What is the definition of a case? A case is the form of a noun that represents its grammatical function within a sentence.
Cases not only affect nouns, but also other parts of speech in Russian - pronouns, adjectives, numerals.
Depending on the case, a certain noun will have different endings. Sometimes, even the stem of the word will change.
There are 6 cases in the Russian language - Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative, Instrumental, and Prepositional.
Each case has a singular and plural form. This means that a noun will have 12 different forms - 6 singular forms and 6 plural forms.
6 Cases in the Russian language
Nominative case- indicating the subject of a clause
It answers questions: Who? What?
Мальчик смотрит телевизор. The boy is watching TV.
Моя машина сломалась. My car broke down.
Genitive case- indicating possession, origin or relation
It answers questions: Of whom? Whose? Of what? Where from?
Это ресторан моих друзей. This is my friends' restaurant.
Я только что вернулся из Европы. I just came back from Europe.
Dative case- indicating the indirect object of a verb, its recipient
It answers questions: To whom? To what?
Это книга принадлежит библиотеке. This book belongs to the library.
Передавай маме привет от меня. Tell your mom I said hello.
Accusative case - indicating the direct object of a verb
It answers questions: I see whom? What?
Я видел Питера вчера на автобусной остановке. I saw Peter yesterday at the bus stop.
Он смотрит футбол по телевизору. He is watching football on TV.
Instrumental case- indicating means by which
It answers questoins: With whom? With what? By which means?
Мне нравится пить чай с молоком. I like drinking tea with milk.
Я иду в кинотеатр с моим другом. I'm going to the cinema with my friend.
Prepositional case- used to designate a location and is always used with a preposition.
It answers questions: About whom? About what? Where?
Он ждёт тебя в офисе. He is waiting for you in the office.
Фильм о любви и отношениях. The movie is about love and relationships.
Read more on Russian cases:
Nominative Case
Genitive Case
Dative Case
Accusative Case
Instrumental Case
Prepositional Case
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