Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'that'

English Word: that

Key Russian Translations:

• тот (masc.) [tɐt] - [Demonstrative pronoun, Singular]
• та (fem.) [ta] - [Demonstrative pronoun, Singular]
• то (neut.) [to] - [Demonstrative pronoun, Singular]
• те (plur.) [tʲe] - [Demonstrative pronoun, Plural]
• что [ʂto] - [Conjunction or relative pronoun]

Frequency: High (one of the most common words in Russian, used daily in spoken and written language)

Difficulty: A1 for demonstrative forms; B1 for conjunction uses (beginner for basic pointers, intermediate for complex sentences)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тот: [tɐt]

та: [ta]

то: [to]

те: [tʲe]

что: [ʂto] (Note on что: The initial 'ш' sound is a voiceless retroflex fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like 'sh' in 'shoe' but more guttural.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Demonstrative Pronoun (Pointing to something)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тот/та/то/те - Used to indicate a specific object or person in context, similar to "that" in English for pointing out something distant or previously mentioned. (e.g., In formal or informal settings to specify nouns.)

Usage Examples:

• Тот дом очень старый. (That house is very old.)

  Translation: That house is very old. (Demonstrates use with a masculine noun in a simple descriptive sentence.)

• Та книга принадлежит мне. (That book belongs to me.)

  Translation: That book belongs to me. (Shows feminine noun agreement in possessive context.)

• То решение было правильным. (That decision was correct.)

  Translation: That decision was correct. (Illustrates neuter form in evaluative statements.)

• Те цветы в саду цветут. (Those flowers in the garden are blooming.)

  Translation: Those flowers in the garden are blooming. (Plural form in a descriptive environmental context.)

Conjunction (Introducing a clause)

Translation(s) & Context:

• что - Used as a conjunction to introduce subordinate clauses, equivalent to "that" in English for reporting speech or thoughts. (e.g., In formal writing or everyday conversation.)

Usage Examples:

• Я знаю, что он придёт. (I know that he will come.)

  Translation: I know that he will come. (Basic use in a statement of knowledge.)

• Она сказала, что устал. (She said that he is tired.)

  Translation: She said that he is tired. (In reported speech, showing indirect quotation.)

• Мы думаем, что это правда. (We think that it's true.)

  Translation: We think that it's true. (Opinion expression with a subordinate clause.)

• Он объяснил, что машина сломана. (He explained that the car is broken.)

  Translation: He explained that the car is broken. (Context of explanation or reasoning.)

• Что ты имеешь в виду? (What do you mean by that?)

  Translation: What do you mean by that? (Informal questioning, though 'что' here is more like 'what'.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For demonstrative pronouns like "тот/та/то/те", these words decline based on gender, number, and case, following standard Russian adjective patterns. They are not invariable.

For "что" as a conjunction, it is invariable and does not inflect.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • этот (this/that, for closer proximity)
  • который (which/that, in relative clauses)
• Antonyms:
  • не этот (not this/that)

Related Phrases:

• То есть... (That is... or in other words) - Used to clarify or explain further.
• Что такое...? (What is that...?) - Inquiring about something unfamiliar.
• В том, что... (In that... or because of that) - Introducing a reason or condition.

Usage Notes:

"That" in English can translate to different Russian words depending on context: use "тот/та/то/те" for pointing out objects, and "что" for subordinate clauses. In formal writing, ensure gender and case agreement with the noun for demonstratives. For example, choose between translations based on proximity—'этот' for nearby objects versus 'тот' for distant ones. Be cautious with "что" in questions, as it can mean "what."

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "тот" without agreeing in gender or case, e.g., saying "Та дом" instead of "Тот дом".
  Correct: "Тот дом" (Ensure masculine nominative form).
  Explanation: Russian requires adjective/pronoun agreement; this error stems from English's lack of gender.
• Mistake: Confusing "что" with "кто" (who), e.g., saying "Что сделал?" meaning "Who did it?" instead of "Кто сделал?".
  Correct: Use "Кто" for people.
  Explanation: "Что" is for things or general questions, not persons.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "Что это?" (What is that?) are common in everyday interactions, reflecting a direct and inquisitive communication style. The word "что" in expressions like "Что ты!" (an exclamation of surprise, like "What!") highlights emotional emphasis in conversations, which is more prevalent in informal Slavic discourse.

Related Concepts:

• этот (this)
• который (which)
• такой (such)