Learn Hardcore Russian: Я соблюдаю правила.

Соблюдаю is the first-person singular form of the verb соблюдать, which means "to abide by," "to comply with," or "to follow." In this sentence, it indicates that the speaker actively adheres to the rules.

Why is the subject pronoun Я explicitly included even though the verb ending already shows the subject?

In Russian, verb conjugations usually indicate the subject, so the pronoun can often be dropped. However, including Я can add emphasis or clarity, ensuring the listener immediately knows who is performing the action.

What case is the noun правила in, and why does its form look unchanged?

The noun правила is the direct object of the sentence and is in the accusative case. Since правила is an inanimate plural noun, its accusative form is identical to its nominative form. This is common with many inanimate nouns in Russian.

What aspect does the verb соблюдаю use, and what does that tell us about the action?

The verb соблюдаю comes from соблюдать, which is imperfective in aspect. This means the action is habitual, ongoing, or repeated rather than a one-time completed act. In this context, it implies that following the rules is a regular or consistent behavior.

What is the basic word order in the sentence, and can it be rearranged in Russian?