Я ужинаю с другом.

I am having dinner with a friend.

Breakdown of Я ужинаю с другом.

• друг: the friend
• я: I
• с: with
• ужинать: to have dinner

Questions & Answers about Я ужинаю с другом.

Why is the verb ужинаю in the present tense, and does it refer to an action happening right now or a habitual activity?

The verb ужинаю is the first-person singular present tense form of ужинать, meaning “to have dinner.” In Russian, the present tense can express either an action taking place at the moment of speaking or a habitual routine, depending on context. In this sentence, you might interpret it as “I am having dinner” right now or simply “I have dinner” as a regular occurrence.

Why is друг changed to другом after the preposition с?

In Russian, the preposition с (meaning “with”) requires the noun that follows to be in the instrumental case. Therefore, друг becomes другом to indicate that the friend is the companion with whom the dinner is being had.

What role does the preposition с play in this sentence?

The preposition с translates to “with” in English. It is used to indicate accompaniment or association. In this sentence, it shows that the speaker is having dinner together with a friend.

How can I tell whether the present tense in this sentence refers to a current action or a general habit?

Russian present tense is versatile and context-dependent; it can describe something happening immediately or a regularly repeated action. The specific interpretation in Я ужинаю с другом relies on the broader context. Without additional time indicators, both “I’m having dinner (right now)” and “I have dinner (on a regular basis)” could be applicable. Context in conversation or additional descriptive details would clarify the intended meaning.

Why is there no article (like “a” or “the”) before friend in this sentence?

Russian does not use articles. Unlike English, which marks indefiniteness or definiteness with words like “a” or “the,” Russian relies on context and word order to convey meaning. Consequently, другом appears without an article, and its role in the sentence is understood from the context.