Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'she'

English Word: she

Key Russian Translations:

• она [ɐˈna] - [Formal/Informal, Singular, Used as a third-person feminine pronoun]

Frequency: High (One of the most common pronouns in everyday Russian conversation and writing)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic pronoun introduced early in language learning)

Pronunciation (Russian):

она: [ɐˈna]

Note on она: The pronunciation features a soft "o" sound [ɐ] which is common in unstressed syllables in Russian. Be careful with the stress on the second syllable; it's often reduced in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Third-person singular feminine pronoun, used to refer to a female person, animal, or object treated as feminine in context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• она - Typically used in nominative case for subjects in sentences, applicable in both formal and informal contexts, such as everyday dialogue or narrative writing.

Usage Examples:

• Она пришла домой поздно вечером.

  She came home late in the evening.

• Она работает в офисе и всегда пунктуальна.

  She works in the office and is always punctual.

• Когда она говорит, все внимательно слушают.

  When she speaks, everyone listens attentively.

• Она — моя лучшая подруга, и мы часто встречаемся.

  She is my best friend, and we often meet up.

• Если она не приедет, мы отменим мероприятие.

  If she doesn't come, we'll cancel the event.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Она is a personal pronoun in Russian and changes based on grammatical case. It is invariable in terms of gender and number for this specific form but declines according to case. Below is a table showing its inflections:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: None direct, as pronouns are specific; however, in some contexts, "девушка" (girl) or "женщина" (woman) could be used as nouns for similar reference, but they are not exact synonyms.
• Antonyms: он (he) - Refers to a male person; оно (it) - Refers to a neuter noun or object.

Related Phrases:

• Она говорит по-русски - She speaks Russian (Common phrase for language ability).
• Она моя сестра - She is my sister (Used in family introductions).
• Когда она вернется? - When will she return? (Inquiring about someone's arrival).

Usage Notes:

Russian pronouns like "она" must agree with the gender of the noun they replace, which is strictly feminine for this word. Unlike English, where "she" can be used flexibly, Russian requires precise gender matching. Use "она" in formal and informal settings alike, but be aware of case changes in sentences. For example, choose "она" over other pronouns based on the subject's gender; if the gender is unknown, default to "он" for masculine or "оно" for neuter. This helps maintain grammatical accuracy in Russian communication.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "он" (he) instead of "она" for a female subject. Incorrect: Он пришла. (He came. - Grammatically wrong for a female.) Correct: Она пришла. (She came.) Explanation: Russian verbs and pronouns must agree in gender, so mismatched pronouns lead to confusion.
• Mistake: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., using "она" in the genitive case. Incorrect: Это подарок она. (This is the gift she. - Incorrect form.) Correct: Это подарок её. (This is her gift.) Explanation: Always adjust for case to ensure the sentence flows properly.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the use of gendered pronouns like "она" reflects the language's emphasis on grammatical gender, which can highlight social roles. For instance, in literature or media, "она" often personifies female characters, reinforcing traditional gender norms, though modern usage is evolving to be more inclusive in discussions about gender identity.

Related Concepts:

• он (he)
• оно (it)
• мы (we)
• вы (you, plural/formal)