Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'its'

English Word: its

Key Russian Translations:

• Его [jɪˈvo] - [Neuter or masculine possessive pronoun, used for objects or entities; Formal/Informal]
• Её [jɪˈvɔ] - [Feminine possessive pronoun; Formal/Informal]
• Их [jix] - [Possessive pronoun for plural nouns; Formal/Informal]

Frequency: High - As a basic possessive pronoun, "its" and its Russian equivalents are used frequently in everyday language.

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) - These pronouns are introduced early in Russian language learning, but correct gender and case agreement may pose initial challenges for English speakers.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Его: [jɪˈvo]

Её: [jɪˈvɔ]

Их: [jix]

Note on Его: The pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech, where [jɪˈvo] might soften to [jɪvə], especially in informal contexts.

Note on Её: Pay attention to the vowel sound; it's distinct from "Его" to indicate feminine gender.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Possessive Pronoun Indicating Ownership or Attribute

Translation(s) & Context:

• Его - Used for neuter or masculine nouns to show possession, e.g., in descriptions of objects or animals (context: everyday objects, formal writing).
• Её - Used for feminine nouns to indicate possession (context: referring to female entities or feminine-gendered nouns in Russian).
• Их - Used for plural nouns to denote possession (context: groups or multiple items).

Usage Examples:

• Русский текст: Кот потерял своё укрытие, и теперь его шерсть мокрая от дождя.

  English Translation: The cat lost its shelter, and now its fur is wet from the rain.

• Русский текст: Машина имеет современный дизайн, и её скорость впечатляет.

  English Translation: The car has a modern design, and its speed is impressive.

• Русский текст: Дети нашли игрушки в парке, и их радость была очевидной.

  English Translation: The children found toys in the park, and their joy was obvious.

• Русский текст: Компания выпустила новый продукт, и его качество превзошло ожидания.

  English Translation: The company released a new product, and its quality exceeded expectations.

• Русский текст: Книга имеет твёрдую обложку, но её страницы пожелтели от времени.

  English Translation: The book has a hard cover, but its pages have yellowed with time.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Russian possessive pronouns like "Его", "Её", and "Их" do not inflect for case in the same way as nouns or adjectives. However, they must agree with the gender, number, and case of the noun they modify indirectly through context. These pronouns are invariant in form but change based on the possessed noun's characteristics.

For example, in accusative case, the form remains the same, but sentence structure adjusts accordingly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Его - Свой (for reflexive possession, implying "its own") - Used when emphasizing self-ownership.
  • Её - Свою (feminine reflexive).
  • Их - Свои (plural reflexive) - Applicable in contexts of mutual possession.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as these are possessive pronouns without direct opposites. However, contrast with non-possessive forms like "он" (he/it) for basic reference.

Related Phrases:

• Его дом - His/its house (phrase for possession of a dwelling; English: Refers to ownership of a home or habitat).
• Её цвет - Its color (feminine; English: Describes an attribute of a feminine-noun object, like a flower).
• Их друзья - Their friends (English: Indicates relationships in plural contexts, such as family or groups).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, the equivalents of "its" must agree with the gender and number of the noun they refer to, unlike English where "its" is neutral. For instance, use "Его" for masculine or neuter nouns and "Её" for feminine ones. This can be tricky for English speakers accustomed to a single form. Always consider the context: formal writing might use these pronouns more explicitly, while informal speech could imply possession without them. When choosing between translations, select based on the noun's gender to avoid grammatical errors.

• Tip: In sentences with compound subjects, ensure pronoun agreement to maintain clarity.
• Restriction: These pronouns are not used with proper names; instead, use genitive case constructions.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse gender agreement, for example, using "Его" for a feminine noun like "машина" (car, which is feminine in Russian). Incorrect: "Его машина" when referring to a female-owned car in a way that mismatches. Correct: If the car is the subject, use "Её машина" for possession. Explanation: Russian requires strict gender concordance, so always check the noun's gender before selecting the pronoun to prevent confusion in communication.

• Error: Omitting the pronoun entirely, e.g., saying "Кот шерсть мокрая" instead of "Его шерсть мокрая". Correct: Include the pronoun for clarity in possessive contexts.

Cultural Notes:

Possessive pronouns in Russian, like "Его" or "Её", reflect the language's grammatical structure rooted in Slavic traditions, emphasizing relationships and attributes in a way that highlights the importance of context and hierarchy in Russian culture. For instance, in literature, these pronouns often underscore themes of ownership and identity, as seen in classic works by authors like Tolstoy.

Related Concepts:

• Мой (my)
• Твой (your, singular informal)
• Наш (our)
• Ваш (your, formal or plural)