Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: Живопис дозволяє йому виразити свої глибокі емоції. - Painting allows him to express his deep emotions.

Живопис translates to painting in English, referring to the art form. In this sentence, it serves as the subject because it is the force or medium that enables the expression of emotions.

Why is the verb дозволяє in the present tense and what role does it play?

Дозволяє is the third person singular present form of дозволяти (to allow). It connects the subject (Живопис) to the action that is being enabled—in this case, allowing him to express his deep emotions.

Why is йому used and what case is it in?

Йому means to him and is in the dative case. In Ukrainian, when a verb like дозволяє is used, the person who benefits from or is affected by the action is put in the dative case, indicating that he is the one being allowed to perform the action.

What is the function of the infinitive виразити in this sentence?

Виразити is the infinitive form of the verb to express. It functions as the complement to дозволяє by specifying the action that is allowed. The structure—verb followed by a dative object and then an infinitive—is common when expressing ability or permission in Ukrainian.

Why does the sentence use the reflexive possessive свої instead of a form like його before глибокі емоції?

The use of свої (one’s own) is a reflexive construction, which typically refers back to the logical subject of the action even when it is not overtly stated within the subordinate clause. Although Живопис is the grammatical subject of the main clause, the implied subject of виразити (to express) is йому. Thus, свої глибокі емоції correctly indicates that the deep emotions belong to him.

How do the adjectives in свої глибокі емоції agree with the noun, and why is this important?

In Ukrainian, adjectives and possessive pronouns must agree with their nouns in gender, number, and case. Here, емоції (emotions) is plural and, as the direct object of the infinitive, in the accusative case. Both свої and глибокі are declined to match емоції in plural accusative, ensuring the consistency and clarity of the noun phrase.