Learn Hardcore Russian: Сравнение книги и газеты показывает, что книга лучше, чем газета. - The comparison of a book and a newspaper shows that the book is better than the newspaper.

Сравнение is the subject of the sentence. It means “the comparison” and introduces the noun phrase "сравнение книги и газеты", which tells us what is being discussed.

Why are книги and газеты in the genitive case here?

In Russian, certain constructions require the objects of a noun to be in the genitive case. In this sentence, "сравнение" takes "книги и газеты" in the genitive to specify the two items being compared.

What function does the verb показывает serve in the sentence?

Показывает is the main verb and translates as “shows” or “demonstrates.” It links the subject (the comparison) to the subordinate clause that explains what the outcome of that comparison is.

How does the conjunction что work in this sentence?

Что introduces a subordinate clause that states the result of the comparison. The clause "что книга лучше, чем газета" explains that the book is better than the newspaper.

What is the purpose of чем in the phrase "чем газета"?

Чем is used to introduce the second element of the comparison. It corresponds to the English word “than” and directly connects the two items being compared, indicating that the book is superior to the newspaper.