Questions & Answers about Кто там? Там друг.
Why do we use Кто here instead of Что?
Кто means "who" and is used for people and animals (animate nouns), like a friend (друг). Что means "what" and is used for inanimate objects and abstract concepts.
Where is the word for "is" in these sentences?
In Russian, the present tense of the verb "to be" (am, is, are) is almost always skipped. You literally just say Кто там? (Who there?) and Там друг. (There friend.)
How do we know to translate друг as "a friend" rather than "the friend"?
Russian does not have articles like "a", "an", or "the". You have to figure it out from the context. It could technically mean "the friend", but "a friend" sounds much more natural in English for this kind of short answer.
Can I reply with Друг там. instead of Там друг.?
Yes, but the focus shifts slightly. In Russian, the most important new information usually comes at the end of the sentence. Там друг. answers "Who is there?" by putting the new information (друг) at the end. Друг там. puts the location at the end, which is a better answer for "Where is the friend?"
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