When you use a noun as a direct object, it takes the accusative case. Any adjectives or pronouns describing that noun must also be in the accusative case to match.
Feminine Adjectives and Pronouns
For feminine nouns, the accusative case brings a clear change in endings. Regular feminine adjectives ending in -ая change to -ую. Adjectives with soft endings, like синяя (blue), change from -яя to -юю.
| Nominative | Accusative |
|---|---|
| серая | серую |
| новая | новую |
| синяя | синюю |
Feminine demonstrative and possessive pronouns also change their ending to -у or -ю:
- эта (this) becomes эту
- та (that) becomes ту
- моя (my) becomes мою
- твоя (your) becomes твою
| I want to buy a grey shirt. | Я хочу купить серую рубашку. |
| Please show me this brown jacket. | Покажите мне, пожалуйста, эту коричневую куртку. |
| I am taking that blue T-shirt, not this one. | Я беру ту синюю футболку, а не эту. |
Masculine and Neuter Inanimate Modifiers
There is good news when it comes to inanimate masculine nouns and all neuter nouns! When these nouns are used as direct objects, their adjectives and pronouns do not change. They remain exactly the same as their dictionary (nominative) forms.
- этот коричневый чемодан (this brown suitcase) stays этот коричневый чемодан.
- это серое пальто (this grey coat) stays это серое пальто.
| Give me that brown suitcase, please. | Дайте мне тот коричневый чемодан, пожалуйста. |
| We are buying only this white shirt and this grey coat. | Мы покупаем только эту белую рубашку и это серое пальто. |
Expressing Direction with "на"
In Russian, the preposition на followed by the accusative case is used not only for physical movement onto a surface, but also with certain verbs where your attention is directed at something, such as смотреть на (to look at).
| She is looking at that new shop window, but isn't buying anything. | Она смотрит на ту новую витрину, но ничего не покупает. |
