Learn Hardcore Russian: Я положил книгу между журнальным столиком и диваном. - I placed the book between the coffee table and the couch.

Because книга is the direct object of the verb положил, and direct objects in Russian take the Accusative case. Feminine nouns ending in -а change that ending to -у in the singular Accusative, so книга → книгу.

Why do we use the verb положил here instead of поставил or положу?

Положил is the past tense, perfective form of положить, meaning “laid” or “put (horizontally).” You use поставил (“placed upright”) if you stand something vertically. Положу would be the future tense of положить (“I will put/lay”).

What case does the preposition между govern, and why are журнальным столиком and диваном in the Instrumental?

The preposition между (“between”) always takes the Instrumental case in modern Russian. That’s why both журнальный столик and диван appear as журнальным столиком and диваном respectively: both must be in Instrumental to match между.

How do you form the Instrumental singular of masculine nouns like столик and диван?

For most masculine nouns ending in a consonant, add -ом (or -ем after certain soft vowels). So столик → столиком, диван → диваном. If there’s an adjective, it also goes to Instrumental: журнальный → журнальным.

Can I swap the two objects after между, saying между диваном и журнальным столиком instead?

Yes. Russian word order in such prepositional phrases is flexible. Между диваном и журнальным столиком means exactly the same thing. Choice of order can slightly shift emphasis, but it doesn’t change the basic meaning.

What exactly is a журнальный столик in English?

A журнальный столик is a low table used in a living room for holding magazines, drinks, remote controls, etc. In English it’s commonly called a coffee table or side table.

Why aren’t there any articles (“the” or “a”) in the Russian sentence?

Russian does not have definite or indefinite articles like English. Context alone tells you whether you’re talking about “the book” or “a book.” No extra word is needed.

Could I use меж instead of между, followed by the Genitive case?

In modern standard Russian, you almost always use между + Instrumental. The shorter меж + Genitive is archaic or very poetic, and you’ll rarely hear it in everyday speech.

How is the stress placed in журнальным столиком, and any pronunciation tips?

Stress falls on the second syllable of журнáльным and on -ко́- in столико́м. Pronounce ж like the “s” in “measure,” and keep the -лым and -ком endings clear but not overly heavy.