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Questions & Answers about Пиріг із хліба смачний.
Why is із used instead of з before хліба?
In Ukrainian the preposition for “from” is normally з. However, for ease of pronunciation, particularly before words where the sound might clash or become unclear, з often becomes із. In this sentence, із precedes хліба to create a smoother flow.
Why is хліба in the genitive case instead of the nominative?
The preposition із governs the genitive case in Ukrainian. This means that the noun following із must be in the genitive form. Here, хліба (the genitive of хліб) indicates the material from which the pie is made.
How do the adjective смачний and the noun Пиріг agree in this sentence?
In Ukrainian, adjectives must agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number, and case. Since Пиріг is a masculine singular noun, the adjective смачний is also in the masculine singular nominative form to properly match the noun.
What is the overall structure of the sentence Пиріг із хліба смачний?
The sentence follows a simple structure:
• Subject: Пиріг із хліба – where Пиріг is the main noun and із хліба is a prepositional phrase describing what the pie is made of.
• Predicate: смачний – the adjective stating that the pie is delicious.
Ukrainian allows flexible word order, but this arrangement clearly identifies the subject and its property.
How does the expression із хліба compare to similar constructions in English?
In English, we might say “bread pie” where bread functions as an attributive noun. In Ukrainian, however, the material is expressed with a prepositional phrase—із plus the genitive form of хліб—to indicate what the pie is made from. It’s a different strategy for conveying composition and origin.
What should a learner keep in mind regarding prepositional phrases like із хліба in Ukrainian?
Learners should note two key points:
• Prepositions in Ukrainian dictate the case of the following noun. With із, the noun must be in the genitive.
• The form of the preposition (з vs. із) can change for phonetic reasons.
Understanding these details helps ensure correct usage and smooth pronunciation in similar constructions.