Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'are'

English Word: are

Key Russian Translations:

• есть [jestʲ] - [Informal, Present Tense, Used for 2nd person singular/plural and 3rd person plural]
• являются [jɪˈvlʲajutsə] - [Formal, Present Tense, Often used in written or official contexts]

Frequency: High (both translations are commonly used in everyday speech and writing)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for "есть"; B1 (Intermediate) for "являются" due to formality and conjugation complexity

Pronunciation (Russian):

есть: [jestʲ]

Note on есть: The final consonant is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian pronunciation. Stress is on the first syllable.

являются: [jɪˈvlʲajutsə]

Note on являются: Stress falls on the second syllable, and the soft 'l' sound requires attention for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Existential or State of Being (e.g., "They are here")

Translation(s) & Context:

• есть - Commonly used in spoken Russian to indicate existence or presence.

Usage Examples:

• Они есть дома.

  They are at home.

• Здесь есть книги.

  There are books here.

• Вы есть мои друзья.

  You are my friends.

2. Formal Identification or Description (e.g., "They are students")

Translation(s) & Context:

• являются - Used in formal contexts to describe identity, roles, or characteristics.

Usage Examples:

• Они являются студентами.

  They are students.

• Эти меры являются необходимыми.

  These measures are necessary.

• Мы являемся частью команды.

  We are part of the team.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

есть: This is the present tense form of the verb "быть" (to be), which is often omitted in Russian except for emphasis. It does not conjugate by person or number in modern usage.

являются: This is the 3rd person plural present tense form of the verb "являться" (to be, to appear as). It follows regular conjugation patterns for -ся verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "есть":

• находятся (used for location-specific contexts)

Synonyms for "являются":

• считаются (used when implying opinion or perception)

Antonyms: None directly applicable as "are" is a linking verb; context-specific negation would use "не" (not).

Related Phrases:

• Есть ли у вас...? - Do you have...? (Common polite question structure)
• Это есть правда. - This is the truth. (Emphasizing existence or truth)
• Являться примером. - To serve as an example. (Formal expression)

Usage Notes:

• "есть" is often omitted in Russian sentences because the verb "to be" is implied in the present tense. It is used explicitly for emphasis or clarity.
• "являются" is more formal and often appears in written texts or official speech. It is not typically used in casual conversation.
• Choose "есть" for everyday spoken contexts and "являются" for formal or descriptive statements.

Common Errors:

• Error: Overusing "есть" in sentences where it should be omitted. Example: "Я есть студент" (incorrect) vs. "Я студент" (correct). Explanation: In Russian, the verb "to be" is often implied in the present tense.
• Error: Using "являются" in casual speech. Example: "Они являются дома" (incorrect) vs. "Они дома" (correct). Explanation: "являются" is too formal for everyday contexts like location.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the omission of the verb "to be" in the present tense reflects a linguistic economy and directness often valued in communication. Using "есть" explicitly can sometimes indicate emphasis or a stylistic choice, particularly in literature or rhetoric.

Related Concepts:

• быть (to be - infinitive form)
• находиться (to be located)
• существовать (to exist)