Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'them'

English Word: them

Key Russian Translations:

• их [ix] - [Plural, Object pronoun, Accusative/Genitive form, Informal]
• им [im] - [Plural, Object pronoun, Dative form, Informal]

Frequency: High (As a basic pronoun, it is used frequently in everyday Russian speech and writing.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as Russian pronouns are introduced early in language learning, but case variations may add slight complexity for English speakers.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

их: [ix] (The 'и' is pronounced as a short 'i' sound, similar to the 'i' in "bit", and the 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, like the 'ch' in Scottish "loch".)

им: [im] (The 'и' is a short 'i' sound, and 'м' is a standard bilabial nasal, like 'm' in "man". Pronunciation is straightforward, but ensure the vowel is not elongated.)

Note on их: The 'х' sound can be challenging for English speakers as it's not present in English; practice with native audio to master the guttural quality.

Note on им: No major variations, but in fast speech, it may blend with surrounding words.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Third person plural pronoun, object form (Refers to multiple people or things as the object of a verb or preposition in English sentences.)

Translation(s) & Context:

• их - Used in accusative or genitive contexts, such as direct objects or possession (e.g., in formal or informal settings when referring to people or objects).
• им - Used in dative contexts, such as indirect objects (e.g., giving something to them, common in everyday interactions).

Usage Examples:

• Я вижу их в парке. (I see them in the park.)

  English: I see them in the park. (This example shows "их" as the direct object in a simple declarative sentence.)

• Я дал им книгу. (I gave them the book.)

  English: I gave them the book. (Here, "им" is used in the dative case to indicate the recipient in a transactional context.)

• Это подарок от их друзей. (This is a gift from their friends.)

  English: This is a gift from their friends. (Demonstrates "их" in the genitive case for possession, in a social or familial setting.)

• Мы помогаем им с работой. (We are helping them with the work.)

  English: We are helping them with the work. (Illustrates "им" in a dative context for assistance, showing verb-object relationships.)

• Я не знаю их адреса. (I don't know their address.)

  English: I don't know their address. (Uses "их" to denote possession, in an informational or practical context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Russian pronouns like "их" and "им" are forms of the base pronoun "они" (they). They do not inflect for person or number in the same way as nouns or adjectives but change based on grammatical case. "их" is used for accusative and genitive, while "им" is for dative. These forms are generally invariable in terms of gender or number once the case is set.

Note: These forms are fixed and do not change further based on tense or mood, unlike verbs. For "они" as a subject, it remains unchanged.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • те (te) - Used in some contexts for "those" as an alternative, but less common for direct objects; implies distance or specificity.
  • ихние (ikhnie) - Informal or dialectal variant for "their" in genitive, with a slightly more possessive connotation in casual speech.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as pronouns like "их" and "им" do not have direct antonyms; they are neutral and depend on context.

Related Phrases:

• С ними (S nimi) - With them; used in social or collaborative contexts to indicate accompaniment.
• Для них (Dlya nih) - For them; common in expressions of purpose or benefit, such as in gift-giving or planning.
• Из-за них (Iz-za nih) - Because of them; often used in explanations or excuses, carrying a slightly negative connotation.

Usage Notes:

Russian pronouns must agree with the grammatical case required by the verb or preposition, unlike English where "them" is versatile. For instance, use "их" for direct objects or possession, and "им" for indirect objects. English speakers often err by not adjusting for case, so always check the sentence structure. In formal writing, these pronouns are straightforward, but in spoken Russian, they may contract or blend with other words. When choosing between translations, select based on the required case: accusative/genitive for "их" and dative for "им".

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "их" in dative contexts, e.g., saying "Я дал их книгу" instead of "Я дал им книгу". Correct: The proper form is "им" for dative to indicate the recipient. Explanation: Russian cases are strict; mixing them can lead to grammatical errors and confusion in meaning.

• Error: Confusing "их" with possessive adjectives like "ихний" (their), e.g., treating "их" as always possessive. Correct: Use "их" only for object cases, not as a standalone possessive. Explanation: English "their" can overlap, but in Russian, specify the exact case to avoid ambiguity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, pronouns like "их" and "им" are neutral and don't carry inherent cultural baggage, but they reflect the language's emphasis on grammatical precision. However, in interpersonal communication, using the correct case can enhance politeness and clarity, especially in formal or hierarchical settings, such as addressing groups in professional environments.

Related Concepts:

• они (oni) - The nominative form meaning "they".
• мы (my) - "We", as a first-person plural pronoun.
• вы (vy) - "You" (plural or formal singular).