Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Russian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Я жду друга на минуту.
Why is the noun for “friend” written as друга instead of друг?
In Russian, when a masculine animate noun is the direct object of a verb, its accusative form typically mirrors the genitive form. Since друг is a masculine animate noun, the accusative becomes друга rather than remaining unchanged. This helps distinguish animate objects in the sentence.
What does the phrase на минуту indicate in this sentence?
The phrase на минуту specifies a planned time duration, meaning “for a minute.” In Russian, when indicating the length of time intended for an action (especially a short, definite period), the preposition на is used with the accusative case. It clearly communicates that the speaker intends to wait only a minute.
Why is there no preposition before друга even though in English we say “wait for a friend”?
Russian verbs like ждать (“to wait”) take their direct objects without requiring a preposition. The meaning of “waiting for someone” is inherent in the verb itself, so друга follows immediately after жду. Adding a preposition isn’t needed and would actually be ungrammatical in this context.
Is the word order in Я жду друга на минуту fixed, or can it be changed?
While Russian allows for flexible word order due to its case system, the sequence in this sentence—subject (Я), verb (жду), object (друга), and duration (на минуту)—is quite natural. Changing the order might shift the emphasis but the meaning would still be understood; however, for clarity and standard usage, this order is recommended.
Can a different construction be used to express the same duration of time?
Yes, another way to express a time duration would be using a phrase like в течение минуты (“during a minute”), though it often conveys a slightly different nuance. На минуту is more common when referring to a planned, limited waiting period. It is also more idiomatic in daily conversation when you mean “I’ll wait for just a minute.”