Breakdown of Пациент осматривается у врача.
у
by
врач
the doctor
пациент
the patient
осматриваться
to be examined
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Questions & Answers about Пациент осматривается у врача.
What does the suffix -ся add to the verb in осматривается?
In this context, -ся doesn’t mean “examines oneself” but turns the verb into a passive-like form, meaning “is being examined.”
Why is пациент in the nominative case if he’s the one being examined?
With passive constructions using -ся, the original direct object becomes the grammatical subject, so it takes the nominative case.
Why do we say у врача with the genitive case instead of using the instrumental case for the doctor?
“Осматриваться у врача” is an idiom meaning “to be examined at the doctor’s office.” Here у + genitive indicates location or association (“at someone’s place”), not the agent as in a true instrumental passive.
How else could I express this in an active voice?
You would say Врач осматривает пациента, with врач as the subject (nominative), осматривает as the active verb, and пациента as the direct object (accusative).
Can I use a passive participle instead of -ся?
Yes. In more formal or written style you might say Пациент осмотрен врачом, using the short passive participle осмотрен with врачом in the instrumental to show the agent.
What tense and aspect does осматривается have?
It’s present tense, imperfective aspect, indicating an ongoing or habitual action.
What’s the nuance between Пациент осматривается у врача and Врач осматривает пациента?
The first focuses on the patient undergoing the examination (passive perspective), and is neutral or slightly formal. The second focuses on the doctor performing the action (active perspective).