The genitive case
aka what belongs to me or you, or them
There are various applications. Don’t be scared, let’s break the ice!
Coming finally to this case at school, the teacher said: “if you want to distinguish the GS from anything else, pose a question in mind like “does it/he/she/they/me have it or not?”
У меня нет карандаша. I don’t have a pencil.
I didn’t understand what it means nor why. It’s a part of something.
Это машина моей матери. This is my mother’s car.
That’s it.
This case helps you
to express of or to answer the question “чей?” (whose?).
– Чей это карандаш? – Whose pencil is this?
– Это карандаш Ксении. – This is Xenia’s pencil.
to express measures and quantities after words “сколько”, “насколько”, “несколько”, “много”, “немного”, “мало”.
Там очень много книг! There are a lot of books!
to express lack or negation
Его нет дома. He is not home.
to express the direct object of negated verb
Они не присылали никаких писем. They didn’t write any letters.
to express the date when something happened
Они уехали восьмого июля. The left on July eighth.
and some certain verbs that always take the GC: “бояться” (to afraid), “избегать” (to avoid), “избежать” (to be able to avoid, to avoid successfully), while other take it only when the object of the verb is abstract: “требовать” (to demand), “искать” (to search).
Они избегают этого вопроса. They are avoiding this question.
Эта женщина ищет счастья. This woman is looking for happiness.
with certain prepositions, such as “без” (without), “вроде” (probably), “для” (for), “до” (before), “из” (from), “кроме” (besides), “около” (near), “от” (from, away), “после” (after), “с(о)” (with), “у” (at, around, near).
Все были там, кроме Вани. Everyone was there except Vanya.
Мы пришли домой из магазина. We came home from the shop.
to express from (откуда?) with prepositions “из”, “с”, “от”. Let’s have a closer look:
I) you should use “из” when the object or anything was taken from absolutely another sphere, area etc.
Мы вернулись из университета. We got back from the university.
II) you should use «с» when the object or anything was taken from the edge of anything, from something that was quite far.
С конца страницы. From the end of the page.
III) you should use «от» when it’s rather important to highlight from where it came from or time.
Он получил письмо от неё. She got a letter from her.
to express being at someone’s home with the preposition «у»
Вчера я был в гостях у друзей. Yesterday I was at friend’s place.
after numbers 2-4, 22-24, 32-34
У Марины две умные дочери. Marina has two smart daughters.
to express the notion some
Выпей чаю. Have a drink of tea.
in certain connecting phrases
С одной стороны…., но с другой стороны – On the one hand …, but on another hand….
My team is a set of books and a good playlist and of course your support. When you enroll in any language course, pay for it but do you feel satisfied with the result? We never know it beforehand. Here I share my understanding of the language and some phrases that will help you to grasp the logic of the Russian language. If you find my tips and ideas useful then…
1) I want to ask you to translate the following sentences. If you want to check out, then send it to tweedledee6@mail.ru.
1. They were at his place in Petersburg.
2. We often visit her.
3. We already spoke to them about this.
4. The children are not here.
5. Please, hive me some bread.
6. In our city, there are four interesting museums.
7. He arrived without help.
8. Let’s go to a café before the film!
9. The professor demands silence.
10. That girl s afraid of dogs.
2) Complete the sentences, using the words given below.
Этаж, месяц, журнал, раз, рубль, рассказ, пластинка, день, письмо, билет
Я купил в киоске три ________
Я прочитал три ________ из этого сборника.
Он купил два ______ в кино.
Мы уже были в Москве два _____
Друг подарил мне три _____________
Я хожу в спортзал уже три _________
Экзамены начнутся через два ________
Сегодня я получила от друга по переписке три __________
В СССР эта книга стоила всего два _________
В этом доме четыре ________