Breakdown of Эти проблемы очень трудные.
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
очень
very
проблема
problem
трудный
difficult
Questions & Answers about Эти проблемы очень трудные.
Why is the word for "these" эти instead of это?
You are probably used to seeing это (this/it is) in simple sentences. However, when pointing out a specific plural noun like "these problems", we must use the plural form. Эти is the plural demonstrative pronoun, matching the plural noun проблемы.
How is the plural noun проблемы formed?
The singular word is проблема (problem). It is a feminine noun because it ends in -а. To make feminine nouns ending in -а plural in the nominative case, you drop the -а and add -ы.
Why does the adjective трудные end in -ые?
Adjectives must match the noun they describe in gender, number, and case. Because проблемы is plural, the adjective must also be in the plural form. In the nominative plural, most Russian adjectives end in -ые (or -ие after certain letters).
Why is there no word for "are" in this sentence?
In Russian, the present tense forms of the verb "to be" (am, is, are) are almost always skipped. You just place the subject and its description side by side. Literally, this sentence simply says "These problems very difficult."
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