Word
Можно удлинить рукава после примерки.
Meaning
The sleeves can be lengthened after the fitting.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Breakdown of Можно удлинить рукава после примерки.
можно
can
после
after
рукав
the sleeve
примерка
the fitting session
Questions & Answers about Можно удлинить рукава после примерки.
Why does the sentence start with Можно without a subject like it or you?
In Russian, можно is often used in an impersonal construction. It means something like:
- it is possible to...
- one can...
- you can...
So Можно удлинить рукава literally means It is possible to lengthen the sleeves.
Russian often leaves out a formal subject like English it. English needs it is possible, but Russian can simply say можно.
Why is the verb удлинить in the infinitive?
After можно, Russian usually uses the infinitive:
- Можно сделать — it is possible to do
- Можно изменить — it is possible to change
- Можно удлинить — it is possible to lengthen
So the pattern is:
можно + infinitive
This is very common and natural in Russian.
Why is it удлинить and not удлинять?