Learn Hardcore Russian: Внутри дома тихо.

• внутри – a preposition indicating static location (it takes the genitive case).
• дома – the noun дом in the genitive singular, governed by внутри.
• тихо – an indeclinable predicative adverb (it coincides in form with the neuter short-form of тихий, but here functions like “is quiet”).

Why is there no verb есть (to be) in the Russian sentence, while in English we say “it is quiet”?

In Russian simple present-tense statements, the copula есть is usually omitted. You just state the predicate (тихо), and native speakers understand “it is quiet.” Adding есть (“Внутри дома есть тихо”) would sound awkward or overly emphatic.

Why is дом in the form дома? How do I know it’s genitive singular and not nominative plural?

The preposition внутри requires the genitive case, so дом becomes дома. Although дома can also look like the plural nominative (“houses”) or the adverb “at home,” the presence of внутри tells you it’s singular genitive. If you meant plural, you’d say внутри домов.

What grammatical function does тихо serve here? Is it an adverb or a short-form adjective?

Grammatically it’s an indeclinable adverb functioning as the sentence’s predicate (“it’s quiet”). It parallels the neuter short-form adjective тихо of тихий, but in impersonal constructions like this we treat it as an adverbial state.

What’s the difference between внутри and внутрь? When should I use each?

• внутри is static: “inside” (location), followed by genitive (e.g. внутри дома – inside the house).
• внутрь is dynamic: “into” (motion), takes the accusative (e.g. Кот забежал внутрь – the cat ran inside).

Can I say в доме тихо instead of внутри дома тихо? Are they interchangeable?

Yes, в доме тихо (“it’s quiet in the house”) is perfectly normal and more neutral. Adding внутри emphasizes the interior (often in contrast to outside): “Снаружи шумно, внутри дома тихо.”

How is this sentence pronounced? Where are the stresses on each word?

The standard pronunciation is:
вну́три до́ма ти́хо́
– stress on ну in внутри, on ма in дома, and on хо in тихо.