Мой друг застенчивый, но добрый.

the friend

Breakdown of Мой друг застенчивый, но добрый.

• мой: my
• но: but
• добрый: kind

Questions & Answers about Мой друг застенчивый, но добрый.

Why is there no word for “is” in Мой друг застенчивый, но добрый?

In Russian, the verb “to be” (быть) is usually omitted in the present tense.

• English: My friend is shy but kind.
• Russian: Мой друг застенчивый, но добрый.
  (literally: My friend shy but kind.)

The verb есть (present form of быть) normally appears only in special cases (emphasis, contrast, existence, etc.), not in simple descriptive sentences about what someone or something is now.

So:

• Он врач. – He is a doctor.
• Она умная. – She is smart.

No extra word for “is” is needed in these present-tense descriptions.

How do we know this means “My friend is shy, but kind” and not “My shy but kind friend”?