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Questions & Answers about Петро мудрий.
What is the overall structure of the sentence "Петро мудрий"?
"Петро мудрий" is a simple descriptive sentence where Петро is the subject (a proper noun for Peter) and мудрий is a predicate adjective meaning wise. Notice that there is no explicit verb; this is typical in Ukrainian for present-tense statements.
Why is there no linking verb (such as "is") present in the sentence?
In Ukrainian, the present tense form of the verb to be is commonly omitted when describing a subject’s state or quality. Thus, even though we translate it as "Peter is wise," the verb "is" is understood rather than spoken.
How does the agreement between the noun and adjective work in this example?
In Ukrainian, adjectives must agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case. Since Петро is a masculine singular noun in the nominative case, the adjective мудрий is also in the masculine singular nominative form.
Is "Петро мудрий" considered a complete sentence in Ukrainian?
Yes, it is. Despite its brevity, the sentence is complete in Ukrainian because it clearly establishes a subject and its attribute. The omitted verb does not detract from the grammatical completeness of the sentence.
Can this structure be applied to other descriptions in Ukrainian?
Absolutely. When describing any subject, you can use a similar structure where the subject is followed directly by an adjective. Just be sure to adjust the adjective’s form to match the subject’s gender, number, and case.