Learn Hardcore Russian: Это подарок от друга.

Это is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate or identify something. In this context, it functions similarly to saying "This is" in English, introducing what the speaker is about to describe.

Why is there no verb equivalent to "is" in the sentence?

In Russian, the present tense form of the verb "to be" is commonly omitted. The sentence "Это подарок от друга." implicitly means "This is a gift from a friend." This omission is a typical feature of Russian grammar, making sentences concise.

How is the phrase "от друга" constructed and why is "друга" in that form?

The preposition "от" means "from" and always takes the following noun in the genitive case. Here, "друга" is the genitive singular form of "друг" (meaning "friend"), indicating the source or origin of the gift.

What case is the noun "подарок" in, and why is that important?

Подарок is in the nominative case because it serves as the predicate nominative—it defines what "это" is. In Russian, the subject complement in a sentence typically appears in the nominative case, just as it does here.

Is it possible to change the word order in Russian sentences like this, and what would be the effect?

Yes, Russian word order is relatively flexible compared to English. While the standard order "Это подарок от друга." is clear and neutral, rearranging the words can introduce emphasis or alter the nuance. For example, saying "От друга это подарок." might highlight the source of the gift more strongly. However, the original order is most common for a straightforward declarative statement.