leather
a rye
e woollen
Note: there are also many adjectives denoting material which do not have
one of these sufxes, e.g. ee, iron, , silk.
-a a sufx indicating that the thing denoted by the noun from which
the adjective is derived is characteristic of or conspicuous in the
subject, e.g.
a bearded
a winged
a striped
Note: ea, married (of man to woman, i.e. having a wife), belongs in
this category.
-e/- diminutive sufxes which carry a nuance of smallness, tenderness or
sometimes disparagement; - is used after the velars , , x:
ee little white
e dear, sweet
280
e pretty
quiet little
-, -,
-
sufxes which may be applied to noun or verbal roots and which
indicate that the subject is inclined or prone to some conduct, e.g.
ae eloquent
e lazy
a taciturn
ee patient, tolerant
e trustful, credulous
a pensive
- in R1, indicating possession; applied to roots of nouns in -a/-
denoting people, including diminutive forms of rst names, e.g.
a mums
a dads
e Petes
Ta Tanias
Note: these adjectives are similar in meaning to adjectives from the same
roots in - and adjectives in -/-e, e.g. ae,
ae (see section (c) under the sufx - below). However,
whereas adjectives in - tend to indicate possession by a particular indi-
vidual, the forms in -, etc. denote general association with a person
or type of person.
- used in a number of common adjectives indicating place or time,
sometimes with the help of a further letter or morpheme between
root and ending. These adjectives are important because their
exions cannot be explained by the spelling rules which normally
dictate variations from the standard type of adjectival ending (see
9.3.1), and they therefore need to be studied carefully.
late
a early
ee spring
e summer
e autumn(al)
winter
e morning
ee evening
ea yesterdays
e todays
aa tomorrows
e present-day
a of long standing
e ancient
e former, previous
281
8 Word-formation
e last
near, neighbouring
a far, distant
e upper
lower
ee front
a back
e outer, external
e inner, internal
e middle, medium, average
a extreme
extraneous
a domestic
superuous
-/- the most common adjectival ending applied to inanimate nouns,
including nouns of foreign origin, with the meanings relating to or
consisting of, or denoting possession of the quality to which the
noun refers, e.g.
(relating to) water
e harmful
ee transitional
debatable
a transit
noisy
a eye
head
tooth, dental
e forest
There are many further sufxes that are developed on the basis of
this sufx, including sufxes of foreign origin which are applied to
foreign roots, e.g.
/e judicial
a/e state
e/e heavenly
/ secondary
a/ bathing
e/ supreme
/e heartfelt
ye/e convincing
ea/a theatrical
ee/a elementary
e/ progressive
-a/-ea used to indicate that a quality is possessed in some degree (cf. Eng
-ish); especially common with adjectives of colour, e.g.
ea whitish
282
a a bit sour
ea bluish
-/-
-e/-e
used with inanimate nouns. (English may make no distinction
between the equivalent adjective and the noun which possesses the
quality denoted by the adjective.) Examples:
a bamboo
e birch
side
e combat
-/- (a) An extremely widespread sufx that is applied to the roots of
nouns, mainly masculine, to form adjectives indicating relationship
to the thing denoted by the root. Many adjectives denoting
nationality or describing place of origin (see 6.116.12) or a
persons designation contain this sufx, e.g.
a authors, authorial
e childs, infantile
e wifes, female
a May
town, urban
(relating to the River) Don
(b) There is a very large number of adjectives, formed from roots of
international currency, which end in -e (cf. Eng -ic/-ical ),
e.g.
eae geographical
ae climatic
eae realistic
There are also many other adjectives in -e, formed from
nouns of international currency in -a (see 8.7.1). (Strictly
speaking the sufx in these adjectives is -e.) Examples:
aeae mathematical
e economic
(c) Numerous other adjectival sufxes are developed on the basis of
-, e.g.
a/a African
ee/a Venetian
a/ Italian
/ee Christmas
a/ Alpine
ae/ maternal
/ paternal
a/ March
a/e (relating to Tsar) Nicholas
283
8 Word-formation
8.10 Sufxes of participial origin
Many words of participial origin which bear one of the following
sufxes have become established in the language as adjectives.
-a/-e/
-
sufxes indicating that some process has been carried out. Many of
the adjectives with this sufx are culinary terms. Examples:
a torn, lacerated
ae roast(ed)
ae wounded, injured
dried
-a/-
-/-
adjectives derived from Old Russian participial forms which stand
alongside active participles in - from the same verbal roots. (In
cases where the use of a form of this type is restricted the adjective
is given in a phrase in which it commonly occurs.) Examples:
ea lying, recumbent
hot (cf. , burning)
sedentary
a a stagnant (i.e. standing) water
ea bat (i.e. ying mouse)
prickly
- adjectives derived from the roots of some intransitive verbs and
describing a condition that is the result of some process, e.g.
a worldly-wise
limp
e mature
a backward
a tired
-/-e used in the formation of present passive participles (see 9.7.5; cf.
Eng -able, -ible), many of which have become established as
adjectives and which occur most commonly in R3. Participles of
this type have also given rise to many adjectives with the prex e-
(cf. Eng -in/un-), e.g.
ae tangible
admissible
eae reproof
e invulnerable
-/-e/
-
sufxes used to form the past passive participles of many verbs
(see 9.7.6; cf. Eng -ed), e.g.
a agitated
ee moderate
exhausted (i.e. used up)
284
8.11 The verbal sufxes -a and -a
- used to form the past passive participle of verbs of certain types
(see 9.7.6; cf. Eng -ed ), some of which have become established as
adjectives, e.g.
a occupied
beaten; also hackneyed
crumpled
- used to form past active participles (see 9.7.4), a few of which have
become established as adjectives, e.g.
former
e past
ae mad
- used to form present active participles (see 9.7.3), many of which
have become established as adjectives, e.g.
e brilliant
suitable
e following
8.11 The verbal sufxes -a and -a
There are many sufxes that are used in the formation of the innitive
and stems of verbs. As a rule verbal sufxes do not bear specic
meaning, but it is worth noting here two sufxes which do indicate
certain types of action and which are characteristic of R1 and D
respectively.
(a) -a: used in R1 to form imperfectives, often with a jocular tone,
which describe a certain pattern of behaviour, e.g.
a to be a tramp (from a)
a to take liberties
ea to be malicious, go in for innuendo
eaa to behave in an affected way
eea to be secretive
a to be over-modest
a to behave like a miser
(b) -a: used freely in D, to form highly expressive semelfactive
perfectives indicating that an action was carried out suddenly on one
occasion, e.g.
ea to cut
aa to blurt out
a to shake
ea to scratch
aa to step
285
8 Word-formation
8.12 Composition
8.12.1 Compound nouns
Russian has many nouns which have been formed by the various types
of composition or abbreviation illustrated below.
a-aa (m)
compound
hyphenated nouns
bow tie
a-ea (f ) boarding-school
a-aa (f ) headquarters
Note: the gender of such nouns is that of the key noun of the pair, which
is generally the rst noun (as in the rst two examples above), but may also
be the second noun (as in the third example).
stump compounds This type of word-formation was rarely used in pre-revolutionary
times but became common in the 1920s, particularly in relation to
political and administrative innovations in the early Soviet period.
Examples:
aa/aa air base
a/a road transport
/ea (f ) state security
/a (aea a) State Duma (Russian
parliament)
E/ (Ee ) European Union, EU
a/ae (R1/2; ae
ae)
head of department
a/aa wages, pay, salary
/ (ee ) collective farm
/ (e a) battleship
a/e (illegal) drugs business
/ trade union
a/ (n, indecl; a/a e
)
unarmed combat
e/ (ee ) secret agent
e/aea (ea aea) wall newspaper
e/a (ee a) terrorist act
/a (ea a) physical training
/e (ae e) destroyer (naval)
Note: nouns of this type fall within the normal declensional pattern (see
9.1.2) and their gender is determined by their ending in the usual way.
abbreviated
nouns
e (ee) underground (railway system)
e (R1; ee) St Petersburg
acronyms (ee ee aeee) higher educational institution
C ( e
ea)
AIDS
286
8.12 Composition
See also e.g. , AC (6.10).
Note: nouns of this type fall within the normal declensional pattern (see
9.1.2) and their gender is determined as a rule in the usual way.
8.12.2 Compound adjectives
The following list gives examples of the process of adjectival formation
through various types of composition.
eee/e root of compound noun + adj sufx agricultural
ee/ adj + adj derived from noun railway
/e adv + adj derived from noun numerous
/a adv + pres act part (growing) wild
e`-/e two adj roots light green
a`-/ two adj denoting equivalent concepts Anglo-Russian
/e numeral + adj derived from noun two-year, biennial
e/ pron + adj thorough
ee/ pron + adj annual
e/ adj derived from two noun roots reproof
287
9 Inection
Russian is a highly inected language. Meaning is much more
dependent on the ending of words and less dependent on word order
than is the case in English. Without a thorough knowledge of the many
exions used on Russian nouns, pronouns, adjectives, numerals and
verbs it is impossible not only to speak and write Russian correctly but
even to arrive at an accurate understanding of what one hears or reads.
However, the difculty of learning the numerous exions is not so
great as seems at rst to be the case if the learner keeps in mind the
distinction between hard and soft consonants and the spelling rules
listed in 8.2.1 and 8.2.4 and takes the trouble to study the basic
declensional and conjugational patterns set out in this chapter.
9.1 Declension of the noun
The Russian declensional system has six cases and distinguishes
between singular and plural. The six cases are nominative, accusative,
genitive, dative, instrumental and prepositional. There is a very small
number of relics of the vocative case and dual number (see Glossary).
Some nouns exist only in a plural form (e.g. ), at least in certain
meanings (e.g. a, clock; 3.6.1). Some nouns borrowed from other
languages are indeclinable (9.1.12).
9.1.1 Gender
The gender of most nouns is easily determined:
masculine (a) all nouns ending in a hard consonant, e.g. ;
(b) all nouns ending in -, e.g. e;
(c) a minority of nouns ending in -, especially:
i. all those denoting males, e.g. , son-in-law or brother-in-law;
ii. nouns ending in the sufx -e (see 8.7.1), e.g. ae, shopper;
(d) some nouns in -a and - which denote males or people who may be of
either sex, e.g. a, man; , uncle; a, servant.
neuter (a) most nouns in -o, e.g. , window;
(b) most nouns in -e, e.g. e, sea; aee, exercise; except
aee, apprentice (m);
(c) all nouns in - e, e.g. , gun.
Note: nouns derived from masculine nouns with the diminutive or pejorative sufx
- (8.8.4) are masculine.
288
feminine (a) most nouns ending in -a, e.g. ea, girl; a, book;
(b) most nouns ending in -, e.g. , aunt ; a, tower;
(c) the majority of nouns ending in -, especially:
i. nouns denoting females, e.g. a, mother;
ii. nouns in which the soft sign is preceded by one of the hushing
consonants , , , or , e.g. , rye; , night; , mouse;
e, thing;
iii. abstract nouns ending in - r -e, e.g. , youth;
ee, freshness.
Note: nouns derived from animate masculine nouns with the pejorative sufx -a
(see 8.8.4) are masculine.
A few nouns, e.g. a, orphan, are of common gender, i.e. they may
be either masculine or feminine depending on whether they denote a
male or female.
On the gender of indeclinable nouns see 9.1.12.
9.1.2 Basic declensional patterns of the noun
The main declensional types may be classied according to gender.
For the purposes of this book Russian nouns are treated as divisible
into ten basic declensional patterns (three masculine, three neuter and
four feminine). These patterns are illustrated below by the paradigms
of the nouns a, bus; aa, tram; , style; , word;
e, eld; ae, building; aea, newspaper; ee, week; a,
surname; and , bone. Groups of nouns, individual nouns, and
particular case endings which do not conform to these patterns are
dealt with in sections 9.1.3 to 9.1.12 inclusive.
Note: many of the nouns which have been chosen to illustrate the various
declensional types and whose paradigms are given below have xed stress.
However, the stress patterns of Russian nouns are complex, and in several of
the declensional categories nouns of various stress patterns are to be found.
On stress see Chapter 12.
Hard endings Soft endings
sg pl sg pl
masculine
a
nom a a
c
aa aa
acc a a aa aa
gen aa a
d
aa aae
dat a aa aa aa
instr a
b
aa aae aa
prep ae aa aae aa

e

e
e
289
9 Inection
neuter nom a
e
e
f
g
acc a e
gen a
e

g
e
dat a
instr a e
prep e a e
ae a
ae a
a a
a a
ae a
a a
feminine nom aea ae
i
ee ee
a ae
h
ae
i
ee ee
gen ae
i
ae ee ee
l
dat aee aea eee ee
instr ae
j
aea eee
k
ee
re aee aea eee ee
a a
a a
a a
a a
ae a
a a

e

m

a
All the examples of masculine nouns given here denote inanimate
objects. In nouns of the animate category the accusative form coincides
in both singular and plural with the genitive (see 11.1.3).
b
The instrumental singular form in unstressed endings after a hushing
consonant is -e, e.g. e, from , husband. However, the ending
- is retained after hushing consonants if stress is on the ending, e.g.
, from , knife.
c
Nouns with stems in , , , , , , have nominative/accusative
plural in -, e.g. a, enemies; , juices; , knives; aaa,
pencils.
d
Nouns in , , , have genitive plural in -e, e.g. e, aaae.
e
Many nouns in -o distinguish genitive singular from
nominative/accusative plural by means of stress, though the stress shift in
the plural forms may be forward (e.g. gen sg a but nom/acc pl a)
rather than back as is the case in . See also Chapter 12 on stress.
f
Nouns with stem in , , , , have endings with a for and y for
; thus ae, cemetery, has gen sg aa, dat sg a,
nom/acc pl aa, dat/instr/prep pl aa, aa,
aa, respectively.
290
g
The same considerations of stress apply here as to (see note e above).
h
Feminine nouns of the animate category have accusative forms that
coincide with the genitive in the plural only, e.g. acc pl e, but acc
sg e.
i
(a) Nouns with stems in , , , , , , have for , e.g. a, leg,
has gen sg , nom/acc pl . (b) Some nouns in -a distinguish
genitive singular from nominative/accusative plural by means of stress
shift, e.g. , (see notes e and g above).
j
(i) The instrumental singular form in unstressed endings after a hushing
consonant is -e, e.g. e, from a, hospital. However, the
ending - is retained after hushing consonants if stress is on the ending,
e.g. from a, soul. (ii) An instrumental singular form in - is
also found (e.g. ae), but in the modern language this form is used
mainly in literary contexts or in poetry where the metre requires an
additional syllable.
k
An instrumental singular ending in -e may also be found, in the same
circumstances as - (see note j (ii) above).
l
The zero ending which occurs in the genitive plural forms of nouns in
-a is in effect retained, the soft sign merely serving to indicate that the
consonant remains soft in this case just as it is when followed by any of
the vowels used in the other endings of this declension.
m
Nouns ending in -, -, -, - have a for , e.g. dat/instr/prep pl
forms a, a, a from , night; ea, ea, ea,
from e, thing.
9.1.3 Mobile vowels
Many masculine nouns have a mobile vowel, i.e. o or e or , which is
found in the last syllable of the nominative/accusative singular form
but which disappears in all other cases, e.g.
nom/acc sg gen sg
, piece a
, re
ee, wind ea
e, day
, goat a
a, tent aa
Note 1 When a mobile e follows the letter it must be replaced by in order to
indicate that the remains soft, e.g. e, lion, has gen sg a.
2 The feminine nouns , louse; , lie; , love, and , rye, lose
their o in all oblique cases except the instrumental singular. Thus has
gen/dat/prep sg , but instr sg .
9.1.4 Genitive singular forms in -/-
r
A small number of masculine nouns, including a few abstract nouns,
may have genitive singular forms in -y (or - if they have a soft stem).
These forms may be used when the genitive has partitive meaning (i.e.
when it denotes a quantity of sth), e.g.
, , to buy some peas, onions, rice
a , a a bottle of brandy, lemonade
291
9 Inection
aa a jar of honey
a e, e, e,
a, e,
to get some parafn, glue, chalk,
almonds, pepper,
a, turpentine, planks
a, a lot of people, noise
aa axapy a packet of sugar
p, e a kilo of cheese, garlic
aa a a glass of tea
Note 1 The normal genitive forms for such nouns must be used whenever a genitive
is used with any meaning other than partitive meaning (e.g. e a, the
colour of honey), or when the noun is qualied by an adjective, e.g. aa
e a, a glass of strong tea.
2 Even when the meaning is partitive the forms in -y and - are now
infrequently used in R2/R3, except in the established phrases a
and aa a. They are perhaps more widespread in R1 and among older
speakers.
r
Genitive endings in -y or - also occur in some set phrases including a
preposition which governs the genitive case. In this use they persist in
all registers, though many of the phrases tend to be colloquial. The
examples below are arranged in order according to the preposition
which governs the noun in question.
Note: the stress tends to be capricious in such phrases.
e ee (R1) only a few days
e , e ee without kith or kin
e to talk incessantly
ae needed urgently
e e in no mood for laughter
- to overlook sth
E e . She is ve years old.
c a a a eyeball-to-eyeball
ee to starve to death
to cry out from fright
to go to seed from drink
a/ - to confuse sb
9.1.5 Locative singular forms in -/-
Quite a large number of masculine nouns which denote inanimate
objects have a special prepositional singular ending (- after hard
consonants, - when the nominative ends in -) when they are used
after r a in a locative sense (i.e. when they indicate the place where
sth is situated or happening). In a few cases usage wavers between this
form and the normal ending for such nouns (-e), in which case the
irregular ending may seem more colloquial.
a (R1) at the airport
a a at a ball (dance)
a ee on the bank/shore
292
a on (ones) side
a on board (ship, plane)
in battle
e in a fever/delirium
a in the eye
in a year
a on the (River) Don
a in the heat
a a on the edge
in a circle
in the Crimea
a on (ones) forehead
e in the forest
a in the meadow
a on ice
e in honey
in the brain
a on the bridge
a on (ones) nose
(R1; e in R2/3) on leave
in a regiment
a on the oor
in port
e/ bathed in sweat
in the pool
a in paradise
in (ones) mouth
in a row (tier)
a in a garden/orchard
e in the snow
in service
in the corner
e in bloom
a in an hour
a in the cupboard
Note 1 The locative ending in - is also embodied in various set expressions, e.g.
e , to have in mind; , last year; B a? At
what time?
2 Not all the nouns in the list above invariably have locative singular in -/-;
in certain meanings or phraseological combinations they may have the regular
ending in -e, e.g. aa ae, in the Krasnodar region; e a,
by the sweat of ones brow; e e ae, in a whole series of instances.
3 The endings -/- are used only after and a, not after the other
prepositions, o, and , which may govern the prepositional case (thus
e/a but o ee/ae).
4 Even after and a the special locative endings are only used when the
meaning is literally locative, and not in such phrases as a ee, to be
knowledgeable about timber; B ae, in The Cherry Orchard (i.e.
Chekhovs play); T e, in Quiet Flows the Don (i.e. Shlokhovs
novel).
293
9 Inection
9.1.6 Masculine nouns with nominative plural in -a/-
Over the last two hundred years the endings -a (after hard consonants)
and - (after soft consonants) have been steadily extended to more and
more masculine nouns (both nouns of Russian origin and nouns of
foreign origin). Some such nouns denote objects which, when referred
to in the plural, usually occur in pairs and some are nouns of foreign
origin ending in - or -e. Many of the indigenous nouns have stress
on the rst syllable in the singular.
In many instances the plural in -a/- is now rmly established as the
only possible plural for the noun in question. In other instances both
the form in -a/- and a regular form in - (- after soft consonants,
velars and hushing consonants) are possible, in which case the form in
-a/- may have a colloquial or popular avour or may belong to the
professional jargon of a particular group.
Note: most of the nouns in the following lists (which are not exhaustive) are
inanimate and their accusative plural form is therefore the same as the
nominative plural form given here; animate nouns, on the other hand, have
accusative plural forms which coincide with the genitive plural form.
r
Nouns with rmly established plural in -a/-:
ae, address aea
e, rae ea
ee, shore, bank (of river) eea
, side (see 4.1) a
, side (of ship) a
e, buffer ea
ee, fan eea
e, century, age ea
Note: the obsolete form e persists in certain set expressions, e.g. - e,
once in a blue moon; e e, for all time.
ee, bill of exchange ee
ee, evening eea
a, ee aa
, voice, vote a
, town a
e, manager, headmaster ea
, doctor a
, house a
, gutter, trough ea
e, pearl ea
a, cornbin, granary (rhet) aa
e, inspector ea
ae, small boat aea
, bell a
a, edge, region a
, cupola, dome a
294
ee, ploughshare eea
e, forest ea
, meadow a
ae, craftsman aea
e, number, hotel room ea
a, cuff aa
, district a
e, order, warrant, writ ea
, island a
, (period of ) leave a
apyc, sail aa
a, passport aa
eee, quail eeea
a, cook aa
e, cellar ea
e, train ea
e, professor ea
po, horn a
a, sleeve aa
e, sweater ea
e, snow ea
, sort a
, stack, rick a
, watchman a
e, tenor (mus) ea
eee, black grouse eeea
, volume a
e, wing (of building) e
e, weather-vane ea
e, cattle-shed, pigsty ea
, cold spell a
, farmstead a
ee, skull eea
ae, best man (at wedding) aea
, silk ea
e, card-sharp, cheat ea
, anchor
r
Nouns whose standard nominative plural form may be felt to be -/-
but which may have -a/- in R1, D, or professional jargon. Forms
marked may be particularly frowned upon in the standard language.
e, bunker ea/e
ae, book-keeper, accountant aea/ae
, year a/
, treaty, pact a/
, designer, constructor a/
ee, cruiser (naval) eea/ee
, body (of carriage) a/
295
9 Inection
ea, baker ea/ea
e, searchlight ea/e
ea, editor eaa/ea
e, rector (head of higher
educational institution)
ea/e
e, sector ea/e
ea, metal-worker, locksmith ea/ea
, poplar tree /
a, tractor aa/a
e, workshop ea/e
, chauffeur ea/
, gale (nautical) a/
9.1.7 Irregularities in the genitive plural of nouns
There are more irregularities that affect this case than any other, viz:
insertion
of or e
(a) affects many feminine and neuter nouns in which loss of nal a or of
the nominative singular forms leaves a zero ending, e.g.
ea, squirrel e
a, fork
, window
ea, small girl ee
ee, village eee
ea, broom e
(b) e also occurs in the genitive plural forms of most neuter nouns in -e
and -, e.g.
ee, towel ee
ee, heart ee
, ring e
, porch e
Note: , egg, has .
(c) e also occurs in feminine and neuter nouns in which the rst of two
consonants preceding the nal a or o is soft, as indicated by a soft sign,
e.g.
, letter e
aa, wedding ae
a, prison e
Note: a, request, has .
change
of to e
affects feminine nouns ending in -a, e.g.
aaaa, balalaika aaae
aa, nut ae
a, bunk, berth e
ea, kopeck ee
296
aa, seagull ae
aa, gang ae
zero
ending
some masculine nouns ending in a hard consonant have a genitive
plural form that is the same as the nominative singular form, e.g.
a, time, occasion. Other nouns with this so-called zero ending
include:
(a) some nouns which, when used in the plural, refer to pairs of things,
e.g.
(ankle-high) boot
ae felt boot
a ee
(military) shoulder strap
ca boot
stocking
r
But (from , sock).
(b) the names of certain nationalities, including those formed with the
sufx - (see 6.116.12), e.g.
aa (a a) Englishman
a (a) Armenian
a Bashkir
a ( a) Bulgarian
Buriat
Georgian
Romanian
(r in R1) Turk
r
But:
e (e) Bedouin
() Kirgiz
() Mongol
a (a) Tadjik
e (e) Uzbek
a (a) Croat
() certain nouns denoting military personnel, e.g.
aa guerrilla
a soldier
(d) some units of measure, e.g.
ae ampere
a arshin (see 6.1.5)
a watt
volt
e hertz
ohm
297
9 Inection
Several other nouns have a variant with a zero ending in R1, but the
full ending in - is considered the norm, e.g.
ae orange
aaa aubergine
ea hectare
a gram
aa carat
a kilogram
aa mandarin
tomato
Note 1 ee, person, also has gen pl ee, which is used after certain numerals
(see 11.4.8), though in most contexts the genitive plural of , e, is
used instead.
2 , hair, has gen pl . This noun is always used in the plural form
(nom/acc ) in the sense of hair on ones head.
nouns in -e, - most have genitive plural forms in -, e.g.
ae, out-of-the-way place a
eee, seaboard ee
ee, gorge e
, spear
r
But:
ae, dress ae
aee (m), apprentice aee
e, mouth of river e
, gun e
nouns in -a, -a,
-a, -a
some have genitive plural forms in -e, e.g.
aa, sanctimonious person ae
a, youth e
nouns in - although most nouns in - have genitive plural in a soft consonant
(see 9.1.2), some have genitive plural forms in -e, e.g.
, uncle e
, nostril e
, aunt e
Note: , shoe (see 4.1), has gen pl e in R2 but the form e may be
encountered in R1.
nouns in - many nouns in - preceded by another consonant have a zero ending
with a hard consonant rather than the soft ending that is normal for
nouns in -, e.g.
a, tower ae
, cherry-tree e
e, song ee
a, bedroom ae
a, customs (at frontier post) ae
298
r
But:
ee, village eee
, kitchen
nouns in
-a, -e, -
have genitive plural forms in -a, -e, - respectively, e.g.
a, ock, shoal a
e, idea e
a, statue a
nouns in - have genitive plural forms in -e, e.g.
e, family ee
a, article ae
, judge, referee e
a (cloud ) has gen pl a, although in all other cases it conforms to the same
pattern as standard neuter nouns in -o (see 9.1.2).
9.1.8 Irregularities in dative/instrumental/prepositional plural forms
e (church) in R3 generally has dat/instr/prep pl ea, ea, ea,
even though it is a noun ending in a soft sign. However, in R1 and R2
soft endings are now more usual in these cases too (e,
e, e).
instr pl in - A very small number of nouns have (or may have) instrumental plural
in -, although with some of the nouns in question such usage is
restricted to certain registers or expressions:
e, children e (all registers)
a (f ), horse a (all registers)
, people (all registers)
e (f ), door e (R1) e (R23)
(f ), daughter e (R1) e (R23)
(f ), bone, in the expression e (R3, arch/rhet), to
lay down ones life (in battle)
9.1.9 Nouns which are irregular throughout the plural
(chair)
ee (tree)
A few masculine nouns which end in a hard consonant and a few
neuter nouns in -o have regular endings in the singular but have plural
forms of the following type:
nom/acc pl ee
gen pl e eee
dat pl ee
instr pl ee
prep pl ee
Like and ee are:
, stake , e, etc.
299
9 Inection
, lump , e, etc.
, twig , e, etc.
e, link (in chain) e, ee, etc.
, wing , e, etc.
e, feather e, ee, etc.
e, log e, ee, etc.
Note 1 a, brother, declines in exactly the same way, except that, being animate, it
has acc pl ae.
2 declines like when it means leaf (i.e. foliage), but it declines like a
regular masculine noun of the same type as a when it means sheet of
paper (, etc.).
3 , branch, bough, declines like , but undergoes a consonant change in its
stem: thus , e, , etc.
( friend)
(son)
These nouns are similar to and ee, but the stem for their
plural forms is not the same as that for their singular forms, and they
have accusative/genitive plural in -e:
nom pl
acc/gen pl e e
dat pl
instr pl
prep pl
Note 1 also has regular plural forms (, , a, a,
a) when it has a gurative sense, as in eea, sons of the
fatherland.
2 , prince, and , husband, have similar plural endings but no consonant
change in the stem:
nom pl
acc/gen pl e e
dat pl
instr pl
prep pl
e (knee)
nom/acc pl e
x (ear) gen pl ee e
dat pl e a
instr pl e a
prep pl e a
Note: e, shoulder, has nom/acc pl e, but regular forms in the oblique cases
(e, ea, ea, ea).
e (sky, heaven)
(miracle,
wonder)
These nouns have plural forms with a stem in c:
nom/acc pl eea ea
gen pl ee e
dat pl eea ea
instr pl eea ea
prep pl eea ea
300
e (neighbour)
(devil)
These nouns have soft endings in the plural:
nom pl e e
acc/gen pl ee ee
dat pl e e
instr pl e e
prep pl e e
nouns in - Nouns of this type (see also 6.116.12) are regular in the singular but
in the plural the last two letters (-) are removed to form the stem:
nom pl aae
acc/gen pl aa
dat pl aaa
instr pl aaa
prep pl aaa
Note 1 All these nouns are animate, hence the coincidence of accusative/genitive
forms.
2 a, Bulgarian, and aa, Tatar, also follow this pattern, except that
they have nom pl a and aa respectively.
3 a, gipsy, has plural forms ae, a, aa, etc. in the modern
language, but nom pl a in the nineteenth century (e.g. in the title of
P ushkins narrative poem).
4 , landlord, host, has plural forms ea, e, ea, ea,
ea.
5 , master, gentleman, Mr, has plural forms a, , a,
a, a.
nouns in - Nouns of this type (see also 8.7.1) are regular in the singular (except
that they have a mobile o), but in the plural have the following pattern:
nom pl ea
acc/gen pl e
dat pl ea
instr pl ea
prep pl ea
Note 1 All these nouns are animate, hence the coincidence of accusative/
genitive forms.
2 e, child, does have a plural of this type (ea, etc.), but this is a
more colloquial word for children than e, and it is also used in the sense of
lads.
9.1.10 Nouns with irregular declension throughout
neuters in - There is a small group of nouns ending in - which are neuter and
which have a stem in in all except nominative/accusative singular
forms, e.g. , name:
sg pl
nom ea
acc ea
301
9 Inection
gen e
dat e ea
instr ee ea
prep e ea
Like (but with some exceptions listed below) are:
e
a
burden
e time
a
udder
a
b
ag
a
c
ame
e tribe
e
d
seed
e
e
stirrup
e
a
crown of the head
a
No plural forms.
b
nom/acc pl aa, gen pl a, dat pl aa, etc.
c
For a plural form the expression ae, tongues of ame, is used;
is put in the case appropriate in the context.
d
gen pl e.
e
gen pl e.
a (mother)
(daughter)
These two nouns have a stem in in all oblique cases in the singular
and throughout the plural:
sg pl sg pl
nom a ae e
acc a aee ee
gen ae aee e ee
dat ae ae e e
instr ae ae e e
prep ae ae e e
in R1, instr pl e.
ae (ant) sg pl
nom ae a
acc/gen a a
dat a a
instr a a
prep ae a
Like ae are e, sparrow; e, nightingale; e, stream
(but e, being inanimate, has acc sg e).
(way, path) This is a masculine noun, but its genitive/dative/prepositional singular
forms are those of a feminine noun:
sg pl
nom/acc
gen e
302
dat
instr
prep
9.1.11 Declension of surnames
mens names in
-, -, -e,
-, -
These surnames decline like nouns ending in a hard consonant in the
accusative/genitive, dative and prepositional singular forms and in the
nominative plural, but in the remaining cases they have adjectival
endings:
sg pl sg pl
nom e e
acc/gen ea e a
dat e e
instr e e
re ee e e
Note: foreign surnames ending in -, however, follow the normal
declension pattern for nouns of this type, e.g. instr sg a.
womens names in
-a, -a, -ea,
-a, -a
These surnames have accusative singular in -y (e.g. a,
H) and the ending - in all the oblique cases in the singular
(e.g. a, H).
Note: surnames which end in a hard consonant (other than or in the above
sufxes), whether they are Russian or foreign, do not decline when a woman
is denoted, e.g. the forms e, Te (Mrs Thatcher) are used for all cases.
names in -,
-a
Surnames with these adjectival endings decline in exactly the same
way as adjectives of this type (9.3.1).
indeclinable
surnames
Surnames ending in -, -, -, -a (e.g. ,
ee, e, , X, a) are
indeclinable.
Surnames in - and -e (e.g. , Pee, Ee,
ee), which are of Ukrainian origin, are not normally declined,
especially in R3b in which it is essential to avoid the confusion that
may arise from the difculty of inferring the nominative form of a
name from an oblique case. However, some speakers may still decline
these names like feminine nouns in -a.
Also indeclinable are Georgian surnames in -ae, -e, -
(e.g. aaae, Oe, a (Stalins real
surname)), and foreign surnames ending in a vowel other than
unstressed -a or -, e.g. a, ae, , , (Dumas,
Dante, Hugo, Shaw, Zola).
Note 1 Most foreign surnames ending in unstressed -a or - do decline (e.g.
e ea, Petrarchs sonnets), but those in -a do not, e.g. aa,
Garcia.
2 Georgian names in -aa (e.g. Oaa) may decline like nouns in -a, but
are sometimes also treated as indeclinable.
303
9 Inection
9.1.12 Indeclinable nouns
Russian has quite a large number of common nouns that are
indeclinable, most of them fairly recent borrowings from other
languages that do not easily t into the Russian declensional pattern.
The gender of an indeclinable noun may be determined by the gender
of the person or creature that the noun denotes or by the gender of the
generic noun that describes the class of thing to which the object in
question belongs (generic nouns are given in brackets in the lists
below). Indeclinable nouns may be allocated to the following types.
(a) Nouns of foreign origin denoting inanimate objects: generally neuter,
e.g.
ofce
whisk(e)y
e ghetto
e depot
judges (of competition)
e interview
aa a
ae cafe
cinema
e communique
e compartment
e menu
e underground
a overcoat
a bet
a upright piano
a plateau
ee resume
a taxi
e highway
r
But:
e (m) coffee (inuenced by the older form e)
(m) sirocco (ee, wind )
(m) Hindi (, language)
e-e (f ) beri-beri (e, disease)
a (f ) kohlrabi (aa, cabbage)
a (f ) salami (aa, sausage)
(b) Nouns of foreign origin denoting people, including proper
nouns: masculine or feminine depending on whether the person is
male or female, e.g.
aae attache
Be Verdi
coolie
304
9.2 Declension of pronouns
(c) Nouns of foreign origin denoting animate beings other than people:
generally masculine, e.g.
e kangaroo
kiwi
humming-bird
pony
ae chimpanzee
Note: if the noun specically denotes the female of the species then it may be treated
as feminine, e.g. e a ea, The kangaroo was feeding its cub.
r
But:
a (f ) iwashi (small far-eastern sh; a, sh)
ee (f ) tsetse (a, y)
(d) Indeclinable Russian words which are not nouns but are used as such:
neuter, e.g.
e a a big thank you
ee ae a polite hello
aee the royal we
ee aa a bright tomorrow
9.2 Declension of pronouns
/// nom
(I/you/we/you) acc/gen e e a a
dat e ee a a
instr a a
() ()
prep e ee a a
m n f pl
//a/ nom a
acc/gen e e
(he/it/she/they) dat e e
instr e (e)
prep e
Note 1 The letter - must be added to the third-person pronouns when they occur
after the great majority of prepositions, e.g. e, e, , e e,
e, ee e, , , e , and all prepositions
governing the prepositional case. Prosthetic - is not required after e,
, aa, e, , a (see 10.1.310.1.4) or after
short comparative adjectives. Nor may it be used when e, e e, are
possessive pronouns, i.e. when they mean his/its, (belonging to) her, their,
respectively, as opposed to him, her, them.
2 The instrumental forms , , e are alternatives to , ,
e, respectively. They may be used in the written language for stylistic or
rhythmic reasons, especially with past passive participles, e.g. a
e, the document signed by me, and are particularly common when
the pronoun is not preceded by a preposition.
305
9 Inection
a (oneself/ m n f pl
myself/ nom a a aa a
yourself/ acc a/a a a a/a
himself/ gen a a a
herself/ dat a a a
ourselves/
themselves)
instr a a (a) a
prep a a a
all genders
e acc/gen e
(oneself/myself/ dat ee
yourself/himself/ instr ()
herself/ourselves/
themselves)
prep ee
all genders
a acc/gen a
(each other) dat
instr
prep () e
(, ) m n f pl
(my (your, nom
ones own)) acc /e /
gen e e
dat e e
instr e
prep e
a (a) m n f pl
(our (your)) nom a ae aa a
acc a/ae ae a a/a
gen ae ae a
dat ae ae a
instr a ae a
prep ae ae a
e, e,
(his, her, their)
These forms are invariable when they are used as possessive pronouns.
In D the adjectival form may be found instead of .
m n f pl
(this) nom a
acc / /
gen
dat
instr
prep
m n f pl
(that) nom a e
acc / a e/e
306
9.3 Adjectival forms
gen e
dat e
instr e e
prep e
e m n f pl
(all) nom e e
a e/e e/e
gen e e e
dat e e e
instr e e e
prep e e e
, , ee nom
(what, nothing, acc/gen e e ee
there is dat e e ee
nothing to) instr e e ee
prep () e () e
, , e nom
(who, no one, acc/gen e
there is no one to) dat e
instr e e ee
prep () e ()
Note: the elements of , ee, , e are usually split when
combined with a preposition, whatever the case governed by the preposition,
e.g. e, not with anybody.
e m n f pl
(whose) nom e
acc e
gen e e
dat e e
instr e (e)
prep e
9.3.1 Declension of adjectives
Accurate declension of adjectives should be taken for granted in the
advanced student. Although there are various types of adjectival
declension, the main differences are for the most part explained
entirely by the spelling rules given in 8.2.4.
standard type m n f pl
nom e a e
acc / e e/
gen
dat
307
9 Inection
instr
prep
Note: adjectives with stressed endings have masculine nominative/accusative singular
forms in -, e.g. .
stem in , , m n f pl
nom e a e
acc /
e e/
gen
dat
instr
re
Note: adjectives with stem in , , x and stressed endings have forms in - in
the masculine nominative/accusative singular, e.g. .
stem in m n f pl
, , , nom ee a e
a /
e
ee e/
gen e e
dat e e
instr e
prep e e
Note: adjectives with stressed endings have masculine nominative/accusative singular
forms in -, and in all endings that in have e, e.g.
m n f pl
nom e a e
acc /
e e/
gen
dat
instr
prep
adjectives in - m n f pl
nom ee e
acc /e ee e/
gen e e
dat e e
instr e
prep e e
For a list of adjectives like see 8.9.
adjectives m n f pl
like e nom e ee e e
acc e/
ee
ee e e/e
308
gen ee ee e
dat ee ee e
instr e ee e
prep ee ee e
Like e are a number of adjectives derived from the names
of living creatures, e.g. , wolf s; , cows, bovine; a,
cats, feline; , birds; a, dogs, canine.
9.3.2 Formation of short adjectives
r
Short adjectives have four indeclinable forms which distinguish gender
and number. The masculine form is found by removing the masculine
nominative singular ending (-, -, r -); the feminine, neuter
and plural forms are found by adding -a, -o (-e in unstressed endings
after hushing consonants) and - (- after velars and hushing
consonants) respectively to the masculine form, e.g.
, new: , a, ,
e, fresh: e, ea, e, e
e, brilliant: e, ea, ee, e
, strict: , a, ,
, young: , a, ,
Note 1 Some adjectives have short forms which may not be used in the whole range
of meanings of which the long form is capable, e.g. , a, ,
() may mean alive but not lively; a, aa, a, a
(a) may mean old in the sense not young and not new, but not in the
sense of long-standing.
2 a, aa, a, a, glad, has short forms only.
r
In many adjectives a vowel must be inserted between the last
two consonants of the masculine short form, e.g.
(a) common adjectives with o inserted, e.g. (, near):
, exible; a, smooth; e, bold; , long (of time);
e, strong; , light, easy; , agile; , soft, mild;
, low; e, rare; e, sharp, harsh; a, sweet; ,
thin; , narrow;
(b) common adjectives with e inserted, e.g. ee (e, poor):
e, pale; e, harmful; , sad; ee,
interesting; a, red; , pleasant; e, bright, radiant;
, boring; , exact, precise; , difcult; e,
honest; , clear;
(c) common adjectives with ( after hushing consonants) inserted:
(, intelligent), e (e, funny).
Note: , strong, has e or .
r
Many adjectives have no short form. These include all or most
adjectives of the following types:
309
9 Inection
(a) adjectives denoting material, many of which end in -a() or
-()/-, e.g. a, leather; ee, silver;
ee, wooden; e, woollen (see 8.9);
(b) adjectives of participial origin ending in - (see 8.10), e.g. a,
tired;
(c) adjectives ending in -, -, e.g. ee, spring; e,
last; a, domestic (see 8.9);
(d) adjectives ending in -/-, e.g. e, violet; e,
eld;
(e) adjectives ending in -/-, e.g. a, English; ,
male.
Note 1 e, weighty, does have short forms (e, ea, e, e) because
its sufx is not - but -, the -c- being part of the stem.
2 Many adjectives in -e have synonyms in - which do have short
forms, e.g. a (=ae), tragic: short forms ae,
aa, a, a.
9.3.3 Formation of short comparatives
r
Most adjectives have a short comparative form. This form, which
is indeclinable, is derived from the long form of the adjective in one of
the following ways:
(a) in most adjectives, by addition of -ee to the stem, e.g.
, new ee
ee, interesting eeee
e, useful eee
(b) in adjectives whose stem ends in , , , , or the combination , by
a consonant change (to , , , r , respectively) and the addition
of -e to the stem thus formed, e.g.
, strict e
, rm e
a, rich ae
, dry e
, clean e
Note: has eee.
(c) in many adjectives ending in -, by the consonant change ,
and the addition of -e to the stem thus formed, e.g.
, loud e
e, strong ee
, soft e
, bright e
Note: has ee.
310
(d) in many other common adjectives, including many which end
in -, by some other means, e.g.
, near e
, deep e
a, distant ae
e, cheap eee
, long (of time) e
, short e
e, shallow ee
, late e (r ee)
a, early ae (r aee)
e, rare ee
a, sweet ae
, thin e
, narrow e
, wide e
Note: , bitter, has e in its literal meaning, but when used guratively
has e.
r
The short comparative forms of the following eight adjectives, six of
which are themselves already comparatives, give particular difculty:
, bigger e
e, smaller ee
, better e
, worse e
a, older (of people), senior ae
a, junior ae
, high e
, low e
Note: the form e must be used as a comparative of a when it means
younger.
r
Outside R2 the sufx -e may be encountered, as an alternative to -ee,
e.g. e. This sufx may have an archaic or colloquial avour, or it
may be used in verse for metrical reasons.
r
The prex - is frequently attached to the short comparative,
especially in R1, to modify the meaning, e.g. e, a little bigger,
e, a bit better.
r
There are many adjectives from which short comparative forms cannot
be derived, especially:
(a) those in - or -, e.g. , Russian; , male;
(b) those in -/- or -e/-e, e.g. a, mass;
ee, advanced;
(c) those of verbal origin in -, e.g. a, tired;
(d) some in -, e.g. e, bold; , sticky; , timid;
, slippery;
311
9 Inection
(e) miscellaneous adjectives, e.g. , ill; e, decrepit; ,
proud; , superuous.
9.4 Formation of adverbs
Adverbs are formed in the following ways:
(a) from adjectives with a stem in a hard consonant and from present and
past passive participles (or adjectives derived from them), by addition
of -o to the stem, e.g.
, quick
e, inevitable e
a, agitated a
(b) from adjectives with a stem in a soft consonant and from
adjectives derived from present active participles, by addition of -e to
the stem, e.g.
a, extreme ae
e, brilliant ee
Note: some adjectives in - have adverbs in -o, e.g. a (a);
(); a (a); e has either e or
ee.
(c) from adjectives in -, -, -, by addition of - to the stem,
e.g.
e, amicable e
ae, masterly ae
e, spirited e
(d) by prexing - to a masculine/neuter dative form of the adjective or
an adverb of the type in (c) above, to form adverbs of manner, e.g.
- in a different way
-ee as before
-e in my opinion
- (in) Russian
-ee like a human being
(e) by a combination of preposition + short adjective or long adjective or
noun, e.g.
aa to the right
ea slightly
e fully
hard-boiled (of egg)
ae nally
in succession
aaa at rst
ae married (of woman)
aae n the eve
312
9.5 Declension of numerals
(f ) in miscellaneous other ways, such as by use of the instrumental form of
a noun or on the basis of a numeral, e.g.
in a whisper
e in spring
e on foot
as a pair
9.5 Declension of numerals
(1) m n f pl
nom a
a / /
gen
dat
instr
prep
a/e (2), m/n f all genders all genders
(3), nom a e ee
ee (4) acc a/ e/ / ee/e
gen e
dat e
instr e e
prep e
a/e m/n f
(both) nom a a
acc a/ e/e
gen e
dat e
instr e
prep e
Note: in R1 the distinctive feminine form may be lost in the oblique cases, e.g.
aa, in both rooms.
(5) nom/acc
gen/dat/prep
instr
Like are all cardinal numerals up to aa and a.
Note: the normal instrumental singular form of e is ; the form
e is obsolescent.
(40), nom/acc e
e (90),
(100)
gen/dat/instr/prep a ea a
e (50) nom/acc e
gen/dat/prep e
instr e
313
9 Inection
Like e are ee, 60, ee, 70, and ee,
80.
Note: the genitive/dative/prepositional form of ee is e and
the instrumental form is e.
e (200), nom/acc e a eea
a (300), gen e
eea (400) dat a a ea
instr a ea ea
prep a a ea
(500),
e (800)
nom/acc e
gen
dat a a
instr a a
prep a a
Like are e (600), e (700), e (900).
the collective nom e e ee
numerals e (2), acc e/ e/ ee/ee
e (3), ee (4) gen ee
dat ee
instr ee
prep ee
The collective noun , hundred, declines like a noun in
- (gen pl e).
other words
denoting number
The word a, thousand, declines like a noun in -a (instr
sg e), but may also be used as a numeral in which case it
has instr sg .
The words , million, and a, billion, are nouns
and decline like other nouns ending in a hard consonant.
Ordinal numbers e, , e, etc. decline like adjectives
of the type in question (see 9.3.1 above).
A few other quantitative words have adjectival plural forms for use
in the oblique cases, viz , many; e, not many, a few;
e, several; , so many; and ?, how many?, viz:
acc/gen e
dat e
instr e
re e
acc/gen e
dat e
instr e
prep e c
314
9.6 Verb forms
9.6 Verb forms
9.6.1 The system of conjugation
Russian verbs may be divided into two broad conjugations.
conjugation 1 Endings characterised by the vowel e (or under stress) in the second
and third persons singular and the rst and second persons plural (i.e.
, /a/, , forms). This conjugation may be subdivided
into two types, one of which has four sub-types:
1A stem of present/future tense is derived by removing nal - of
the innitive, e.g. aa/;
1B stem of present/future tense is derived in some other way (in
many instances because the innitive ends in some combination
other than vowel + , e.g. e, e, e, a, e,
). 1B may be further subdivided into the following
sub-types:
i. vowel stem + unstressed ending, e.g. (-);
ii. vowel stem + stressed ending, e.g. aa (a-);
iii. consonant stem + unstressed ending, e.g. ea (e-);
iv. consonant stem + stressed ending, e.g. (-).
conjugation 2 Endings characterised by the vowel in the second and third persons
singular and the rst and second persons plural (i.e. , /a/,
, forms). In this conjugation the rst person singular and the
third person plural (i.e. and forms) are modied in certain verbs
in accordance with basic spelling rules (see 8.2.4(b) above). Moreover,
in the rst person singular certain consonants at the end of the stem
have to be changed (8.2.5) or require the insertion after them of the
letter -- (8.2.6). The endings of verbs in the two conjugations
therefore are:
conjugation 1 conjugation 2
() - (- after consonant
) - (- after hushing
consonant)
() -e (- under stress) -
(/a) -e (- under stress) -
() -e (- under stress) -
() -ee (-e under stress) -e
() - (- after consonant
) - (-a after hushing

consonant)
except and sometimes

Note: the vast majority of Russian verbs have two aspects, imperfective and
perfective. The use of these aspects is dealt with below (see 11.5).
In the following tabulations of conjugation patterns there are
many simple verbs from which a vast number of perfective forms
(e.g. aaa, , aea, a, a, e,
, ae, ae) are derived by the addition of
315
9 Inection
prexes (see 8.3). All such perfective derivatives conjugate in the same
way as the simple verb itself.
9.6.2 1A verbs
Stem of present/future tense formed by removing nal - of
the innitive; unstressed endings -, -e, -e, -e, -ee, -, e.g.
aa e ae
to work to lose to blush to blow
aa e ae
aae ee aee e
aae ee aee e
aae ee aee e
aaee eee aeee ee
aa e ae
In 1A are a very large number of verbs in -a r - and many in
-e (but not all such verbs); also , to provide with shoes.
9.6.3 1B verbs with vowel stems and unstressed endings
aa ea a
to wash to organise to make war to bark to shave
a a e
e ae e ae ee
e ae e ae ee
e ae e ae ee
ee aee ee aee eee
a a e
Like : , to howl; , to cover; , to ache; , to dig.
Like aa: the great majority of verbs in -a, including
many verbs of foreign origin, e.g. aaa, to attack, as well as verbs
from Slavonic roots, e.g. a, to agitate. Similarly aea, to
dance (a, ae, etc.).
Like ea: most other verbs in -ea.
Like a: a, to thaw, melt; e, to sow; e, to blow (intrans);
ae, to hope.
9.6.4 1B verbs with stems in and and unstressed endings
ea a
to prick to struggle to hesitate to pour
e
e e ee e
e e ee e
316
9.6 Verb forms
e e ee e
ee ee eee ee
e
Like : , to weed; also , to grind, but with e in the
stem (e, ee, etc.).
Like : , to unstitch, thrash.
Like a: ea, to pull about, tousle; a, to pinch, pluck;
ea, to doze.
9.6.5 1B verbs with vowel stems and stressed endings
aa aa aa ea
to give to nd out to get up to spit
a a a
a a a
a a a
a a a
ae ae ae e
a a a
e e
to sing to laugh to drink
e
e
e
e
e ee e
e
Like aa: cognate verbs in -aa, e.g. aa, to
acknowledge.
Like aa: cognate verbs in -aa, e.g. aa, to remain.
Like ea: ea, to peck; also a, to forge (, , etc.).
Like (which has a stem in a soft consonant rather than a vowel,
but conjugates in the same way): , to beat; , to wind; , to
pour; , to sew.
Note: a, to send, which has a consonant stem (-), conjugates in the same way
(, , etc.).
9.6.6 1B verbs with consonant stems and unstressed endings
Note: the stress is often on the ending in the innitive and the rst person singular
of verbs of this type, but is always on the stem throughout the remaining
persons of the present/future tense.
(a) Verbs with a stem in a hushing consonant:
ea aa a a
to cut to cry to write to look for
317
9 Inection
e a
ee ae e e
ee ae e e
ee ae e e
eee aee ee ee
e a
Like ea: a, to tie, knit; aa, to seem; aa, to tell;
aa, to wipe, smear.
Like aa: aa, to gallop; also ea, to whisper (e,
ee, etc.); a, to grumble; a, to hide; a, to
stamp; a, to guffaw; ea, to tickle.
Like a: ea, to hew; ea, to scratch, comb; also aa
, to
wave (a, ae, etc.); a
, to sway, rock; aa, to

plough.
Like a: ea
, to splash; a
, to rinse; also eea,

to quiver, tremble (ee, eee, etc.), a, to murmur,
grumble; also a, to whistle (, e, etc.), ea, to
lash.
These verbs may also be 1A in R1/D, e.g. aa.

(b) Verbs with a stem in or :
a ae
to receive to become to put n
a ae
e ae aee
e ae aee
e ae aee
ee aee aeee
a ae
Like : , to take away; , to lift; , to take off.
Note: a few other verbs from the same root, and which also have stems in the
present/future tense, have stressed endings throughout (see 9.6.7(b) below).
Like ae: the simple verb e and its perfective derivatives,
e.g. e(), eee(), ae().
(c) Verbs in -:
to go deaf
e
e
xe
ee
318
9.6 Verb forms
Like :
i. many other verbs which denote change of state, e.g. , to fade;
, to turn sour; , to freeze (intrans); , to get wet;
e, to go blind; , to get dry;
ii. many verbs derived from the following roots: -e-, -e-, --,
--, --, --, -e-, e.g. e, to resort (to);
e, to refute; e, to overthrow; , to get used
(to); , to arise; , to penetrate; , to
attain; a, to die down; e, to disappear;
iii. many semelfactive verbs, e.g. , to shout; , to jump;
iv. miscellaneous, e.g. , to ash, are up; , to move;
, to sink, drown (intrans); , to touch; , to pull.
Note: there are also many verbs in - that have stressed endings (see 9.6.7(c)
below).
(d) Miscellaneous verbs:
ea e
to be to go to sit down
e
e ee e
e ee e
e ee e
ee eee ee
e
Note: , etc., is the future tense of , there being no present tense of this verb
in modern Russian (except the form e in certain circumstances; see 4.2).
e e
to climb to lie down to be able
e
ee e e
ee e e
ee e e
eee ee ee
e
9.6.7 1B verbs with consonant stems and stressed endings
(a) Various verbs with stems in :
a a
to live to swim to call to tear

319
9 Inection
e e e e

Like : , to have a reputation for.
(b) Verbs with stem in r :
a
to understand to take to press

e e e

Like : a, to occupy, borrow; a, to rent, hire. (But see
9.6.6(b) above for verbs in - which have a stem in and
unstressed endings.)
aa a
to begin to crumple to reap to swear
a
a
a
a
ae e e e
a
(c) Verbs in -:
to bend
Like : , to concern; a, to wave; , to

smile.
(d) Various verbs with stem in :
a a ee
to take to lie to die
e
e
e
e
ee e e
e
320
9.6 Verb forms
Like a: a(), to ght.
Like ee: ee, to make ones way; ee, to rub (, ,
etc.).
(e) Verbs in - (with stem in , , , r ) and in - (with stem in
r ):
e e e e
to row to lead to carry to sweep
e e e e
e e e e e
e e e e
e e e e
ee ee ee ee
e e e e
Like e: e, to scrape.
Like e: , to guard, watch over.
Like e: a, to save; , to shake.
Like e: e, to plait, weave; e, to blossom, ourish.
a e
to put to read
a
a
a
a
ae e
a
Like a: a, to steal; a, to fall; , to spin (textiles).
Like e: e, to count, consider (, , etc.).
(f )
to go
(g) Verbs in - and - with stem in :

e
to take to gnaw
e
e
e
e
ee e
e
321
9 Inection
Like e: , to crawl.
(h) Verbs in - with stem in /:
ee e a
to guard to burn to cut to harness
ee a
ee a
ee a
ee a
eee e e ae
ee a
Note: e loses the e of the innitive in its present-/future-tense stem,
whereas other verbs of this type preserve the vowel of the innitive in
those tenses.
Like ee: eee, to neglect, scorn; ee, to guard, watch over.
(i) Verbs in - with stem in /:
e (R1)
to bake to drag
e
e
e
e
ee e
e
Like e: e, to drag, draw; e, to cut to pieces; e, to ow.
(j) Miscellaneous verbs:
a a a a a
to wait to lie to be mistaken to grow to suck to weave
a
a
a
a
e e e ae e e
a
Like : (), to knock/hurt/bruise oneself.
9.6.8 Second-conjugation verbs
The stem of the present/future tense is found by removing vowel +
(-/-a/-e/-) from the end of the innitive.
(a) Verbs with innitives in -, -e, -, -a:
e a a
to speak to look at to stand to chase to sleep
322
9.6 Verb forms

e e e e e

See (d) below for explanation of this form.

Like : the vast majority of verbs that have an innitive ending
in -.
Like e: e, to hurt; ee, to turn, twirl (trans); e, to
see; e, to hang (intrans); e, to burn (intrans); ae, to
depend; ee, to y; eae, to hate; e, to offend; ee,
to fart (vulg); e, to whistle; e, to sit; ee, to bear, endure;
also ee, to shine, though this verb may also be conjugated as a 1B
verb with a stem in (e, ee, etc.).
Note: most of these verbs undergo a consonant change in the rst-person-singular
form (see (c) below).
Like : , to be afraid.
(b) Verbs with a stem in a hushing consonant:
ea a a
to lie to be silent to hear
e
e
e
e
ee e e
ea a a
Like ea: ea, to hold; a, to shake, tremble;
aea, to belong.
Like a: a, to be heard, resound; a, to shout; a,
to knock.
Like a: a, to breathe.
Note: not all verbs ending in -a, -a, r -a belong to the second
conjugation. For example, a, to rise in price; a, to get, receive;
a, to listen to, all belong to type 1A, while a, in both its meanings
(to press; to reap), belongs to type 1B (see 9.6.7(b) above).
(c) Verbs with one of the following consonant changes in the rst person
singular:

323
9 Inection
to go ,
to transport ,
to carry ,
ee to y e, e
e to visit e, e
to clean ,
Like e: all verbs in - which have imperfectives in -a,
e.g. (impf a), to anger; ae, to forbid;
a, to defend; a, to enrich; a, to turn, convert;
e, to illuminate; , to feel, sense; , to tame.
Note 1 The following defective verbs have no rst-person-singular form: e,
to defeat; e, to persuade, convince; , to nd oneself; , to
behave oddly.
2 , to honour, is a second-conjugation verb but has 3rd pers pl as well
as .
3 (a + prep; R3), to be founded on, has 3rd pers sg e, and 3rd
pers pl .
(d) Verbs with epenthetic in the rst person singular.
The consonant is inserted between the present/future tense stem and
the ending in verbs whose stem ends in one of the consonants , , ,
, .
to love ,
a to put a, a
to feed ,
to buy ,
a to rule (line) a, a
Like : many verbs, e.g. , to chisel, gouge; e, to
destroy; a, to weaken; , to chop, hack.
Like a: many verbs, e.g. , to announce, declare; a,
to correct, govern; ea, to present, represent; a, to compile,
constitute.
Like : many verbs, e.g. , to straighten; e,
to stun; e, to strive.
Like : many verbs, e.g. , to amass, store up; e, to
blind; , to step; , to sink, drown (trans), heat.
There are no common second-conjugation verbs in the modern
language with present-/future-tense stem in .
9.6.9 Irregular verbs
ea a e e
to run to give to eat to want
e a e
324
9.6 Verb forms
e a e e
e a e e
e a e
ee ae ee e
e a e
9.6.10 Formation of the past tense
The past tense has only four forms, which are differentiated according
to gender and number rather than person. Masculine forms end in -
or some other hard consonant. Feminine, neuter and plural forms end
in -a, -, -, respectively; these endings are added to the masculine
form in verbs in which the masculine form ends in some consonant
other than .
Note: in many 1B verbs in -e, -e and -e the vowel e is replaced by in the
masculine form of the past tense.
The following types of past tense can be distinguished:
(a) verbs with innitive ending in vowel + : the nal - is replaced by
-, -a, -, -, e.g.
a, to read a, aa, a, a
e, to lose e, ea, e, e
e, to sing e, ea, e, e
, to blow , a, ,
, to open , a, ,
, to prick , a, ,
, to drink , a, ,
e, to cure e, ea, e, e
(b) verbs in -, -: the nal - r - is lost and the remaining stem
serves as the masculine form, e.g.
e, to take , ea, e, e
e, to climb e, ea, e, e
(c) verbs in - with stems in or c: the masculine form ends in the
consonant with which the present-/future-tense stem ends, e.g.
e, to row (e/) , ea, e, e
e, to carry (e/) , ea, e, e
(d) verbs in - or - with stems in r : the consonant with which
the present-/future-tense stem ends is replaced with - in the
masculine form, e.g.
e, to lead (e/) , ea, e, e
e, to sweep (e/) , ea, e, e
a, to put (a/) a, aa, a, a
a, to steal (a/) a, aa, a, a
325
9 Inection
(e) verbs in -: the nal - of the innitive is replaced with the velar
with which the stem of the rst-person-singular form of the
present-/future-tense ends, e.g.
ee, to be careful (ee/) e, eea, ee, ee
e, to lie down (/) , ea, e, e
, to cut (hair; /) , a, ,
, to be able (/) , a, ,
e, to bake (e/) , ea, e, e
Note: e, to burn (/), has , a, , .
(f ) : , a, ,
Note: stress in e is on the prex.
(g) verbs in -ee lose the nal -e in their masculine form, e.g.
ee, to die e, ea, e, e
aee, to lock ae, aea, ae, ae
ee, to rub off , a, ,
(h) some verbs in - with stress on stem, including verbs denoting
change of state (see 9.6.6(c)), lose this sufx in the masculine form, e.g.
, to arise , a, ,
, to attain , a, ,
a, to freeze a, aa, a,
a
e, to disappear e, ea, e, e
, to perish , a, ,
Note: the tendency is for verbs of this type to lose their sufx in the past tense, and
forms which preserve it have an archaic avour.
(i) , to be mistaken , a, ,
, to hurt oneself , a, ,
9.6.11 Formation of the imperative

The second-person imperative may be formed from either aspect of
the Russian verb (on usage see 11.5.6).
The basic forms are used if the form of address used by the speaker
is . The sufx -e is added to this basic form if the form of address
used by the speaker is .
The imperative of most Russian verbs is formed by removing the
last two letters of the third person plural of the present/future tense
and adding one of the following endings:
326
9.6 Verb forms
(a) , if the stem ends in a vowel, e.g.
a, to nish (a/) a(e)
, to explain (/) (e)
aa, to organise (a/) a(e)
a, to close (a/) a(e)
e, to sing (/) (e)
Note: a few second-conjugation verbs with stressed endings in - in the innitive
have the ending - in R2/3, e.g. , to cut out (/) (e).
(b) , if the stem ends in a single consonant and the stress in the rst
person singular is on the ending or if the stem ends in two or more
consonants and irrespective of the position of the stress, e.g.
a, to write (/, ) (e)
e, to lead (e/, e) e(e)
e, to carry (e/, e) e(e)
, to speak (/, ) (e)
, to buy (/, ) (e)
a, to wait (/, ) (e)
, to explain (/, ) (e)
Note: verbs with stems ending in the consonants r + another consonant have
parallel forms in - in the singular form of the imperative, e.g. , clean;
e , dont spoil.
(c) , if the stem ends in a single consonant and the stress in the rst
person singular is on the stem, e.g.
ea, to cut (e/, e) e(e)
e, to reply (e/, e) e(e)
Note: some imperative forms derived from simple verbs which have end stress but
which have the stressed prex - retain the ending -, e.g. ea, to run
out (e/, e) e(e); , to go out (/, )
(e).
r
The following verbs or types of verb have imperatives that depart from
the above patterns:
(a) monosyllabic verbs in -: , to beat e(e);
(b) 1B verbs in -aa: aa, to give aa(e);
(c) ea and ea, to go, both have ea(e);
(d) a, to give a(e);
(e) e, to eat e(e);
(f ) e, to lie down (e).
r
A few common verbs may have forms in R1/D which differ from the
standard forms of R2/3, e.g.
R2/3 R1/D
to glance ()
to go out
ea to go (by transport) ea ea
327
9 Inection
a to steal a a
to embrace
to go
to put
As in the expression a , here and now, on the spot.

r
The reexive particle - is reduced to - after the vowel ending
and after the particle -e, e.g. ee, eee, be careful.
9.7 Formation of gerunds and participles
9.7.1 Formation of imperfective gerunds
Imperfective gerunds are formed by replacing the last two letters of the
third-person-plural form of the present tense with - or (after hushing
consonants) -a. These forms are invariable.
aa (aa/) aa, beginning
aa (a/) a, commanding
(/) , living
(/) , arriving
ea (e/a) ea, holding
Note 1 1B verbs in -aa have imperfective gerunds in -aa, e.g. aa aa,
giving.
2 , being.
3 In reexive verbs - is contracted to - after the vowel ending, e.g.
a a, smiling.
4 Many verbs, the vast majority of them 1B, are not capable of forming
imperfective gerunds, viz. 1B verbs in -a or -a (e.g. a, a);
verbs with no vowel in their present-tense stem (e.g. monosyllables in -
such as , a, , a, a, ee); verbs in - such as e;
verbs in - (e.g. ); miscellaneous common verbs (e.g. ea,
, a, ea, a, e, e). It is often possible, though, to form
an imperfective gerund from a related 1A verb from the same root, e.g.
aa (), a (a), a (a), a
(ee), a () in the normal way.
9.7.2 Formation of perfective gerunds
Like imperfective gerunds, perfective gerunds are invariable. They are
formed in the following ways:
(a) in most verbs the nal - of the masculine form of the past tense is
replaced by -, e.g.
a (a) a, having read
() , having opened
() , having pulled
() , having cleaned
Note: forms in - (e.g. a, etc.) have an archaic avour but may also
occur in R1 or D.
328
(b) most perfective verbs which do not form their past tense by adding -
to the nal vowel of the innitive are in theory capable of forming
gerunds by adding - to the masculine form of the past tense, e.g.
() , having attained.
Note: in practice such gerunds are nowadays rarely used, and may be replaced, in
some types of verb, by forms in -, e.g. () ,
having become accustomed; aee (ae) aee, having locked.
(c) in perfective verbs of motion of the determinate category which have
innitive in - (see 11.7) the gerund is formed by attaching - to the
stem of the future tense, e.g.
(/) , having entered
e (e/) e, having brought
e (e/) e, having imported
e (e/) e, having carried away
Note: alternative gerunds in - for such verbs, e.g. e, are archaic.
(d) in reexive verbs the perfective gerund is formed by replacing the nal
- of the masculine form of the past tense by -, e.g. e
(e) e, having returned.
9.7.3 Formation of present active participles
Present active participles may be formed only from imperfective verbs.
They are formed by replacing the nal - of the third person plural of
the present tense by -, e.g.
a (a/) a, who is buying
(/) , who is drinking
(/) , who is going
(/) , who is speaking
ea (ea/) ea, who is lying
eea (ee/) ee, who is
interested in
Note 1 Present active participles decline like adjectives of the type (9.3.1).
2 The reexive particle -, when it occurs in such participles, is not contracted
to - after vowels (e.g. m/n gen sg eee).
9.7.4 Formation of past active participles
Past active participles may be formed from verbs of either aspect. They
are formed in the following ways:
(a) in most verbs the nal - of the masculine form of the past tense is
replaced with -, e.g.
a (a/) a, who was buying
e (e/) e, who was singing
(/) , who bought
329
9 Inection
a (a/) a, who closed
(/) , who was explaining
(b) verbs whose masculine past-tense form ends in a consonant other than
form their past active participle by adding - to that consonant,
e.g.
e () , who was carrying
() , who was able
ee (e) e, who died
() , who attained
(c) verbs in - which have a present-/future-tense stem in r retain
this consonant and add -, e.g.
e e, who was leading
e e, who invented
Note 1 Similarly ( e) e, who was going.
2 Many participles of this type, whilst theoretically possible, are rarely
encountered in modern Russian.
r
Past active participles decline like adjectives of the type
(9.3.1). The reexive particle -, when it occurs in such participles, is
not contracted to - after vowels (e.g. m/n gen sg
eeae).
9.7.5 Formation of present passive participles
Present passive participles may as a rule be formed only from verbs
which are imperfective and transitive (e.g. a). They therefore
may not be formed from verbs which are perfective (e.g. ) or
intransitive (e.g. ). Nor can they be formed from reexive verbs
(e.g. e), since these verbs are intransitive.
Present passive participles are formed by adding - to the rst
person plural of imperfective verbs. They decline like adjectives of the
type (see 9.3.1), e.g.
aaa aaae, being examined
aa ae, being organised
Note 1 1B verbs in -aa do not form their present passive participles in the normal
way. Instead they have forms in -aae, e.g. aa aae, being
given.
2 A few verbs with rst person plural in - have a participle in -, e.g.
e e, being led; such forms are rarely used.
3 Many imperfective transitive verbs have no present passive participle, e.g.
a, a, e, a, monosyllables in - (see 9.6.5).
9.7.6 Formation of past passive participles
As a rule past passive participles may be formed only from verbs which
are perfective and transitive (e.g. ). They therefore may not be
330
formed from verbs which are imperfective (e.g. a) or
intransitive (e.g. ). Nor can they be formed from reexive verbs
(e.g. e), since these verbs are intransitive.
Past passive participles have one of the following types of ending.
- The sufx - is added to the nal of the innitive in verbs of the
following types (on stress changes see 12.4.4.6 below):
(a) basically monosyllabic in - (9.6.3): a a, shut;
(b) basically monosyllabic in - (9.6.5): a a, broken;
(c) basically monosyllabic in -e (9.6.6(b)): e e, dressed;
(d) in - (9.6.4): , punctured;
(e) in -: , mentioned;
(f ) in -ee (9.6.7(d)): aee ae, locked; ee
, rubbed off.
Note: the nal e of the innitive form of derivatives of ee is lost, and the
remaining e changes to e.
(g) 1B in -a or - which have a stem in - r - (9.6.6(b) and
9.6.7(b)):
aa (a-) aa, begun; (-) , taken
off.
- In verbs with innitive ending in -a or -, including 1B verbs
(except those in (g) above) and second-conjugation verbs, the nal -
of the innitive is replaced by - (note stress changes):
a a, read
a a, agitated
aa aa, written
e e, lost
-e/- The ending -e is used when stress is on the stem and - is
used when stress is on the ending. These endings are used in verbs of
the following types:
(a) 1B verbs with consonant stems which do not fall into any of the above
categories, e.g.
e e, introduced
e e, brought
e e, swept off
e e, imported
ae a, set light to
e e, baked
Note: of the two stems which verbs in - have in their present/future tense (/ or
/) it is the stem in a hushing consonant ( or ) that is used in this participle.
331
9 Inection
(b) Second-conjugation verbs other than those in -a. Any irregularities
affecting the rst person singular of second-conjugation verbs
(consonant changes or insertion of epenthetic -- (see 9.6.8(c) and
(d))) also occur in these participles, e.g.
a ae, frozen
e e, decided
e ee, met
e e, enlightened
a ae, put
e, bought
Note 1 Verbs in - which have imperfective form in -a have the combination
-- in their participle, even though this combination does not occur in their
rst person singular, e.g. from (impf
a).
2 Position of stress in past passive participles in -e and - is
determined by position of stress in the second person singular of the
present/future tense (a, e, e, e,
a, , in the verbs given above).
(c) Some verbs which do not quite conform to the above rules:
a ae, stolen
derivatives of e: e ee, eaten up
a ae, fund
e e, seen
r
The long forms of past passive participles of all types decline like
adjectives. Past passive participles also have short forms which, like the
short forms of adjectives, distinguish gender and number, e.g.
a
a a aa a a
e e ea e e
e e eea ee ee
ae ae aea ae ae
Note 1 In all past passive participles ending in - only one survives in the short
form.
2 The short forms of participles in - are always stressed on the last syllable,
with the result that changes to e in the feminine, neuter and plural forms.
332
10 Prepositions
It is worth devoting a separate chapter to Russian prepositions, and the
rendering of English prepositions into Russian. For one thing,
knowledge of prepositions in a foreign language tends to be a good
indicator of command of that language in general. More importantly,
the meanings of Russian prepositions coincide with the meanings of
their most common English equivalents only to a limited degree.
Russian prepositions are also extremely precise in their meanings. The
English-speaker must therefore think particularly carefully about the
meaning of the English preposition in a given context before rendering
it into Russian. Moreover, some of the most widespread English
prepositions (e.g. for, of, to, with) are often not rendered in Russian by
any preposition at all, since their meaning may be implicit in the use of
a certain Russian case. Attention must also be paid to the fact that
some common Russian prepositions are capable of governing more
than one case and that they have different meanings when they are
used with different cases.
This chapter examines the most important meanings of Russian and
English prepositions respectively, and also lists common verbs that
govern an object indirectly through a particular preposition. The last
section (10.4), which deals with the rendering of each English
preposition in Russian, draws attention to expressions in which usage
in the two languages is quite different.
10.1 Valency of prepositions
10.1.1 Prepositions followed by apparent nominative forms
B in a few expressions denoting change of status or promotion this
preposition governs a noun which, although it is animate, has an
accusative form that coincides with the nominative rather than the
genitive:
to become a pilot
to get on in the world
e to promote to the rank of colonel
A is followed by a noun in the nominative case in the interrogative
expression a . . . ? What sort of . . . is . . . ? (cf. Ger Was f ur ein
Buch ist das?) and in the interjectional expression a . . . ! What a. . . !
a aa? What sort of a car is it?
a e! What a wonderful day!
Note: in these expressions a is not actually functioning as a preposition but as part
of a phrase with .
333
10 Prepositions
10.1.2 Prepositions governing the accusative
B (a) into, to, in, when movement is involved (cf. + prep):
Oa a a. She went into the room.
O e ea. He put his things in a case.
(b) at a time on the hour or past the hour, at an age:
a at one oclock
ee at a quarter past four
aa e at twenty past ve
e e at nine years of age
Also e, at midday, and , at midnight.
(c) on a day of the week:
ee On Monday
e On Wednesday
(d) to express dimension and measurement:
e a table a metre wide
a aa a two-storey house
e a a ten-degree frost
(e) to denote pattern:
a e a check shirt
ae a a spotted dress (tiny spots)
a e a spotted skirt (larger spots)
aa a striped shirt
A (a) behind or beyond, when movement into a position is involved:
Ce a a . The sun went behind the horizon
[i.e. set].
M ea a . We went out of town [i.e. into the
country].
This is the sense in which a is used in certain phrases, e.g.
a/e a to sit down at table
ea/ea a a to go abroad [i.e. beyond the border]
(b) for, when some sort of exchange or reciprocity is involved:
aa/aa
- a e
to thank sb for their hospitality
a/aa a to pay for a book
(c) during, in the space of, over a period of time:
a during the night
a a e
ee a.
In the space of three days there was twice
the usual monthly rainfall.
334
(d) after a period of time, or over/beyond a certain age:
ae a long after midnight
E e a . He is already over forty.
(e) at a distance in space or time (especially in combination with and
respectively):
a
e a.
This happened 100 kilometres from here.
a e e e a day before his death
HA (a) on to, on, when movement is involved:
a/ - a to put sth on the oor
a/e a to sit down on the chair
(b) to, into with those nouns listed in 10.1.6 (a (b)) which require a +
prepositional case for the translation of in or at, e.g.
a a to the exhibition
a to the market
(c) for a period of time, when one is dening what period an action is
intended or expected to cover (cf. use of accusative without a
preposition; see 10.4 ( for) and 11.1.2):
O ee M a ee. He is going to Moscow for a week.
Oa eaa a a . She came to us for a year.
(d) for a certain purpose:
a a c (rationing) coupons for meat
e a ee dinner for ve people
(e) by a certain margin:
O a a a ae aa. He is two years older than his brother.
a a
e.
These products have become a thousand
per cent more expensive.
O against in the sense of in contact with:
a/ o
ae
to stumble against a stone
side by side
O up to a certain point in space or time:
e e
Ba eea
aae a.
to stand up to ones neck in water
The visa is valid up to 20 May inclusive.
O (a) under, when movement into a position is involved:
a aea a. The cat went under the bed.
(a) . I put the books under the table.
335
10 Prepositions
(b) towards, in a temporal sense, or just before:
ee towards evening
E e. He is getting on for forty.
(c) to the accompaniment of a sound:
aea to dance to music
a to write to dictation
(d) in imitation of:
an imitation gold ring
a to write in the style of Gogol
PO (a) about or concerning; more or less synonymous with o + prep, but
characteristic of R1; used only with the accusative:
Ma to speak about Masha
e to sing about love
(b) + e, to in certain phrases:
a e to think to oneself
a e to read to oneself
C with nouns denoting measurement, distance, time, etc., in the sense of
approximately, about:
e a to weigh about a kilogram
M c . We walked about a mile.
(a) a ee. I was there about a week.
CBO through, esp when passage through sth is difcult; used only with
the accusative:
a/a

to force ones way through a crowd
e laughter through tears
EPE (a) across, through, or over when this preposition means across; used only
with the accusative:
ee ee to cross (over) the road
eeea/eee ee
a
to climb over the fence
(b) in (a certain amount of time from the time of speaking):
ee ee e. In a week he returned.
Note: there is a similar spatial use in phrases such as ee e a, in two
stops (i.e. when one is going to get off a bus or train).
(c) via a place:
O ea a ee M. He went there via Moscow.
336
(d) through an intermediary:
e- ee
eea
to speak to sb through an interpreter
(e) when an action affects alternate objects in a series:
aa ee e to work every other day
eaa/aeaa ee
to print on every other line (i.e. to

double-space)
10.1.3 Prepositions governing the genitive
A very large number of prepositions may govern the genitive case. The
most common ones are , , and y. All of the prepositions listed in
this section, with the exception of e and c, invariably govern the
genitive case.
E without:
(a) e ae without signicance
e without mistakes
(b) in expressions of time, to indicate minutes before the hour, e.g.
e () e (at) ve to ten
e ee a (aa) (at) a quarter to two
BB
in view of, rather formal:

B ee a
ee e e ea
a a.
In view of the internal crisis the president
decided not to go abroad.
BO along (i.e. adhering to a line; see also 10.4):
Hee ae
ee.
The oil slick f lowed out along
the coast.
BM
ECTO instead of, in place of:

O a ae
e e aa.
He went to the meeting instead
of his brother.
Note: e should not be confused with ee, together.
BHE outside (as opposed to inside):
e a outside the town
e aa outside the law
Note: e is narrower in meaning than Eng outside, which may have to be translated
into Russian with other prepositions such as or ee (see 10.4).
337
10 Prepositions
BH TP
inside, to indicate the position in which sth is located ( is itself a

form in the prepositional case):
B a e c
e ea.
Inside the ship are torpedoes with nuclear
warheads.
BH TP inside, to indicate movement inwards ( is itself a form in the
accusative case):
Ba
a.
The troops quickly moved inland.
B

OE by, near:
B a
e a.
They erected a monument near
the cathedral.
BOP
round:
eee ea a journey round the world
BEPE
in front of, ahead of:

Bee ea . In front of the train was a snowdrift.
BC
ECTBE because of, owing to:

Bee aa a e
.
Owing to the fog the match did not take
place.
for in the sense of for the benet of or for the purpose of:
a a a present for (nes) friend
e a tool for
Note: is much narrower in meaning than English for, which may have to be
translated by other prepositions such as a + acc or a + acc (see 10.4), or
indeed by no preposition at all.
O (a) before and until in a temporal sense:
. This happened before the war.

O aae e a. He works until six oclock.
(b) up to or as far as in a spatial sense:
O ea Baa. He went as far as Vladivostok.
(a) out of, when movement is involved:
/ a to go out of/leave the room
a/ aaa to take out of ones pocket
(b) to indicate that sb or sth is of a particular origin, or that an object is
made of or consists of sth, or is one out of a larger number:
e e from a peasant family
ae a a silk dress
338
e a ve-course dinner
a a ne of the best books
(c) to indicate that some action results from a certain experience or
feeling:
a a, . . .
Oa eaa
e.
From long experience I know that. . .
She did this out of love for the children.
-A (a) out from behind:

-a a from round the corner
aa/a -a a to get up from the table
(b) because of when the cause of sth is regarded unfavourably:
Oa e a aa -a
.
She could not work because of a
headache.
-O (a) out from under :

- e
- aa
out from under the bed
under-the-counter trade
(b) to indicate the purpose for which an object is designed:
aa - ae a jam-jar
a - a a beer-barrel
P

OME except, apart from:
Oa e e ea e
.
She didnt eat anything apart from
a bun.
M
E between; used with the genitive only in a few phrases:

a e to read between the lines
e e between the devil and the deep blue sea
(lit between two res)
M
MO past:
/ a to go past the house
HAP

OTB opposite:
M e
a e.
We agreed to meet opposite the church.
HACT about, as regards:
a a ae aa? What about your report?
OOO (a) near or by:

O e e a. He was sitting by his friend.
339
10 Prepositions
(b) around, about or approximately:
around midnight
a about a million
OT (OTO) (a) away from:
e a. The train is moving away from the
platform.
(b) to indicate distance from:
ea ea two kilometres from the centre
a
aa
ve minutes walk from the station
(c) to indicate the source of sth:
aa/a - to nd out from sb
(a) e . I received a letter from her.
(d) to indicate the date of a letter:
e e aa his letter of 1 March
(e) to indicate the purpose for which sth is intended:
e the door key
a a a shirt button
(f ) to indicate that sth may be used to counter sth else:
aae re insurance
ae headache tablets
(g) to indicate that sth is prompted by a certain cause:
C e. The table was groaning with food.
(h) to describe the emotional state a person is in, when the feelings that
prompted an action are being dened:
e ea to seethe with indignation
a aa to tremble with fear
(i) in miscellaneous common phrases:
e/ae not/far from
e ee from time to time
e with all ones heart
e - n behalf of sb
OTHOC
TEHO concerning; formal, used mainly in R3:

e
e
questions concerning procedure
340
OM
MO besides, apart from:

e e apart from everything else

OCE after:
e a after supper
OCPE
in the middle of:

O e a. He was standing in the middle of the
square.
OCP
ECTBOM by means of, by dint of:

e e a by means of hard work
P

OTB against:
ee against the current
a
ea
to take on [lit come out against] a strong
opponent
TM by means of, by dint of:
by means of cunning
P
A for the sake of:

a e for the sake of the family
C(CO) (a) off the surface of sth, down from:
a/ a to take off the table
/ a to come home from work
Note: c translates away from or out of when the following noun is one of those nouns
that require a rather than to translate in(to) or at/on to (see 10.1.6, a (be)).
(b) since in a temporal sense:
c aaa a since the beginning of January
(c) from in the sense of as a result of:
a/ee a
co a
to die of hunger/starve to death
from shame
(d) with in the sense of on the basis of:
c ae aee with your permission
(e) from:
O a . He took to drink from grief.
Note: in this sense c is synonymous with (though a little more colloquial than) as
a preposition describing the emotional state that causes some action.
341
10 Prepositions
(f ) in miscellaneous common expressions:
c n the one hand
c n the other hand
c a a? to what purpose? why should I?
c e a at rst sight
e , a since (conj)
e - from the point of view of sb
CBEPX on top of, over and above:
e aa n top of wages
e a beyond expectations
CB
E over, more than; used mainly in numerical contexts:

e a e more than a million people
CPE
among, amid:
e among the young
Ce eee a, Among the refugees are old men women,
e e. and children.
(a) by in the sense of near:
Oa a y a.

She was standing by the window.
a house by the sea
(b) at in the sense of Fr chez and related meanings:
M ae a. We shall have supper at your place.
O e ee. He still lives with his parents.
(c) + nouns and personal pronouns to indicate possession; in this sense
corresponds to the English verb to have (4.1):
a e a aa. Weve got a new car.
e a a a. Ive got a request to make of you.
(d) + personal pronouns, in R1, in lieu of possessive pronoun:
Caa e ee. My Sashas a good man.
(e) + nouns and personal pronouns in expressions indicating pain or
discomfort:
e . Ive got toothache.
e . Shes got a sore throat.
(f ) to denote dispossession or taking away:
aa/a e
-
to borrow money from sb
a . Theyve taken everything away
from us.
342
10.1.4 Prepositions governing the dative
The commonest preposition governing the dative case is , which is
used much more widely with the dative than with the accusative or the
prepositional, and which has many meanings. K is also very common,
but the remaining prepositions which may govern the dative are
restricted in their use.
AOAP
thanks to:
aa e a thanks to her presence
of mind
BOPE
despite, contrary to:

e ae contrary to my instructions
K (KO) (a) towards, up to in a spatial sense:
O . He is going towards the bridge.
Oa a e. She came up to me.
(b) by or towards in a temporal sense:
O ee. He will arrive by evening.
(c) in combination with many nouns to indicate attitude:
a pity for
ee interest in
love for
ea hatred of
ee attitude towards, relation to
eee contempt for
ae indifference towards
inclination towards, penchant for
a passion for
eee striving for
aee respect for
(d) in miscellaneous common phrases:
ae unfortunately
a fortunately
e moreover, besides
e e to my surprise
ae e to our astonishment
a a at your service
face to face
O (a) along, down:
Oa e. She is walking along the street.
O ae ee. He is coming down the stairs.
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10 Prepositions
(b) round in the sense of in various directions:
O ae. He is pacing round the room.
to wander round the town
(c) according to, in accordance with:
aa according to the timetable
a e according to the calculations
of experts
a according to the ofcial rate
of exchange
(d) by a means of communication:
ee by telephone
e by post
ee e by rail
(e) at, on or in in the sense of in the eld of or on the subject of:
e champions at football
ea e
a
a specialist on political matters
ea a Minister for Scottish affairs
aeae a mathematics lesson
(f ) n days of the week and in other expressions of time to indicate regular
occurrence:
eea n Mondays
aa n holidays
a in the mornings
(g) + the numeral , ne, and also the nouns a, thousand, and
, million, to indicate distribution; cf. + acc in this sense
with other numerals (see 11.4.9):
M
.
We received a pound each.
(h) + the negative particle e in phrases in which inconsistency is
indicated; in this sense may sometimes be translated by the English
for :
O e a . He is tall for his age.
a aa e e
aa.
I cant afford this car.
Note: as pointed out by Wade (see Sources), has also made some progress in
the language at the expense of more precise prepositions in phrases such as
aa eae (=aa ea), programme of literature;
ee (= a e), prize for shooting.
344
O

OHO like, similar to:
a aee to shout like a madman
CO
ACHO in accordance with; ofcial in tone, characteristic of R3b:

a a ae
a
in accordance with the main article of
the treaty
10.1.5 Prepositions governing the instrumental
A behind, beyond, on the far side of, and at or over in the sense of behind;
when location is being dened; cf. a + acc when movement into a
position is indicated:
a behind the house
a ae abroad (beyond the border)
a overboard
a at the table
a e at the piano
a over a beer
M
E between; followed only by the instrumental case except in a few xed

expressions in which it governs the genitive (see 10.1.3):
e aae
between parallel lines

e a between ourselves
HA (H
AO) over, above, on top of, used only with the instrumental:
Ha a. A chandelier hangs over the table.
a over me
EPE (
EPEO) used only with the instrumental:

(a) in front of or before in a spatial sense:
e ee ee to sit in front of the television
ee in front of me
(b) before in a temporal sense, especially shortly before; cf. (see 10.1.3)
which may indicate any time before:
ee e before death
O (

OO) (a) under, below, beneath, when actual or gurative location is dened; cf.
+ acc when movement into a position is indicated:
under the bridge
ae under arrest
e under the inuence
345
10 Prepositions
(b) with a certain dressing, in culinary expressions, in which the literal
meaning of under is retained:
a a sh in tomato sauce
ae egg mayonnaise
(c) in the region of:
M in the region of Moscow
(d) of in the names of battles:
a a the Battle of Poltava
C (CO) (a) with, when with means together with or in the company of, or when it
refers to some connection or attendant characteristic; cf. omission of
c when with denotes instrument (see 10.4):
O e. He went to the cinema with his sister.
in connection with this
ee aa a person with (light) blue eyes
c a gladly (with gladness)
(b) together with personal pronouns in an inclusive sense, e.g.:
c e he and his sister
a my brother and I
ae my mother and I
(c) in the expression c a/ ? Whats the matter with you?
(d) with the passage of time, e.g. c a , with each (passing) day
10.1.6 Prepositions governing the prepositional or locative
The prepositional case, as its name suggests, may only be used with
certain prepositions (, a, , , ). It is also sometimes called the
locative case, since when used with the prepositions and a it may
dene location.
B (BO) (a) in or at to dene location, the place where sth is situated or happening;
cf. use of accusative when movement is involved:
O Me. He lives in Moscow.
M e ae. We were sitting in the bedroom.
(b) to express the distance at which sth is located:
ee
ea a
a kilometre from the centre of town
a
three minutes walk from the school

aa e aa ve hours journey/travel from Paris
346
(c) in or at in certain expressions of time (to indicate the month, year,
decade, century, or period of ones life, or stage in a period in which
an event took place):
ae in January
last year
aa a in the 1920s
aa ee in the twentieth century
ee in childhood
aae a at the beginning of the year
e at the end of the war
(d) at half past an hour:
e e at half past twelve
(e) to describe what sb is wearing:
Oa a e. Shes got a red blouse on.
O e. He was wearing a black suit.
HA (a) on, in or at to dene location, the place where sth is situated; cf. use of
accusative when movement is involved:
a e a e. The book is on the table.
(b) on, in or at before many common nouns, where English-speakers
might expect to be used; many of these nouns denote some sort of
occasion, or refer to both the place and the event or activity associated
with it:
ee, party (reception) a eee
a, war a e
a, station a ae
aa, exhibition a ae
a, factory a ae
aeae, meeting, session a aea
aea, department (in higher
a aee
ee, conference a ee
e, concert a ee
, resort a e
, year (of course in higher
a e
e, lecture a e
epa, opera a ee
a, (f ) square a a
a, post-ofce a e
aa, work a ae
, market a e
aa, wedding a ae
ae, meeting, gathering a a
347
10 Prepositions
a, station a a
e, congress a ee
a, street a e
, lesson a e
aa, factory a ae
ae, faculty (of higher
a aee
, front (mil) a e
aa, mine a ae
ae, examination a aee
() in with points of the compass, islands, peninsulas, mountainous regions
of the former USSR, and the names of streets and squares, e.g.
a aae in the west
a e in the south
a ee-e in the north-east
a e n the island
a e in Cyprus
a e in Cuba
a Caae in Sakhalin
a Ae in Alaska
a aae in Kamchatka
a aae in the Caucasus
a ae in the Urals
a Aae in the Arbat
a He ee in Nevskii Prospect
a a a in Red Square
Note 1 Formerly a was also combined with aa, (the) Ukraine. However, now
that aa is used to denote an independent country rather than a space,
region or mere republic the preposition is generally combined with it instead.
This usage puts Ukraine on a par linguistically with other former Soviet
republics that have become independent countries (e.g. aaae, in Kaza-
khstan). Omission of the denite article in English (i.e. in Ukraine; cf. the older
expression in the Ukraine) achieves a similar purpose. It should be added that use
of rather than a with aa helps to dissociate the word from the etymo-
logically related word aa, outlying districts, borderland, which combines
with a.
2 With names of mountain ranges outside the former Soviet Union, on the other
hand, +prep is more usual, e.g.

Aa, in the Alps;

Aa, in the Andes;
aa, in the Himalayas.
(d) in with certain nouns (especially nouns denoting means of transport,
e.g. a, a, aa, e) when presence in the
place in question is associated with the activity for which the place is
designed:
a e to cook in the kitchen
ea a ae to go by bus
cf. a ae ae, to read a newspaper on the bus
348
(e) in miscellaneous expressions of place or time, e.g.
a e in the frost
a e in a draught
a e in the sun
a aee at dawn
a e retired (on a pension)
a e in the open air
a ee e in the fresh air
a e eee next week
a eee last week
a ee eee the following week
a eee this week
O (O, OO) when the following noun or adjective begins with one of the vowels
a, , y, (i.e. a vowel without an initial j sound), then the letter is
generally added to for the sake of euphony; occurs only in the
expressions given below.
(a) about, concerning:
O ae ae. He is thinking about his brother.
. Lets speak about this.
/e about everything/everybody
e about me
(b) with when the properties of sth are being described; this use
is uncommon:
aa a lit a two-ended stick, i.e. a double-edged
weapon
O after, following, or on completion of; most commonly found with verbal
nouns; this usage is rather literary or ofcial and conned to R3,
especially R3b:
ee n expiry of the visa
a eea on completing university (i.e. on
graduation)
e a n receipt of the letter
P used only with the prepositional:
(a) at the time of:
O ee. He lived at the time of Lenin.
e aa a Dostoevskii started writing in the
Hae e. reign of Nicholas I.
(b) adjacent/attached to:
ae a nursery attached to the factory
e ae a station buffet
349
10 Prepositions
(c) in the presence of:
to quarrel in front of the guests
(d) given the availability of:
ea
.
Ill do this on three conditions.
(e) while sth is being done (R3); in this sense the phrase with is
synonymous with an imperfective gerund:
M ee We lose a lot of foodstuffs while
ae. they are being transported.
10.2 Prepositional phrases based on nouns
Prepositional phrases based on nouns, such as the following, are a
feature of the ofcial register (see 1.3.4(b)):
ee + gen in the matter of
e + gen unlike, in contrast to
e + gen in respect of
+ instr in connection with
+ gen by virtue of
e + instr in accordance with
eee + gen in the course of
e + gen with the object of
a + gen at the expense of
a a + gen on the basis of
+ gen through the channel of
aae + dat in the direction of
e + dat with respect to
e + gen by reason of
a + gen by reason of
10.3 Verbs followed by prepositions
Many verbs may be followed by certain prepositions. In the following
sections some of the more common combinations of verb +
preposition are given.
10.3.1 Verbs followed by prepositions governing the accusative
B + acc e/e to believe in
ea/ea to interfere, intervene in
a/ to invade
a to play (a game, sport)
ea()/e() to dress (oneself ) in
350
a/ to enter (institution)
eaa()/ea() to turn/be turned into
e to shoot at (xed target)
A + acc (a) after verbs with the sense of taking hold of:
a/ - a to take sb by the hand
e - a to lead sb by the hand
ea - a to hold sb by the hand
ea a (e.g. ea) to hold on to (e.g. the handrail)
aa/a -
a
to seize sb by the scruff of the neck
(b) for the sake of:
a - to ght/struggle for sth
aa/a a
-
to stand up/plead/intercede for sb
/ a (e.g. -
e)
to drink to (e.g. sbs health)
aa/a a
(e.g. )
to ght for (e.g. ones country)
HA + acc e/e a to look at
e/ae a to divide into
aa/aa a to complain of
ae a to hope for, count on, rely on
aaa/aa a to attack, fall upon
ea/e a to reply to (letter, question)
aa/ a to count on, rely on
e/ae a to be angry at, cross with
e/e a to look at
aa/a a to agree to (but not to agree with)
10.3.2 Verbs followed by prepositions governing the genitive
+ gen to consist of
e to shoot, re (a weapon)
OT + gen aa/aa to refuse, decline, turn down
a/ to differ from
aa to suffer from
Note: aa means to suffer from some temporary or slight problem as
opposed to a chronic problem (in the latter meaning aa is followed
by the instrumental).
C + gen aa()/aa() e- to begin with sth
a/ e - to take sb down a peg
351
10 Prepositions
10.3.3 Verbs followed by prepositions governing the dative
K + dat especially verbs indicating approach or attachment:
/e to relate to, have an attitude to
/ to approach, match, suit
a/ to approach, draw near to
ea/e to attract to
a/ to get used/grow accustomed to
a/ to stick/adhere to
/ to lean against
e/e to join
e to strive towards, aspire to
Note: the verb aea is followed by when it denotes membership (cf.
ownership; see 11.1.8(c)), e.g. aea e a, to belong
to a political party.
O + dat a -/e- to miss sb/sth
e e- to shoot at
Note: used if the target is a moving or mobile one, or if random shots are red at a
target; cf. e + a, 10.3.1:
e- to judge by sth
a -/e- to long for sb/sth
a/a -/-
e- (e.g. ee)
to hit sb/sth on sth (e.g. on the
cheek)
10.3.4 Verbs followed by prepositions governing the instrumental
A + instr verbs indicating pursuit of sth, supervision or caring for sth:
/ a to go for, fetch
aa a to supervise
aa a to supervise
aa/e a to look after, keep an eye on
e a to track, shadow, follow, keep
an eye on
ea/ea a to go after, follow
aa a to court, look after, tend to
HA + instr a/ a to tower over
a a to dominate, tower above
ea a to mock
aa a to work at/on
e a to laugh at
352
EPE + instr / ee to apologise to

e/e ee to admire, worship
C + instr ea/e to meet (by arrangement)
a/a to greet, say hello to
a/a to meet, get acquainted with
a/a to say goodbye to
aaa/aa to part with
ea/ea to consult
aa/a to agree with
/ c to quarrel with
aa/ to collide with, run into
10.3.5 Verbs followed by prepositions governing the prepositional
B + prep a to need, be in need of
/ to accuse of
aa/a to confess, own up to
ea to doubt, question
ea()/e() to convince/be convinced of
e/e to assure of
aa to participate in, take
part in
HA + prep a a- e to speak in a language
Note: used when one is specifying in which language communication takes place, e.g.
a e ee a , at this session of the conference
they are speaking in Russian.
e a to get married to (of man
marrying woman)
a a to play (a musical
instrument)
aaa/a a to dwell on (e.g. of
conversation, lecture)
aa/aa a to tell on, have an effect on
O + prep ae to regret, be sorry about
a/a to worry about
a to know about
ea to dream about
aaa/aaa to recount, relate, tell
a to hear about
a/ to inform about
aa/a to nd out about,
discover
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10 Prepositions
10.4 Rendering of English prepositions in Russian
In this section the most common Russian rendering of the principal
meanings of English prepositions is given, together with some
examples of equivalents of the English prepositions in certain idiomatic
contexts.
ABOUT (a) meaning concerning: o + prep; po + acc (R1); a + gen;
e + gen (with regard to; R3, esp R3b):
a book about football a e
a lm about the war (R1)
What about your essay? a a ae e?
concerning your letter of 1 June e Bae a
1- (R3b)
(b) meaning around a place: + dat:
She was pacing about the room. Oa aaaa ae.
() expressing approximation, rendered in one of the following ways:
+ gen; c + acc (R1); e; e; by inversion
of numeral and noun:
about two hours a
about a week c ee (R1)
about forty pounds e
e

ABOVE (a) meaning over, higher than: a + instr; e + gen:
above the clouds a aa
above zero e
(b) in various expressions:
above all ee e
above-board e,
above suspicion e e
to get above oneself aaa/aa (R1)
ACCORDING TO + dat; a + dat (R3):
according to Tolstoi T
according to the timetable aa
according to the treaty a (R3)
Note: the Gospel according to Mark, eaee Maa.
ACROSS (a) indicating movement to the other side: ee + acc:
a bridge across the river ee e
We went across the desert. M eeea ee .
Note: with transitive verbs bearing the prex ee-, ee may be omitted, e.g.
ee , to cross the road.
354
(b) indicating position on the other side of: a e or
+ gen; a + instr (=beyond); a (=opposite):
Theres a park across the road. ae
a.
They live across the ocean. O a ea.
They live across the road. O a.
(c) indicating movement over the surface of sth: + dat:
Clouds were scudding across the sky. Oaa e e.
(d) crosswise, obstructing: e + gen:
A lorry stood across the road. e .
AFTER (a) in temporal sense: e + gen:
after work e a
(b) indicating that a period of time has elapsed: ee + a; +
acc; and also e + gen:
after a while ee ee e
after a week ee
after a long absence e
(c) indicating succession: a + instr:
day after day e a
page after page aa a ae
(d) meaning following or in pursuit of: a + instr; e a + instr;
e + dat:
to run after a tram ea a aae
He got in after the driver. O e e a ee.
She shouted after him. Oa aa e e.
(e) in certain expressions:
after all e
after you (when inviting sb to
go rst)
a
named after aa + dat; aa
e + gen (=named in honour of )
to take after /e a + a
the day after tomorrow eaa
AGAINST (a) meaning in opposition to: + gen:
I voted against the plan. a(a) aa.
Note: with verbs indicating contest against may be translated by c +instr, e.g.
e-, to ght against sb.
355
10 Prepositions
(b) meaning in collision with: o + acc; a + acc:
to bang ones head against a wall e
We ran up against a problem. M a a e.
() meaning in contact with: + dat:
He was leaning against the door. O e.
(d) indicating protection against: + gen; a a + gen:
to protect against disease ea/ea
aea
precautions against infection e a a
e
ALONG + dat; also + gen (=down the side of ):
She was walking along the path. Oa a e.
We were driving along the border. M ea a.
AMONG (a) meaning in the midst of : e + gen:
There was a Spanish girl among
the students.
Ce e a aa.
Among the little houses was a
church.
Ce a e.
(b) meaning between: e + instr:
They quarrelled among themselves. O e .
(c) indicating one of a number, usually with superlative adjective: +
gen:
The Don is among the longest rivers
in Russia.
a a e
P.
AT (a) indicating location: + re; a + re:
at school
at work
e
a ae
Note: a is used to express at with many Russian nouns which an English-speaker
might expect would combine with (see 10.1.6 for lists).
(b) indicating location in the vicinity of or at sbs house: y + gen:
I left my car at the station. a(a) a aa.
Im having dinner at a friends place. ea a.
(c) indicating location behind certain objects: a + instr:
at the table a
at the piano a e
at the wheel (of car, boat) a
356
(d) in certain expressions dening point in time: + prep:
at half past one e
at the beginning of April aae ae
at an early age ae ae
At what time? B a?
(e) in other expressions dening point in time, including minutes past the
hour: + acc:
at one oclock a
at midday e
at ve past two ee
at that time e
at a given moment a e
at dusk e
Note: in expressions indicating time before the hour at is not translated, e.g. at ve to
ten, e e.
(f ) in yet other expressions dening point in time: a + prep:
at dawn a ae/a aee
at sunset a aae
(g) in the following expressions of time: a + acc:
at Christmas a Pe
at Easter a a
(h) indicating direction of an action: + acc; a + acc:
to shoot at sth e -
to throw sth at sb a/ - -
to look at sth e/e a -
to point at sth aa/aa a -
(i) in miscellaneous other expressions:
at 100
a aa
at 100 kilometres per hour e
a
at any price e
at ones own expense a
at rst sight a e
at home a
at last ae
at least ae ee
at leisure a e
at night
at once a
at the request of e
357
10 Prepositions
BECAUSE OF -a + gen (esp for negative reason); aa + dat (=thanks to);
ee + gen (=owing to; more formal, R2/3)
because of an earthquake -a eee
thanks to your foresight aa ae
ee
Owing to the rain the fair did not
take place.
Bee aa
e a.
BEFORE (a) in a temporal sense: + gen (=previous to, earlier than); ee + instr
(=[just] before):
before the revolution e
long before a
We changed before dinner. M eee ee e.
(b) when before is followed by an English gerund it may be translated by
ee + a verbal noun or by ee e + inn, e.g.
before leaving ee e
before replying ee e e
(c) indicating location: ee + instr:
You see before you a list. B e ee .
before the court ee
(d) in other expressions:
before long
before now ae
before witnesses ee
the day before yesterday aea
BEHIND (a) indicating motion behind: a + a:
The sun went behind a cloud. Ce a a a.
He put his hands behind his back. O a a .
(b) indicating location: a + instr:
She was walking behind me. Oa a a .
He was hiding behind a tree. O a a ee.
(c) in other senses and expressions:
She is behind the other girls
in her class.
Oa a ee
ae.
The team is behind the captain. aa eae aaa.
Whats behind this? a e?
BELOW/
BENEATH
(a) indicating motion below: + a:
The swimmer dived below
the water.
e .
358
(b) indicating location: + instr:
below ground e e
below the surface e
(c) meaning lower than, inferior to: e + gen:
below average e ee
below a captain in rank e aaa a
beneath criticism e
beneath my dignity e e a
BEYOND =behind in the senses described in (a) and (b) above; also in certain
expressions, e.g.
beyond belief ee
beyond ones means e ea
beyond reach e ae
beyond ones understanding e a
BY (a) indicating agent or instrument or means of transport: instrumental
case with no preposition:
The play was written by Chekhov. ea a aaa e.
The building was destroyed by
a re.
ae e a.
by train e
Note: in phrases of the following sort, which lack a verb, the genitive may be used:
a play by Chekhov ea ea
a speech by the president e eea
(b) meaning in accordance with, and also indicating means of
communication: + dat:
by nature e
by this clock aa
by television eee
(c) meaning in the vicinity of : y + gen; + gen; e + gen;
c + instr (=next to); + gen (=alongside):
to sit by the window e / a
She was standing by the bus-stop. Oa a / a
a.
She was sitting by me. Oa ea e e.
The shop is by the theatre. Maa a
ea.
a track by the river a e
(d) meaning past: + gen:
She went by the bank. Oa a aa.
359
10 Prepositions
(e) meaning by way of: ee + acc:
She came in by the side entrance. Oa a ee .
(f ) meaning not after: + dat:
by Saturday e
It always snows by Christmas. Bea e Pe.
(g) indicating a margin of difference, and also expressing multiplication,
division or combination of dimensions: a + acc:
older by one week ae a ee
They increased my salary by a
thousand pounds.
e aa a
.
ten by ve e a
(h) after verbs meaning to take hold of : a + acc:
He took her by the hand. O e a .
I seized him by the neck. a(a) e a e.
(i) in miscellaneous other expressions:
by chance a
by means of e + gen; + gen
by no means e e; e (R3)
by mistake e
by the way e /a
to know sb by sight a -
to learn sth by heart - a
to pay by the month a/aa e
one by one a
step by step a a a
DOWN (a) meaning along: + dat:
down the corridor
He is going down the road. O e.
(b) meaning descending along: + dat; c + gen:
I am going downstairs. ( ee).
downstream ee
They came down the hill. O .
DURING (a) meaning at some point in: e + gen:
He died during the war. O e e .
I left during the interval. /a e aaa.
(b) meaning throughout, in the course of : eee + gen; a e
+ gen; these expressions are used mainly with nouns which have
temporal meaning:
During the 80s the USSR
was collapsing.
B eee e
CCCP aaa.
360
During the last century Russian
literature ourished.
Ha e ea
eaa a eaa.
(c) meaning in the reign/rule/time of: + prep:
censorship during the reign
of Nicholas
ea Hae
the terror during Stalins rule e Cae
EXCEPT FOR e + gen; a ee + gen (=with the exception of );
a + acc (=excepting; R3):
Everybody left except me. Bce e e.
All the students passed the exam
except for one.
Bce e, a ee
, a ae.
All the conditions were agreed
except for one.
Be aa
a .
FOR (a) indicating benet, purpose, suitability or unsuitability: + gen:
a present for you a e
clothes for big people ea e
ae
The book is useful for foreigners. e ee ae.
Polluted air is bad for ones health. a ee
.
Note: with verbs, or when a verb is understood, the person beneting may be in
the dative, e.g.
She bought a tie for me. Oa a e a.
Theres a letter for you. Ba . (R1)
(b) expressing duration, time spent doing sth or distance covered:
accusative case with no preposition; eee + gen:
He lay for a week in hospital. O ea ee e.
I have been living here for a year. e .
I ran ( for) a mile. ea(a) .
for a month eee ea
(c) indicating the amount of time action is expected to last, or that sth is
arranged for a certain time or intended for a certain purpose: a +
acc:
He has gone to Moscow for a week. O ea M a ee.
closed for the winter a a
for a long time a
forever aea
a meeting arranged for two oclock ea, aaea a a aa
dinner for two e a
a house for sale a a
for example ae
361
10 Prepositions
(d) meaning in return for, and also indicating support for sb or sth: a +
a:
I paid the cashier for the book aa(a) ae a .
We thanked them for their
hospitality.
M aa a
e.
an eye for an eye a
He is voting for me. O e a e.
(e) meaning in search of: a + instr:
I sent for a doctor. a(a) a .
(f ) after many nouns indicating attitude: + dat:
love for ones country e
a passion for music a e
respect for foreigners aee aa
(g) in miscellaneous other expressions, e.g.
for and against a
for certain aea
for the rst time e a/ee
for hours on end e aa
for this reason e
for Gods sake a a
as for me aae e
known for e + instr
once for all a aea
There were no houses for miles
around.
Ha e e
.
to cry for joy aa a
to get married for love e
He is tall for his age. O e ea.
to ask for / + a or gen r
+ re
to long for a + dat
to look for a + a r gen
to be sorry for sb ae -
to wait for a/a + a
or gen
FROM (a) meaning out of (i.e. the opposite of + acc); originating from, made of :
+ gen:
We went from Moscow to
Minsk.
M ea M
M.
from afar aea
fruit from Spain a
sausages made from pork , eae
362
(b) meaning away from (i.e. the opposite of r ); expressing distance
from; indicating person from whom sth originates; indicating
protection, freedom, concealment, separation, difference from;
meaning by reason of: + gen:
The train is drawing away from
the platform.
e a.
from here/there a/a
two minutes from the centre a ea
a present from my mother a e ae
protection from the gale aa aaa
exemption from taxation ee a
cut off from civilisation ea a
Russian architecture differs from
ours.
Pa aea ae
ae.
He collapsed from exhaustion. O a ee.
(c) meaning off, down from (i.e. the opposite of a + acc; therefore used to
mean from before nouns in 10.1.6, a (be)); meaning by reason of in
R1; and also since: c + gen:
The book fell from the shelf. a aa .
from east to west c a a aa
from the Urals c aa
from above/below e/
from boredom
from 1 April c e ae
from childhood c ea
(d) indicating removal of sth that belongs to sb else: y + gen:
She took the toy away from the
child.
Oa a ea .
He borrowed a mower from his
neighbour.
O a a ea.
(e) preceding a gerund: innitive form of verb:
You are preventing me from working. T eae e aa.
(f ) in many other expressions:
from bad to worse e e
from behind -a + gen
from generation to generation e ee
from time to time e ee
from under - + gen
change from a pound aa a
The town dates from the tenth
century.
e e.
a year from now ee
363
10 Prepositions
IN (a) indicating location; indicating a point in a month, decade, year,
century, time of life, or in the past, present or future; also describing
attire: + prep:
in the garden a
I read it in a newspaper. a(a) aee.
in March ae
in 1994 a e
e e
in the last decade of the century ee ee ea
in the twentieth century aa ee
in old age a
in the future e
in a blue shirt e ae
(b) indicating motion into or duration of an action or period: + acc:
She went in the canteen. Oa a .
in that age
(c) expressing in with periods of the day and seasons of the year;
expressing in in some adverbial phrases of manner; indicating material
used in some action; also indicating method of arranging people or
things: instrumental case with no preposition:
in the morning
in winter
in a loud voice
to write in ink a ea
in small groups e a
in rows a
(d) meaning in with certain nouns listed in 10.1.6, a (be); dening
time in relation to the beginning of a certain period; also in certain
set phrases: a + prep:
in the street a e
in Cuba a e
in the north a eee
in the war a e
in the kitchen (in order to cook) a e
in the rst minute of the second half a e e aa
in my lifetime a e
in old age a a e (R1)
(e) indicating time taken to complete an action or meaning over a period:
a + acc:
Five centimetres of rain fell in one
day.
a e a
ae .
(f ) indicating time after a certain interval: ee + acc:
Ill come back in a week. e ee ee.
364
(g) meaning on the subject of: + dat:
an exam in geography ae ea
research in electronics ea ee
(h) meaning in the reign/time of, and in phrases indicating attendant
circumstances: + prep:
in Pushkins time e
in the Brezhnev era eee
in complete silence a
(i) in other expressions:
in advance aaee
in all respects e e
in answer to e a + a
in any case ae
in the circumstances
in custody ae
in the end e
in the evenings eea
in general e
in good time aaee (R3)
in honour of e + gen
in memory of a + gen
in a minute ea
in the name of e + gen
in my opinion e e/-e
(R1/2)
in respect of e + dat (R3)
in spite of e a + a
in succession
in turn ee
to believe in God e a
blind in one eye e/ea a a
deaf in one ear /a a
Im in my twenties. Me a aa.
an interest in politics ee e
just in case a a
to be in power a
The word ends in a soft sign. C ae a a.
INSIDE (a) indicating location: + re; + gen:
inside the house e
We do not know what is happening
inside the country.
M e ae, ` o
a.
(b) indicating motion: generally + acc:
to go inside the house /
365
10 Prepositions
INSTEAD OF e + gen:
Have some juice instead of water. Bee a e .
Note: this preposition should not be confused with ee, together.
INTO (a) generally + acc:
They went into the hall. O a.
to fall into a trap aa/a
The water turned into ice. Ba eaa .
(b) with some nouns denoting open spaces (see 10.1.6, a (bc)); after
certain verbs with the prex a-; indicating division: a + acc:
She came out into the street. Oa a a .
I cut the loaf into pieces. aea(a) e a .
OF (a) expressing possession or quantity and in other functions: genitive case
with no preposition:
the roof of the house a a
the end of the lecture e e
a slice of bread ea
a litre of beer a
a bunch of keys a e
the rector of the institute e a
(b) expressing identity or denition: noun in apposition, or use of
adjective:
the city of London
the Isle of Wight a
the month of May e a
the University of Oxford O ee
the Battle of Borodino e aee
the Sea of Azov Ae e
Lawrence of Arabia e Aa
(c) meaning out of or consisting of; also indicating material of which sth is
made: + gen:
one of the students /a e
some of them ee
a family of four e e ee
a table made of wood eea
(d) indicating amount, capacity, dimension: + acc:
an article of twenty pages a aa a
an army of 100,000 men a a
a building of ten stories ae e ae
a eld of three hectares e a
eaa
366
(e) in other functions and expressions:
of course e
your letter of 2 May Bae a
the Battle of Stalingrad a Caa
capable of anything a
characteristic of aae + gen
typical of + gen
a charge of murder ee e
east of Moscow M
envy of (ones) neighbour a e
news of the accident e aa
a view of the forest a e
a of a document () ea
The room smells of smoke. B ae ae aa.
OFF (a) meaning off the surface of sth, down from: c + gen:
I took the saucepan off the stove. (a) a .
He fell off the ladder. O a e.
(b) meaning at a distance from: + gen:
two kilometres off the coast a a e
eea
not far off eae
ea
(c) indicating dispossession or removal: y + gen:
I borrowed a book off him. (a) e a.
(R1)
He broke the handle off the door. O e.
(d) in certain expressions:
off the beaten track e e
off colour (unwell) e/ea
(not in form) e e
off work e a ae
gds at ten per cent off a a e e e
e
Kee off the grass. He ae.
Shes off her food. e e aea.
Hes off his rocker. O a. (R1)
ON (a) indicating location: a + re:
Hes sitting on a stool. O a aee.
n board a
(b) indicating movement on to: a + a:
He climbed on the roof. O e a .
They got on the train. O e a e.
367
10 Prepositions
(c) n a day of the week: + acc:
on Wednesday e
on that day e
(d) repeatedly on a certain day: + dat pl:
on Saturdays a
on free days
(e) expressing a date: genitive case with no preposition:
on 1 March e aa
on 22 June aa
(f ) in certain other expressions of time: a + acc:
on the following day a e e
on the fourth day a e e
on this occasion a a
(g) meaning immediately after, on the expiry of: e + gen; + prep
(R3):
on arrival e ea
on expiry of the visa ee
On graduating she went abroad. a eea a
eaa a a.
(h) indicating means of transport; also in certain expressions of time:
instrumental case with no preposition:
on a bus a
on horseback e
on a spring evening ee ee
(i) meaning on the subject of: + dat; o + prep:
a lecture on geology e e
an article on Blok a e
( j) indicating a means of communication: + dat:
I heard about it on the radio. a(a) a.
(k) in other meanings and expressions:
on average ee
on no account e ae
n behalf of e + gen
on the contrary a
on leave e
on the left ea
on the right aa
on the occasion of a + gen
on the one hand
368
on the other hand
on one condition
on purpose a
on the quiet (R1)
on time -e
on time (according to
timetable)
aa
on the way home e
cash on delivery a ae
The house is on re. .
I had no money on me. e e ee .
The workers are on strike. Pae a.
to work on sth aa a e-
OPPOSITE + gen; a + gen:
They were sitting opposite each
other.
O e a.
He is standing opposite the
Kremlin.
O a e.
Note: in the meaning of opposite and a are interchangeable, but only
may mean against.
OUT OF (a) in most meanings: + gen:
She came out of the shop. Oa a aaa.
He took a coin out of his pocket. O e aaa.
a chapter out of a novel aa aa
four out of ve students ee e
Its made out of iron. Cea eea.
(b) meaning outside: e + gen; a + instr (=beyond ):
out of control e
out of danger e a
out of earshot e ee
out of reach/range e ee ae
out of sight e e
out of turn e ee
out of town a
out of the country a ae
() indicating cause or motive: + gen; + gen; c + gen (R1):
out of respect for you ae a
out of pity / a
out of spite (R2)
(d) in certain other expressions:
out of breath aa (act part)
aa (gerund)
369
10 Prepositions
out of doors a e/a e
(in the open air) a e
out of fashion e e
out of order e e
(not working) ea/e aae
Out of my sight! a!
out of work e a
to get out of bed aa/a e
Were out of bread. a e.
Its out of the question. O e e e.
OUTSIDE (a) meaning in the vicinity of : + gen; y + gen; ee + instr (=in
front of ):
I met her outside the park. e e / aa.
The cars outside the house. Maa ee .
(b) meaning on the outside of, beyond: e + gen; a + instr; a eea +
gen (=beyond the bounds of ):
Its outside my competence.
e e ee.
There was a policeman outside the
window.
a e.
He is not known outside Russia. O eee a eea
P.
OVER (a) meaning across: ee + a; a + a:
a bridge over the river ee e
He crossed over the threshold. O ee a .
to throw overboard a/ a
Note: ee may be omitted when the verb bears the prex epe-, which may carry
the same meaning (see also 10.1.2).
(b) indicating location beyond, on the other side of : a + instr;
+ gen:
I heard a voice over the fence. a(a) a .
They live overseas. O a e.
the forest over the border e a
(c) meaning above: a + instr:
A chandelier hangs over the table. Ha a.
A threat hangs over us. Ha a a.
(d) meaning over the top of: e + gen:
to look over ones spectacles e e
(e) meaning on to: a + acc:
She drew a blanket over the child. Oa aa e a
ea.
370
(f ) meaning across the surface of sth; also by a means of communication:
+ dat:
A boat sped over the water. ae a e.
all over the world e e
over the radio a
(g) meaning in the course of a certain period: eee + gen; a + acc:
The situation deteriorated over
many years.
Ca aa eee
e.
They have all fallen ill over
the last week.
O e ae a e
ee.
Note: eee emphasises duration and therefore occurs with an imperfective verb,
whilst a emphasises the completed nature of the event and therefore tends to
dictate the use of a perfective.
(h) meaning more than: e + gen; e + gen (used with
numerals); e + gen (=over and above, in excess of ):
He drank over a litre of wine. O e a a.
over a million voters e a aee
over (and above) the norm e
(i) in other expressions:
over a cup of tea a a a
Its over my head.
e e a.
to go head over heels ee
to stumble over sth a/ -
PAST (a) indicating motion alongside and beyond sth: + gen:
He ran past me. O ea e.
(b) indicating location beyond: a + instr:
The theatre is past the church. Tea a a e.
(c) meaning after: e + gen; a + acc; e + gen:
past midnight e /a
Shes past fty. E a e.
Its past ten oclock. e e.
(d) in expressions of time: no preposition:
ten past one e
at half past six e e
ROUND (a) indicating rotation and encirclement: + gen; (+ gen;
encirclement only):
All the guests were sitting round
the table.
Bce e a.
371
10 Prepositions
The earth revolves round
the sun.
e aae a.
(b) expressing approximation: + gen:
round (about) midnight
round a thousand dollars a
Note: the adverbs e, approximately, and e, roughly, may also
be used, with no preposition, to express approximation with numbers, e.g.
e , round a hundred pounds.
() expressing motion in various directions (often with indeterminate
verbs of motion): + dat:
Shes walking round the garden. Oa a.
His things are scattered round
the room.
E e aa ae.
(d) after verbs bearing the prex - round may have no prepositional
equivalent:
He walked round the puddle. O .
The nurse put pillows round him. Meea a e
a.
THROUGH (a) indicating passage through: ee + acc (also meaning via); +
acc (often implying difculty); + acc:
I went through France. ea(a) ee a.
We went to Moscow through
Minsk.
M ea M ee
M.
He squeezed through the crowd. O .
through a thick fog a
He was looking through the
window.
O e .
(b) meaning around, over, through an element: + dat:
He was walking through the streets. O a.
The ball was ying through the air. M ee .
(c) meaning for the duration of, throughout: accusative case with no
preposition:
It rained all through/throughout
the day.
Be e .
Work will continue through
the winter.
Paa e a
.
(d) meaning as a result of : aa + dat (=thanks to a favourable
cause); -a + gen (=because of some unfavourable cause); + dat
(=for some abstract reason):
through far-sightedness aa ee
372
He had to leave work through
illness.
E a -a
e.
to know through experience a
(e) in other expressions:
to get through an exam a ae
to go through a fortune aa/a e
to see through sb e - a
TO (a) expressing indirect object: dative case without any preposition:
He gave his brother a book. O a a .
Tell us what to do. Cae a, ` o ea.
Greetings to you. e ee/a!
(b) indicating direction of movement: + acc; a + acc (with certain
nouns; see 10.1.6, a (be)); + dat (with persons and with sth
approached but not entered):
We are going to Russia. M ee P.
She is going to a concert. Oa a e.
to the left/right ae/aa
I am going to the rector. e.
Come to the table. (e) .
to the south of Voronezh Bea
(c) indicating distance, limit or extent: + gen; + acc (=up to and
including):
the distance from London to
Moscow
ae a
M
to the end a
to a certain extent e ee
He got soaked to the skin. O a e.
to 1 Ma ee a
He was standing (up) to his
knees in water.
O e e.
(d) indicating attachment, membership, proximity: + dat:
to add ve to ten a/a
e
to belong [expressing
membership] to a club
aea
a preface to a book ee e
shoulder to shoulder e e
(e) expressing time to the hour: a construction with e + gen:
ve to ten e e
(f ) meaning to the accompaniment of a sound: + acc:
to dance to a record aea a
373
10 Prepositions
(g) in miscellaneous expressions:
to my surprise e e
an answer to sth e a -
a tendency to + dat
a claim to sth ee a -
a right to sth a a -
an exception to a rule ee aa
the key to a door e
compared to ae + instr
harmful to e + gen
near to + gen
similar to a + a
a visit to (the) Ukraine eee a
I have been to Moscow. (a) Me.
TOWARDS (a) in most meanings: + dat:
They were travelling towards
the lake.
O ea e.
He was standing with his back
towards me.
O e .
attitude towards ee
(b) in other expressions:
towards evening ee
responsibility towards ee ee + instr
UNDER (a) indicating location: + instr:
to sit under the trees e ee
to be under suspicion ee
(b) indicating motion: + acc:
She shoved a note under the door. Oa a a e.
(c) meaning according to: + dat:
under Roman law a
(d) in other expressions:
under ve dollars ee a
children under ve e e
under those circumstances e ea
under Lenin ee
under ones arm
under repair ee
The matter is under consideration. e aaae. (R3b)
UNTIL (a) in most contexts: + gen:
until Wednesday e
until three oclock a
374
(b) meaning up to and including: + acc:
The visa is valid until 1 March. Ba eea ee
aa.
() with negated verb: :
I shall not do it until tomorrow. aa ea .
UP (a) indicating location: a + re:
The cat is up the tree. a a eee.
(b) indicating motion: a + a; (e) + dat:
He went up the hill. O a .
The smoke goes up the chimney. ae e.
They sailed up the Volga. O e
Be.
WITH (a) in the majority of meanings, especially in the company of, together with:
c + instr:
I work with him. aa .
She went there with a friend. Oa a a .
a man with a red face a
with pleasure e
I agree with you. aa a.
(b) indicating instrument; also indicating what sth is covered or
surrounded by: instrumental case without a preposition:
She is eating with a spoon. Oa e .
I saw it with my own eyes. e(a) aa.
The lake is covered with ice.

Oe .
a house surrounded with owers ea
(c) indicating presence at sbs home, or entrustment of sth to sb: y + gen:
I lodge with them. a a .
I left my things with the concierge. a(a) e
aa.
(d) indicating source or cause: + gen:
He is trembling with cold. O a.
She is blushing with shame. Oa aee a.
(e) in miscellaneous other functions:
with all ones heart e
with the exception of a ee + gen
with regard to + instr
e + dat (R3)
aae + gen
with your consent ae a
375
10 Prepositions
with your permission ae aee
to go with/match + dat
satised with e/a + instr
to speak with a stutter aa
Down with the government! ae!
Whats it to do with me? ?
376
11 Syntax
11.1 Use of the cases
A sound understanding of the functions of the cases in Russian is
crucial to an ability to master the language, for grammatical
relationships in the sentence, and therefore meaning, depend on
inection. The sections which follow examine the basic function
or functions of each of the six cases of modern Russian and also the use
of those cases with verbs. The use of the case after prepositions, some
of which may invariably govern it and others of which govern it when
they have certain meanings, is examined thoroughly in 10.110.3.
11.1.1 Use of the nominative
(a) The nominative is the case used to indicate the subject of a clause:
a eaa a e. The book lay on the table.
B a ea a. A cat was sitting in the garden.
a aa. Ivan is calling his brother.
Note: in Russian the subject may follow the verb; it is inection, not word order (on
which see 11.14), that makes clear the grammatical relationships in the sentence.
(b) The complement of the verb to be may also stand in the nominative
when the verb to be is not actually stated, i.e. in the present tense, e.g.
M a a. My mother is a doctor.
O . He is a Georgian.
A nominative complement is also used when the verb form e is
used, in the sense of is, and the complement is the same as the
subject (see 4.2), e.g.
aa e aa. The truth is the truth.
When the verb to be occurs in the past tense a nominative complement
may be used (although the instrumental is now preferred; see
11.1.10(e)), e.g.
O a ae. He was an outstanding writer.
11.1.2 Use of the accusative
(a) The principal use of the accusative case is to express the direct object
of a transitive verb, e.g.
a . I am reading a book.
377
11 Syntax
O e . He is writing a letter.
Oa a. She loves her father.
Note 1 See 11.1.3 on the animate category of nouns.
2 No reexive verb, with the partial exception of a/a (see
11.1.5(b)), may govern the accusative.
(b) The accusative is also used, without any preposition, to express the
duration of an action, the distance covered, price, and weight. In
the rst two meanings it often follows a verb with the prex po-
(see 8.3, po- (c)).
Paa aa . Work continued all winter.
O ea
e.
They travelled a thousand kilometres.
a. The house costs a million dollars.
Maa e . The car weighs a tonne.
11.1.3 Use of case to denote animate direct object
Many animate nouns must be put in the genitive case when they are
used as direct objects. This usage arises from the fact that in most types
of noun the nominative and accusative forms have come to coincide.
Given the exibility of Russian word order, clauses in which both
subject and object are animate could be ambiguous were the
grammatical forms of subject and object to remain undifferentiated.
(Take, for example, the hypothetical statement a a.) By
marking the object by use of the genitive form, which in all categories
of noun is distinct from the accusative, a speaker avoids confusion as to
which noun is subject and which is object (cf. the similar function of
the preposition a to mark an animate direct object in Spanish, e.g.

El
mat a un toro, He killed a bull ).
Animate nouns include those denoting people, animals, birds,
reptiles, sh and insects, and embrace all three genders. The following
table shows which types of Russian animate noun have to be marked in
this way when they function as the direct object of a transitive verb.
accusative form preserved genitive form required
masculine singular
aa brother
a tiger
a eagle
a python
aa carp
aa spider
masculine plural
e sons
elephants
378
falcons
crocodiles
e sturgeons
a ants
feminine singular and
masculine singular in -a/- feminine plural
e woman ee girls
a horse a dogs
a swallow magpies
e snake cobras
a shark pikes
a buttery bees
Ca Sasha
uncle
neuter singular neuter plural
ofcials
eaee mammal ea mammals
eaee reptile ea reptiles
aee insect ae insects
miscellaneous miscellaneous
crowd
a a people
a (n pl) troops
dead body,
corpse
eea dead man
a the deceased
a queen (cards) e queen (chess)
king (cards,
chess)
a ace (cards)
aea jack (cards)
() to y a kite
a e
Note 1 The words Mapc, Me, He, , a, e are treated as
inanimate when they denote planets in the solar system but as animate when
they denote the classical gods after whom the planets are named, e.g.
aa e, to observe Jupiter, but ea ea, to anger
Jupiter.
2 Usage is less clear-cut when the direct object denotes a low or as yet
unborn form of life, e.g. ae, bacterium; aa, bacillus; a,
foetus; a, larva, grub; , microbe; , embryo. In everyday
speech such objects tend to be treated as inanimate, e.g. a ae, to
study bacteria, but in scientic parlance they may be treated as animate
(ae).
379
11 Syntax
11.1.4 Basic uses of the genitive
(a) To express possession, origin, relationship of part to whole, the nature,
quality, measurement, or quantity of sth, e.g.
a e aa my brothers book
a Pushkins poetry
e a ea the rst coach of the train
a a a man of large stature
aa e the scent of owers
e a a metre of fabric
a a litre of wine
Note: the genitive case is not used in a number of contexts where English has of (see
10.4, of (b)).
(b) After words indicating quantity, e.g.
a ee little/not much time
e many/a lot of owers
e e not many/a few students
e ee a few/some/several songs
C a? How much wine?
C eae! How/So many impressions!
(c) To denote a certain quantity, some of a given object (cf. Fr du pain, de
leau, etc.), e.g.
a a to pour some milk
Oa e e ea,
a a.
She didnt eat anything, she just
drank some tea.
Note 1 The accusative case in such contexts would denote not some of the object but
the object, e.g. a , to pour the (i.e. some specic) milk, perhaps the
milk left in the bottle, the milk on the table.
2 A genitive form with partitive meaning is often found after verbs bearing the
prex a- in its meaning of a certain quantity of (see 8.3, a- (b)), e.g. a
, to buy up a number of books.
(d) To express lack or absence of sth or sb in constructions with e, there
is/are not; e , there was/were not; and e e, there will not be.
These three Russian expressions, when they have the meanings given
above, are invariable.
Xea e. There is no bread.
E e e e. He is not here today.
Cea e . There was no snow.
e e. There will not be any rain.
Note: in the past or future tense absence may also be expressed by using a
nominative form of the noun or personal pronoun: Oa e a a, She
wasnt at home; O a e , They wont be there.
(e) To express sufciency or insufciency after the impersonal verbs
aa/a, to sufce (+ y + gen of person who has enough/not
380
enough of sth) and eaa/ea, to be insufcient/not to have
enough (+ dat of person who is short of sth):
a ee e aae. We dont have enough time.
E ea a. He doesnt have enough experience.
Note: the genitive has a similar meaning of sufciency after certain reexive verbs
bearing the prex a- which mean to do sth to satiety or to excess (see 8.3,
a- (c)), e.g. Oa aea , She ate a great deal of caviare; O a
, They drank a lot of water (as much as they wanted).
(f ) After short comparative adjectives, e.g.
e a more than a year
e below zero
(g) After cardinal numerals (provided that the numeral itself is in the
nominative or accusative case), except one and compound numbers in
which one is the last component (see 11.4.2).
(h) The genitive case of an ordinal numeral is used without a preposition
to express on a certain date, e.g.
ee aa n 3 August
aa e n 26 October
11.1.5 Verbs governing the genitive
(a) Many verbs which express fear, avoidance or apprehension, e.g.
(no pf as a rule) to fear, be afraid of
ea/ea to avoid
aa (no pf ) to fear, shun, avoid
a/a to be afraid of
e/e to be shy of
/ to be ashamed of
Note: in R1 these verbs may now be found with the accusative of animate nouns
(i.e. of those animate nouns that have a distinct accusative form), e.g. O
, Hes afraid of his aunt.
(b) Miscellaneous other verbs, e.g.
aa (impf only; R3) to hunger for, crave
ea (no pf in this sense) to keep to, hold on to
a
a
(impf ) to strive for
a
(pf ) to get, procure
a/ to attain, achieve
aa (impf ) to deserve
aa/ to touch, concern
a/ to deprive (sb of sth)
a/ to lose, be deprived of
a/a
b
to obey
c
(no pf ) to be worth
381
11 Syntax
a
The different aspects of this verb have different meanings when the verb
refers to a single instance.
b
In R1 this verb may now govern the accusative of an animate object, e.g.
Pe ae Be, The child obeys Vera.
c
But this verb governs the accusative when it means to cost (see 11.1.2).
(c) A number of verbs may govern either the genitive or the accusative,
e.g.
a/a to wait until
a/a to wait for, expect
a (various pf ) to look for, seek
a (no pf ) to expect
/ to ask for
ea/ea to require, need
e/ae to want
The reasons for choosing one case in preference to the other after
these verbs are not very clear-cut, and educated Russians may be
unable to explain them or even to agree on which case should be used
in certain contexts. One may say that the genitive tends to be used if
the object of the verb is general and abstract, whilst the accusative
tends to prevail if the object is particular and concrete, i.e. is a specic
thing or person. Thus:
r
genitive object
O a ea. He was waiting for an answer.
e. I beg (your) pardon.
Te aea eea. They are demanding the arrest of
the president.
r
accusative object
O . He is waiting for his uncle.
O e . He is looking for his aunt.
a e
P.
We are asking for a Russian entry visa.
Note: the genitive is understood in set phrases expressing wishes (see 7.9), e.g. Be
! All the best!
11.1.6 Case of direct object after a negated verb
The genitive may be used instead of the accusative to express the direct
object of a negated verb. The foreign student needs to know when one
case or the other is obligatory or strongly preferred, but should also be
aware that there are many instances where the question is nely
balanced and either case might be acceptable to a native-speaker.
Note: there is no question of a genitive object being used if the negated verb is one
which, when it is used afrmatively, governs the dative or instrumental case.
Thus in the statement I am not interested in music the noun music would be
rendered by an instrumental form ( e ee ) just as it would
382
if the verb eea were not negated. Only verbs which, when
afrmative, govern the accusative case may govern a direct object in the
genitive when they are negated.
(a) The genitive is preferred in the following circumstances:
r
when the negation is intensive, i.e. if the negated verb is strengthened
by some form of a, or /, or . . . , e.g.
Ha ee e
.
They could not take any decisions
at all.
r
when the absence of sth or any part of sth is indicated. (The English
translation in such contexts may well contain the word any.) A genitive
object is therefore naturally to be expected after the verb e when
it is negated.
M e e e
e.
They have not yet acquired motor
boats here.
M e ee a
aaa a.
We dont have a sufcient supply of
fuel.
r
when the negated verb and its object combine to form a common
expression, a set phraseological combination, e.g.
e ae . This plays no role.

e aa a a . I a n attention to this.
M e aee . We shall spare no efforts.
O e . They did not lay down (their) arms.
Oa e e ee
a .
She does not bear responsibility
for this.
r
when the negated verb is a verb of perception, especially e, to see,
or a, to hear, e.g.
O e e aa,
ee e.
He did not see the tram which was
moving slowly down the street.
e a(a) a. I didnt hear the bell.
r
when the form of the verb which is negated is a gerund or active
participle, e.g.
e a ae not reading the paper
e aa a without having written the letter
ea, e aea
ae e
a problem which did not nd reection
in the book
r
when the object of the negated verb is , this/that/it, e.g.
e a. I shant forget this.
Me e e . Man people would not want this.
Note: it may happen that more than one of the above considerations applies and that
it is therefore difcult to dene the overriding criterion for using the genitive
in a given context.
383
11 Syntax
(b) On the other hand the accusative is preferred in the following
circumstances:
r
when there is a double negative or when the negative occurs in a
combination such as e, almost, or ea e, barely, i.e. when the
basic idea is not negative but afrmative, e.g.
O e e ae . He could not help noticing the stain.
Oa e aa a. She almost broke the vase.
a e ? How can one not recall this?
r
when the object of the negated verb is qualied by an instrumental
predicate, e.g.
e a a
.
I do not nd French difcult.
O e ae e
ee.
He does not consider this answer
satisfactory.
r
when it is not the verb but some part of speech other than the verb
that is being negated, e.g.
He ea. It was not he who did this.
Oa a e ae, a
a.
It was a magazine, not a newspaper,
that she bought.
O e a
ee . . .
They not only communicated a mass
of information . . .
r
when the object of the negated verb is a place or specic concrete
object, e.g.
e H- e a. This money will not save New York.

Paae e a
a eee
ee.
Radio listeners did not turn off their
sets for a fortnight.
r
when the object is a feminine noun referring to a person (or a
masculine noun of the type Caa), e.g.
e a . I dont know Irina by sight.
(c) The accusative is more common than the genitive (but is not
obligatory) when the negated verb is an auxiliary verb while the verb
which governs the direct object is an innitive, e.g.
O e a. He could not understand the plan.
He a
ee ae.
I shall not put forward any concrete
arguments.
11.1.7 Basic uses of the dative
(a) To express the indirect object of a verb, i.e. the person or thing to
which sth is given or done, or which is indirectly affected by an
action, e.g.
384
a a e . The postman is giving him a
letter.
O aa a. He paid the waiter.
e . The tailor made me a suit.
a(a) e . I shook his hand.
Note: the dative form of the reexive pronoun ee is commonly used in phrases
describing injury to oneself or action on part of oneself, e.g. a/a
ee , to break ones arm; a/ee ee , to wipe ones brow.
(b) To indicate the subject in common impersonal expressions, such as:
it is possible to/one can
a/ it is necessary to/one must
e it is impossible to/one cannot/
one must not
a to be sorry for, to be sorry to
a to be time to
If past meaning is intended these expressions are followed by the
neuter form , and if future meaning is intended they are followed
by the third-person-singular form e, e.g.
E a . He had to go out.
Ha ea
a .
We must make the right choice.
Me a e. I am sorry for these people.
Note: these impersonal expressions are also often used without any subject, e.g.
e , One can smoke here; He a, One
mustnt go in with ones coat on.
() In impersonal expressions with the neuter short form of many
adjectives, e.g.
Me . I dont feel well.
Tee ? Are you cold?
Ba e ? Its not too stuffy for you?
Ba e a. Youll be (too) hot.
(d) In impersonal expressions with many verbs, e.g.
aa/aa to seem to
aea/ae to make tired, sicken, bore (used in
translation of to be fed up with)
eaa/ea to be insufcient
a/a to be pleasing to (used in translation
of to like)
/ to have to
ea (no pf in this sense) ought, should
aa/a to succeed
385
11 Syntax
Examples:
e ae, . . . I think (lit it seems to me) that . . .
Ha aa a ea. We liked this play.
Ba ea aa e
ea.
You ought to have told me that
yesterday.
(e) With negative pronouns which mean to have nothing to or there is
nothing to, etc. (see 11.2.4).
(f ) To express a subjects age. The invariable forms and e are
used to convey past and future meaning, respectively.
Ae aa e. Andrei is 15.
Cae e. Sasha was 5.
B ae e e a
e.
Ill be 30 in August.
11.1.8 Verbs governing the dative
(a) Many verbs which indicate either advantage, assistance, permission or
disadvantage, hindrance, prohibition to the object of the verb, e.g.
e/e
a
to injure, harm, hurt
(impf ) to threaten
aea/ae
b
to forbid, prohibit
e/e
c
to betray
ea/ea to prevent, hinder, bother, disturb
/ to allow, permit
a/ to help
ea/
ea
to obstruct
e (impf only) to contradict
aea/ae
b
to allow, permit
/ to serve
ea/ea to advise
(impf only) to resist
a/a to assist, promote, contribute to
a
The pair ea/e, which also means to damage, to injure, or to
hurt, takes the accusative case, e.g. O e ee , He hurt his leg.
b
When it is a thing that is prohibited or allowed aea/ae and
aea/ae govern a direct object in the accusative, e.g.
ae ae/ae ae, The government
prohibited/permitted the new newspaper.
c
When e/e means to change or to alter it governs the
accusative case, e.g. e e e e
a, The headmaster decided to change the curriculum.
(b) Some verbs indicating attitude towards an object, e.g.
e/e
a
to believe, give credence to
aa/aa
b
to envy
386
/ to be astonished at
aa/aa to rejoice at, be gladdened by
a (impf ) to sympathise with
/ to be surprised at
a
Be/e takes + acc if it means to believe in sth, e.g. O e
a, He believes in God. Contrast the use of the two cases with this verb in
the sentence Oa e ae, e, She doesnt know what to
believe in and whom to believe.
b
aa/aa cannot govern a direct object as can the English
verb to envy in phrases such as I envy you your health.
(c) Miscellaneous other verbs, e.g.
ee (impf and pf ) to order, command
/ to ring, telephone
/
a
to atter
a (impf, and in past
tense also pf )
to obey
aa (impf only) to imitate
aa/aa to order
aea
b
(impf only) to belong to
ea/ea
c
to follow
ea (impf only) to correspond to
/a
d
to teach
/a
d
to learn (a subject)
a
Although / normally governs the dative case, the
accusative form of the reexive pronoun is used in the expression
/ e ae, to atter oneself with the hope.
b
When aea denotes ownership it is followed by the dative case
without any preposition, e.g.
a a ae e a, This
book belongs to my brother. When on the other hand it denotes membership it
must be followed by and the dative, e.g. O ae
e a, He belongs to the Labour Party.
c
Cea/ea is followed by the dative case only when it means
to follow in the sense of to emulate. When it means to go after it takes a + instr
(see 10.3.4).
d
After /a, to teach and /a, to learn, it is the
subject taught or the thing learnt that is denoted by a noun in the dative
case, e.g. O e a , He is teaching his sister
French; Oa a , She is learning French. However,
after the verb a/, which means to study, the thing learnt is
denoted by a noun in the accusative case, e.g. O ae aea, He is
studying mathematics.
(d) The adjective a, aa, a, glad, which may only be used
predicatively and which exists only in a short form, is also followed by
a noun or pronoun in the dative, e.g. Oa a aa e a,
She was glad at my good fortune.
387
11 Syntax
11.1.9 Basic uses of the instrumental
(a) To indicate the agent by whom or the instrument with which or by
means of which an action is carried out, e.g.
O a. He was killed by a soldier.
Oa e . She is eating with a fork.
(b) To denote the thing with which sth is supplied or endowed, e.g.
a eeae
e aa aae.
The state provides all citizens with
an education.
Aa ea
aae
ee.
The atomic power station supplies the
town with electricity.
(c) In many adverbial phrases of manner, including indication of means of
transport, e.g.
ae by car
a by plane
in a whisper
aa to walk with quick steps
(d) In certain expressions of time which dene the point at which sth
happens; cf. use of the accusative to indicate duration (see
11.1.2(b)), e.g.
ee in the evening
e in autumn
(e) In the literary variety of R3, to dene route taken and to indicate
likeness, e.g.
ea ee (i.e. ee) to travel along the bank
ea (i.e. a ea) like a mirror
(f ) In certain impersonal constructions indicating the agency of some
force of nature, e.g.
ae e. The road was covered in snow.
a a . The meadows were ooded with water.
e. The roof was blown off by the wind.
11.1.10 Verbs governing the instrumental
(a) Many verbs indicating control, command, government, direction or
use. Some of these verbs are by their nature not capable of having
perfective forms.
ae to command, master, own
a to conduct (orchestra)
aea to be in charge of, manage, run
aa to command (armed forces)
388
aa to possess
a/a to use, make use of, enjoy (in sense
dispose of )
Note: the verb a (no pf ), to utilise, on the other hand, governs the
accusative case.
a to govern, rule, drive (vehicle)
aaa to have at ones disposal
aa/a to manage, deal with
to manage, direct
a to govern, rule, drive (vehicle)
(b) A number of verbs indicating attitude towards sth. Some of these too
exist only in an imperfective form.
a/ to admire (i.e. to be very impressed
by)
(no pf ) to be proud of
(no pf ) to value, prize
eea/
aeea
to be interested in
a/a to admire (i.e. to enjoy looking at;
see 3.7)
aaa/aa to enjoy
eeea/eee to ignore, neglect
ea/e to be fond of, be carried away by,
be obsessed with (see 3.7)
aa/aa to boast of
(c) A number of verbs which indicate movement of sth, especially of part
of the subjects body, or making a sound with sth, e.g.
a (no pf ) e to rattle, clank a chain
/ to wag (its) tail
a/ to move (ones) foot
ee (no pf ) ea to jingle money
aa/aa to shake (ones) head
a/ to nod (ones) head
aa/a to wave (ones) hand
a/ or
a/ a
to wink, blink (ones) eye
a/a ea to shrug (ones) shoulders
aaa (no pf ) e to brandish a sword
a/ to stamp (ones) foot
a/ e to slam a door
aa/a to shufe (ones) foot
Note: when the part of the body belongs to someone other than the subject then the
accusative is used, e.g. a/a - , to shake sbs [i.e. sb
elses] hand.
389
11 Syntax
(d) Miscellaneous other verbs, e.g.
a (no pf ) to breathe
ea/ea to sacrice
aa/a to be engaged in, be occupied with,
study
e/e to abuse
a (impf only) to smell of (used impersonally)
a (no pf ) to risk, hazard
aa (no pf ) to suffer from
Note: used with the instrumental case aa implies chronic or permanent
predicament, e.g. aa ae, to suffer from diabetes; aa
implies more temporary suffering, e.g. aa , to suffer from
toothache.
(e) The instrumental is also used in nouns which function as the
complement of , to be. Modern usage is as follows.
r
The instrumental is used when the verb occurs in the innitive (),
future (, etc.), conditional (/a// ),
imperative ( r e) or as a gerund (), e.g.
O e ee. He wants to be an engineer.
O e a. He will be a diplomat.
e a. Be a doctor.
a, e . Being a fool, he didnt understand.
r
The instrumental is also normally used nowadays with the past tense
(, etc.), e.g.
B
a e.
In his youth he was an outstanding
sportsman.
T e
aee.
Tolstoi was a great writer.
Note: grammarians make a distinction between temporary state (in which case the
instrumental is obligatory) and permanent state (as in the second example
above, in which case the nominative may be used, giving e ae).
However, the choice is not one the student needs to agonise over, and one
is now on safe ground if one always uses an instrumental complement with
. (On identication of subject and complement see 4.2, ,
note 2.)
r
When on the other hand the verb to be is in the present tense, and is
therefore understood but not actually stated in the Russian, a
nominative complement must be used, e.g.
Oa e. She is a professor.
M a ee. M brother is an engineer.
Departures from this rule are rare, unless the complement is a,
fault, blame, or a, cause, e.g. T, e, e
eeee , Here, of course, television alone is not to blame.
390
11.2 Use of pronouns
Note: the noun which in English functions as the complement is not in the
instrumental in the following type of Russian construction:
a. It was Ivan.
a Taa. It was Tat
iana.
ae . It was a French word.
ee. They were trees.

(f ) A number of other verbs, apart from , require an instrumental
complement, at least in some contexts, e.g.
e (impf ) to look (like)
ea/ea to become
aa/aa to seem
aa/aa to call, name
aa/aa to turn out to be, prove to be
aa/a to remain
/ to pretend to be
aa (no pf ) to work as
/ to serve as
/ to be reputed to be
a/a to become
a (no pf ) to be considered
/ to be
(g) Some verbs take a direct object in the accusative and a complement in
the instrumental, e.g. a e , I nd this opera
boring (R2/3). Similarly:
a/a to elect
aaa/aa to appoint
a/e to consider
11.1.11 Use of the prepositional
This case, as its name suggests, is used only after certain prepositions
(on which see 10.1.6) and can only be governed by verbs through
those prepositions (see 10.3.5).
11.2.1 Use of as a relative pronoun
The relative pronoun (who, which) gives some difculty, for
although it declines like an adjective and must agree in gender and
number with the noun or pronoun to which it refers, its case is
determined by its function within the subordinate clause in which it
stands. Thus in all the following examples the relative pronoun is
feminine and singular, like aa, car, but its case varies in
accordance with its grammatical role as, respectively, subject, direct
object and word governed by :
391
11 Syntax
Maa, a ee a, aa.
The car which is outside the station has broken down.
Maa, (a) ea, aa.
The car which I bought yesterday has broken down.
Maa, ea ee, aa.
The car in which the president was travelling has broken down.
Note: , who, and , what, which, may also function as relative pronouns,
although they are more commonly used as interrogative pronouns. As relative
pronouns they occur mainly in conjunction with some form of or
e/, e.g. Te, a a eee aaae,
a Caa, Those who have read Crime and Punishment remember the
character of Svidrigailov; e ae/aa e, , I do not
agree with what he says.
11.2.2 Use of a and as interrogative pronouns
These pronouns, which may be used in questions asking what? or
which?, used to be more clearly distinguished than they are now. A
question introduced by a anticipated an answer describing quality,
e.g. aa e a? What is the weather like today?, whereas one
introduced by anticipated an answer selecting an item out of
a number of things or indicating the position of sth in a numerical
series, e.g. eaee?, Which of these
books do you prefer?
Nowadays almost all questions requiring the use of one of these
pronouns may be put by using a, e.g.
ae a e? What wines do you like?
a a
a?
Which Russian authors have
you read?
a a e? Which room are you in?
aa e. Twenty-six.
, as an interrogative pronoun, can only really be considered
obligatory in expressions of time such as a? What time is it?
and B a? At what time?
11.2.3 Use of negative pronouns (, etc.)
It must be remembered that the negative particle e must precede any
verb with which the negative pronouns (, , a,
e , a, a, a) are combined, e.g.
H e e e. Nobody saw him.
Oa e e ea. She didnt see anything.
O e e . He didnt speak to anyone.
e a. Im not thinking about anything.
392
M a e
.
We never talk about that.
a e (a). I didnt go anywhere.
Note: and decline (see 9.2) and, if governed by a preposition, split into
two components with the preposition between them. (See also 11.2.4.)
11.2.4 Use of e, etc.
The pronouns dealt with in 11.2.3 should not be confused with similar
forms which are used in contexts where English has the expressions to
have no one/nothing/no time/nowhere to or there is no one/nothing/no
time/nowhere to, viz:
e e to have nothing to
e to have no one to
e a to have no time to
e e to have nowhere to (position
indicated)
e a to have nowhere to (movement
indicated)
Being impersonal, these expressions are invariably used with the neuter
form , if they are in the past tense, and the third-person-singular
form e, if they are in the future. Examples:
Ha e e e a. We have nothing to do/There is
nothing for us to do.
E e . He had no one to love.
E e a e e a. She will have no time to see you.
e e a. There isnt room to swing a cat. (lit
There is nowhere for an apple to fall.)
Note: e e and e , which are accusative/genitive forms, also have dative,
instrumental and prepositional forms. When these words are governed by a
preposition they are generally split to enable the preposition to be inserted
between the particle e and the appropriate form of r , e.g.
Me e a aa. I have no one to rely on.
E e a
e .
She has got no one to give the spare
ticket to.
Me e e e . Ive got nothing to drink my soup with.
E e e
.
Hes got nobody to talk to about this.
e e . They had nothing to talk about.
11.2.5 Use of the particles -, -, -
Use of these particles, any of which may be added to , , a,
e, a, a, a, a, e, to render someone, something,
some time, somewhere, (to) somewhere, some, somehow, from somewhere, for
393
11 Syntax
some reason, respectively, gives the English-speaking student some
difculty. The fundamental distinction between them is that -
implies that there is an element of choice from several alternatives,
whereas - implies that something is unknown to the speaker. The
less common - is a more bookish alternative to - and now
sounds somewhat dated.
r
- will translate into English as some and indicates that while the
speaker is sure that some event has taken place he or she does not have
precise information about it, e.g. O aa -, e
aa(a), He said something but I didnt catch it [i.e. sth denitely
was said, but the speaker does not know exactly what it was]; -
ee , Somebody phoned you [but the speaker does not know
who].
r
- may be translated, depending on the context, as either
some or any. It occurs with the imperative, e.g. e
e - , Have a talk with somebody about it. It also tends
to occur:
(a) more with the future, about which there is less certainty than the
present and in which therefore any one of a number of things might
happen, e.g.

E - , ae ,
ae (a), If anyone rings, tell them Im ill;
(b) in the past tense when there is a choice or range of possibilities.
Compare e.g.
ae
a-.
Every morning he went somewhere [the
speaker does not know where].
ae
a-.
Every morning he went somewhere [possibly
different places on different mornings].
(c) in combination with expressions such as e, probably, ae ,
probably, I expect, which indicate uncertainty, e.g. Hae
-, I expect hell buy something [but what exactly is not yet
known].
r
-, like -, may indicate choice or a range of possibilities, e.g.
Hae -, a , Find somebody
who could help you with this.
11.2.6 Use of
Use of this word gives much difculty to the English-speaker, because
English has only one possessive pronoun for each person. C
declines like and agrees in gender, case and number with the noun
it qualies. It denotes possession by the person or thing which is the
subject of the clause in which the possessive pronoun occurs
irrespective of whether that subject is rst, second or third person and
394
11.3 Use of short adjectives
singular or plural. It might therefore translate any of the English
possessive pronouns in the following variations:
I/you/he/she/we/they have/has lost my/your/his/her/our/their money.
///a/// e(a/) e .
If any of the third-person possessives (his/her/its/their) are rendered by
e/e/ then those Russian pronouns indicate possession by
somebody other than the subject of the clause. Compare e.g.
O e e . He has lost his (own) money.
O e e e . He has lost his (sb elses) money.
r
It is not possible to use :
(a) to qualify the subject itself. In the statement His money has been lost, for
example, in which money is the subject, his must be translated by e;
(b) when the possessive pronoun indicates possession by a subject which
stands in another clause. In the sentence He knows that I have lost his
money, for example, his indicates possession by the person who is the
subject of the sentence as a whole (he), but it is I that is the subject of
the clause in which his occurs. The sentence must therefore be
translated: O ae , e(a) e e .
r
However, in certain circumstances the point made in (a) above is
overruled, viz:
(a) in set expressions in which does qualify the subject, e.g. C
aa e e , lit Ones own shirt is closer to the body, i.e.
Charity begins at home;
(b) in impersonal constructions in which the subject appears in the dative
or is understood, e.g. Ha e e, One must serve ones
country;
(c) in constructions with y + gen which equate to the English verb to
have, e.g. a e a e, Each student has his
own computer.
The short forms of the adjective may only be used when the adjective
is predicative, that is to say when in the English translation of the
Russian some form of the verb to be stands between the subject and the
adjective, as in the sentences
e , This student is clever,

ea a a, The girl was sad.
If the adjective is not separated from the noun in this way, then only
a long form of the adjective may be used, irrespective of the word
order employed, e.g. O e/O e /
e, He is an intelligent student; Oa a e,
She was a sad girl.
395
11 Syntax
Even when the adjective is predicative the short form is not
invariably used. Often the long form is preferred or possible, and when
some form of is used an instrumental form of the adjective is also
possible. The following guidance can be given, although this is an area
of grammar in which usage is relatively uid.
r
Many common adjectives are found only in the short form when used
predicatively, e.g.
a, aa, a, a guilty
, a, , ready
a, aea, ae, ae far, distant
e, a, , satised with
e, a, , bound to (i.e. must)
, a, , worthy of
aee, aeea, aee, aee intending to
e, a, , necessary
, a, e, like, similar
a, aa, a, a right
e, a, , free
e, a, , inclined to
ae, aa, a, a agreeable to
e, a, , capable of
r
Short forms are preferred, provided that the adjective is predicative, in
the following circumstances:
(a) when the adjective is followed by some sort of complement (as many
of those in the above list almost invariably are), e.g. (with nature of
complement dened in brackets):
O ae e. (preposition + noun)
He is indifferent to music.
Caa Aa aa e. (noun in oblique case)
Saudi Arabia is rich in oil.
(b) when the subject of the statement is one of the words , that; , this,
it; , in the sense of which or what; , everything; e, another
thing; , one thing; ee, the rst thing, e.g.
B . Everything was peaceful.
O . One thing is clear.
(c) when the subject is qualied by some word or phrase such as ,
an; a, every; , an; , such; a, such, which
serves to generalise it, e.g.
ae ae e. Every word in the novel is apt.
e aa . Such tasks are simple.
396
(d) if the adjective is derived from a present active participle (ending in
-); a present passive participle (ending in -); r a past passive
participle (ending in - r -), e.g.
Bae eee eee. Your conduct is
unacceptable.
O ea. He is married.
(e) with some adjectives when they denote excessive possession of a
quality, especially:
: e, ea, e, e too big
ae: a, aa, a, a too small
: , a, , too dear
e: e, eea, e, e too cheap
: , a, , too wide
: , a, , too narrow
e.g.
e a, These shoes are too small for me.

(f ) in general statements of a philosophical or scientic nature, e.g.
a eea eea. Mans soul is immortal.
Ca P aaa. Russias fate is enigmatic.
r
The long form of an adjective is preferred, when the adjective is used
predicatively, in the following circumstances:
(a) if it is intended to particularise, i.e. to draw attention to the fact that a
particular subject possesses the quality denoted by the adjective or to
pick out one object from among several or many, e.g.
Tea a ea, Ba a. The Thames is a short
river, the Volga is a long
one.
Note: the inclusion in English of the denite article and the pronoun one serves to
single out the object.
(b) in statements incorporating a phrase with y + gen (in which the
object in question is being particularised), e.g.
aa e ae. She has beautiful eyes
[i.e. her eyes are beautiful
ones].
(c) with some adjectives, to indicate that the quality is a permanent one,
e.g.
Oa a. She is an invalid.
Note: cf. Oa a, She is ill.
397
11 Syntax
11.4 Use of numerals
This is a particularly complex area for the foreign student of Russian.
Much of the complexity arises from the fact that (a) usage of a and
other numerals bears traces of the existence of the old dual category
(see Glossary); and (b) numerals themselves are capable of declension.
It is helpful to deal separately with the use of (11.4.1) and then to
examine separately use of the other numerals when they are themselves
in nominative or accusative form (11.4.2) and use of those numerals
when they are themselves in an oblique case (11.4.3).
11.4.1 Use of o
O, which declines like the demonstrative pronoun (9.2), is
generally followed, when it means one, by a singular noun, even in
higher numbers in which it is the last component, such as twenty-one. It
agrees in gender and case with nouns and adjectives which follow it,
e.g.
one house
aa a a twenty-ne books
e ae in one famous article
Note: does have plural forms which are used with nouns which themselves
exist only in a plural form (see 3.6.1; e.g. , ne twenty-four-hour
period) or when the word means only (e.g. a e a, I
read only Russian novels).
11.4.2 Use of numerals higher than one
in nominative/accusative
When a numeral higher than one is itself in the nominative or
accusative case (i.e. when it is the subject of a clause or the direct
object of a transitive verb), usage is as follows:
r
a/e, , ee, a/e, a/, and any number
of which one of these numerals is the last component, govern a noun
in the genitive singular, e.g.
a a two lorries
e two books
three elds
ee ea four months
a eea both telephones
a aa one and a half hours
Note: e, e, are feminine forms.
r
adjectives after any of the above numerals are genitive plural, if the
noun is masculine or neuter, or nominative/accusative plural if the
noun is feminine, e.g.
398
a ee a two wooden tables
a three dirty windows
ee e four black cats
Note: the use of genitive plural adjectives after these numerals with feminine nouns
(e.g. e ), as well as masculine and neuter nouns, is
old-fashioned, but is widely encountered in classical literature.
r
numerals from upwards (and also a, which may be treated
as either a noun or a numeral, and and a, both of
which are nouns) govern a noun in the genitive plural; any adjectives
are also genitive plural irrespective of the gender of the noun, e.g.
ve large cities
aa e twenty-six new books
ee e eae sixty-nine gold medals
r
the above rules relating to adjectives apply also to substantivised
adjectives, e.g.
three tailors
ee e four ice-creams
e e two dining-rooms
11.4.3 Use of numerals in oblique cases
When the numeral itself is in an oblique case (e.g. if it is governed
by a preposition or by a verb which governs the genitive, dative or
instrumental), then all nouns and adjectives which follow it are, in
R2/3 at least, in the same case and in the plural, e.g.
ee aea in two evening newspapers
e a down both sides of the road
Oa a . She telephoned three friends.
ae, a bill accepted by ninety-ve
ea a votes to four
e
Note 1 All components of the numeral itself decline.
2 In R1 a speaker might put only key components of a compound number in
the appropriate oblique case, e.g. c e ee e aa,
with 769 soldiers. Not that such an example is commonly encountered in
ordinary speech: a speaker would most probably use an approximation or, if a
precise number had to be given, use a construction in which the numerals did
not have to be put in an oblique case.
11.4.4 Use of numerals with animate direct object
Numerals have distinct accusative and genitive forms and the question
therefore arises as to which case should be used when they introduce
an animate direct object (see 11.1.3). However, in practice it is only
with a/e, and ee that difculty arises.
399
11 Syntax
r
It is felt more correct to use the genitive rather than the accusative
forms of a/e, , ee when they are the direct object of a
verb and are used with an animate noun denoting a person,
particularly when the noun is masculine, e.g.
P a e ae. The CIA discovered four agents.
O e ee. He saw three girls.
Note: the use of a genitive form of the numeral entails the use of a plural form of the
following noun.
r
When the animate noun denotes an animal then a genitive form of the
numeral is still considered more correct if the noun is masculine
(though this usage is perhaps less clear-cut than with nouns denoting
people), whilst with nouns which are feminine the use of the genitive
may seem stilted, e.g.
O e . He saw two elephants.
O e e . He saw two cows.
r
If the numerals a/e, , ee occur as the last component of a
compound number, then they are likely to be used in the accusative
form, esp in R1, e.g. O e aa a aa, He saw
twenty-two boys.
r
With the numerals and above only the accusative forms are used
with animate direct objects, even in R3, e.g. O e
a, He saw ve boys.
11.4.5 Use of collective numerals
The collective numerals are e, e, ee, e, ee,
ee. Higher numerals of this type (e, ee, ee)
are no longer used; nor are e, ee, ee an longer
commonly used in all the contexts in which e, e, ee are
possible.
If these numerals are used in the nominative or accusative then, like
cardinal numerals from upwards, they are followed by nouns and
adjectives in the genitive plural.
The collective numerals have the following uses:
(a) to indicate the number of people in a group, especially when the
people are denoted by a pronoun or when the numeral stands on its
own as the subject, e.g.
Hac e. There were two of us.
B e. Three people came in.
(b) to indicate a number of male persons or the number in a family,
e.g.
ee a four workers
a e ee. Weve got two children.
400
(c) with nouns which exist only in the plural (see 3.6.1), e.g.
e two new pairs of jeans
Note: the collective numerals decline like plural adjectives (see 9.3.1). They may be
used in all cases with animate nouns (e.g. a ee, the mother of three
children), but with inanimate nouns only the nominative/accusative forms are
used (e.g. e , but (not ) , about three days).
11.4.6 Approximation
Approximation may be expressed in the following ways:
(a) by reversal of the order of numeral and noun, e.g.
ee e about two weeks
aa ee a e about two hours after that
(b) by using with a numeral in the genitive, e.g.
a e M about 100 kilometres from Moscow
(c) by placing an appropriate adverb before the numeral, e.g.
e approximately 100
e a e roughly thirty students
Note: see also 5.4a () in .
11.4.7 Agreement of predicate with a subject containing
a cardinal numeral
When a numeral is the subject of a clause, or when it combines with a
noun to form the subject, then the predicate may be in the third
person plural (or plural form of the past tense) or it may be in the third
person singular (or neuter form of the past tense). Usage is not
clear-cut, but some guidance can be given.
r
Plural verb forms tend to prevail when:
(a) the subject is animate and the verb denotes action (as opposed to state),
e.g. a e a e aaea, A hundred
members of parliament voted for him;
(b) the numeral is qualied by a word which is itself in a plural form, e.g.
e e e aa, All ten members of the crew were
killed.
r
Singular/neuter forms are preferred when:
(a) the subject is a phrase dening a period of time, e.g.
ee, Five months passed;
(b) attention is being drawn to the number, perhaps because of its large or
small size or because the context is a statistical one, e.g. Be
ee, (Only) ve people in all came.
401
11 Syntax
11.4.8 Translation of years and people after numerals
(a) After and numerals followed by a genitive singular noun the word
is used, in an appropriate form, to mean year, but after numerals
requiring a genitive plural noun the form e is used, e.g.
one year
a a two years
e 100 years
e about three years
Note 1 The gen pl form does exist and is used in referring to decades, e.g.
a ee , the music of the sixties.
2 When the numeral is in the dative/instrumental/prepositional case then an
appropriate form of is used, e.g. a, a,
a.
(b) After numerals, and also e, the word ee is used, in an
appropriate form, in the meaning person/people (the form ee is
genitive plural as well as nominative singular), e.g.
a ee eea thirty-four people
e ee ten people
e ee several people
After a and there is now a tendency to use ee,
although e may also be found.
After and e both ee and e may be used;
with e it may be felt that attention is being focused on the group
rather than the individuals in it.
Note: a lot of people/not many people may also be translated by /e aa
(r a) if it is meant that a place is crowded/not crowded.
After and people should be rendered by ee unless
the meaning is exclamatory, in which case e is preferred, e.g.
C ee a ? How many people were there?
C e a e! How many people died in the war!
11.4.9 Distributive expressions
The preposition may be used with numerals to indicate distribution
of a certain number of things to each of a number of objects. Modern
usage in such expressions is as follows.
(a) O and any nouns that follow it are put in the dative case; the nouns
a, , a are also put in the dative case, but
following nouns and adjectives are genitive plural, e.g.
Ma aa e a e.
The mother gave her children a sweet toffee each.
O a a e e.
He gave us a thousand roubles each.
402
Note: if there is no accompanying adjective then is often omitted, e.g.

Oe
a e a aae, Each team has a game in hand.
(b) All other numerals are nowadays put in the accusative case and the
following nouns and adjectives conform to the normal rules applicable
after the numeral in question (see 11.4.2), e.g.
aee e aa.
The extra-terrestrials had three eyes each.
C a eaa e e e.
From each hectare [you get] 250 tonnes of vegetables.
Note: the use of numerals from upwards in the dative followed by a noun in the
genitive plural in such expressions (e.g. O a a a, He
gave us ve dollars each) is now felt to be old-fashioned or bookish.
11.4.10 Time
(a) The neutral or formal way to ask the question What time is it? is
a? Similarly B a? At what time? Colloquially
one may ask these questions with the phrases C ee? and
Bo ? respectively.
(b) oclock: numeral + appropriate case (though is usually omitted).
At with time on the hour: + acc:
a one oclock
a aa two oclock
a ve oclock
ee aa at four oclock
(c) Time past the hour: numeral + a in appropriate case + genitive
singular form of ordinal number indicating the hour (rst hour, second
hour, etc.). A quarter past the hour: ee (f ) + genitive singular
form of ordinal. At with time past the hour: + acc:
() aa e (at) twenty-ve past twelve
() ee e (at) a quarter past six
(d) half past the hour: a + genitive singular form of ordinal
number indicating the hour. At half past the hour: e (i.e.
+ prep):
a eaa half past eleven
e e at half past ve
(e) time to the hour: e + genitive of all components of the cardinal
numeral or of ee + the hour itself. At time to the hour is not
expressed:
e aa (at) twenty-ve to ve
e ee e (at) a quarter to eight
403
11 Syntax
Note: if a time is followed by one of the phrases in the morning, in the afternoon, in the
evening, at night, then the genitive case of the word for morning, etc. must be
used, e.g. e a a, at nine in the morning; cf. the use of the
instrumental (, etc.) when the phrases in the morning, etc. stand on their
own.
11.4.11 Dates
(a) on a day of the week: + acc, e.g. e, n Wednesday.
(b) on days of the week: + dat, e.g. ea (in R1, ea), n
Wednesdays.
(c) in a month: + prep, e.g. ae, in January.
(d) a date in a month: neuter nominative singular form of ordinal number
( is understood) + genitive form of the month, e.g. ee a,
1 May.
(e) on a date: as in (d) above but with the ordinal in the genitive, e.g.
e a, n 1 May.
(f) a year: a compound number with an ordinal as the last component, e.g.
a e e e , 1994.
(g) in a year: as in (f ) above but preceded by and with the ordinal and
in the prepositional, e.g. e e , in 2004.
Note: if the year is preceded by a more precise date, then the ordinal indicating the
year must be in the genitive case and must be followed by a, e.g. ee
aa a e e a, 1 March 1980 (see also the
note to 11.4.10(e)).
(h) in a century: + prep, e.g. aa e ee, in the twenty-rst
century.
Note: AD and BC are ae (or ..) and ae (r ..),
respectively.
11.4.12 Distance
This may be expressed in the following ways:
(a) with the prepositions and + cardinal numeral in the nominative,
e.g.
O ea aa a ea.
It is two kilometres from the centre to the stadium.
(b) with + cardinal numeral and following noun in the prepositional,
e.g.
Ca a ea ea.
The stadium is (situated) two kilometres from the centre.
(c) with the phrase a a + cardinal numeral in the genitive and
a following noun in the genitive plural, e.g.
404
11.5 Use of aspects
a a e ea
at a distance of two kilometres from the centre/two kilometres away from the
centre
Note: the expressions a e, at a height of, and a e, at a depth of, are
analogous to the expression a a, but in ordinary speech a large
numeral following them is likely to be left in the nominative case, e.g.
Ca e a e e e, The plane is ying at a height of
10,000 metres.
11.4.13 Nouns expressing number
These nouns (viz. a, a, ea, a, ea,
ea, a, ea, ea) decline like feminine nouns in
-a. They may denote the shape of the digit or the number of a bus or
tram, or they may have some special use (e.g. a, three-horse
carriage; a, an eight (at rowing)). They may also denote playing
cards (e.g. a ea, the seven of spades). In the case of a,
a, ea, a they also represent, in ascending order of
merit, marks in the Russian educational system.
Note: the adjective denoting the suit, spades, is very commonly stressed on the
second syllable in R1, i.e. . However, in the title of P ushkins famous
short story a aa, The Queen of Spades, it has standard stress.
11.5 Use of aspects
Aspectual usage is an area of Russian grammar which gives particular
difculty to English-speakers, not least because aspectual distinctions
cut across the distinctions of tense to which English-speakers are
accustomed.
11.5.1 Basic distinction between the aspects
For practical purposes one can draw a basic distinction in usage
between the two aspects which is quite straightforward.
r
The imperfective, broadly speaking, is used to denote incomplete
actions in the past, present or future, or actions which are frequent or
repeated. Imperfective verbs naturally refer to actions which take
place concurrently with other actions or which are interrupted by
other actions.
r
The perfective verb has the function of presenting a single action in
its totality. It is therefore used when the speaker is referring to an
action that has been or will be successfully completed. The perfective
will commonly be used where an action has some result or where the
action belongs in a past or future sequence, because each action in a
sequence is complete before the next action takes place, e.g. Oa
405
11 Syntax
aa, a, ea a, She got u, washed, got dressed and
went out. The perfective does not as a rule have present meaning, since
actions in the present are by their nature incomplete.
Note: once the above distinction has been drawn, it is useful also to bear in mind the
fact that whereas the perfective form has a clear or marked meaning, the
imperfective is used to convey a whole range of meanings that fall outside the
scope of the marked form.
11.5.2 Effect of adverbial modiers
It is in keeping with the basic distinction made in 11.5.1 that certain
adverbs or adverbial expressions should encourage, if they do not
actually oblige, the use of one aspect or the other. Contrast the
following sets of adverbial modiers; those on the left tend to dictate
use of the imperfective, whilst those on the right encourage use of the
perfective:
imperfective perfective
ea always suddenly
e ee from time to time ea unexpectedly
a sometimes e quite, completely
a every year a immediately
a e every day a + acc over, in the space of
a many times a e until
e a more than once e already
a while
constantly
a often
11.5.3 Use of aspect in the indicative
The function of the aspects in the indicative, and the relationship of
the indicative forms of the Russian imperfective and perfective verbs to
English tenses, may be summarised as follows:
present tense
r
incomplete action:
a.
I am reading.
O e .
He is writing a letter.
Oa e.
She is walking down the street.
406
11.5 Use of aspects
r
repeated action:
ee a.
I relax on Sundays.
a e a eae ea.
She goes to the theatre almost every day.
future tense
r
incomplete action:
r
single completed action or event:
a , e a. a e .
When you arrive we shall be having supper. I shall write him a letter.
r
repeated action:
eea a a.
I shall write letters in the evenings.
r
action about to be begun:
Cea e .
Were going to go out now.
past tense
r
incomplete or prolonged action:
r
single completed action or event, sequence of
actions:
a, a a ea. (a) aa a.
I was having supper when my wife came in. I drank a glass of beer.
ee aa(a). a ee a aaa e a.
I worked all week. In the space of one week she wrote a whole chapter.
r
repeated action:
e a (a) . O a, aaa e.
I have explained this more than once. He got up, had breakfast and went out.
r
annulled action:
O a . O .
He opened the window (but has now shut it
again).
He opened the window (and it remained open).
Oa a. Oa a.
She came (but has gone away again). She came (and is still here).
r
question or statement of fact without stress
on completion of action:
T a(a) ee?
Have you written the essay?
B a e ea?
Have you read Chekhovs plays?
a eeaa, e e.
They said on the radio that there would be snow.
B aaa?
Have you ordered?
407
11 Syntax
r
attempt but non-achievement:
. e ae :
a, e e e.
He had a strained look on his face: he was trying
to recall where he had seen her (before).
O e a ea.
He took the penalty but did not score.
aa or ea ae cf. a r ea ae
to sit/take an exam to pass an exam
aa cf. aa
to try to prove, i.e. to contend to prove
Note 1 The distinctions drawn in the last section above (attempt with reference to
non-achievement or achievement) apply only in relation to a single instance.
In frequentative contexts the imperfective may well convey achievement, e.g.
a aa ae a , Every year he passed his exams
with commendation.
2 The imperfective forms e and a may mean to be able to see and to
be able to hear respectively. The perfective forms of these verbs (e and
a), on the other hand, are not necessarily used to render English
tenses that an English-speaker would normally expect to be rendered by
perfective verbs (e.g. saw, have heard, etc.). The perfective forms tend to refer
to the beginning of a perception, e.g. Caaa e e e a,
e ae , At rst he could not see anything in the distance,
but then he caught sight of a tiny boat. See also 4.3, can (d).
11.5.4 Use of aspect in the innitive
After certain verbs which indicate the stage that an action has reached
(e.g. to begin, to continue, to stop, to nish) an imperfective innitive is
required, e.g. O aa a a, He began to collect stamps; Oa
eeaa e, She stopped singing; M a eea,
We continued to chat. The imperfective is required here because the
action denoted by the innitive cannot in this context be seen in its
totality.
r
An imperfective innitive is required after the following verbs:
aa/aa to begin, to start
a (pf ), in the meaning: to begin, to start
a/ to set about
a to learn to (do sth)
to grow fond (of doing sth)
a/ to get used to (doing sth)
a/ to continue
a/ to nish
a/, in the meaning: to give up, abandon
eeaa/eea to stop (doing sth)
aea/ae to grow tired of (used impersonally)
408
11.5 Use of aspects
a/ to get out of the habit of (doing sth)
aa/a to tire of (doing sth)
Note: the perfective form is rarely used except in the sense of to prolong,
and may be followed by a verbal noun rather than an innitive, e.g. M
ee, We carried on the discussion.
After certain other verbs, on the other hand, a perfective innitive is
required, e.g. Oa aa a (pf ), She forgot to send the
letter.
r
a perfective innitive is required after:
a to forget (to do sth)
a to remain (to be done)
e to decide (to)
a to succeed in, manage to (used
impersonally)
e to have time to
11.5.5 Use of aspect in negative constructions
r
With negated verbs in the past tense an imperfective verb should be
used to denote complete absence of a particular action, e.g.
M e ea. We have not met.
C a e a(a)
.
I have not revealed my secret to
anyone.
Note: a perfective verb should be used, on the other hand, to indicate that an
action was not performed on a specic occasion, e.g. M e e, We
did not meet.
r
The negated perfective may also mean that the subject was not able to
carry out an action or failed to do sth which it was intended to do, e.g.
a e a e, a e a.
The alarm-clock did not wake him, so soundly was he sleeping.
O e , e .
He was due to come but he did not come.
r
Many types of negative expression and types of verb, when negated,
require a following innitive to be imperfective, especially those
which express:
(a) prohibition: modal constructions with the meaning may not or should
not, e.g. T e ee , One must not cross the road here
(because e.g. there is no crossing and one may be ned).
Note: constructions meaning cannot, on the other hand, are rendered by perfective
forms, e.g. T e ee , One cannot cross the road here (because
e.g. there is too much trafc or the road is up and it is dangerous).
409
11 Syntax
(b) dissuasion, e.g. O e e aa, He persuaded me not
to stay.
Note: the verb to dissuade, aa/, also requires a following
innitive to be imperfective, e.g. Oe a e e,
The father dissuaded his son from/talked his son out of changing his profession.
(c) advice or request that sth not be done, e.g. Ba ea
e a , The doctor advised the patient not to go
out; eeae e e aa eee, The
chairman proposed that a decision not be delayed.
(d) a decision, promise or intention not to do sth, e.g.

A
ea e aa a , The army decided not to attack the
capital.
Note: if on the other hand verbs such as aa/,
ea/ea, eaa/e, /,
ea/e are followed by a verb that is not negated, then the following
innitive may be of either aspect, depending on the usual considerations
concerning prolongation or frequency of the action. Thus a perfective
innitive will be required if the action is performed on a single occasion, e.g.
Ba ea [pf ] e, The doctor advised the
patient to take a sleeping tablet.
(e) inexpediency, e.g. He e , Its not worth
seeing this lm; e, Smoking is bad for you.
11.5.6 Use of aspect in the imperative
The use of the imperfective aspect in the imperative sounds less
categoric and therefore more polite than the use of the perfective. The
imperfective tends to express invitations or requests whereas the
perfective tends to express instructions or commands. However,
imperatives of all sorts, including those expressed in the perfective, may
be softened by the insertion of aa, please, or some phrase
such as e , be so kind as to (see also 7.12). In R1 the particle
-a (5.4 (a)) serves the same purpose, e.g. Ha, -a a, Come
over here, would you, Nadia.
r
commands relating to repeated action, e.g.
ee ae, Phone mother
on Sundays.
cf. e aa, Phone me
tomorrow.
r
invitation to do sth, e.g. Cae,
aa, Sit down, please; e
a e, Call in to see me on
the way home.
instruction to do sth on a single occasion,
e.g. Ce e e, Sit nearer the
light; e a ae,
Call in at the chemists on the way home.
410
11.6 Problems in choice of tense
r
instruction to do sth on a single occasion
expressed by transitive verb without direct
object, e.g. ae eeee, Read more
slowly; e aaee, Write more
neatly.
cf. ae e aa, Read the
rst paragraph; Hae a
e, Write a hundred words on this subject.
r
request to begin to do sth or to get on with
sth, e.g. e ee?
Tee ae e, Have you nished
watching television? Now switch it off; Baa,
e , Get up, its late.
r
with e: prohibition, e.g. e e e
e, Dont come to me any more.
with e (often with (e) or
): warning, e.g. C e
a, Watch out, dont drop the vase;
O, e a, e , Be
careful, dont fall over, its slippery here.
r
e + inn: formal prohibition (see 6.8(a)),
e.g. He , Do not lean. (on door
of train)
inn, not negated: formal instruction (see
6.8(a)), e.g. aa a e
, In the event of an accident break
the glass with the hammer.
11.6 Problems in choice of tense
Russian in some contexts requires use of a tense which is unexpected
to English-speakers.
(a) Reported speech, in which Russian verbs are put in the tense that
would have been used in the original statement or question. Reported
speech may be dened for this purpose as statements introduced by
verbs of thinking, knowing, hoping and even verbs of perception
such as hearing as well as verbs of saying, asking and replying. This
usage differs from English usage. Compare, for example, the tenses
used in the reported speech in the following Russian and English
sentences:
aa(a) e, e.
I told him that I lived in London.
Ca e, a e .
The soldiers made sure that the mine would not explode.
O , a .
He asked whether I was studying Russian.
Oa a, ae .
She asked whether I agreed.
Note: in reported questions whether is rendered by and the Russian word order,
with inversion of subject and predicate, is an order possible in a question. The
last two examples above illustrate the point.
411
11 Syntax
(b) Present perfect continuous: a present tense is used in Russian to
denote an action which began in the past and is still continuing,
e.g.
e a .
I have been studying Russian for ve years.
O a e aae .
He has been working as a newsreader for thirty years.
(c) Logical future: the future tense, expressed by a perfective verb, is
used in Russian subordinate clauses containing conditional and
temporal conjunctions such as e and a if the action clearly is
yet to take place (cf. English use of present tense in these
circumstances), e.g.
E aee , e.
You will understand everything if you read this book.
a , .
We shall talk about this when he arrives.
Note: the present tense is used, as in English, with verbs of motion indicating that an
action is to take place in the near future, e.g. e ee, I
am going to the cinema tonight.
11.7 Use of verbs of motion
There are fourteen pairs of imperfective verbs of motion which give
particular difculty to the foreign student. There is perhaps no entirely
satisfactory term to dene the two categories: the terms abstract,
indeterminate and multidirectional are all applied to the category
including , whilst the terms concrete, determinate and
unidirectional are applied to the category which includes . The
fourteen pairs are as follows:
to walk, go on foot
e ea to travel, go by transport
ea ea to run
ea ee to y
aa to swim, oat, sail
a to crawl
e to take (by hand), carry
e to take, lead
e to take (by transport), convey
a e to climb
a to drive, pursue
aa a to roll, push
aa a to pull
e to wander, amble
Note: the verb e may convey a sense of slowness or difculty.
412
11.8 Use of reexive verbs
The easiest way to grasp the distinction between the verbs in the two Use of verbs like
categories is perhaps to treat those like as having quite specic
meaning and those like , on the contrary, as covering a broader
range of meanings outside the scope of those like (cf. the similar
distinction made in 11.5.1 between the perfective aspect of the verb
and the broader imperfective).
Verbs like indicate movement in one general direction. The
movement is not necessarily in a straight line, but progress is made
from point A towards point B, e.g.
Oa e. She is going down the street.
O e a. He is running towards the bus.
One may list a number of meanings outside the scope of verbs in the Use of verbs like
category of , and these meanings are all conveyed by verbs like
.
(a) Repeated or habitual action, e.g.
a . On Saturdays we go to the cinema.
(b) Round trip, e.g.
(a) ea. I went to the theatre (and came
back).
In this sense may be synonymous with , e.g. Oa a
ea, She went to the theatre =Oa a eae.
Note: it may be difcult to separate the sense of round trip from the sense of
repetition, e.g. a e e , Each day the children go to
school (and of course come home again).
(c) Movement in various directions, e.g.
e ea a. The little girls were running round
the garden.
(d) General movement, i.e. movement without reference to any specic
instance of it, e.g.
Pe aa . The child began to walk.
e e aa. I cant swim.
ea, e a. Birds y, snakes crawl.
11.8 Use of reexive verbs
r
Many common verbs exist only in a reexive form but have no
obvious reexive meaning, e.g.
(impf ) to fear, be afraid of
(impf ) to be proud of
a/a to attempt
e (impf ) to laugh
413
11 Syntax
aa/aa to try
a/ to smile
Note: in a few pairs the imperfective form is reexive but the perfective form is not:
/e to lie down
a/ to burst (intrans)
a/e to sit down
a/a to become
r
In a very large number of verbs the reexive particle renders a
transitive verb intransitive, in other words it fulls the function of a
direct object, e.g.
aa/a r
e to return (give back)
aa/a r
e to return (go back)
a/ to nish
(complete)
a/ to nish
(come to end)
aa/aa to begin (sth,
to do sth)
aa/aa to begin
(come into being)
ea/e to dress (sb) ea/e to dress, get
dressed
aaa/a to
stop (bring to halt)
aaa/a
to stop (come to halt)
a/ to lift a/ to go up
aea/ae to undress
(sb)
aea/ae to undress,
get undressed
ea/e to
increase (make bigger)
ea/e to
increase (get bigger)
/ to surprise / to be
surprised
a/ to improve
(make better)
a/ to
improve (get better)
ea/e to
decrease (make smaller)
ea/e to
decrease (get smaller)
a/ to make
worse
a/ to get
worse
r
reciprocal action, e.g.
ea/e to meet one another
a/ to embrace one another
ea/ea to kiss one another
r
characteristic action: some verbs which are normally transitive and
non-reexive take the reexive particle in contexts where they have
no specic object but denote action characteristic of the subject, e.g.
aa . Nettles sting.
Caa ae. The dog bites.
a ae. The horse kicks.
aaa. Cats scratch.
414
11.9 The conditional mood
r
impersonal verbs: with some common verbs a third-person reexive
form is used to indicate the physical condition or mood of a subject,
e.g.
Me e e/. I am hungry/thirsty.
E e . He cant get to sleep.
E e ae. She doesnt feel like reading.
r
with passive sense: many imperfective verbs are used in a reexive form
with an inanimate subject to mean that sth has been/is being/will be
done, e.g.
a. This question was discussed for a

long time.
ae e a,
ae
a.
Knowledge too is a commodity that is
bought and sold.
Pe e
P e e
.
Market relations will be built in
Russia over many long years to come.
Note: this use of the reexive belongs mainly to R2/3, as the avour of the above
examples shows.
r
in combination with certain verbal prexes (see also 8.3), e.g.
aa/e to peer at
aa/aa to get engrossed in reading
aea/ae to eat ones ll, stuff oneself (with
food)
a/a to get divorced, disperse
ea/ea to gather, assemble
11.9 The conditional mood
Conditional sentences in Russian are of two types, depending on
whether the speaker means that in certain circumstances (a) sth
will/will not happen or (b) sth might happen. Usage in the two
clauses of a conditional sentence (i.e. the subordinate clause which
contains the condition, usually introduced by e, if, and the main
clause, which states the consequence) differs in the two types of
conditional sentence.
Note: in both types of conditional sentence the clause stating the consequence may
be introduced by or a (Eng then), provided that it follows the clause
containing the condition.
r
Real conditional sentences, in which the speaker is saying that given
certain conditions a particular consequence denitely did/does/will
or did not/does not/will not follow, a verb in the past, present or
future tense (depending on the context) is used in each clause,
e.g.
415
11 Syntax
E ae [impf pres], ee, a.

If you think hes honest then youre mistaken.
E eeaee [pf fut] a, e a a .

If you stop shouting Ill answer your question.
Note: a future must be used in the clause containing the condition (eeaee in
the second example above) when the verb denotes an event that has yet to take
place (see also 11.6(c); cf. English use of the present tense in such clauses).
r
Hypothetical conditional sentences, in which the speaker is saying that
given certain hypothetical conditions some consequence would/would
not follow or would have/would not have followed, both clauses must
have a verb in the conditional mood. This mood is rendered in Russian
simply by the appropriate form of the past tense (masculine, feminine,
neuter or plural) together with the invariable particle , e.g.
E a aa e, a a
a e.
If work had begun on time [but it did not], then the cost would have been
much lower.
a e , e a ee e
e a ee?
How would you react if your four-year-old child suddenly sang a song like
that?
Note 1 Conditional sentences of this type may relate to past, present or future time,
and only from the context will it be clear which meaning is intended.
2 In the clause containing the condition the particle generally follows e
(and it may be contracted to ). In the clause describing the consequence
generally follows the verb in the past tense. However, may also follow
some other word in the clause to which it is intended to give emphasis.
3 The clause containing the condition may also be rendered with the use of a
second-person singular imperative, e.g. a , e
e ea , Had she lived in other conditions, she would
have made a ne artist.
11.10 The subjunctive mood
As well as forming the conditional mood, the past tense of the verb +
the particle renders the subjunctive in Russian. There are no sets of
distinctive verbal endings or different subjunctive tenses of the sort
found in, for example, French, Italian and Spanish. As in these Western
European languages, though, the subjunctive in Russian is used in
concessive clauses and in subordinate clauses after verbs of wishing. It
may also be used, but tends in R1 and R2 to be avoided, in
subordinate clauses after verbs of ordering, permitting, fearing and
doubting and after various negative antecedents.
r
Concessive clauses: these are clauses introduced by whoever, whatever,
whichever, however, wherever, whenever, etc., and they may be translated
into Russian by the appropriate pronoun (, , a, a, e,
416
11.10 The subjunctive mood
a, a, etc.) in the form required by the context and followed by
the particle + + verb in past tense, e.g.
e a, a aa a
a e .
Whoever they may beme later on, the sense of gratitude to you will never
leave them.
a, e eee a ee, ae e
.
I think the past should denitely be preserved however bad it might have been.
Be aaa, a aa e
a, aaa ae aa
.
All citizens, of whatever nationality they may be and wherever they may reside,
are guaranteed equal rights and opportunities.
Note 1 As with conditional sentences in which is used, so in such concessive
clauses too a verb accompanied by this particle may refer to past, present or
future actions.
2 Concessive clauses may also be translated by the use of the appropriate
pronoun + + verb in the appropriate tense, e.g. e, a
e e eae, Whatever you say/Say what
you will, it is nice sometimes to encounter the unexpected.
3 Whatever, whenever, wherever, etc. do not invariably introduce concessive clauses;
they may merely impart emphasis, as in the question Wherever have you been?,
which might be translated thus: e e (a)? (See also 5.4, e (d).)
r
Exhortation: the particle may also be used, with a verb in the past
tense, to express an exhortation or gentle command or the desirability
of some action, e.g.
B e.
You should help him/should have helped him.
r
Wishing: after verbs of wishing the subordinate clause should be
introduced by (a coalescence of + ) and the verb in the
subordinate clause should be in the past tense, e.g.
, a e a a .
I want our children to know our native language.
r
Commanding, permitting: after verbs of this type the subjunctive may
also be used, e.g.
aa(a), aa ea aa .
I told the waitress to bring a glass of water.
Note: subjunctive constructions in such sentences are only alternatives to the use of
an object and verb in the innitive, and indeed the latter, simpler,
construction prevails in R1/R2. Thus the above English sentence might also
have been rendered thus: aa(a) ae e aa .
r
Fearing: verbs of fearing may be followed by (a) in R2/3, a negative
subjunctive (e.g. , [or a ] e ), or (b) in
R1/2 by a verb in the future tense in a clause introduced by (e.g.
417
11 Syntax
, ). Both sentences mean I am afraid he may come.
When it is feared that something may not happen, then only the
second construction is possible. Thus the sentence I was afraid he would
not come may only be rendered by , e .
r
Negative antecedent: and a verb in the past tense may also be used
in subordinate clauses after negated verbs such as a, to think, and
a, to know, e.g.
e a, - a e e.
I dont think anyone could behave like that.
11.11 Use of gerunds and participles
11.11.1 Use of gerunds
r
The imperfective gerund describes action which is taking place at the
same time as the action described by the main verb in the sentence
(though the main verb itself may be in the past, present or future
tense). It may translate English expressions such as while doing, by doing,
although they do, as well as simply doing, e.g.
Ba aa e ee e, ee
a a e.
The troops began a careful advance towards the centre, slowly suppressing
centres of resistance.
Ca a, aa (or a), ` o
e.
One can nd out what is going on in the world by listening to the radio.
Oea a, ae a ea e ,
aa a .
Although they heat the country, the power workers do not feel the country cares
about them.
r
The perfective gerund describes action that has taken place, and has
been completed, before the action described by the main verb (which
is not necessarily in the past). It translates an English expression of the
sort having done, or, if it is negated, without having done, e.g.
e e e e, ee.
Having been in prison for ten years, he had gone grey.
Cea a, a ea eae a .
Having given her report she is now answering questions.
He , e aa.
One mustnt go without paying [having paid].
Note 1 Gerunds may only be used when the subject performing the action in
question is the same as the subject of the main clause, as is the case in
all the above examples. A gerund cannot be used in a sentence of the type
While she reads the text I write out the words I dont know, in which the two
clauses have different subjects (she and I ). This sentence must be translated
thus: a a ae e, a eae a.
418
11.11 Use of gerunds and participles
2 Gerunds (mainly imperfective) have become established in certain set phrases,
e.g. a , to tell the truth; (+ dat), judging by; e a
, to sit idly (lit with arms folded). With the exception of such set phrases,
though, the use of gerunds is largely conned to R3.
11.11.2 Use of active participles
Active participles correspond exactly, from a semantic point of view, to
phrases containing + verb in the present tense (in the case of
the present participles) or in the past tense, of either aspect (in the case
of the past participles). The participle must agree in gender, case and
number with the noun to which it relates (cf. use of , 11.2.1),
e.g.
e, eae [=e ea]
a, ae aa.
Documents conrming this fact were found in archives.
aa, a [=e a]
a aaaa, e e .
Fares have also risen for passengers departing on the most popular air routes.
A, [= ] e a a, a a.
A bus [which was] carrying guests to a wedding fell off a bridge.
a aae ae, ea ea
[=e ea] P.
The company is employing foreigners who have come to Russia specially for the
purpose.
Note: active participles differ from semantically identical phrases with in
that their use is conned to R3, except insofar as some have become
established in the language in set phrases (e.g. a aa, typewriter)
or adjectives (e.g. e, brilliant; , former) or substantivised
adjectives (e.g. , smoker).
11.11.3 Use of present passive participles
These participles are rarely used predicatively, but used attributively
they occur quite frequently in the modern written language, especially
in R3a and R3b. They must agree in gender, case and number with
the noun to which they refer, e.g.
eaa aee e ae e
unemployment and the despair and anger generated by it
e a, eae e a,
among the hostages held by extremist groups . . .
11.11.4 Use of past passive participles
These participles correspond to English participles of the type read,
written, washed.
419
11 Syntax
r
Long forms of these participles decline like adjectives and must agree in
gender, case and number with the noun to which they refer, e.g.
Ma, eae , ae e.
Cars made in Japan are relatively cheap.
e a , ee e ea.
Food-stuffs made without preservatives are sold here.
a , aa a .
I am reading a book written by your father.
r
Short forms of these participles, like short forms of adjectives, cannot be
used unless the participle is used predicatively (i.e. unless some part of
the verb to be comes between the noun and the participle which relates
to it). However, when the participle is used predicatively then it must
be in the short form, e.g.
Ha ee a .
Our telephone was cut off a long time ago.
B e a eea aa ea.
A system of rationing has been introduced in some cities.
ae eaa.
The building has been sealed.
a e .
These houses were built last year.
Note 1 Past passive participles are widely used in speech but in R1/R2 there is a
tendency to avoid them by using instead a verb in the active voice (in the third
person plural without a pronoun; cf. the unspecied English they, French on,
German man). Thus the above examples might be more colloquially rendered
in the following way: Ha ee a ; B e a
e a e; ae eaa;
a
.
2 In many passive sentences the agent is named, e.g. O aaa,
He was killed by guerrillas; Oa a aeaa e, She was arrested by
the police. Such sentences too may be rendered with an active verb, although
Russian generally preserves the word order of the passive construction, with
the named agent following the verb, e.g. E aa; E
aeaa .
11.12 Conjunctions
11.12.1 Coordinating conjunctions
(a) The main coordinating conjunctions (, a, , ) may be used in all
registers. In R1, in which language tends to be spontaneous and less
well organised, coordinating conjunctions are the principal means of
linking the clauses of complex sentences and subordinating
conjunctions (11.12.2) play a lesser role. The following points about
the Russian coordinating conjunctions should be particularly noted by
the English-speaking student.
420
11.12 Conjunctions
r
Both a and may be translated as but. However, a normally suggests a
stronger opposition than : it excludes one factor in favour of
another, whereas has only a sense of limitation. Contrast:
Ce ee, a e
ea.
I suggest you go slowly, dont run.
Ce , e
ea.
I suggest you hurry, but dont run.
In the rst example going slowly and running are presented as
opposites and running is ruled out. In the second running is presented
not as an opposite of hurrying but as an unnecessary intensication
of it.
Note: a used in this contrastive sense may not be directly translated at all in English,
e.g. eee e ae, a e ea, Swan Lake is a ballet, not an opera
(see also the rst example above).
r
a may also translate English and, when that conjunction has contrastive
meaning, e.g.
Cae, a . You sit down and I shall stand.
O a, a . They stayed and we went home.
r
in lists, in which in English and is placed as a rule before the last
member, may be omitted in Russian, particularly in sedate narrative
style, e.g.
aa . T,
, a, ae.
They were selling footwear. Shoes,
trainers, boots and felt boots.
Inclusion of in a list might give the list an exhaustive air and is
therefore more probable in the precise language of R3a/b.
(b) There are in addition a few coordinating conjunctions which are not
stylistically neutral but belong to R1, especially:
r
a (esp in N dialects), e.g.
e a day and night
a a skin and bone
a/aa ,
a a .
Id willingly stay, but its time to go.
, a e . lit Ones elbow is near, but you cant
bite it, i.e. So near and yet so far.
r
a , and besides/and what is more, e.g.
X , a . It was cold, and besides, it was
raining.
r
a , otherwise/or else, e.g.
Oea eee, a
.
Put some more clothes on, otherwise
youll catch cold.
Ce, a ae. Hurry or well be late.
421
11 Syntax
r
, or, e.g.
a, a. lit Either a gentleman or Im done
for, i.e. All or nothing.
11.12.2 Subordinating conjunctions
The conjunctions given in the following examples are standard forms.
They may all be used in all registers. It should be noted though that
subordinating conjunctions tend to occur more in R3 (i.e. in formal
language, where a speaker or writer is perhaps concerned to establish
the logical connections which conjunctions indicate) than in R1,
where language is more expressive and spontaneous and ideas less
clearly organised, and where coordinating conjunctions therefore
prevail.
Note: some English subordinating conjunctions (e.g. after, before, since) may also
function as prepositions (see Chapter 10 above). When they are prepositions
they are followed by a noun, pronoun or verbal noun, e.g. after dinner, before us,
since graduating. When they are conjunctions they introduce a subordinate
clause, e.g. after I had had dinner. In Russian the two functions are distinguished.
Thus e is a preposition, but the conjunction is e , a.
causal ea aaa, aa.
The little girl was crying because she was tired.
e e e, a a e ae.
There wont be a lecture since the professor is ill.
temporal e a, a .
I dont know when Ill come.
O a a e , a a .
He arrived at the stop after the bus had gone.
Ha a , a .
We must have a word with him about that while hes here.
ee, a a e .
Lets watch television until she comes.
Note: a e is followed by a perfective verb.
ea e , a ee?
What had he been doing since he left university?
Oa aa , a a a.
She realised her mistake as soon as she left the room.
Ea a ee, a a ea.
No sooner had the plane taken off than the pilot detected a fault.
T e/a e , ee e ee.
You must eat up your sh before you have any ice-cream.
O ee e, a a.
He arrived just before the clock struck.
Oa aaa ee , a aa a.
She worked as a translator before she became a journalist.
Note: see 11.6(c) on use of tense after temporal and conditional conjunctions.
422
11.12 Conjunctions
purposive Oa a e, ea e - a .
She went up to him so that she could whisper something in his ear.
( ), ea ee e
a.
I am telling you this so that/in order that you may picture to yourself all the
dangers.
Note: + past tense is used when the subjects are different, as in the last
example above, but when the subject of the verb in the subordinate clause is
the same as that in the main clause then is followed by the innitive,
e.g. , a eae, I am saying this in order
to express my indignation.
resultative Maa aa, a a.
The car broke down so that we were late.
M a, a ae.
We got so tired that we fell asleep on the bus.
concessive a , , aee, a.
Ill be there, although I expect Ill be late.
Note: see also modal particle (5.4, ()).
Ha eee a , a a a e e.
Its cold in the north of the country in winter, whereas in the south its
warm.
conditional

E e aee, .
If you dont understand Ill explain.
e a, e e a.
Ill go on a business trip provided you approve my plan.
Note: see 11.9 on conditional sentences and also 11.6(c) on use of tense in them.
11.12.3 Subordinating conjunctions used in R1 or R3
Some subordinating conjunctions that are not standard in R2 may also
be encountered. These may be divided into (a) those which are still
used but which belong mainly in R1 or R3 (including, in R3, many
compound conjunctions), and (b) those which are considered obsolete
in the modern literary language (although they will be found in
classical literature and in some cases may persist in R1, especially in
dialect).
restricted use a (R1) if, e.g. Pa e ea,
ea, If youve decided to do it, get on
with it.
aa , (R3) thanks to the fact that
e, (R3) in connection with the fact that
, (R3) by virtue of the fact that
, (R3) in view of the fact that
ee , (R3) owing to the fact that
423
11 Syntax
(R3) for, e.g. B ae,
aaae eea, All labour
is important, for it ennobles a man.
(Tolstoi)
ea a , (R3) in spite of the fact that
ee , a (R3) in proportion as
, (R3) insofar as, to the extent that
, (R3) on condition that
e + inn (R3) with a view to (doing)
obsolete or e (N dialects)/a if, provided that =
colloquial e () as long as, until
ee =e (possible in R1)
if (possible in R1, esp dialect)
so long as (possible in R1)
ae =a (possible in R1)
11.13 Syntactic features of colloquial speech
The language of R1 is characterised by a number of other syntactic
features, as well as predominance of coordinating conjunctions over
subordinating conjunctions and the use of some coordinating
conjunctions not widely used in R2, e.g.
(a) ellipsis, which may be produced by omission of the verb (especially
but not exclusively of a verb of motion) or of some other part of
speech, e.g.
B e? Are you coming to see me?
B e ae aa. Suddenly dad was coming towards me.
Ma, a ! Mum, get the doctor!
Be. ee a. There was a shot and I leapt over the
fence.
a a e a. Two [tickets] for eight oclock.
Me a. Its time for me to go.
B e? Is it me youre asking?
a ea? How are things going?
Be e! All the best.
(b) combination of a verb denoting condition or motion with another
verb in the same form to indicate that the action is carried out in a
certain state, e.g.
Oa ea a.
Ee, ee.
She was sitting sewing.
We were travelling along in a doze.
(c) repetition of the verb to emphasise the protracted nature of an action,
e.g.
Ea, ea ae
ea.
We travelled and travelled, and
eventually we arrived.
424
11.14 Word order
(d) combination of two verbs from the same root, separated by e, to
indicate the fullness of an action, e.g.
Oa ae e aae
a a.
She just dotes on her son.
(e) a construction containing a form of (often the imperative) and
another verb in the same form, the two verbs being linked by a r
r a ; the construction expresses sudden volition on the part of the
subject, e.g.
O a ea.
Oa a
a a e.
He was up and off.
She suddenly went and got angry
with me.
(f ) the very colloquial construction eae, /
ae, , together with another verb in the same form, indicating a
single, exclusive action, e.g.
M a ea,
a aa.
M brother and I just played chess all
the time.
e-e ae,
ee.
He does nothing but/All he does is
watch TV all day long.
(g) use of a (ee) with a verb to indicate that the subject perseveres
with the action in question in spite of unfavourable circumstances or
obstacles, e.g.
e a. Maa a ee
ea eea.
The children were shouting. Mum just
went on watching the programme quite
unconcerned.
(h) use of (e) and a negative imperative in the sense of mind you
dont, e.g.
T e e! Mind you dont talk about me.
11.14 Word order
Word order is much more exible in Russian than in English, since it
is primarily inection that establishes the relationship between the
words in a Russian utterance. Whereas the order of words in the
English statement John loves Mary cannot be altered without a
consequential change of meaning, in Russian one may say,
depending on the context or emphasis, either a Ma
(Ivan loves Mariia) or Ma a (Its Ivan who loves
Mariia).
However, Russian word order, while being exible, is not random.
On the contrary, it conforms to certain principles and rules. Moreover,
it may be affected, like other aspects of language, by register. The
following guidance can be given.
425
11 Syntax
(a) Neutral word order: as a general rule the same sequence of subject +
verb + object/complement which characterises English statements is
observed in matter-of-fact statements in Russian too, e.g.
Maa e . Mums writing a letter.
O a a. The hunters caught a lion.
Caa ae ee. Sasha will become an engineer.
(b) New and known or given information (e ae): the point in
an utterance on which the speaker or writer wishes to focus attention,
i.e. the novel element in it, is placed at or towards the end of the
Russian utterance, since it carries more weight there. The earlier part
of the utterance, on the other hand, contains the information which
leads up to the novel point, i.e. information that is already familiar or
taken for granted or less important. Contrast e.g.
e . The train arrived.
e. A train arrived.
a ea a e. The cat was sitting on the stove.
Ha e ea a. A cat was sitting on the stove.
Note 1 What is new in a statement varies of course according to the point in a
conversation or narrative that has been reached.
2 If it is the subject of the statement that represents the new information then
the order of subject and verb will be inverted.
3 The distinctions achieved in Russian by variations of word order may be
achieved in English by choice between the denite article (the introduces
known information) and the indenite article (a introduces a new element).
(c) Other rules that obtain in specic circumstances: the following
guidance can be given (note differences from English usage).
r
Subject and verb are inverted in statements in which the verb denotes
natural event, existence, process, state, becoming or occurrence, e.g.
e. Its snowing.
Cee aa. Theres a risk of re.
. The years went by.
. e a. Ive got a headache.
Haa a. Winter came.
. There was an explosion.
Note: it will be seen that in all these sentences the word order is consistent with the
point made in (b) above about known and new information: in each instance
the weight of the utterance is contained in the subject, while the verb is a weak
word with relatively inconsequential meaning.
r
Inversion is also common when the place where an action occurred is
indicated at the beginning of the statement, e.g.
C aaa aa. Clouds were coming from the west.
r
The order of subject and verb is also inverted in questions introduced
by an interrogative word and after reported speech, e.g.
426
11.14 Word order
e a a? Wheres the station?
a aae ? When does the lm begin?
a, aa . Im tired, he said.
r
Object pronouns are frequently placed before the verb, e.g.
a a. Im listening to you.
M a aa, . . . We told you that . . .
T ,
a.
There were difculties, but we coped
with them.
O e e ae. He doesnt know anything.
r
Objects indicating the person in impersonal expressions also tend to be
placed before the predicate, e.g.
Me a . I must go.
. a e aae ee. We havent got enough money.
r
Innitives as a rule follow the verb or expression on which they are
dependent, e.g.
M ea a. We have come to rest.
Ca ea. Im about to go away.
H aa. Its necessary to work.
r
In the modern language attributive adjectives, as in English, normally
precede the noun they qualify, but they may follow the noun in menus
or catalogues, e.g.
a a ne weather
e a fast train
a aee soft drinks
aa capital-city salad
Note: predicative adjectives, on the other hand, generally follow the noun
irrespective of whether they are long or short, e.g. a eea, The book
is interesting; aaa a a, The task was a difcult one.
r
Adverbs tend immediately to precede the verb they modify, e.g.
Bea e e. The sun always shines.
O e . Hes still asleep.
Oa . She looks good.
e aa a. I sincerely thank you.

Note 1 Adverbs indicating language used, on the other hand, follow the verb, e.g.
Oa -, She speaks Russian.
2 Certain adverbs which are used with a limited number of verbs and most of
which are derived from nouns also generally follow the verb, e.g.
e, to go on foot; , to go about barefoot.
(d) In expressive registers, e.g. R1, R3c and the language of belles-lettres,
emphasis or emotive effect is achieved by infringement of the rules
given above. Consider the following examples which all embody some
departure from neutral word order as it has been described in the
preceding paragraphs:
427
11 Syntax
a. He was a nice fellow.
Pa aee? Do you read novels? (as opposed to
e.g. plays)
a ee. We stood in the queue for an hour.
Be e a. Everybody started laughing.
Oa aa e . She likes swimming very much.
Paa . One must work.
a aa ae
e.
Ill tell you a funny story.
e . A poet of the Russian land. (rhet;
e.g. in newspaper headline)
B e . Deep in the steppe. (poet; e.g. in
folk song)
ea e
e.
This place is miserable on a rainy day.
11.15 Punctuation
Russian usage with regard to punctuation differs signicantly from
English usage, and since Russian usage is also more rigid the student
aiming for a high degree of accuracy in the language needs to pay
some attention to the Russian rules in this area.
r
The full stop (a), the question mark (e a) and
the semi-colon (a a), broadly speaking, are used as in
English, to mark, respectively: the end of a sentence, the end of a
question, and a division within a sentence that is more marked than
that indicated by a comma.
r
The colon (ee) too is used in a similar way in both English and
Russian, i.e. it may introduce:
(a) a clause that explains or expands on the preceding clause, e.g.
Oa aa a e: e, a a eaa,
aea.
She was late for the lecture: the train she was travelling on was delayed.
(b) direct or reported speech, e.g.
O :
He, e .
He passed his hand over his brow. No, Im not going to.
Bce aa e: aa(a) e.
Everybody said the same thing: that I should work a bit harder.
(c) a list, e.g.
Baae a a e: ae, ,
, a . . .
We grow all sorts of vegetables on the allotment: potatoes, carrots, onions,
cabbages . . .
428
11.15 Punctuation
(d) a quotation, e.g.
Me , a a: Bea, ea, a
!
Perhaps you remember Pushkins words: Spring, spring, the time of love!
However, the remaining punctuation marks used in English (the
comma, the dash, the exclamation mark, quotation marks, brackets,
omission dots) require more attention.
r
Comma (aa): this is used in Russian to serve many of the
purposes of the comma in English, for example to indicate minor
pauses as in lists, to separate adjectives qualifying the same noun or
adverbs modifying the same verb, after a and e, and so forth, e.g.
Oa -, -, -ee -a.
She speaks Russian, Polish, German and Danish.
, e, ee.
Hes a kind, cheerful, intelligent man.
B eee aa?
a, e.
Can you swim? Yes, I an.
However, use of the comma is also obligatory in Russian in the
following circumstances in which its use may be optional in English or
in which English usage tends to be lax:
(a) to separate clauses linked by coordinating conjunctions, e.g.
Caa a, a e a.
Sashas a gymnast and Petias a weight-lifter.
Note: when the conjunction is , a comma is not used if the subject of the verb in
the two clauses is the same, e.g. Oa ea a a aa, She lay down on
the sofa and went to sleep.
(b) to mark the division (or divisions) between a main clause and any
subordinate or relative clauses, e.g.
O aa, e ae.
He said he would not forget this.
a a aa, a aa(a) Me.

It was two years ago, when I was working in Moscow.
a, aaa, a ea
.
The hotel in which we were staying was built last year.
(c) to mark off any phrases containing gerunds or participles, e.g.
Haa a, a (a) aee ea.
Having begun to read, I at once realised the importance of this document.
, e e , aa a.
People who have the same name are called namesakes.
429
11 Syntax
(d) to mark off any parenthetical words, e.g.
M a, aee, ae a.
M brotherll probably be a doctor.
, ae eae, a a a
a.
I can forgive people anything, even treachery, because I consider it a weakness.
(e) to mark off any comparative phrases, e.g.
O ee, e .
He speaks more quickly than I do.
r
Dash (e []; indecl): this punctuation mark, which may be longer
than an English dash, has several important uses, e.g.
(a) to indicate some sort of omission, either of a copula (as is the case
when it is necessary to render in Russian the English verb to be in the
present tense) or of some part of an utterance expressed elliptically, e.g.
M a e.
My brother is a student.
Cea a, a a .
Seriozha was off towards the gate, but suddenly from the house there came a
shout.
Note: the dash is not normally used to indicate a missing copula when the subject is
a pronoun, e.g. O e, He is a student.
(b) to introduce direct speech, and (if the verb that indicates that direct
speech is being reproduced follows the speech itself ) to close that
speech, e.g.
O :
C ?
a aa e. O! aa. Tee e, e
a aa a a e.
He asked:
How much are you asking?
Dima named his price.
Oho! he opened his eyes wide. Youll be lucky if you nd a fool prepared to
pay that.
Note: the direct speech introduced by the dash must begin on a fresh line.
(c) to draw attention to something unexpected, to mark a syntactic
change of direction, or to give a sense of energy to an utterance, e.g.
a(a), a e a e aa.
I expected them to invite me but they havent.
e e a e ae.
They didnt bring any parcels to Ira; she was just sent letters.
eaa aa a ea, a ee
ae.
Unemployment is the most serious problem facing the government.
430
11.15 Punctuation
(d) a pair of dashes may mark off a parenthetical remark in a more
emphatic way than a pair of commas, e.g.
Ce ea e e, eeeea
ca a e aea.
The traces of this period of her life illness and premature old age remained
with her for ever.
r
Exclamation mark (ae a): this tends to be used
more widely than in English. It is placed, for example, after
instructions expressed by some part of speech other than an imperative
and after greetings (7.6), congratulations and wishes (7.87.9) and
forms of address at the beginning of letters (7.17), as well as after
interjections (see 5.5) and other phrases that would be followed by an
exclamation mark in English too, e.g.
ae! Hello.
C ! Good night.
C e! Ha birthday.
a a! Dear Irina,
Maae Ha
e!
Dear Nikolai Petrovich,
! Hush!
r
Quotation marks (a) of the sort used in English ( or ) are
now appearing in Russian as a result of the widespread introduction of
personal computers. Guillemets ( ) are also used to enclose titles,
quotations, unusual words, e.g.
a eee
aaae.
I am reading Crime and
Punishment.
ae aa? What is taiga?
Note: quotation marks may also be used as an alternative to a dash as an introduction
to direct speech if the verb which indicates that direct speech is being
reproduced precedes the speech itself, e.g. a e aaae, -
e e e e!, The pile of letters grows and somebody gets
angry: You havent replied to me!
r
Brackets (): these indicate a parenthesis that is more strongly
marked off from the surrounding material than a parenthesis that is
marked off by commas or dashes.
r
Omission dots (e): these are quite widely used in Russian to
indicate that a thought is incomplete or that speech is hasty or
awkward, e.g.
O . . . e aee . . .
e . . .
He . . . you dont think . . . Hes not a
thief . . .
Note: since this is an expressive device it is unlikely to be encountered in R3a or
R3b. In the written form of the colloquial language and in the language of
the internet, on the other hand, it will occur frequently.
431
11 Syntax
11.16 Use of capital letters
Capital letters are used much more sparingly in Russian than in
English. In particular the foreign student should note that:
r
capital letters are not used in Russian at the beginning of words
naming days of the week or months of the year, or indicating
nationality or religion, place of origin or language, e.g.
ee Monday
a (m) January
aa Englishman
a Moslem
Muscovite
Russian (language)
r
in titles of organisations, institutions, posts, journals, newspapers,
books and so forth, it is usual for only the rst word in the title to
begin with a capital letter (cf. the English practice of beginning each
noun and adjective with a capital), e.g.
Ee the European Union
ee the University of London
M the Minister of Defence
Ae a Arguments and Facts (a
contemporary newspaper)
Pa Cancer Ward (Solzhentsyns novel)
r
in place-names the generic name (e.g. ea, e, , ea,
e, a, a) is usually written with a small letter and the
proper noun and accompanying adjectives with capitals, e.g.
T ea the Pacic Ocean
Cee e ea the Arctic Ocean
ae e the Caspian Sea
Caa the Island of Sakhalin
aa the Strait of Gibraltar
C aa the Suez Canal
ea the Tropic of Capricorn
Cee the North Pole
aa a Red Square
e the Winter Palace
eaa e the Peter and Paul Fortress
However, in some names the above conventions are not observed, e.g.
a B the Far East
Oaa Oe
Ha
the United Nations Organisation
Cee a Ae the United States of America
Pa eea the Russian Federation
432
12 Stress
12.1 Introductory remarks
Most Russian words have xed stress, but many do not and it is these
that give difculty to the foreign learner. Stress patterns are numerous
and complicated, but the student may take some comfort from the fact
that there are patterns.
In this chapter we rst set out the main patterns of stress in Russian
nouns, adjectives and verbs and then indicate some of the deviations
from standard stress that may be encountered.
Stress in Russian is very important for two reasons. Firstly, it is
strong. Therefore a word pronounced with incorrect stress may not be
understood. Secondly, there are many homographs which are
distinguished from one another only by means of stress and
consequential pronunciation of unstressed vowels, e.g. e, news, and
e, to lead; , I wash, and , my; a, I cry, and a, I pay;
a, of the word, and a, words.
It should be remembered that in some words e will change into
when the syllable in which it occurs attracts the stress.
Conversely will change into e when the syllable in which it occurs
loses the stress (as it does in some perfective verbs bearing the prex
-, e.g. e, I/he went out, in which the element has lost the
stress that it normally bears (as in , I/he went)).
12.2 Stress in nouns
In considering stress on Russian nouns one needs to bear in mind:
(i) the position of the stress in the nominative form of the word, and
(ii) the number of syllables that a noun has (i.e. whether it is
monosyllabic (e.g. , night; , elephant), disyllabic (e.g. ,
axe; aa, card, map; , window), trisyllabic (e.g. ee, telephone;
a, road; e, lake) or polysyllabic (e.g. a, skylark;
a, defence; ee, essay)).
Most nouns have xed stress. Shifting stress occurs mainly in
monosyllabic or disyllabic nouns.
Nouns of different genders are associated with somewhat different
stress patterns. The three genders are therefore treated separately in the
following sections.
Note: the following lists of words to which a particular pattern of stress is applicable
are not exhaustive.
433
12 Stress
12.2.1 Masculine nouns
Many masculine nouns have xed stress. In the remaining masculine
nouns, in which stress shift does take place, there are three possible
patterns: (i) shift to end stress in all forms after the initial form; (ii) shift
to end stress in all plural forms; and (iii) shift to end stress in the
genitive, dative, instrumental and prepositional plural forms.
12.2.1.1 Masculine nouns with xed stress
r
polysyllabic nouns, e.g. a, skylark;
r
most nouns of more than one syllable that end in -a, -e, -, -,
-, e.g. a, parrot; e, museum; e, hero; e, kiss;
e, lazy person;
r
nouns formed with the sufx -e, e.g. ae, buyer; ae,
reader. Usually stress is on the syllable before this sufx, but NB
eaae, navigator;
r
most nouns in -, e.g. aaa, drum; a, law; aa, pocket;
aa, shop; aa, glass (for drink); e, Turkmen. Stress is
usually on the last syllable in such nouns, but NB nouns with the sufx
-a, e.g. aa, Englishman, etc.;
r
many nouns of more than one syllable that end in -, e.g. ae,
appetite; a, artiste; e, ticket; a, dictation; ,
institute; , pilot; ea, result; a, salute;
r
nouns in -a, e.g. a, journal; aa, canal; aea, material;
r
nouns in -, e.g. , communism; ea, realism;
r
disyllabic and polysyllabic nouns in -, -, -, -, -, -, - with stress
on the second syllable: aa, Arab; a, gulf; e, camel;
a, steamer; , union; a, ferry; , engine; ,
question; ee, interest.
Note: exceptions: a, sleeve; a, mosquito; , carpenter; , axe, all of
which have end stress after the initial form.
12.2.1.2 Masculine nouns with stress on the ending after the initial form
r
many common monosyllabic nouns, e.g. , table:
sg pl
nom
acc
gen a
dat a
instr a
prep e a
434
Similarly: , bandage; , pancake; , bean; , beaver; ,
bolt; , bull; , screw, propeller; , ox; a, enemy; e,
coat-of-arms; , mushroom; , yard, court; , thrush; ,
beetle; , awning; , whale; , fang, tusk; , knout; ,
tomcat; e, cross; , mole; , bush; , bridge; a, layer,
stratum; , fruit; , raft; , regiment; , post; , pond;
a, slave; , rouble; e, sickle; , elephant; , sheaf; ,
trunk (of tree), barrel (of gun); , pillar; , court; , labour;
, mind, intellect; , tail; , whip; , hill; , canvas;
e, pole; , bayonet; , clown; , shield, dashboard, control
panel.
r
many nouns of two or more syllables which end in one of the velars ,
, or and have stress on the nal syllable in the initial form, e.g.
, language, tongue; e, anc e, bride-groom:
sg pl sg pl
nom e e
acc ea e
gen a ea e
dat a e ea
instr a e ea
prep e a ee ea
Similarly: , pie; a, boot; , iron; e, pauper; e,
egg-white; , graduate; , player, gambler; , hook;
a, st; a, lighthouse, beacon; , sailor; , ceiling;
a, sherman; a, old man; , trunk; e, pupil, student;
a, shepherd; e, cockerel.
Note: exceptions: aa, hut; , vice; , current; , lesson, all of which
have xed stress.
r
many nouns of two or more syllables which end in - or one of the
hushing consonants -, - or - and have stress on the nal syllable in
the initial form, e.g. e, father ; ae, case (gram):
sg pl sg pl
nom e ae ae
acc a ae ae
gen a aea aee
dat a ae aea
instr a ae aea
prep e a aee aea
435
12 Stress
Similarly: e, ghter; ee, crown, wreath (poet); e, arrogant
man; e, end; e, blacksmith; e, wise man, sage (rhet);
e, cucumber; ee, singer; e, cunning man; aa, garage;
a, robbery; a, assembly, installation; e, mutiny, revolt;
a, payment; e, boundary, border; e, draught, sketch;
aa, blackmail; a, storey, and some monosyllables, e.g. ,
hedgehog; , knife; , swift (bird); , grass-snake; aa, kind of
white loaf; , brick; , Muscovite; a, strong man;
a, violinist; , sealing wax; a, small tractor for pulling
trolleys, and some monosyllables, e.g. a, doctor; a, rook; ,
key; , ray; e, sword; , ball, and patronymics, e.g. ;
, naked child; a, kid; aa, hut (of branches and straw)
and some monosyllables, e.g. , half-kopeck piece (i.e. g farthing);
, ruff (sh), brush; , ladle.
Note: in some words of foreign origin that end in - stress is xed, e.g. a,
stained-glass window; ea, landscape; , beach; ea, reporting;
a, knitting; a, espionage; a, crew.
r
most nouns which end in -, -, or - and have stress on the nal
syllable in the initial form, e.g. e, runner; a, ship:
sg pl sg pl
nom e e a a
acc ea e a a
gen ea e a ae
dat e ea a a
instr e ea a a
prep ee ea ae a
Similarly: , chatterbox; a, boulder; , grumbler;
a, quarrelsome person; , sorcerer; , shouter; , liar;
e, ier, drifter; e, guardian; a, herd (esp of horses or
reindeer); , cast iron; a, naughty child (but not ,
tribune, which has xed stress); a, crane (bird); ,
feather-grass; , king; , crutch; ea, February;
, wick; a, cut glass; a, hero of Russian
folklore; a, primer, ABC; a, woodgrouse; ea,
December; aea, calendar, xture list; a, monastery;
, November; , October; , bubble; eea,
secretary; e, September; a, dictionary; a, rusk,
dried-up person; a, lamppost; a, tsar; a, January; a,
amber.
436
12.2.1.3 Masculine nouns with stem stress in the singular and
stress on the ending in the plural
r
some monosyllables, e.g. a, garden:
sg pl
nom a a
acc a a
gen aa a
dat a aa
instr a aa
prep ae aa
( a)
Similarly: a, ball (dance); , battle, ght; a, billow, earthen wall,
shaft; , cart, wagon; a, gift; , duty, debt; , oak tree; , fat,
grease; , circle; , world; a, steam; , plough; e, trace; ,
layer, stratum; , soup; , cheese; a, basin, wash-basin; , back,
rear; , whisker; , choir; a, tea; a, hour; a, step, pace; a,
sphere; a, cupboard.
r
the quite numerous masculine nouns which end in a hard consonant
or a soft consonant and which have nominative plural (and if they are
inanimate, accusative plural too) in stressed -a and - respectively (see
9.1.6), e.g. , town, city, e, teacher:
sg pl sg pl
nom a e e
acc a e ee
gen a e ee
dat a e e
instr a ee e
prep e a ee e
Similarly: ae, address; ee, bank, shore; ee, evening; a, eye;
, voice; , doctor; , house; , church bell; e, forest;
, meadow; ae, foreman, skilled workman; , island; a,
cook; e, train; e, professor; e, snow; , watchman;
, poplar; , cold, cold spell; , anchor, and many others.
12.2.1.4 Masculine nouns with stress on the ending in gen/dat/instr/prep
plural only
r
some monosyllabic or disyllabic masculine (and some feminine)
nouns which end in a soft sign and are stressed on the rst syllable in
the initial form, e.g. (m), pigeon, dove, and a (f ), square:
437
12 Stress
sg pl sg pl
nom a a
acc e a a
gen e a ae
dat a a
instr e a a
prep e a a
Similarly the following masculine nouns: , guest; , goose;
e, beast, wild animal; ae, stone; , claw, talon; ee,
swan; , elbow; , ngernail; ae, lad; and the following
feminine nouns: , brow; e, piece of news; e, thing; ,
daughter; e, fortress; a, horse; a, mother; , night;
e, stove; e, short story, novella; e, speech; , role; e, net;
ae, tablecloth; , speed, gear; ee, degree, extent; e,
chain; a, part.
Note: exceptions include the following monosyllables, which have xed stress on the
stem throughout: , ache, pain; a, border, verge; e, r-tree; a,
execution; a, ointment; , thought, idea; , link, connection; a,
fabric; e, aim, goal; e, crack (all feminine), and , style
(masculine).
r
some other monosyllabic nouns, e.g. , wolf:
sg pl
nom
acc a
gen a
dat a
instr a
prep e a
Similarly: , thief; , syllable.
12.2.2 Feminine nouns
12.2.2.1 Feminine nouns with xed stress
r
nouns in -a derived from nouns with the masculine sufx -e,
e.g. ea, teacher;
r
nouns in -, e.g. a, surname. Stress in these nouns is usually,
but not necessarily, on the syllable preceding this sufx;
r
nouns in -, e.g. e, unpleasantness; a, weakness;
r
disyllabic nouns in -a or - with stress on the rst syllable, e.g. aa,
map; aa, lamp; a, school; , uncle; e, song.
438
12.2.2.2 Feminine nouns with end stress in the singular and stress
on preceding syllable in the plural
r
disyllabic nouns in -a or - with stress on the ending in the initial
form, e.g. aa, country:
sg pl
nom aa a
acc a a
gen a a
dat ae aa
instr a aa
prep ae aa
Similarly: a, war; a, wave; a, thunderstorm; a,
blackboard; e, snake; a, goat, she-goat; ea, daydream; a, sheep;
ea, river; ea, candle, sparking-plug; , pig; e, family; aa,
cliff, crag; a, pine-tree; ea, wall; ea, arrow; , jet, spurt;
a, fate, destiny; , judge; a, pipe, tube, trumpet.
Note 1 It is only by means of stress that genitive singular forms are differentiated from
nominative and accusative plural forms in nouns of this type.
2 Some nouns in this category have stress on the rst syllable in the accusative
singular as well as in plural forms: a (water; ); a (soul, spirit; );
a (winter; ); a (leg, foot; ); a (arm, hand; ).
3 In some nouns of this type e in the rst syllable changes to under stress:
ea (tear; , ); ea (cheek; , ).
4 Some nouns of this type have stress on the second syllable in the dative,
instrumental and prepositional plural forms: a (mountain; a, a,
a); a (lip; a, a, a); a (a, a, a); a
(a, a, a); ea (ea, ea, ea); ea (ea,
ea, ea).
5 In some of the above nouns stress is on the second syllable in the genitive
plural form (e, e, ee, e).
6 The noun ea has no plural form; the noun eae (genitive plural
ea) should be used instead.
r
nouns ending in the sufx -a which have end stress in the singular
but are stressed on the penultimate syllable in the nominative plural
and on the same syllable thereafter, e.g. a, height:
sg pl
nom a
acc
gen
dat e a
instr a
prep e a
439
12 Stress
Similarly: a, longitude; aa, beauty; a, witticism;
a, orphan.
Note 1 Some nouns with this sufx do not have plural forms, or at least they do
not have commonly used plural forms, e.g. ea, darkness; a,
cleanness.
2 In nouns in -a which have initial stress not on the ending but on the rst or
penultimate syllable (e.g. aa, deed (ofcial document); aa, worry,
concern; ea, infantry; aa, work) stress is xed.
12.2.2.3 Stress in feminine nouns with pleophonic forms (- - or - -)
Pleophonic forms (i.e. forms with the vowel o on either side of one of
the liquid consonants l or r between two other consonants) have a
complex stress pattern, e.g. a, head, and a, side:
sg pl sg pl
nom a a
acc
gen
dat e a e a
instr a a
prep e a e a
Similarly: a, beard; a, furrow; a, harrow; a, stripe,
zone; a, frying-pan.
12.2.3 Neuter nouns
12.2.3.1 Neuter nouns with xed stress
r
nouns in -e: ae, building; aee, exercise. In these nouns
stress is usually on the syllable before this sufx (but NB
eae, investigation, research; eeee, securing, guaranteeing,
provision; aeee, regional studies; eeee, television);
r
nouns derived from masculine nouns with the sufx -e,
e.g. ae, government.
12.2.3.2 Disyllabic neuter nouns with end stress in the singular and
stem stress in the plural
The stress pattern of disyllabic neuter nouns in - (and -) with stress
on the ending in the initial form is similar to that of end-stressed
disyllabic feminine nouns in -a or -, i.e. stress shifts from the ending
to the rst syllable in the plural forms, e.g. , letter:
440
sg pl
nom a
acc a
gen a e
dat a
instr a
prep e a
Similarly: , wine; , ring; , wing; , face; ,
window; e, pen, feather; , spot, stain; , hand-gun, rie; e,
village; e, glass, pane, windscreen; , number, date; , egg.
Note 1 It is only by means of stress that genitive singular forms are differentiated from
nominative and accusative plural forms.
2 When the vowel in the rst syllable is e it will change to under stress in the
plural forms. Thus e, e have a, etc., a, etc., respectively.
3 Some nouns of this type, e.g. , e, have irregular plural forms in -,
etc. (, etc.; e, etc.; see 9.1.9).
4 In some nouns of this type a mobile vowel appears in the genitive plural form,
e.g. , e, .
5 and have genitive plural forms e and , respectively.
6 e, shoulder, has plural forms e, e, e, ea, ea,
ea.
12.2.3.3 Disyllabic neuter nouns with stem stress in the singular and
end stress in the plural
The opposite process takes place in some disyllabic neuter nouns in -
and -e in which stress in the initial form is on the rst syllable, i.e. stress
shifts to the ending in the plural forms, e.g. , word; e, sea:
sg pl sg pl
nom a e
acc a e
gen a e
dat a
instr a e
prep e a e
Similarly: e, deed, business, affair; e, place; e, eld; a,
right; ee, heart; a, herd, ock; e, body.
Note 1 It is again only by means of stress that genitive singular forms are differentiated
from nominative and accusative plural forms.
2 In some nouns of this type e in the rst syllable changes to under stress. Thus
e, bucket, and e, oar, have plural forms a, a, e, a,
a, a and a, a, e, a, a, a,
respectively.
441
12 Stress
3 e, sky, heaven, has plural forms eea, eea, ee, eea, eea,
eea. Similarly , wonder, miracle, has ea, etc.
4 , ear, has plural forms , , e, a, a, a.
5 , vessel, has a, a, , a, a, a.
6 In a few disyllabic neuter nouns stress is xed on the rst syllable in all forms,
plural as well as singular, e.g. a, blessing; , dish; e, saucer;
e, armchair; ae, dress; e, means; e, mouth (of river).
12.2.3.4 Trisyllabic neuter nouns with stress shift
In some trisyllabic neuter nouns stress shift also takes place, in one
direction or the other, e.g.
r
moving one syllable towards the end of the word. Thus e, lake, has
plural a, , etc.;
r
moving one syllable towards the beginning of the word. Thus ee
has plural ea, ee, etc.;
r
moving from the rst syllable to the ending. Thus ea, mirror,
e, lace, and a, cloud, have eaa, ea and aa,
etc., respectively (except that e has genitive plural e; NB
also that the genitive plural of aa is a).
12.2.3.5 Disyllabic neuter nouns in -
The few nouns of this type also have stress on the rst syllable in the
singular and on the second syllable in the plural, e.g. , name:
sg pl
nom ea
acc ea
gen e
dat e ea
instr ee ea
prep e ea
Similarly: e, time; , udder; e, tribe; e, seed; e,
stirrup; e, crown of the head.
Note 1 a, ag, banner, has plural forms aa, aa, a, aa,
aa, aa.
2 , e have no plural form.
12.2.4 Irregular stress in certain prepositional singular forms
r
The ending - which some (mostly monosyllabic) masculine nouns
have after the prepositions and a used in a locative sense is always
stressed, e.g. a, in the cupboard; a , on the oor.
442
12.3 Stress in adjectives
r
In a few feminine nouns ending in a soft consonant the ending - is
also stressed after the prepositions and a used in a locative sense, e.g.
e, in the door; , in the mud; , in blood; e, in
the steppe; e, in the shade.
12.2.5 Prepositions that attract stress in certain phrases
For the purposes of stress (and pronunciation) most prepositions should
usually be treated as part of the following word, e.g. a e, on the
table, ee , in front of me, a, with (my) brother. However,
in certain combinations of monosyllabic preposition + noun with
stress on the rst syllable in the case governed by the preposition, the
preposition bears the stress, e.g. a , over the space of a year; a ,
out of town; a e, over the space of a day; a , over the winter; a
, by the leg; a , during the night; a , by the hand; a ,
for a year; a , on to ones head; a , up the mountain; a e,
for a day; a , for the winter; a , on to ones foot/leg; a , for
the night; a , on to ones arm/hand; a , on to ones back;
, up to ones ears; ee, towards evening; , downhill;
, under ones feet/legs; , under ones arm/hand. Stress also
falls on the preposition in the phrases a e e, to go missing
(in action); e , senselessly; , as far as ones home; ,
until nightfall; , out of ones home; e, out of the forest; a,
e, two each; , three each.
12.3 Stress in adjectives
r
Long forms of adjectives (e.g. , big; ea, ne; ,
dark blue; e, third; , good ) have xed stress throughout
their declension.
r
In adjectives with the sufxes -, -a, -, and also in
adjectives with one of the four sufxes of participial origin -,
-, -a, -, stress is always on the penultimate syllable,
e.g. , typical; ea, sad; a, traditional;
, powerful; , prickly; a, feline; , hot
(to the touch).
r
In adjectives with the sufx -e, stress is always on the
antepenultimate syllable, e.g. aae, automatic.
r
In disyllabic adjectives the stress usually shifts to the ending in the
feminine short form, e.g. aa, a, aa, ea, aa,
a from a, important, , strong, a, terrible,
, dark, a, brave, , clear, respectively. The same
process takes place in some trisyllabic adjectives, mainly adjectives with
a stem in , e.g. ea, a, aea, a from e, great,
, hot (to the touch), a, distant, , good,
respectively.
443
12 Stress
r
In the short comparative form of disyllabic adjectives stress is on the
rst syllable of the ending, e.g. ee, newer, ee, stronger.
r
In the superlative form of disyllabic adjectives and trisyllabic adjectives
with a stem in stress is usually on the penultimate syllable, e.g.
e, newest, e, strongest, a, deepest.
Note: in adverbs in -e that are derived from adjectives in -e stress is also
always on the antepenultimate syllable, e.g. aae, automatically.
12.4 Stress in verbs
Stress patterns in Russian verbs are considerably simpler than stress
patterns in Russian nouns. It is only in the indicative forms of the
second conjugation and the past-tense forms of some verbs that they
give much difculty.
12.4.1 Stress in rst-conjugation verbs
r
In verbs classied in 9.6.2 above as 1A (e.g. aa, to work; e,
to lose; ae, to go red, blush) stress remains on the same vowel in
the innitive and throughout the indicative (i.e. in imperfective verbs
the present tense and in perfective verbs the simple future tense), e.g.
1
st
pers sg aa e ae
2
nd
pers sg aae ee aee
3
rd
pers sg aae ee aee
1
st
pers pl aae ee aee
2
nd
pers pl aaee eee aeee
3
rd
pers pl aa e ae
r
In 1B verbs with vowel stems (9.6.3 and 9.6.5 above) stress remains on
the same vowel throughout the indicative (i.e. in imperfective verbs the
present tense and in perfective verbs the simple future tense), e.g.
, to wash, aa, to give:
1
st
pers sg a
2
nd
pers sg e a
3
rd
pers sg e a
1
st
pers pl e a
2
nd
pers pl ee ae
3
rd
pers pl a
Note: in many 1B verbs in -a or -ea (9.6.3) stress may be on the ending in
the innitive form even though it is on the stem in the indicative form, e.g.
aa, to organise, but a, etc.
r
In 1B verbs with consonant stems (9.6.4 and 9.6.67) some verbs (e.g.
ea, to cut) have unstressed endings throughout the indicative, others
444
(e.g. , to live) have stressed endings throughout the indicative, and
others (e.g. a, to write) have stress on the ending in the rst
person singular but on the stem in all the remaining persons, e.g.
1
st
pers sg e
2
nd
pers sg ee e
3
rd
pers sg ee e
1
st
pers pl ee e
2
nd
pers pl eee e ee
3
rd
pers pl e
In verbs of more than one syllable (not counting any prex) that
conform to the rst of these patterns (e.g. aa, to cry, , to
go deaf, ea, to go (by transport), as well as ea) stress is on the stem
in the innitive. In verbs of more than one syllable (not counting any
prex) that conform to the second pattern (e.g. e, to lead, , to
go (on foot), e, to take (by transport), ee, to guard ) or the third
pattern (e.g. , to prick, a, to look for, aa, to wave, as well
as a) stress is on the ending in the innitive.
12.4.2 Stress in second-conjugation verbs
In the indicative and innitive forms of verbs of the second
conjugation (as in 1B verbs with consonant stems) three different stress
patterns are found, as outlined below.
12.4.2.1 Stress on ending in innitive and all indicative forms
inn
1
st
pers sg
2
nd
pers sg
3
rd
pers sg
1
st
pers pl
2
nd
pers pl e
3
rd
pers pl
Similarly: ee, to shine; e, to hurt; , to fear; e, to
hang; , to include, switch on; , to anger; e, to
look at; e, to burn (intrans); a, to tremble; ae, to
forbid; a, to defend; , to ring; a, to (re)sound;
e, to destroy; a, to shout; ea, to lie; ee, to y;
a, to be silent; a, to enrich; a, to turn, convert;
, to explain; e, to illuminate; e, to blind;
e, to stun; , to feel; , to repeat; e,
to place; a, to strike; e, to settle; e, to visit;
445
12 Stress
ea, to stop, discontinue; aea, to belong; , to
forgive; e, to decide, solve; e, to whistle; e, to sit;
, to stand; e, to strive; a, to knock; , to
tame. Also many related verbs, e.g. a, to conclude, conne;
e, to look through, overlook; ae, to get a (sun)tan; ee,
to y away; e, to enlighten; eee, to move; aa, to
infect; eee, to resettle; ae, to permit, resolve; , to
keep ones balance, stand ones ground.
12.4.2.2 Stress on stem in innitive and all indicative forms
inn e
1
st
pers sg e
2
nd
pers sg e
3
rd
pers sg e
1
st
pers pl e
2
nd
pers pl ee
3
rd
pers pl e
Similarly: e, to believe; e, to see; a, to stroke, iron;
e, to go (by transport); a, to roast; ae, to depend;
a, to acquaint; eae, to hate; e, to offend;
a, to weaken; a, to leave; e, to reply; a, to
rule; ea, to (re)present; a, to widen, extend; a,
to hear; a, to compose; a, to put; , to be worth;
, to clean. Also many related verbs, e.g. e, to check;
aa, to make, compel; a, to correct; , to cleanse.
12.4.2.3 Stress shift from ending to stem after the rst person singular
inn
1
st
pers sg
2
nd
pers sg
3
rd
pers sg
1
st
pers pl
2
nd
pers pl e
3
rd
pers pl
Similarly: a, to cook, boil; ee, to turn, spin; a, to chase
(, ); , to ruin; ea, to hold; a, to breathe;
, to amass, store; , to feed; , to mow; ,
to buy; , to smoke; , to catch; , to announce, declare;
a, to stop; , to nd oneself; a, to pay;
, to swallow; , to put; e, to offer, propose;
446
, to ask ( for); , to chop, hack, mince; , to serve;
e, to look at, watch; , to step; ee, to bear, endure,
tolerate; , to heat, melt, sink (trans), drown (trans). Also many
related verbs, e.g. aa, to make, to brew (drink); ea, to
contain; a, to buy up; , to manifest; a, to pay
for; a, to lay; , to interrogate; e, to survey,
look through, overlook; , to cede, yield. Also the following verbs
of motion and all their derivatives: , to lead; , to take (by
transport); , to carry; , to go (on foot).
12.4.3 Stress in past-tense forms
r
In most verbs the stress in all four past-tense forms is on the same
syllable as in the innitive, e.g. aa, to work; e, to lose;
ae, to go red, blush; aa, to give; ea, to cut; a, to write;
, to prick; , to speak; e, to meet; , to
love:
m f n pl
aa aaa aa aa
e ea e e
ae aea ae ae
aa aaa aa aa
ea eaa ea ea
a aa a a
a
a
e ea e e
a
r
In 1B verbs in - and -e the stress will shift on to the -a, - and -
in the feminine, neuter and plural forms respectively, in order to
remain on the nal syllable, e.g. e, to take (by transport); e, to
lead; e, to row; e, to carry; e, to sweep; ee, to guard;
e, to ow:
m f n pl
ea e e
ea e e
ea e e
ea e e
ea e e
e eea ee ee
ea e e
447
12 Stress
Similarly: e, to drag; (R1), to drag; a, to harness; ,
to be able; e, to bake; eee, to neglect; e, to cut, og, and
compounds of these verbs.
Note 1 In e, to burn, and , to go (on foot), and their compounds the ending in
the feminine, neuter and plural forms is the sole vowel in the word (,
a, , ; , a, , .
2 Exception: , to cut (hair or nails), which has stress on the stem
throughout (, a, etc.).
r
In some monosyllabic verbs of the conjugation 1B and a few
monosyllabic verbs of the second conjugation the stress shifts to the
ending in the feminine form only of the past tense, e.g. , to be;
, to drink; a, to give; a, to sleep:
m f n pl
a
a
a aa a a
a aa a a
Similarly: a, to take; , to wind; a, to chase; , to live;
a, to call; a, to steal; , to pour; , to take off.
Note: other common monosyllabic verbs have stress on the stem in all past-tense
forms, e.g. , to beat; , to howl; e, to put; , to blow; e, to eat;
a, to press/reap; a, to put; , to cover; , to wash; e, to sing;
e, to sit down; a, to become; , to sew.
r
In some 1B verbs with a consonant stem (e.g. derivatives of -ee
and of -) stress falls on the ending in the feminine form and shifts
to the rst syllable (i.e. the prex) in the masculine, neuter and plural
forms, e.g. , to understand; , to accept, receive; aa, to
begin; ee, to die:
m f n pl
a
a
aa aaa aa aa
e ea e e
Similarly: a, to occupy, borrow; , to take away; , to lift,
raise.
Note: derivatives of , to be, a, to give, , to live, , to pour, and some
other verbs may follow this pattern or they may follow the same pattern as
(see preceding section; see also 12.5 below).
448
12.4.4 Stress in gerunds and participles
12.4.4.1 Imperfective gerunds
r
Although it is the third-person-plural form of the present tense that
provides the stem for imperfective gerunds, stress in these gerunds is on
the same syllable as in the rst-person-singular form, e.g.
aa aa
a a

e ea
Note: exceptions: a, lying; a, (being) silent; , sitting; , standing. These
forms function as adverbs rather than gerunds.
12.4.4.2 Perfective gerunds
r
Although it is the masculine form of the past tense that provides the
stem for the perfective gerund, stress in these gerunds is generally on
the same syllable as in the innitive (which in some verbs (see 12.4.3
above) has different stress from the masculine form of the past tense),
e.g.
a a, having read
, having opened
, having cleaned
aa aa, having begun
, having received
a a, having sold
Note 1 The above rule holds good for reexive verbs, which form their gerund with
the sufx -, e.g. aeea, having got interested.
2 In perfective verbs which have innitive in - and a gerund in - (see 9.7.2)
this ending is stressed, e.g. , having entered.
12.4.4.3 Present active participles
r
In rst-conjugation verbs stress falls on the same syllable as in the
third-person-plural form of the indicative from which the participle is
derived (see 9.7.3), e.g.
aa aa, who is beginning
a a, who is commanding
, who is going
r
In second-conjugation verbs stress normally falls on the same syllable as
in the innitive, e.g.
, who is speaking
, who is coming
ea ea, who is holding
449
12 Stress
Note: in some second-conjugation verbs in which stress shifts after the rst-person-
singular form of the indicative (see 12.4.2.3 above), stress in the present active
participle also moves to the syllable preceding the syllable that is stressed in the
innitive, e.g. ea, , a (from e, to cure, ,
to love, , to serve, respectively).
12.4.4.4 Past active participles
r
Stress is on the same syllable as in the innitive, except in the case of
verbs in -, in which stress is on the same syllable as in the masculine
form of the past tense from which the participle is derived (see 9.7.4),
e.g.
a a, who was buying
a a, who closed
aa aa, who began
, who received
, who bought
(from e) , who was taking (by transport)
(from e) , who was carrying
(from e) , who swept off
(from ) , who achieved
Note 1 e, who died, from ee (past tense, m form e).
2 In verbs in - which have a present-/future-tense stem in or , the in the
masculine past-tense form may change to e in the past active participle (e.g.
e, who was leading, from e; e, who invented, from
e), although stress remains on the same syllable as in the masculine
past-tense form (see 9.7.4).
12.4.4.5 Present passive participles
r
In rst-conjugation verbs stress is on the same syllable as in the
rst-person-plural form of the indicative from which they are derived
(see 9.7.5), e.g.
aaae aaae, being examined
e e, being used
Note: the same rule applies to those present active participles in which is replaced
by , e.g. e, being led, from e (1st pers pl e).
In present passive participles derived from second-conjugation verbs
stress is normally on the same syllable as in the innitive. The rule
applies also to the many adjectives (some of them negative) that are
modelled on present passive participles (although they may be derived
from perfective verbs). Examples:
450
e , visible
, beloved, favourite
, vulnerable
e, unrepeatable
e, impenetrable
e, uncatchable
12.4.4.6 Past passive participles
r
In past passive participles ending in -a or - that are derived
from verbs with the stressed endings -a or -, respectively (see
9.7.6 above), stress moves on to the preceding syllable, irrespective of
the conjugation to which the verb belongs, e.g.
a a, read
a a, agitated
aa aa, written
a a, sold
a a, driven (away)
e e, lost
Note: in verbs stressed on the stem in the innitive (e.g. a, to think over,
a, to hear) stress remains on the same syllable in the past passive
participle, e.g. a, a.
r
Stress also moves one syllable nearer to the beginning of the word in
past passive participles ending in - that are derived from verbs with
the stressed endings -, - (9.7.6), e.g.
, punctured
, mentioned
Note: this stress shift does not apply, however, to verbs derived from monosyllabic
verbs in -, -, -e, e.g. a, closed, a, broken, e,
dressed, from a, a, e, respectively.
r
In the short feminine, neuter and plural forms of past passive participles
in - (e.g. e, brought in, introduced; e, brought;
e, swept off; a, lit; eee, intersected;
e, decided; see 9.7.6) stress shifts to the last syllable, with
consequential change of to e in the preceding syllable, e.g.
m f n pl
e eea ee ee
e eea ee ee
e eea ee ee
a aea ae ae
eee eeeea eeee eeee
e eea ee ee
451
12 Stress
Note: in participles ending in unstressed -e (e.g. ae, put) stress
remains on the same syllable in all forms.
12.4.5 Miscellaneous points
r
The negative particle e attracts the stress before the past tense of the
masculine, neuter and plural forms of the verb , to be: e , e
, e .
r
The prex - is stressed on all perfective verbs, irrespective of
whether they are disyllabic: a, to issue; , to go out;
e, to cure; a, to drag out.
r
This prex is also stressed on most other disyllabic words, e.g. a,
otter; , exit; e, higher.
12.5 Variation in stress
The stress in a word, like its pronunciation, inection or even gender,
may change over time or may vary from user to user and in different
situations. A few miscellaneous points may nally be made in this
connection.
r
One group of words in which stress is particularly unstable, and for
which reference works often suggest alternative stress, is the set of
past-tense forms of certain verbs that consist of a monosyllabic basic
verb + prex, e.g.
m f n pl
, to arrive a
, to stay a
aa, to set aa aaa aa aa
a, to edit, publish a aa a a
a, to give back, hand in a aa a a
a, to attach a aa a a
a, to sell a aa a a
ee, to survive ee eea ee ee
, to live, stay a
a, to ood a aa a a
, to pour over a
, to shed a
Note: in the verb aa, to give out, distribute, the vowel in the prex changes when
the prex bears the stress: a/aa, aaa, a/aa,
a/aa.
452
12.5 Variation in stress
The variants of these past-tense forms with stress on the prex are now
less common than those with stress on the stem of the verb in the
masculine, neuter and plural forms (or the ending in the feminine
forms). However, no rm guidance can condently be given on usage
in these verbs.
r
In R1 stress on the stem is now encountered in the feminine past-tense
form of some monosyllabic verbs, or verbs derived from monosyllabic
verbs, which in the standard language have stress on the ending (see
12.4.3 above), e.g. aa, aa, aaa, a, aa, a,
aa (instead of standard aa, took; aa, waited; aaa, began;
a, accepted, received; aa, gathered; a, took off; aa, slept,
respectively).
At the same time in the neuter past-tense forms of certain verbs
stress may be found on the ending instead of the stem, e.g. a,
, a, (instead of standard a, waited; ,
accepted, received; a, gathered; , took off ).
r
Stress in the indicative forms of some second-conjugation verbs is also
unstable in R1. In some such verbs which in the standard language
have stress on the ending throughout the indicative (12.4.2.1 above)
stress now shifts to the stem in the second-person-singular form and
subsequent forms (as in verbs listed in 12.4.2.3 above), e.g. ,
we shall include/switch on; e, (s)he will facilitate. This change is
unsurprising, given that stress may now fall on the stem in the
innitive form (e instead of standard e).
Past passive participles may be similarly affected, e.g. ae,
concluded, conned, and ee, brought in, inserted, instead of standard
a and e.
r
Stress has been particularly affected over the last fteen or twenty years
by the broadcasting of the speech of politicians and presenters with
regional speech habits. For example, the non-standard stress of the
innitive form of certain common verbs (e.g. a, to engage, occupy;
aa, to begin; , to accept, receive; , to deepen) came to
be disseminated as a result of the prominence of Gorbachov, who
comes from the Stavropol
region of southern Russia.

r
One may hear alternative stress in adjectives and nouns, as well as in
various parts of the verb, e.g. a (Ukrainian; adj), ae
(Ukrainian; noun), e (acc sg of ea, price) and a, dollar
(instead of standard a, ae, e, a,
respectively). In some nouns ending in the sufx -ee, in which stress
has hitherto been on the stem in the standard language, the sufx is
now attracting the stress (no doubt by analogy with the vast majority
of nouns ending in this sufx, in which the stress does fall on the
antepenultimate vowel), e.g. aeee, intention, and eeee,
securing, guaranteeing, provision, instead of standard aeee,
eeee. The important thing for the student is to know which
variant is still considered standard.
453
12 Stress
r
Finally, it should be noted that deviation from standard usage in stress
may be associated with the speech of certain social groups. Thus the
word a, compass, may be stressed on the second syllable (a)
in the speech of seamen. Similarly drivers might prefer the form
e (driver, chauffeur) to the standard form . The eminent
linguist Academician Vinogr adov seems to have been acknowledging
the possible social basis of variation in stress when, in reply to a
question about the position of the stress on the word for kilometre, he is
said to have observed that he would use e if he was speaking in
an academic institution but e if he was talking to his chauffeur.
454
Index of Russian words, phrases and
afxes
This index contains words (including interjections and particles), phrases and afxes (i.e.
prexes, inxes, sufxes) on which specic information is given in Chapters 1-6 and
8-12 inclusive. Only sparing reference is made here to the phraseological formulae given
in Chapter 7 on verbal etiquette.
The following are not included in this index:
r
words given as examples of various types of word-formation in Chapters 1 and 8;
r
words used as examples of standard or non-standard pronunciation and stress in 1.5;
r
individual words that exemplify use of a certain sufx or type of word to which
reference is made in commentaries on the texts given in Chapter 2;
r
the alphabetically arranged lists of loanwords and neologisms of various sorts in 5.1.2,
5.1.3 and 5.1.4;
r
the lists of computing terms in 5.1.5;
r
the list of obscenities in 5.6;
r
the key words in the lists of idioms in 5.7, proverbs and sayings in 5.8, and similes in 5.9;
r
the list of abbreviations in 6.9 and acronyms and alphabetisms (6.10);
r
the geographical names and words derived from them in 6.11 and 6.12;
r
the forenames and patronymics given in 7.3.1 and 7.3.2, respectively;
r
words given as illustrations of spelling rules in Chapter 8;
r
words given as examples of standard types of noun and adjectival inection in Chapter 9;
r
verbs listed as examples of the conjugation patterns illustrated by the paradigms in
9.6.29.6.8;
r
examples of verbs that may be reexive or non-reexive in 11.8;
r
lists of words given as examples of or exceptions to one of the stress patterns illustrated
by the paradigms set out in Chapter 12.
In the case of nouns, adjectives and pronouns that occur in the book in more than one
form it is generally the nominative singular form that is given here.
Both aspects of a verb are usually given together, with the imperfective form invariably
rst, although in many cases the point dealt with in the text relates to use of only one
aspect. It should be noted that the perfective forms given here are not all invariably used as
the perfective of the imperfective in question. Where one aspectual form differs markedly
from the other (e.g. a/) the two forms may also be given separately.
For the purpose of arranging forms in alphabetical order, phrases and hyphenated
words are treated as indivisible in this index.
a 42, 71, 179, 421
a- 264
a a 87
aaa 87
a a 98
a 62
a o 106
a 89
a 19
a aa 164
a a 87
ae a 87
ae 81, 294
-a 276
455
Index of Russian words and afxes
a a 93
a 189
a a 190
-a 11, 266
-aa 11, 276
aa e 87
aaee 87
aa a 164
aaa 87
a a 87
a a 87
a 87, 165
- aa 2667
a a 381
-a 276
a 207
aa 106
a e 297
-a 11, 276
a a e a 103
ae 164
aa 87
a a 297
ae o 142
-ae 268
-a 223, 267, 434
-aa 223, 2745
-a 3, 280, 310, 451
-a o 280
a o 98
-a 267
a- 264
-a 13, 285
-a 280, 283, 310
ae 92, 298
ae a 100
a ea 165
a 297
a a 138
a a 10
a 87, 100
a 100
a 87, 100
a 205, 297
-a 276
a e 87
a aa 88, 100
aa 81
a a 81
a 421
aa e 304
-a 280
a e 88
a o 133
a ea 88
a 11, 40, 188, 189
a e: see e
-a 267
-a 11, 267
-a 284, 443
-a 11
-aa 276
a o 292
-a 299
-a 276
aa 19, 24
a 19
a y 237
aa 236
a o 164
aa a 298
a e 379
a 292
aa aa 296
a a 88
a e 13
a 188
a 83, 164
aa 83
a o(a) 127
a a 166
aa 13
a e 88
aa 10
a 19
a 190
a 190
aa 379
a a 13, 19
a 297
a a 135
a 298
e 294
ea 412
e y 436
ee 19
e 297
e a/e a 324, 412
ee 102
e 337, 373, 403, 443
e- (e-) 265
e e 176
e oe 93
e o 62
ea 296
e ya 93
ee 136, 292, 294
e e 133, 322, 326, 447
e- e 304
e a 114
e 889
e ee 164
e y 131
456
ea 142
e 165
164
a 165
23
88
327
oa 136
-e 276
aa 343, 358, 372
a ae 138, 423
a 88
a o 169
e e/e e 147
e 188
e y 135
e e 135
ee 188
83
83, 311
189
a 135
73
113
(e o) ae 189
a 132
oe 189
293
136, 292, 294
a 115
a 297, 301
e 160
a 88
o 103, 312, 397
o 311
o 1015
163
o 78
o 112, 316, 351
136, 292, 294
oa 135
135, 297
112
381, 413, 418
a 40
a 73, 123
a 300
a/ 320, 330, 351, 453
e 293
e 83, 302
e/e 412
e a 13
316
163
412
oe 164
a/ o 121, 141, 408
a 91
189
91
a 389
ye 424
ya 102
y 93, 96
o 189
ye 295
a 23
a 141
y 102
y 142
297
ye 294
ya/ y 70
ae 295
159, 4168
a 159
a 148, 151
127, 419
93
25, 150, 319, 328, 3901, 448
148
e 137
o 304
() 28, 2923, 333, 334, 3467, 3501,
353, 356, 357, 364, 365, 366, 368,
372, 373, 404, 4423
()- 256, 264
a o 106
ae 135
a 129
a/a 123
a 297
a 40
ae 164
a 306
e (pf ) 329, 331
y 16, 337, 423
/e 119, 331, 451
a a 144
313
ee 16, 350
337, 356, 359
406
e o 206
23
e y 89
e 11, 176, 17980
ee 294
e/e 321, 325, 412, 447, 450
e 99, 144, 294
ee 294
e e 128, 387
e 49, 101, 397
457
e a/e a 124
e a/e a 124
e aa 88
ea 122, 142
eea 142
e/ e 350, 386, 387
e 157
e a 205
e e 146
e e 146
e a 163
e 144
e ya 144
ea 144
e o 205
ee/ee 110
e 88, 116
e 310
e o 313
e/e 321, 325, 327, 330, 351,
412, 447, 450
e 91
e 307
e 102
ee 291
e oa 106
e 127, 312
ee 127, 208, 294
ea/ e 130, 160
- (-) 256
a (pf ) 451
136, 147
a/ y 122, 327
101, 133
e y (pf ) 10
129
(pf ) 28, 36, 320, 425
73, 99, 136, 147
a 12, 83
e/e 12, 83, 332, 383, 408,
451
e 11
e 177
177
e ee 106
e/e 105
138
a 296
/ y 389
40
a 70
e 160
304
a 149
a 104, 149
141
92, 298
a/ 28, 147, 453
e 10
e o 176, 355, 365
ae 176
y 312
y 126
a 19
a e 388
a 88, 129
e 88
/ 111
ee 166
ee 337, 366
e 337, 366
ea/e a 120, 350
e 337, 354, 369, 370
e- 265
e 114
360
ae 189
ae 103
/e 120, 453
338, 365
- 265
338
e o 144
e a/ e 120
o-e 144, 369
e 360
e 149
yae 176, 365
- 176
a 81
79, 412
oa 202
o 83
o 83
e a 112, 316
120
y 79
- 25658
a/ 133, 352
79, 324, 412
oe 24, 338, 359
o 156
(pf ) 326
/e 65
oa 99
a a/a 116, 132
a/ 12, 425
(pf ) 329
a 140
y 338, 371
23, 438
ee 87
o 298
o 322
458
o 309
297
o 93, 114
138
138
a(e) e e 177
e 10, 35, 39, 365
- e 113, 176
10
e 343
e 302
oe a o 169
o 83
oa 83
oa 91, 115
- 2568, 264
e a/ e 133
e ee 83
e ee 83
ae 109
ae 142
e ae 155
a a/ a 132, 147
a/ 389
/ 132
a 405
oe 4001
35, 1801
- o 190
e 189
o a 189
e 350
e 350
a 35, 190
a a 189
e e (/ a) 190
291
ee 113, 144, 362
ee 338
a/ y 10
e 312
ya/ ya 120
a 320
a a 146
a a 146
e/e 386
e 100
e 74, 83, 143, 302
e ee 363, 406
oe 40
- 256
a ee 176
350, 375, 423
e- 264
161
e a 406
e ea 149
e 84
a o 44
350, 423
e (a) 355
ee 16, 338, 358, 423
e 16, 53, 350
a/ o 132
a a/a 132, 139, 317
a/ a 130
ea 124
e a/ e 112, 116, 124, 332,
446, 447
e a/ e 124, 353
a/ y 134
a/ y 134
ye 169
e ee 350, 360, 361, 371
o 10
e 62
a/ o 350
o 314
e e 138
- e 176
148
- 329
- 329
14, 45, 22930, 234, 251, 433,
452
- 257, 264
a/a 391
91
aa/e 146
aa/aa 133
e 122, 391
115
/a 147
a/ 131
ea/ea 123
ea/ea 139
a 142
ya/a 143
e a/ea 121
104
a/a 103
a/a 148
a/ 147
e a/ee 121
302
/e 139
a a/a 111
aa/a 128
a aa/aa 123
a a/a 29
a ee 111
aa/a 116, 160
oa/ 131
o 83, 311
459
a 439
o 83
a/ 93
ee 99
a/ 134
148
/ 121, 123, 327
/ a 124
o e 118
e 354
a 141
a 74
a o o 28
aa 296
a o 205
a/a 147
a o 136
e 416
e a 204, 298
e a 88
e 163
e 107
e 297
e 304
e 93
e 164
a a 19, 118
a 83, 89
a/a r a 74
a 309
a 19, 24, 293, 294, 297
a e 169
a 202
a a 164
o/ o 318
o 311
e 19
11, 122, 177, 351
a/ a 13, 74, 322, 412
o 101
/ 160
/ 160
320
10, 39, 322, 327, 329, 353,
445, 447, 449
177
293, 295, 402
115
a 19, 118, 440
o 83
o 74, 294
o 101, 131
o 74, 437
o 138
ea 131
412
a 116
a 126
389, 413
o 312
e/ e 103, 135, 160
o 74
74
o 294, 437
a 83
op ox 92, 291
oa 92
83, 119, 311
83
oa 88
o 189, 301
237
oa 352
a 237
/ 148
24
a 140
o/ o 123
a 91
a 141
aa 83
a 11, 204, 298
a 109
a 324
e y 164
e 321, 325, 447
79
a 207
169
79
a 141
/ 135, 386
o(c) (pf ) 10
o 138
y a a 178
a aa 87
79
297
79
321
a 74
138
a 88
o 143
a 156, 1812, 421, 425
a 424
a a 190
a a, a a 190
a a/a 317, 327, 328, 330, 444,
447
aea 13
a e 10
460
a o 122, 312
a 421, 425
a 311
a 83
a o 83
aa 19, 131
ae 110
a 106
a (pf ) 324, 327, 448; see also
a a
a/e 313, 398400
e 299
e 314
a/ 125, 389
ee 89
oe 314, 4001
oa 405
e a/e 130
ee 209
ea 19, 115
ea 19, 115
ea 115, 237, 296
ea 19, 115, 236, 237
e o 313
ee 4001
ea 405
e y 237
ea 236
e y 94
ee 87
ee 178
ee 87
eee o 106
e aa 88
e a 134
ea/ ea 123
ea/ ea 391
e/ae 351
e 23, 24, 88, 103
e o e 169
e 79, 291
e 19, 91, 164
e o 304
e e 24, 74, 147, 296,
299
ee 299
e aa 130
e a 328, 351, 449
e a 351, 381
e a ae 137, 408
ea 188
ee 4001
e ee 88
ea 206
ea 405
e 299
e 311
ee 94
ee 149
a 164
y 91
aa 164
e 164
e 164
ae 83
a 83
a 388
a 40
e a 90
a 19
122
338, 361
o, o 423
e 79
79
338, 358, 373, 374, 404,
443
- 257, 264, 265
a/ 381
a/ a 131
oe 23
y 88
e ae 114
e ae 88
o aa 239
o 94, 115, 126
o 100, 103
80
o o 10, 295
188
(pf ) 99
e a/ ea 131
e 107
a/ a 382
13
a ae 110
oe 424
o 237, 294
e 13
74
o 122, 311
o 122
10
oe 156, 157, 396
o 157
o 120
oa 207, 453
o 119, 128
24, 294
293
o 164
/e 119
/e 131
e 53
461
y 178
oa 148
389
aa 114
a a/ a 131, 145
a 87
a/ 131, 326, 330,
381, 450
e ae 137
y 144
o, a 422
o, 423
o 10
aa/ o 145
a/ y 131,
145
/ 131
oa 24
23, 24, 299, 302
aae 83
aa 83
a/ a 112
e 127
e 149
e/ e 13
a 169
90
a 91
a 135
114, 236, 300
ya 306
a 178
o 108
o 114
10, 19
133
a 106
ya 119
yae 143
ya/ ya 19, 29, 143,
418
ya 119
o 100
y a 138
315, 325
83
83, 91
83
a 83
e 94
a 118
a 118
a 390
e 23
203
ea 237
237, 298
-a 276
e aee 164
-e a 2823
-ea 276
-e 233
-a 276
-ea 233
-e o 283, 311
e 207
-e 281
-e 283, 311
e o 306
e a 19, 113
e a a 422
e a e 384
e 306
- 276
eea 92
ee 424
-a 11
e 412
-e 12, 311
- 278
189
-e 284
-a 276
- ee 266, 453
-a 280
-e 284, 331, 332, 452
- 284, 331, 332, 451
- 2678
-e 276
-e 267
-e 284
- 284
-e 11
-ea 230, 277
-e 2801
-e 294
- 268
e a 133
e 412, 4156, 423
e o 423
-ea 275
e (inn) 14, 19, 80, 324, 327
e (3
rd
pers sg) 80, 153
e (interjection) 188
-e 272
ea/ ea 14, 319, 327,
412
ea 10
-e 216, 223, 266, 268, 276
-e o 278
-ea 230, 279
-e 279
e 182
e 190
462
e a 98
-e 299
-a 298
a e 353
a 89
aa 83
aae 83, 129
aa/ aa 351
a 385
a 83, 293
a a 83
a 119
aa 117
a 74, 320, 322, 327, 382, 453
(e) 11, 35, 1823
e a 2423
294
310
e 294
e a 19, 209
ea 123
e 124, 353
e 435
ea 19
ea 74
ea/ ea 390
83
e o 83
e 14, 103, 160, 322, 326, 448
o 149
143
150
e 164
e 161
111, 132
e 216
23
319, 328, 445
a 19
ae 138
a 89
ae 138
256, 304
a 25, 244, 245, 333, 334, 335, 345,
3512, 355, 356, 358, 360, 362,
364, 369, 370, 371, 406, 443
a- 2578, 264, 265
a- (+ -) 258
a a 115
aa ee 144, 365
a a/a 122
a o/a o 353
aa 13
a a/a 121, 409
a ea 123, 388
aa/aa 386, 387
aa/ae a 148
a aa/ae y 146
aa/a y 103
a e 102
AC 213
aa a/a a o 100, 131
a a (pf ) 452
a aa 104, 120, 149
ae a/a e a oe 145
a ea/ae a 141
aa 10
a o 122, 358
a a/a e 103, 331, 451
a 132
aee oa 119
a ee 361, 375
a aa/aa a 128
a a 15, 40, 44, 152
a (pf ) 453
a o 120
a o 94
a 294
a a/a a a a 147
a (pf ) 327, 330, 331, 450
a 133
a (pf ) 452
a (pf ) 326
aee 87
aa 188
a ea 127
ae ae 127
ae ae 188, 240
ae ae 83
a 81
a o 81
a a 111
a aa/a o 114
a 91
ae 312
a ye 123
ae 90, 119
aae 83
aa ea 83
a a/a 121, 390
a 98
a y 47
a 149
a (pf ) 453
aa 138
ae e (pf ) 326, 331
aa 127
a a/a o 132
a a 140
ae a/ae 386
a (pf ) 322
aa aa/aa oa 123
463
aa a/aa 104
a o 379
a aa 129
a e 113
aa 111
ae ae 124
ae a 137
a ya 381
a oa/a y 130
aa a/a a 104, 112
aa/a a 123
a a/a 104
a o 94
a ea/ae 136
a a/a 351
a 350
a e 143
a/a 160
a aa/a o 145
a a/a y 141
a/a 103, 148
a ye 298
ae/ae 104
aa 99
a ee 99
a 103, 238, 319
e e 389
e o 300
139
/ 10, 13, 103, 387
o 139
138
ae 161
e 118
oa/ oa 116, 353
o o 188
o 84
a(e) 10, 39, 239
a 84
e e 84
e 74
e 74
e 94, 225
ea 92
e o 84
e e aa 169
e o a 149
ea oa 169
324
a o e e 169
94, 100
e/e 390
ae/ aee 11, 44, 178
a (e e) 12, 425
a o/a o 124, 353
a o 90, 114
ae ae 84, 89
ae 84
a 302, 442
ae 90
a 178, 353, 418
a o 137
a 300
a 11, 178
ae 83
a 124, 178
- 276
oa 209
89
ee 134, 136
ee 136
e 88
40
/ 114
209
154, 162, 183, 421, 425
176, 424
-a- 260, 2656
a 305
- 276
- 281
a 350, 353
188
e 119, 299
/ 125, 126, 321, 326, 328,
329, 330, 412, 413, 448, 449
/ o 148
/ o 140
/ a 113, 352
-e, 268, 274, 440; see also -e 268, 274,
440
() 24, 3389, 351, 356, 362, 366, 369,
443
()- 258
a/ a 133
e a/e a 381
ae 90
e 90
e a/e 119
(e) 178, 235
/ 244
/ 244, 353
/ o 123
a (pf ) 452
e a 352
ee 100
-a 14, 339, 358, 363, 372
- 268, 434
ea 84
e ee 84, 105
e/e 104, 386
e/e 104
-a 276
464
132
e (pf ) 330, 450
- 339, 363
e 188
/ 387
a/ 121, 387
e 169
- 269, 278
-a 269
a 74
-a 2667
420
e 154
e 117, 383
e y 293
e a 155
e 154
165
e a 84
e 84
e 164
126, 230, 301, 442
- 266, 267
- (adjectival sufx) 281
-a 269
e 164
e a 164
e 70
-a 278
a 164
a 406
o 109
a 113
- 281
e 294
88
e e 94, 202
e 118
e 304
e e 119
e e 116
ee a/aee a 329,
389
e e 70
a 100
a/a
119
a ya 164
a 177, 178
- 275
-e 269
81
81
- 258
-a 275
a 317, 382
a 361
ee/e 312
y 106
a 10
oae 99
oa 147, 389, 450
oe 101
y 112
a/ a 112
c eae 89
- 269
o 74, 141
a 143
a 143
e (pf ) 326
- 276
a 176
306
-a 275
-a 274, 275, 276
- 267
- 223, 233, 270
-e 444
-e 310, 443
-a 223, 279
-a 233
- 310, 443
-a 11, 27980, 288
- 11, 27980, 288
-a 11, 279
-e 276, 279
e ee 169
() 343, 352, 356, 360, 362, 373,
374
-a (particle) 183184, 410
-a (sufx) 216, 223, 230, 270, 274, 275,
278
a 91
ae 143, 158, 177
a a/a a 385, 391
a 25, 161, 416
a a 304
a 11, 29, 35, 178
a 29
a o 392, 416
a a 159
a a 71
a o 422
aea 88
a 113
a a 80
a 91, 118
a a 88
a a 88
a 90
a ya 19, 92
aa 19
465
a a 298
a ea 106
a 102
aa 74
a o 88
a oea 92
a oe 11, 92
a oa 10, 11
a e 84
a ea 84
a a/ y 145, 381
aa oa 98
a a 412
ae 294
a/a 412
a e 304
a a/a a 135, 389
a 19
a a 90
a a 204
aa 208
a 89
e 89
e y 305
ea 117
e 291
a/ y 389
305
- 310, 311
a 212, 298
e 13, 203, 454
o 304
e/ e 160
/ 160
297
101
a 103
103
a/ 130, 321, 325, 330
e 291
164
a 126
75
a 92
o 101
106
a 92
73, 75
320
e y o 176
300
a 412, 417, 422
oa 75, 137
oa 137
a 137
291
oa 296
e 164
299
e a 316
e 79, 300
e o 19
o 424
305
e 127
oa 75
o 294
o 316, 325, 331, 447
a o 144
a 304
o 296, 441
300
aa 136
a oa 94
aa 328, 388, 449
a 164
e 304
oaa 133
a 79, 80
o a 454
e e 90
88
e 109
e 62, 178, 367
e 62
e 107
o 107
e 164
ea o 88
e 113
o 164
y 295
o 88
y 88
a/ o 408
o 109
a 19, 109
91
291
ea 207, 296
o 107
298
a 436
oe 79
e 102
oa 137
113
324
oa 88, 101
oa 101
o 309
ea 131
o 84, 311
oe 176
466
o 78, 208
e 89
y 164
a 75
113
299
75
o 161, 3912, 419
oe 304
oe 23
a 309
a 109
e 70
a 109, 128, 136, 293, 294, 300
a 165
a e/a e 147, 315, 444, 447
a/ a 325, 328, 332
a 84
e y 169
ee 295
e 142
e 89
/ 108, 327
oe 339, 361
oe o 176
oa 109
89
o 136
293
150
o 371
146
a 94
y 94, 95, 101
/ 146
ee 98
o 92
o 300
o 140, 296
293
a 144
e 107
a e 178
a (a a) 71, 178, 360
a 178
307, 392, 416
y e 176
e 205
a 417
y 92
y 101, 295
a 75
y 304
ea 19
e 304
, 324, 327, 330, 332, 450; see also
a 324, 327, 329, 332, 450
e 10
75
ya 106
o 291
y 113, 299
ya 19
243
e o 188
-a 11
aa 136
ae 78
a 188
a 412
a y 101
aa 121
aa 19
aa 75
aa 23
a 316
a 322
e 291
75, 310
a e 190
293
ee e/ee e 114
e 84
e o 84
e o 84
a 449
e a 153, 323, 329
e/ e 319, 325, 412
ee 295
ee 139
e 293, 295, 300
e a 75, 79, 80, 122
ea 75, 140
e a 412
e e/e e 80, 324, 412
e 402
e 80, 325, 450
e y 80
e 319, 326, 327
184, 245
422
- 188, 3934
- 281
e 120
19
a 291
o/ o 13
121
a 80
79, 300
205
129
o 19, 95, 111
467
111
a 379
95
a/ 381
a/ 122, 381
312
-a 11, 270
293
o 164
ae 164
164
/ a 104
o 106
- 270
- 270
oa 102
/e 108, 414
291
a/ a 102
aa 75
oa/ o 414
o 92
oa 24, 299
24, 80
73, 75, 80, 92, 291, 293, 295
a 89
ya 118
y 311
40
- 284, 310, 311
- 276
/ 387
- 276
e 126
/ 24, 110, 324, 408,
446, 447, 450, 451
a/ a 95, 389
o 291
92, 129, 298, 299, 402
aa 89, 102, 136
a o 89
a ya 144
a 137, 397
ae 137
aa 92
a 380
aa 19
a aa 19
aa 298
a 111
a e 84
a ea 84
ae a 89
aa o 164
aa 207
a e 165
Ma 379
a ya 40
aa 75
ae 295
a 191
ae a 84
ae aa 84
aeae 84
aea 84
ae 42, 191
a e 75
ae 191
aea 191
a 23
aa 24
a 19, 23, 24, 302
a a 191
a o 164
a 164
a a/a y 14, 389
a a 90
aa 19, 75
a 40
291, 292, 293
e- 265
e 339, 345, 356
e- 265
e a 178
e o 178, 360
e 84, 291
e 94, 95, 137, 311
e 137
e 106
e 84
ea e 164
e 311
e 304
e 104
ea 140
/a 114
e/ e 145
Me y 379
e a 135
e 321, 325, 447
e 107
e 24, 120, 133, 134, 149
e e 141
e 87
e a 103, 296
e 203
e o 304
e 78, 84
e a 109
e ae 109
e a 353
e a/e a 130, 141, 386
ea 10
468
ea 95
e a 95
e a 95
a/ y 389
10
o 379
ea 90
a 314, 399
a 204
e 203
o 314, 344, 399
126
203
24, 339, 359, 371
a 291
y 59
73, 76, 149
84
ee 95
o 84
a 88
124
a 163
a 84, 311
ee 147
o 19, 117, 126, 314, 380
a 10, 44
oe 19
155, 156
oe 156
oe 155, 156
o 154, 235, 246, 385
293
306
84, 188
(particle) 62, 84
84
e 169
13
o 19, 84
a 84
oe 311
oa 449
a 131
a/a a 323
84
e 76, 144
e a 89
o 297
o 165
a/ y 389
oa 19
oe 81, 441
o 92
o 114
293
89
84
o 89, 111
24, 154, 155, 156, 319, 326,
330
oa 85
o 130
129
10
19, 209
19
ya 81
a 81
a e 23, 302
aa 23
y 133
y 13
ya 85
ya 85
a 136
- 284
19, 143
119
316, 444
89
320
101
101
a 28, 2923, 335, 351, 356, 357,
360, 361, 364, 366, 367, 368, 370,
373, 375, 4423
a 190
a- 258, 264, 265, 380, 381
a- (+ -) 2589
a e 100
a e y 177, 178
a a 352
a o 88
a ee 157
ae a 70, 362
ae y 144
ae a/ae 129, 148
a o 23
a o 10
a 19
a- 265
a() 156, 345, 352, 354, 370
ae a/a e 85, 131, 318
a e 351
a a 352
ae a 53
a 385
ae a/a e 385, 408
a o 122
a ae 126
a 23
aa a/a a 391
469
a a/a a 103, 391
a- 264
aa ae 19
aa ye 312
a e 176, 312, 357
a aae 108
a a/a 129
aa/a a 13
a ee 99
aee a 124
a ee 124, 396
a eee 119, 453
a o 126
a/ae 148
a o 177, 368
a a 350
aa a/a a 351
aa ee 100
a e a 113
ae a (pf ) a 189
aa ee 148
aa/a a 146
a a 312
a e 177
a o 339, 355, 369
a e 360
aa a/aa 116
ae a/a ea 107
ae 164
a a 164
a o 129, 291, 292, 402
a y 99, 136
a a/a y 102
a a ee 176
a e o ee 144
aa a/aa 110, 389
a a ( e) 16, 356
a a 142
a 87, 130
a ee 140
a ee 100
a 339, 354
a ya 15, 76
a y 76
a y 149
a/a 112, 332
a 152
a a 13
a a 76, 144
a a 118
a a()/a a() 320, 328, 331,
408, 448, 449, 450, 453
a 306
e- 264, 284
ea 101
e 76, 85, 300, 442
85
e o 137
ea 142
e eee 85
e e 85
e ea 209
e a a , 424
ee 393
e e 62
e- 259
ea a/e a 381, 385
e y 11
e e 145
ee 47
ea 53
eae 137
ea 393
e 307, 393
ea 393
e 155, 246, 385
e o 314, 380
ee 137
e 155, 235, 246
e oee 155, 235, 246
e o 79
e e 155
ea 95
eae a 57
e a 150
e y 150
e 126
ea 406
e eea a 161
e 145
e ae 150
e e/ ee 178
e 101, 150
e 115
e a a/ a 125
e o a 108
e a 150
e a 150
e 114
He y 379
e a oae 150
e a 406
eaea 889
e ae ae 155
e a 40
e 314, 380, 402
e ea 157
e ee 150
e e 177
e/e 321, 325, 327, 330, 412,
447, 450
e a e 133
e o 108
e a ya 98
470
e ae 19
e a 150
e a 150
e 150
e a 150
eee 143
e e 155
ee oa 166
ee 307, 393
383, 417
- 188, 3934
oe yae 189
e 392
-e 49, 52, 57, 161, 2701
e 359
a a ee 189
311
- 282, 310, 312
18
- 271
a 392
a o 383, 392
a 392
o 307, 392
a 392
- 216, 297, 301
ya e a 243
a 142
a e e 189
-a 274, 275, 276, 438
-a 11, 285
e o o 189
o 307, 392
e a 126
-a 216
- 14, 284, 331
421
a 73, 76
28
oa 95
o 92
298
- 282
oe 127, 133, 295
293
91
76, 81, 324, 412
oa 127
o- a 164
126, 208
o 81
y 81
a 106
a/ a 110, 385
35, 40, 42, 71, 178
a 126
a 353
y 156, 385
189
- 264, 282
e 127
e 130
a/a 138
- 11, 160, 276, 298
(-, -) 14, 42, 335, 349, 353, 354,
356, 368
()- 259, 264, 372
oa/ oe 313, 3989
-a 276
ae a/a e 13
ae 126
/ 353
ya/ ya 143, 390
e 23
e-/e- 259
e eee 453
e ee 132
85
85
a a ee a 40
a a 110, 117, 389
oa 106, 299, 442
e a/e 28, 453
(pf ) 452
e 105
ea/e 104
e (pf ) 104
a ya/a y 112
(pf ) 328
/ 109
o 91
e 138
138
aa/e y 146
ae 103
oa 136
oa 78, 106, 148
aa 13
a ae 109
a a/a ae a 129
a a/a 146
e 116
134
ea 110
yae 134
140
ea/e 136
o 136
a/ 142
ee 109
/ 123
a 295
oe 150
471
e 89
ee 98
/ 327, 330
ae 95
a 120, 132
- a 2823
- 233
-a 233
- o 283, 310, 311
- 281
- 283, 310, 311
o 112, 121, 291
o (pf ) 10
e 92
a 106
e a()/ e() 85, 331, 350
a 19
ea 19
e a (pf ) e 148
313, 344, 398
a 62, 177
o 177
95
89
ya/ ya 105
a 382
ya/ y 29
a a 124
189
- o 280
- 11, 271, 278
aa/a a 147, 391
o 148, 296
o a o 169
e a/ e 19
o 33940, 354, 359, 370, 372,
4001
aa/ a 13
ae 109
o 148
o 295
o 169
297
-a 280
a 70
- 268
- 2801
OOH 213
a a/ a 111
aa/ a 125
a a 381
a ee 112
a 85
a 85
aa 129
aa/a 128
e (pf ) 95
aa/ 110
ya 109
o 76, 90, 111
98
- 272, 294
ae e 88
a 23
oa 81
a 81
a a 101
a a 316, 327, 330
oe 78
oe 295
e 164
e/ e 119
e ee 121
(pf ) 332
aa/ e 110, 148
oa 85
ae 85
a 110
oa 106
a a/ a 131
a a/ a 85, 391, 409
a a/ a e 139
a/ a 85, 121, 133
a aa()/a()
a 85
a 85
o 103, 189, 411
109
o 295
o 119, 134
- 266, 272
e/e 132
() 340, 351, 354, 356, 363, 367, 369,
375, 404
()- 2605
- 276
- a 272, 439
ee 118
ee 132
e a/ e 327, 351
a/ 409
a a/ a 13, 19, 452
a a/ a e e 132
a/ y 62
o 118
e 19, 435
ee 85
89
aa/a a 351
aa/ 131
a/ 112, 325, 328, 449
ya 158
a/ 108
108
472
aa/a y 70
a/ 163
e 340, 354
/e 352
- 276
a/ 125
a/ 125
a 188
aa/a 128
a/ a 121
o 11, 118, 293, 295
a/ 116
oa 102
13
e 65
a a/ a 85, 123
a/ y 13, 30
/ 121
o 95
ae 114
oe 85, 126, 230
o a o 169
/ o 57
o 164
71, 189
aa 40
-e 279
oe 23, 126
ee o 96
o 19
-a 230, 279
92, 115
(pf ) 324
a/ 150, 322, 326
150
a/ 29, 112
a 140
a 163
aa/ a 111
a e 85, 104, 435
a 85
a o 106, 304
aa 19
a aa 19
a 76, 85
aa 85
ae 19
a 304
a a 297
a 128
a 295
a 100
a 295
aee 89
a a 23
a 138, 160, 390
e a 134
ea 296
e a 165
ea 137
ee e 144
e 314
ee- 260, 264
ee aa/ee 10
ee a/ee a 125
ee e 109
ee o 90, 92
ee aa/eee y 146
ee o 92
ee() 345, 358, 370
eea a/ee a 85
ee a(e) e 132
ee a/ee 125
ee a a 120
ee e, a 422
ee ya/ee ya 105
eee a/ee ea 125
ee a 111
ee a/ee 112, 452
ee ea 105
eee/eee 105
eee/eee 105
eee a/ee e 105
eee 295
ee aa 106
ee aa/ee e 105
ee e (pf ) 451
eea a/ee a 141, 408
ee oa 202
ee o 148
ee/ee 125, 146
ee 291
ea 91
e 99, 144
e o 300
eea 89
e 298
e 76
e y 23
e 317, 325, 327, 329, 330
e a 89
e ee 88
e 80, 322, 326, 331
e o 313
a 304
a 80
a 205
a 82
a/a a 82, 317, 327, 330, 445,
447, 451
e 116
o 296, 440
ae 113
473
/ 80, 317, 325, 329, 448
a 19, 113
ee y 113
aa 412
aa 82, 317
a 85, 302
a 90, 119
aa 129
a 129
a/aa 82, 128
a o 304
ae 19, 298
a 82
a y 82
a 106
e a 317
e 85, 302
e o 300
a 76
80
80
o 138
oa 90, 437
o 379
/ 319, 412
12, 49, 335, 3434, 349, 352, 354,
355, 356, 359, 365, 368, 371, 372,
373, 374, 375, 4024, 443
- 12, 260, 265, 311, 312
e a/e 148, 324
e ee 298
oa 295
e 370
e 144
oe 141
a 387
o 79
aa 145
aa/e y 145, 146
e a/e 178, 386
e e 178
ee 89
(pf ) 451
a/ 132
a/ 108, 326
oa 23
o 297
oe 295
() 3356, 3456, 3589, 373, 374,
443
()- 2601, 264, 265
aa 134
o e o 90
o 96
a/ 125
ea/e a 109
e o 190
a/ e 103
a/ a 103
aa/a 40
oe 24
e a 53
a ee 288, 298
oa 19
a/ 85
a/ 132
oa 140
o 345
e 115
a a 387
ae a 124
a a/a 116
ya 114
- ye 148
a/ a 135
312, 365
ea/e 136
/ 352
a 85
a/ o 19
oe 295
a 156
aa 155, 410
a 112
o 127
a/ a 135, 389
o(e) 156, 178, 229, 246
/ o 386
o 311
o 312
23
a (pf ) 104
a 406, 422
a ae 110
aa/a a 136
ae 424
a e 406, 422
a/ 121
ae ee 178, 357
(pf ) 114
a 329, 450
76, 293
a a/ 29
a a/ 351
oe 76
e 88, 115
e 300
oa 412
/ 412
350
85
a 76, 85, 206
e 85
85
474
293
oa 76
o 111
ee 140
328; see also a
ee 296
207
a/ 3989
ee 89
ya 129
oa/ oa 110, 147,
389
oa 76
76, 109
a e 11
ee o, a 424
e e (pf ) 10, 11
ea 127
e a/e 6, 130
o 11, 92, 298
(e) 178
341
a 132
o 132
a/ o 386
- oe 70, 177, 365
o 87
o 19
- a 24
aa e 350
a 23
o 305
ae/ aee 115, 44, 177,
178
a/ 29, 113, 131, 320, 448
e 119
85
85
e 350, 365, 375
/ 109
a a/ a 111
a (pf ) 169
aa 138
e 355
(pf ) 169
a 128
- o 24
ae a a 178
e 350
o 178
oa 82, 385
a 82, 144
- a 109
e 164
101
o 80
o 80
o/ r a o 77
o 86
293
e 13
ee 120
16, 537
147
e/e 6
e a/e 148, 324
oe 82, 341, 355, 368, 371
e 82
e- 265
e 120
oe o, a 422
ya 350
y 116
o 82
e 341
e 341, 360
120
o, o 424
406
a/ 351
y 85, 87
o 140
82, 293
ee o (pf ) 169
o 11, 369
o 82
o 82, 143
y 422
e 126
a/ 134
y (pf ) 328
a (pf ) 169
e 53
e 88
80
oa 140
oe 62
oe a 122
o 91
a 19
aae 150
189
a e 189
o 96
o 96
a 89
177
ee 99
o 78
a 120
a 89
ae 116
a 389
a ee 116
475
a 120
a 120
a 93, 96, 118
a 85
a 85
ae 86
a 86
a 86
e- 11, 264
ea a/ea 105, 146
ea a/ea 105, 146,
351
ea ee 106
e a/e 102
e()- 261, 265
ea a/e a 85
ea a/e 410
e e 77
ea a/ea 130
ea ee 119
ea/e a 119
ea o 15, 151
e a(e) e e 11, 178
e oe 537
ee e o 113, 177, 354
ee e 358, 422
e 127
e/e 353
ea a/ea 107, 141
ea a/ea 141
ea ee 108
e e 126
eee a/ee e 389
ea ae 106
ea oa/ea a 105
ea ae 87, 142
ea a 142
ea/ea 130,
386
e a/e a 102, 141
e e 89
ee o 89
49, 34950, 361, 365
- 261, 264, 265
e a/ e 147
a/ 352
e 354, 372, 4001
(pf ) 452
a a 164
aa 164
e 239
ea 116
e a/ e 352
/e 13, 329
/e 13
a/ 352, 408
90
a a/a 100
o 10
a (pf ) 452
ya/ ya 143
a a()/ a() 112, 353
a 110
a/ a 103
aa/a a 128, 387
a a/ y 145
ee 87
e ae 99
e 117
a/ 352
e ee 99
e/e 147
e 354, 372, 4001
e ae 127
ae a 352, 387
a/ 116, 318, 44850,
453
a/ 408
/e 13, 331, 451
a 89
e 164
e 164
a aa/a 140
a 100
aa/ e 137
/ 352
aa/ e 122, 352
e /e 352
100
ya 153
y 130
/ 391
a e 169
ae 89
o () 57, 424
y (pf ) 10
/ 328, 449
/ 153, 385
e 137
/ 160
62
e 114, 236
88, 116, 126
14, 42, 336, 354
- 2612, 264, 378
oa 89
e 88
a/ a o 112
ea 104
oa/ oa 145
(pf ) 452
aa 189
e/ e 110
113
476
a 78
/e 86, 139
o 78, 91, 96
a/ 87
/ a 147, 451
aa 77, 90
aa 115
a (pf ) 449, 451, 452
a/ 133
oe 113
a/ o 408, 409
ya/ ya 143
e 90
e 121, 296
(pf ) 452
oe 126
a/ a 122
e ee 149
/e 86, 123
/e 29
o (pf ) 451
e a 149
o 118
(pf ) 452
/e 136
a/a 138
a ya 88
o 78, 88
a/ 125
e 121
e (pf ) 332
e ee 109
a/ e 137
o 210
/ 100, 382, 410
e 89
aa/ 139
(e) 178, 235
o 35
o 96
a/ 104
y 85
oa 99, 210, 296
o 341, 355, 369
e 386
ya/ 142
e 120
ec 237, 295
a 86
/ 125, 451
e 119
e (pf ) 86, 321
a (pf ) 86, 449, 451
o 142
o 120
a/ 244
a/ a 353
ee 89, 108
/ 136
80, 293
80, 300
190
ae 178
132
309
a/ a 381
206
y 13
e 116
100
a 141
243
yaa 889
341
148, 302
ya 116
113
a 103
a/ a 145, 413
ea 164
a 405
e 4001
313, 399, 400
e 10, 313
o 314
a oa 120, 149
a oa 153, 315, 352, 391, 444, 447
a o 149
aa 149
a 10
a o 149
a ee 88
a 86
a 145
a 309, 387
a 341
a oa 190, 362
aa/ aa 387
a 144, 297, 423
a()-/a- 262, 264
a a/a 102, 331
a a/a 10, 126
ae 108
a o 86
a 86
a aa/ae y 146
a 42
a e (pf ) 452
a oe 96
a o 100
aa ee 115
a ya/a ya 105
a a/a 129
477
ae 108
a 108
a a 96
a aa 389
a e 105
a ea/ae 105
a oa 108
aa 108
a ae 108
a 108
aa oa 108
ae a/ae 386
aee 229, 246
a ya 96
a 293
aa 121
a 311
a 312
a a 139
a aae o 166
aa a/a a 111
aa 89
a aa/aa 128
aa a 389
a oe 152
a a/a 389
a a 141
a aa/aa a 353
a aa/a e 110, 330,
450
aa a/a a 353
ae 148, 404
a ea/ae 136
a/a 116, 160, 322
ae 149
aa 10
a oa/a oa 139
a ee 108
a 319
ea a 132
e 301
e e 116
e a 296
e 143, 311
e 16
ea 107, 317, 327, 444, 447
e e 304
e 164
e aa 98
e 296
a 23
ee 89
ea 89
e a 126
e e 164
e y (pf ) 13
e e 89
e a/e 332, 409, 410, 451
291
a 390
e 96
o 86
295
80
oa 107
e 19
ea 19
o 169
o 96, 97
oa 19, 111
291
- ya 164
128
a 77, 88
o 132
3
3
80, 86, 293
oa 86
207
116, 298
a 19, 24, 77
a 295
e 118, 120
123, 389
o 88
297
y 3
y 133
e 302
77
e 164
e 164
a 115
a 115
121, 142, 293
359
() 24, 336, 3412, 346, 351, 353, 355,
363, 367, 369, 375
()- 2624
- 188
a 293, 437
a/e 137, 160, 414
a a/a 130, 160
a e 205
a 17, 70
a 304
a 306
ae ae 178
a yae 134
a o 96
a o 96
a o a ee 177
478
aaae 163
a 91
a e 203
a o 135, 297
aa 291
ea (pf ) 82
e a/e a 82
ee a/e e 133
117
aa 123, 296
a 23
209
e o 209
e a/e y 135
e 96
e 342, 371
e- 264, 265
e o 177
e 144
e 73, 77, 121, 149
e 135
e 135
e 77, 102
e o 121
ae 124
ee 110
eea/a eea
ee 128
139
a 86
e 86
e 295
oa 114
o 114
o e 118
96, 97, 306, 3945
aa/e y 146
209
ea 209
e 342, 371
a (pf ) 97
a a/a ae 137, 373, 408
aa 105
a/ 125
a/ 125
o 369
e e 385
e 306, 336
e o 144
e a 71, 127, 365
e ea 10
e 165
e 11, 296
e 82, 147
e o 82
ea 405
ee 4001
e 299
e 302
e 23
e 134
e 134
e/ae 351
ee 296
eea 86
e 134
e (pf ) 82, 319
a/e 103
e 137, 153
449
a 129
1178, 142, 309
a 88, 89, 126
101
o 304
135
a(e) a 178
a a (pf ) 29
aa 141
aa/a a 353
a o a 158
a a 134
e 90
336, 372
a 108
- 264, 283, 311, 312
a 291
136
- o 283, 311, 312
o 314, 380
a (pf ) 19, 108
o 77
a (pf ) oe 40
139
o 138
a 125, 352
a 132, 311
a 317
e a 312
e a 113, 352
ea 157
eae 177
ea/ ea 113, 352, 387
ee 156
ee e 177
ea 296
91
126
o 77, 82, 441
107
ya 149
ya 134, 149
ee 134
/ 153, 386, 391, 450
479
161
ya 111, 144
a 98
ya(e) 122, 178
ya/ ya 86
ya/ ya 378, 381
/ 391
a 12, 40, 86
a/a 12, 40, 86, 138, 323,
353, 383, 408, 451
a 18, 70
ea 106
e/e 105
ea a 88
e 19
e (pf ) 331, 450, 451
e o 115
e/ae 317, 352, 414
oa 92
e/ e 122, 322, 351
(e) 189, 411, 425
y 102
a aa 113, 312
e 293, 295
a/ 111
ee 108
a/ 136
oa 98
ee 109
o 90
(pf ) 453
a 309
a/ 113
o 78
ae 124
a (pf ) 453
e 77
ea/ ea 109, 386, 410
ea/ ea 148, 353
e ae 124
e e 130
e 406
ae 178
a 345, 354
a a 99
a oa/a a 99
a a/a 99, 351, 353
ee 19
o 177, 368
a/ a 103
a a/a 107
a ee 108
a 297
e 302
e a 353
109
a/ 119, 353
ee 53
ea 387
ee 107
a 87
386
133
e ae 107
o 82, 313
oa 82
295
a 322
e 301
e 86
e 86
a/ a 152
e 140
86, 152
86
ae 107
o 314
ee 149
ya 387
y 89
124
a 298
a a/a 133
a 19, 322, 448, 453
e a 113
e a 113
e e (pf ) 13
o 35, 97
o 131
o 164
99
o 148
o 130
o 106, 116
oa/ oa 109,
386
a/ a 100, 123
aa/ 100
355
y 202
a a/a 112, 351
a 357, 406
e a 77, 86
e 342, 356
e 19, 148
e a/ ea 107
97, 144
oa 99
o/ o 353
a/ a 130, 139, 160, 324,
332
a/ a e 119
a 23
a 90
480
a a 115
a 80
aa/ y 353
a 80
a/a 139, 146, 391, 414
a 140
a a/a a 145, 414
ae 19
a 19
a a 19
a 127
a 127
a 311
a 299
a 62, 80, 151, 318, 408
a 100, 142, 299
a 299
- 273
e o 115
e oe, 16
e, o 424
ee 130
e e (pf ) 326, 331
e/e 381
e , a 422
104
a 109
80
a/ 80, 111
92
ee 89
313
295
o 86, 153, 381
77, 434
80
a 88
80
o 314, 380
o 40
a 140
o 295
a 86, 136, 440
o 114
o 204
o e 62
o 449
86, 139, 153, 160, 322
a a 390
a a 86, 107, 438
a 115
a 112
e y (pf ) 145
e 136, 3512
e 145, 352
e 302
ea 140
322, 326, 448
o 117
293
o 97
a 122
a 142
a/ y 135
12, 139, 190
90, 299
e 140
ea 140
/ 381
352
y 79, 442
299
y 62, 419
165
300
a e 89
ye 91
y 102
ye 188
y 19
ye 123
o 117
y 91
a 88
e a 153
e y 87
aa/a 104
ea 90
eae 90
/ 81
/ 99
o 91
e 16, 57
ea 90, 134
e a 78
78, 91
a/e 29, 112, 143, 391
a 391
300
a 129, 316
a 129
292
- 188, 328
a 118
- 188, 256, 25760, 262, 328, 329,
330, 4135
a ea 90
a 297
a 88
a a 202
a 178, 185
ae 162
a oa 177
481
a a 190
a a 422
a 304
a a a 178
a 144
a 423
a a 106
a o 164, 298
ae 164
aa 135
aa o 10
a a 412
a a 301
aa 19
a/a 412
117, 142
306
oe 149
-e 326
e 10
e 90, 100
e y 86
e y 86
ee o 127
ee o 40
e 101
-e 266, 273, 434, 440
-e 277
e e eee 177
ee ae 90
e 302
ee 163
e 295
e 77
eee 87
e e 127
e e 81
e e/e e 139
e/e 122, 315, 325, 444, 447,
451
291
e 209
ea 237
eee 295
237, 298
e 86
ea 86
e 447
a 209
-e 277
e 164
106
a 11, 29, 40, 178
a 77
131
a 90
a 322
- 25, 35, 186, 188, 3934
a 1003
a 114
a 143, 415
a a 423
e 177
oe 162
78
10, 89
o 111, 143
o 10, 39, 154, 375
o 12, 425
295
y 40
78
o 143, 311
oa 204, 205
y/a y 160
y/ y 160
y/ y 160
oa/ o 389
/ 160
/ 160
o 296
o 139
- 273
o 78
40
10
88
a 125, 352
306
. . . 127
oa e 89, 147
oa o 89
o 87
, 62
a a 77
a 296
a 90
a/ a 139
ae 164
ea/ ea 382
e oa 87
e oa 111
e 139
e 308, 314
81, 313, 398400
e 164
a 314
oae 89
oa/ o 112, 125, 145
oe 314, 4001
oa 405
e 164
81, 149
y 117
482
149
ye 149
101
81
134
134
11, 190
ye 101
o 143
y 297
118
y 135, 298
- 277
y 101
ya 106
y 112, 132
81
77
81
ae 103
11, 14, 39, 22930, 234, 235
- 14, 285, 451
a 314, 344, 399
- 277
, a e 189
a 296
78, 100, 117, 118, 134
- 11
117, 342, 356, 359, 363, 367, 370,
375
- 263, 264
ee 142
e a()/e() 324, 353
e ee 147
a 189
a/ a 131
oa 117
ea/e 116, 132
e/ e 353
e a/ e 97, 389
(pf ) 453
aa/ 410
y 293
a a/ a 123, 385, 409
a/a 121
a 139
a 73, 78
a/ a 352
a 86
a 86, 115
ea/e a 141
/ 387
e a/ ea 121
1867
ye 82
e 82
e 297
y 82, 311
a a/ a 121, 317, 353
ya 19
aa/ 130
o (pf ) 13
aa 28, 348
ae 453
a 453
aa/ 104
ea/ee y 13
188
e a/e e 121
a 110
(pf ) 451
a/ y 40, 414
a- 264
a 89
e 106
e 123, 154
a/e e 11, 19, 108, 292, 326,
330, 448, 450
y 102, 106
/ 123
- 11, 273
e (pf ) 329
e a 136
e e 164
y 204
aa 129
aa/a 128
y (pf ) 331, 451
e/e 147
a ee 116
a 123, 389
a ee 111
-a 277
a a 141
a 379
ea r e a/ ea 107
a 117
e 117
ya 134
e a/ e 97, 123, 409
a a/ a 409
a e 128
ye 298
aa/ a 122
-a 11
aa 122, 352
y 300, 442
/ 121
aa 120, 353
ae 128
a 140
e 111
78, 87
483
- 284, 443
e 142, 437
/a 121, 142, 387
/a 120, 387, 408
(pf ) 326
-a 277
ee 292
- 11
126
- 299
(pf ) 451
aa 90
aa 142
a 164
a 150
a 126, 230
a 90
aa 121
e 169
e 131
86
a 86
a 102
e 295
e 164, 295
oa 149
aa a 88
a 90
a 207
a 115
a 115
190
e 115
204, 207
aa 117
203
104
y 71
a ya 42
a/ aa 35, 97
a 97
a 97
aee 204
a a 298
aa/ a 13
a ya 13
a ae 106
aaea 90
aa ea e a 90
aa 164
aae 164
a 19
aa 23
aa/ aa 389
a a/a 104, 351
a a/a 104, 380
304
a 133
e 78
e 295
190
oa/ o 389
o 92
o 92
(pf ) 129
o 164
24, 324, 412, 413
301
o- a 164
o 295
o 86
o a 88
a 297
87
e 11
o 115
o 23, 188
o /e e 110
o 164
e 159
e 159
e/a e 124, 324, 382
e a a 124
187
187, 423
a 87
e 189
o 100
o 143
a 143
y 311
y 295
e 78, 293
-e 278
e 89, 110, 115
e a 453
ee 205
e 142
e 299
e 296
e e 305
117
e a 111
a 127
- 267
- 312
- o 278
a 301
-a 298
a 292, 293
484
aa 297
-a 277
ae e 164
a 144
a e 11
aa 90
a 406
a 128
a 17, 70
71
e o o 178, 190
e 307
e e 298, 402
e ee 88
e 47
e a 104
e a 101, 133
ee 14, 3367, 355, 360, 364, 370,
372
ee 295
ea 91
117
301
a a 189
/e 189
e o 292
ea 405
ee 314, 4001
ee 206, 403
ee 313, 398400
eea 314
- 281
- 2734, 2789
o 127
/ 324, 328, 449
a/ a 325, 327, 328, 331
324
25, 49, 71, 187, 307, 392, 416
o 158, 162, 4178
o e a 190
a ae 178
y e o 114
y e 114
ya/ ya 112, 138,
160
e 188
324
y 300, 442
o 96, 97, 114
o 297
y 11
e 384
y/ y 138
-a 275, 298
a 140
a 81
aa 297
aa 117
a 101
a 101
aa/ a 389
a e 102
a 291
ae 295
aa 91
aa 78
ee/ee y 125
ee 139
295
e a 137
313
e 107
ea 405
ee 4001
- 329, 449
- 285, 330
a e 305
e 107
o 311
a ya 101
a 293
a 141
ya 137
a 117
190
- 310
169
a ea 102
o 139
e 304
13, 14, 296, 454
141, 296
206
ya 92
141
ya 106
ye 295
138, 291
y 209
-a 298
a 71
e 118
a 103
91
- 285, 329
- 2734
-a 274
ya/ ya 112
-a- 260, 2656
- 275
- 11, 277
485
- 277
-e 268, 274, 298
- 298
- 275, 299
236
ae a/ae a 110
e 107
o/ o 133
e 87
87
ea 90
aa 147
e a 90
e 87
ea 87
o 379
e 129
oa 99, 144
a 11
a 90
42, 44, 383
306
a 19, 236, 298
e 379
e 120
- 284, 443
305
92
ee 134
/ 47, 59, 151, 391
-a 11, 276
a 24
o 101
78, 435
a 101
o 296, 441
- 11, 223, 266
-a 11
188
163, 295
a 118
- 11, 276
-e 268
- 223, 267
-a 223, 2745
- 280, 310, 451
- o 280, 310
- 280, 310
203
102
164
91
e 89
-a 277
- 267
- 284, 443
-a 223
101
486
General index
abbreviations 16, 49, 59, 21113
accusative case:
denition, xxiii
expressing distance, 378
expressing duration, 378
expressing price, 378
expressing weight, 378
in direct object, 377
in direct object of negated verb, 384
of animate nouns, 3789
of numeral with animate direct object,
400
prepositions governing, 3347
verbs governing through preposition,
3501
acronyms xxiii, xxv, 2867
active participles: see past active
participles, present active participles
address: see forms of address
addresses 2089
adjectives:
compound, 287
declension of long forms, 3079
denitions, xxiii, xxiv, xxvii, xxx,
xxxi, xxxii
position of, 427
short forms, 30910
substantivised, xxxii
use of short forms, 3957
which have no short form, 30910
see also comparative,
adverbs:
denition, xxiii
formation, 31213
position of, 427
affricates xxiii, 21
age, expression of 386
akan
e xxiii, 10, 20, 21, 22, 23, 39

alphabetisms xxiii, 21316
also, translation of 162
anecdotes: see jokes
animacy xxiii, 290, 291, 294, 3789
apologising 2445
approximation 185, 336, 340, 354, 372
area: see measurement
aspect:
basic distinction between, 4056
effect of adverbial modiers on, 406
in imperative, 41011
in indicative, 4068
in innitive, 4089
in negative constructions, 40910
see also imperfective, perfective,
as well, translation of 162
attracting attention 2357
brackets: see punctuation
calques xxiv, 166
can, translation of 1545
capitals, use of 39, 56, 71, 216, 432
case:
denition, xxiv
see also accusative, dative, genitive,
instrumental, nominative,
prepositional,
chatrooms, language of 17, 18, 3640
clich es 16, 29
colloquial language: see register; see also
morphology, phraseology, syntax,
vocabulary
colon: see punctuation
comma: see punctuation
comment clauses 11, 12
comparative, short forms 12, 31012
complement xxiv, 150, 151, 377, 3901
compliments 248
computing terminology 29, 40,
1716
concessive clauses 36, 41617
conditional mood xxiv, 36, 41516
condolence 2478
congratulation 242
conjugation:
denition, xxiv
see also verb,
conjunctions
complex, 16
coordinating, 8, 12, 39, 4202
denitions, xxiii, xxiv, xxv, xxxi
subordinating, 8, 12, 15, 25, 39, 42,
47, 68, 4224
consonant changes 2535, 271, 278, 280,
283, 310, 332
coordination: see conjunctions,
coordinating
copula: see verb to be, translation of
could, translation of 155
countries, names of 21623
currency 207
487
General index
dash: see punctuation
dates, expression of 340, 368, 404
dative case:
denition, xxv
expressing age, 386
in impersonal expressions, 3856
in indirect object, 3845
verbs governing, 3867
352
with negative pronouns, 393
decimals 207
declension:
denition, xxv
see also adjectives, nouns, pronouns,
demotic speech: see register; see also
morphology, stress, syntax,
vocabulary
denominal prepositions: see prepositions
devoicing of consonants xxv, xxxii, 254
dialects:
classication, 212
denition, xxv
morphological features, 234
regional pronunciation, 223
regional vocabulary, 17, 23
syntactic features, 245
dimensions 203-4, 334, 366
diminutives; 11, 15, 17, 35, 52, 70; see
also sufxes
distance: see measurement
distributive expressions 4023
double subjects 29
each, translation of: see distributive
expressions
ellipsis xxv, 12, 39, 47, 71, 187, 229, 235,
424
email, language of 17, 18, 6872
emoticons 18, 39, 70
epenthetic 255, 332
exchange 334
exclamation mark: see punctuation
exhortation 21011
family relationships 209
farewells 241
faux amis xxv, 8790
llers 11, 29, 35, 1778
rst names: see personal names
forms of address 11, 14, 39, 42, 45,
22930, 234, 235, 2367, 326
formulae, 15, 16, 49, 52, 57, 2289;
see also attention, compliments,
condolence, congratulation,
farewells, gratitude, greetings,
introductions, invitations, letter
writing, reassurance, requests,
telephone conversations, wishing
fractions 207
fricatives xxv, 10, 21, 22
full stop: see punctuation
gender 2889, 3045
genitive case:
after cardinal numerals, 381
after quantitative words, 380
after short comparative adjectives, 381
denition, xxv
denoting animate object, 3789
denoting quantity, 380
expressing absence, lack, 380
expressing possession, origin, etc., 380
expressing sufciency, insufciency,
3801
in dates, 368, 381
in direct object of negated verb, 3823
of numeral with animate direct object,
400
partitive, 2912
351
see also nouns,
geographical names 21623
gerunds:
denition, xxvi
imperfective, formation, 328
imperfective, use, 44, 47, 59, 62, 67,
211, 418
perfective, formation, 3289
perfective, use, 25, 62, 161, 418
given names: see personal names
gratitude 244
greeting 40, 23940
hard consonants 253
hard sign xxvi, 253
height: see measurement
homographs xxvi, 812
homonyms xxvi, 739
homophones xxvi, 22, 7981
hushing consonants 254, 255, 268, 272,
290, 291, 31719, 322, 323, 328
iakan
e xxvi, 22
idioms xxvi, 11, 1938
ikan
e xxvi, 21
imperative:
denition, xxvi
formation, 3268
in conditional sense, 1834
in public notices, 210
488
General index
particles with, 183, 187
use of aspect in, 41011
imperfective:
basic function, 405
denition, xxvi
denoting annulled action, 407
expressing non-achievement, 408
expressing prohibition, 210, 409, 411
in future tense, 407
in past tense, 407
in present tense, 4067
in simple statement of fact, 407
indicating incomplete action, 160,
4067
indicating repeated action, 407
secondary imperfective forms, 2656
verbs requiring imperfective innitive,
4089
when verb is negated, 40910
see also aspect,
indeclinable nouns: see nouns
indirect speech:
denition, xxvii
see also tense, in reported speech,
inxes xxvii, 260, 2656
-ing, translation of English forms in 1602
instrumental:
denition, xxvii
expressing agency, instrument, 388
fem forms in -, 65, 291
in adverbial phrases of manner, 388
in complement of certain verbs, 391
in complement of verb to be, 390
in expressions of time, 388
in impersonal constructions, 388
indicating supply or endowment,
388
3523
interjections xxvii, 11, 12, 17, 40, 52, 71,
18890
internet, language of, 1718, 22, 30,
3640; see also chatroom,
computing terminology
intransitive verbs xxvii, 15960, 263, 330,
331
introductions 2379
inversion:
in approximation, 401
of subject and verb, 4267
invitations 247
jargon 17, 29, 40
jokes 2257
journalism, language of: see register
length 2034
letter writing 25051
linguistic groups 1
literary language: see standard language
loanwords 1636
locative case:
denition, xxvii
forms in - y/-, 2923
see also prepositional case,
Lomonosov 9
may, translation of 156
measurement:
area, 204
distance, 2034, 335, 356, 340, 346,
361, 367, 373, 4045
height, 2034, 405
length, 2034
pre-revolutionary units of, 2056
speed, 206
temperature, 2067
volume, 205
weight, 2045
see also, 2037, 334, 336
meeting 240
might, translation of 156
mobile vowels xxviii, 27191
modal particles, xxviii, 11, 12, 17,
40, 42, 52, 70, 17987; see also
particles
modal verbs (English) xxviii, 1549
morphology:
colloquial, 112, 285, 3278
denition, xxviii
demotic, 14, 285, 3278
regional, 234
see also adjectives, gerunds, nouns,
participles, pronouns, verbs,
Muscovite speech 201
must, translation of 1567
names: see personal names
nationalities, names of 21623
negative antecedent 418
neologisms xxviii, 16, 27, 30, 1636
Netspeak: see internet
nominative case:
denition, xxviii
in complement, 377, 3901
in subject, 377
non-equivalence 936
nouns:
basic declension patterns, 28991
compound, 2867
expressing number, 405
in apposition, 29
489
General index
indeclinable, 3045
with genitive singular in -y/-, 2912
with irregular forms in oblique cases in
plural, 299
with irregular forms in genitive plural,
2969
with irregular forms throughout, 3012
with irregular forms throughout plural,
299301
with locative singular in - y/-, 11,
2923
with nominative plural in - a/-, 11,
14, 24, 2946
with plural form only, 912
with singular form only, 92
with two nominative plural forms,
789
with zero ending in genitive plural,
xxxii, 11, 291, 297, 298
see also animacy,
numerals:
agreement of predicate with subject
containing, 401
collective, declension, 314
collective, use, 4001
declension of cardinals, 29, 3134
denitions, xxiv, xxviii, xxix
inversion of noun and, 401
presentation of, 207
use of cardinals, 3989
use of cardinals in oblique case, 399
with animate direct object,
399400
obscenities: see vulgar language
occlusives xxix, 10, 21, 22
okan
e xxviii, 10, 21, 22

Old Church Slavonic:
denition, xxix
see also Slavonicisms,
orthography xxix, 71, 254
ought, translation of 157
paronyms xxix, 827
participles:
denition, xxix
see also past active participles, past
passive participles, present active
participles, present passive
participles,
particles, 25, 188, 3934; see also modal
particles
parting 241
passive voice:
denition, xxix
renderings of 15, 415, 41920; see
also reexive verbs use in passive
sense,
past active participles:
formation, 32930
use, 44, 47, 52, 62, 67, 419
past passive participles:
formation, 33032
use, 25, 52, 57, 67, 210, 41920
past tense:
formation, 3256
see also imperfective, perfective, tense,
patronymics 11, 14, 2334,
270
pattern 334
Pelevin 658
people, translation after numerals 402
perfective:
basic function of, 4056
denition, xxix
in future tense, 407
in instructions, 20910, 410
in past tense, 407
indicating completed action, 407
verbs requiring perfective innitive,
409
see also aspect,
periphrasis xxix, 16, 229
permission 246
personal names:
rst names, 11, 14, 2303
see also patronymics, surnames,
phraseology 11, 57, 59, 62, 71
playing cards 379, 405
pleonasm 29
plosives xxix; see also occlusives
prexes:
adjectival, 2645, 311, 312
denition, xxx
in nouns, 2634
verbal, 25563
prepositional case:
denition, xxx
verbs governing through prepositions,
353
see also locative,
prepositions:
denition, xxx
denominal, xxv, 350
governing accusative, 3347
governing dative, 3435
governing genitive, 33742
governing instrumental, 3456
governing nominative, 333
governing prepositional, 34650
non-standard dialect usage, 245
rendering of English prepositions in
Russian, 35476
used after verbs, 3503
490
General index
present active participles:
formation, 329
use, 47, 49, 52, 57, 59, 62, 67, 72, 419
present passive participles:
formation, 330
use, 49, 52, 59, 419
present tense: see imperfective, tense
prohibition 20911, 247, 409, 411
pronouns:
declension, 3057
denition, xxx
demonstrative, 306
interrogative, 307, 392
negative, 307, 3923
personal, 305
position of when object, 427
possessive, 306, 3945
prosthetic - with, xxx, 305
reexive, 306
relative, 3912
pronunciation 7, 10, 201, 223
proverbs xxx, 199201
public notices 20911
punctuation:
brackets, 431
colon, 4289
comma, 56, 70, 42930
dash, 4301
exclamation mark, 431
full stop, 70, 428
in chatroom, 18, 389
miscellaneous, 70, 42831
omission dots, 70, 431
question mark, 428
quotation marks, 431
semi-colon, 428
puns 2257
Pushkin 635
question mark: see punctuation
quotation marks: see punctuation
reassurance 2478
reexive verbs:
aspectual pairs with reexive/
non-reexive forms, 414
denoting characteristic action, 414
denoting reciprocal action, 414
imperative forms, 328
in impersonal verbs, 415
in prohibitions, 211
use in passive sense, 15, 49, 53, 57, 59,
68, 72, 415
used intransitively, 414
with certain verbal prexes, 256, 257,
258, 259, 260, 262, 263, 415
without reexive meaning, 41314
refusal 246
regional features, 1925; see also dialects
register:
academic/scientic style, 15
colloquial language, xxiv, 1012,
3240, 399
conjunctions conned to R1 and R3,
4214
denition, xxx
demotic speech, 1314, 17, 30
higher register, introductory remarks,
15
introductory remarks, 21
language of belles-lettres, 17, 628
neutral, 1415, 405
of journalism and political debate,
1617, 5762
ofcial/business style, 16, 507, 251,
345, 349
passages illustrating, 3272
see also internet, language of,
relative clauses 161, 3912
reported speech: see tense
requests 2457
screen names 18
semi-colon: see punctuation
shall, translation of 1578
short adjectives: see adjectives
should, translation of 158
similes xxxi, 202
slang 8, 18, 28, 29, 30, 40
Slavonicisms xxxi, 11, 65, 169
smileys: see emoticons
soft consonants 253
speed: see measurement
spelling rules 2534, 255
spoken language 8, 9, 1718, 44
standard language 6, 10, 13, 201,
2531
stress:
denitions, xxx, xxxi
in adjectives, 308, 4434
in dialect forms, 23
in disyllabic neuter nouns, 4402
in feminine nouns, 291, 43840
in feminine nouns with end stress in
singular and stem stress in plural,
438, 43940
in feminine nouns with pleophonic
forms, 440
in rst-conjugation verbs, 4445
in imperative forms, 327
in imperfective gerunds, 449
in masculine nouns, 4348
in masculine nouns with end stress after
initial form, 4346
491
General index
in masculine nouns with end stress in
oblique cases in plural, 4378
in masculine nouns with stem stress in
singular and end stress in plural, 437
in neuter nouns, 290, 291, 4402
in nouns, 43343
in past active participles, 450
in past passive participles, 332, 4512
in past-tense forms, 4478, 4523
in perfective gerunds, 449
in present active participles, 44950
in present passive participles, 4501
in second-conjugation verbs, 4457,
453
in trisyllabic neuter nouns, 4412
introductory remarks, 433
in verbs, 4448
miscellaneous, 10, 254
nouns with irregular stress in
prepositional forms, 4423
on prex -, 256
prepositions that attract stress, 292,
443
variation in, 6, 7, 10, 13, 4524
words with xed stress, 434, 438,
43940
stump compounds xxxi, 59, 286
subjunctive mood xxxi, 41618
subordination: see conjunctions,
subordinating
sufxes:
adjectival, 280, 283
augmentative, 277, 279
colloquial, 11, 2667, 270, 273, 275,
281, 285
denition, xxxii
demotic, 13, 285
diminutive, 17, 2779, 2801
double diminutive, 279
hypocoristic, 2303, 2779
of nouns, 49, 52, 57, 216, 223, 2334,
26680
of participial origin, 2845
pejorative, 17, 27980
verbal, 267, 2701, 285
surnames, declension 303
syntax:
colloquial, 12, 39, 42, 44, 4235
denition, xxxii
demotic, 14
formal, 47
in high register, 49, 57
regional, 245
see also, 59, 62, 71
telephone conversations 24850
telephone numbers 208
temperature: see measurement
tense:
denitions, xxx, xxxii
future, 407
in real conditional sentences, 41516
in reported speech, 411
logical future, 412
near future, 412
past, 407
present, 4067
present perfect continuous, 412
terminology 9, 15, 16, 45, 56, 59, 70
threading of cases 15, 53, 68
time, expression of 2078, 334, 336, 337,
347, 349, 357, 361, 364, 365, 368,
371, 373, 4034
toasts 2434
too, translation of 162
transition words 15, 62, 1767
transitive verbs xxxii, 15960, 263, 330
tsokan
e xxxii, 22
varieties of language, 69; see also
register
velars xxxi, 254, 255, 291
verb:
basic system of conjugation, 31516
conjugation 1A, 316
conjugation 1B (consonant stem,
stressed ending), 31719, 322
conjugation 1B (consonant stem,
unstressed ending), 31719
conjugation 1B (stems in and p),
31617
conjugation 1B (vowel stem, stressed
ending), 317
conjugation 1B (vowel stem, unstressed
ending), 316
conjugation 2, 3224
conjugation 2 with consonant change,
3234
conjugation 2 with epenthetic , 324
denitions, xxiv, xxv
denoting change of state, 319, 326
irregular, 324
see also dative case, genitive case,
imperative, imperfective,
instrumental case, past tense,
perfective,
verb to be, translation of 15, 40, 44, 47,
57, 59, 62, 71, 1504
verbal etiquette 22851
verbal nouns 16, 49, 52, 57, 161; see also
sufxes, of nouns
verbs of motion:
forms, 329
use, 41213
492
General index
vocabulary:
colloquial, 1011, 40, 42, 44, 47, 70
demotic, 13, 30, 71
of language of internet, 18, 701
regional, 23
specialised, 49, 56
variation according to register, 1819
vocative xxxii, 12, 2303
volume: see measurement
vulgar language 8, 17, 30, 1902
weight: see measurement
will, translation of 1589
wishing 2424, 417
word-formation xxxii, 6, 13, 52,
25287
word order 378, 4258
would, translation of 159
written language 8, 9, 1718
years, translation after numerals 402
493

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and perestr oika) has

iana Dimoglo, for material

eva, A. P., Ca uu a, Haa, 2 vols.,

ga, a , eaa aea, no. 11

min, S. S., and N. L. Shchadrin, Pau a u

, D. E., auea uuua a, 4th edn,

, D. E., and M. A. Telenkova, Ca-nau

eva, A. N., Particles in Colloquial Russian, translated by V. Korotky and

es (e). Since most consonants, when they

a (). The symbol

ga is reading a book (9.1.2, 10.1.2, 10.3.1, 11.1.2).

e (aae): loss of distinction between the phonemes a and o in

(ee) where p is soft.

e (ae): pronunciation of the vowels

e (ae): the phoneme o preserves its value in the pretonic

e above. In full (e) ae o

e (ae): loss of distinction between the affricates (q.v.) c

. In hard (e) ae the standard soft hushing affricate

is replaced by a hard hissing affricate c, e.g. c udo (). In soft

is replaced by a soft hissing c

) were set up in the Soviet period to support such

a (y e), t oka (), vass

at (e). Local accent is marked (e.g. with aae and

The verbs ea /e and a / , which also mean

is (a). This phenomenon is characteristic of many C

and hard unvoiced f and soft unvoiced f

. At the end of a word or

are devoiced, e.g. drof (), l afka

, Tamb ov and Vor onezh.

as u (e) (i.e. pronunciation

as u (e) (i.e. moderate ae; SW).

ex (e) (S regional dialect). In some SW regions

, when they occur at the end of a word or syllable,

este (ee), u g orod ( ), and

udo, i.e. soft

in third-person-singular forms, e.g. id

a eea: a a e aa- . . . (a aae

a eea: A, eee, a: Maa,

a eea: e e- ea . . . (Mae) ae,

e (see 1.5 above) in the second syllable.

aa ea (3), e? (5), e (23)

Province: Vladimir Vladimirovich, you wont be

a`-, e `e-, `e-, a`- `, a ae

a ee, aae . 1.2. ae 5

a eea ee, aae . 1.2.,

The sg form is e in the meaning ower but e in the meaning colour.

to make some public statement or appearance,

to fall into sbs hands

to feel ones way

to shake hands with sb

+ impf inn it is wrong to/one should not

Stylistically these synonymous forms may be arranged in the following

by Gorbachov in the mid-1980s and

ae Favourites (lit Selected)

O e. They live in this house here.

B ea ? Shall we go to the theatre? I dont

T a(a)? Are you tired?

e . I certainly am. I can hardly move.

, e? So youve got stomach-ache, have

ea indicates reported speech, e.g. O, ea, e

and the post-Soviet era such language has come to be widely

a to fritter away ones time