Breakdown of Я часто решаю простые и сложные вопросы.
я
I
и
and
часто
often
простой
simple
решать
to solve
сложный
complex
вопрос
the issue
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Russian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Я часто решаю простые и сложные вопросы.
What is the infinitive and aspect of the verb решаю, and what does it mean?
решаю is the 1st person singular present tense form of the imperfective verb решать. It means to solve or to resolve. Because it’s imperfective, it expresses a repeated or habitual action (“I often solve”).
Why is вопросы used here even though it literally means “questions”? Could it also mean “issues” or “matters”?
Yes. вопрос can mean “question,” “issue,” or “matter” depending on context. In this sentence it doesn’t refer to a literal question you ask someone but to “simple and complex issues/matters.”
Why do the adjectives простые and сложные end in -ые?
They modify the plural noun вопросы and must agree in number (plural), gender (masculine), and case (accusative). Inanimate masculine nouns have identical nominative and accusative forms in the plural, so the adjectives appear as простые and сложные.
Why isn’t there a change in form for вопросы in the accusative case, since it’s the direct object of решаю?
In Russian, inanimate masculine nouns have the same form in the nominative and accusative plurals. Since вопросы is inanimate, its accusative plural is identical to its nominative plural.
Can I move часто in the sentence? Why is it before the verb?
Yes. Russian word order is flexible. Часто can appear before or after the verb (Я часто решаю vs. Я решаю часто). Placing it before the verb is a neutral, common way to indicate frequency.
How would I say “I will solve simple and complex issues” using the perfective aspect?
Use the perfective verb решу (future tense, 1st person singular). The sentence becomes Я решу простые и сложные вопросы, meaning “I will solve simple and complex issues (once).”
Is there a difference between решать/решить and разрешать/разрешить?
Yes. решать/решить means to solve or decide. разрешать/разрешить means to allow or permit (or to resolve a conflict). Only решать is used for solving problems or issues.
What’s the stress in решаю, and how do I pronounce it?
The stress falls on the second syllable: ре-ША-ю. Pronounce it roughly like “rih-SHAH-yu.”