Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'him'

English Word: him

Key Russian Translations:

• Его (/ˈjeɡə/) - [Accusative case, used for direct objects; Informal/Formal]
• Ему (/jɪˈmu/) - [Dative case, used for indirect objects or to indicate direction; Informal/Formal]

Frequency: High (Very common in everyday Russian speech and writing, as pronouns are essential for basic communication).

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as Russian pronouns are introduced early in language learning, but case variations may require basic grammar knowledge).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Его: /ˈjeɡə/ (The stress is on the first syllable; note that the initial "Е" is pronounced as a soft "ye" sound, similar to "yes" in English. This word can vary slightly in rapid speech.)

Ему: /jɪˈmu/ (Stress on the second syllable; the "Е" starts with a soft "ye," and the "у" ends with a rounded vowel sound.)

Note on Его: Be cautious with the soft consonant sound in "Е," which can be tricky for English speakers used to harder vowel transitions. In some dialects, it may soften further.

Note on Ему: The final "у" can sound more like "oo" in "food," and it's often pronounced quickly in conversation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Object pronoun referring to a male person (accusative or dative form in Russian).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Его - Used in contexts where "him" is a direct object, such as in statements about actions performed on the person (e.g., seeing, hitting, or describing him).
• Ему - Used when "him" indicates an indirect object, such as giving something to him or expressing emotions towards him.

Usage Examples:

• Я вижу его каждый день. (I see him every day. This example shows "Его" in a simple declarative sentence, emphasizing daily routines.)

  English Translation: I see him every day.

• Дай книгу ему. (Give the book to him. Here, "Ему" is used in an imperative sentence to indicate direction or benefit.)

  English Translation: Give the book to him.

• Он помог ему с работой. (He helped him with the work. This demonstrates "Ему" in a past tense context, showing assistance.)

  English Translation: He helped him with the work.

• Я не узнал его сразу. (I didn't recognize him right away. "Его" is used here in a negative sentence with a verb of perception.)

  English Translation: I didn't recognize him right away.

• Подари ему подарок на день рождения. (Give him a gift for his birthday. This illustrates "Ему" in a festive or relational context.)

  English Translation: Give him a gift for his birthday.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Его" and "Ему" are forms of the Russian pronoun "он" (he), which inflects based on case. Russian pronouns change according to grammatical case, number, and gender, but "он" is specifically for masculine singular. These forms do not change further for tense or person but must agree with the sentence structure.

Note: These forms are invariable in terms of number for singular masculine, but always adjust based on the required case in the sentence.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Его (no direct synonyms, but can be contextually similar to forms of other pronouns like "себя" for reflexive use, though not exact).
  • Ему (similar to "себе" in reflexive contexts, but "Ему" is specific to third person).
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as pronouns like "Его" and "Ему" do not have direct antonyms; they are neutral and depend on context.

Related Phrases:

• Его друг (His friend) - A common possessive phrase using "Его" to indicate ownership.
• Дать ему шанс (Give him a chance) - An idiomatic expression for opportunity, highlighting "Ему" in motivational contexts.
• Поговорить с ним (Talk to him) - Though "ним" is another form, it's related and used in conversational phrases.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "him" translates to forms of the pronoun "он," with "Его" for accusative and "Ему" for dative cases. Always pay attention to the sentence structure: use "Его" when the action directly affects the person (e.g., as a direct object), and "Ему" for indirect actions (e.g., giving or directing towards). Unlike English, Russian requires case agreement, so beginners should memorize the full declension table. When choosing between translations, select based on the verb's requirements—e.g., verbs of motion often pair with dative. This pronoun is gender-specific, so ensure the context refers to a male; for females, use equivalents like "её" or "ей."

Common Errors:

• Confusing cases: English speakers often use "Его" when "Ему" is needed, e.g., saying "Дай книгу Его" (incorrect) instead of "Дай книгу Ему" (correct). Explanation: Russian verbs govern specific cases, so check the verb's requirements to avoid this.

• Overusing nominative: Beginners might say "Я вижу Он" instead of "Я вижу Его." Correct: Always inflect to accusative for direct objects. This error stems from direct translation without considering case.

• Gender mismatch: Using "Его" for a female referent, e.g., "Я вижу её" should be for females, not "Его." Explanation: Match the pronoun to the gender of the noun or person being referred to.

Cultural Notes:

Russian pronouns like "Его" and "Ему" do not carry significant cultural connotations on their own, as they are basic grammatical elements. However, in Russian communication, gender-specific pronouns reinforce the language's emphasis on precision and context, reflecting a cultural value for detailed expression in interpersonal relationships.

Related Concepts:

• Она (she)
• Им (him, instrumental case)
• Оно (it, for neuter nouns)
• Они (they)