Learn Hardcore Russian: Это блюдо вкусное.

In Russian, the present tense of the verb быть (“to be”) is commonly omitted. The sentence “Это блюдо вкусное” is understood as “This dish is tasty,” with the linking verb is being implied by context.

Why does the adjective вкусное end in -ое?

The adjective вкусное ends in -ое because it agrees with the noun блюдо, which is a neuter noun. In Russian, adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, so a neuter noun requires a neuter-form adjective.

What role does это play in the sentence?

The word это functions as a demonstrative pronoun meaning “this” or “that.” It introduces and identifies the specific dish being discussed, serving a similar role to “this” in the English sentence “This dish is tasty.”

Could the sentence be rearranged as “Это вкусное блюдо,” and if so, what would be the difference?

Yes, “Это вкусное блюдо” is also grammatically correct. Both orders convey that the dish is tasty. However, the structure “Это блюдо вкусное” emphasizes the predicate quality by placing the adjective after the noun, making it a clear statement about the dish’s property. On the other hand, “Это вкусное блюдо” treats the adjective as an attributive modifier directly attached to the noun. The difference is subtle and often comes down to emphasis or stylistic choice.

Is using a structure without an explicit linking verb common in Russian?

Yes, it is very common. Russian typically omits the linking verb быть in the present tense. This means that descriptive sentences often consist of a subject followed directly by a predicate adjective, with the verb “is” understood from context.