Questions & Answers about Я знаю этого музыканта.
Why is the "г" in этого pronounced like a "v"?
In Russian, the grammatical endings -ого and -его are always pronounced with a "v" sound instead of a "g" sound. So, этого sounds like "eh-tuh-vuh". This is a strict spelling and pronunciation rule you'll see very often with adjectives and pronouns.
Why does музыкант end in -а here? Isn't it the direct object?
Yes, it is the direct object, which means it is in the accusative case. For non-living masculine objects (like a park or a table), the word doesn't change from its dictionary form. But for living masculine nouns—like people and animals—the accusative case borrows the ending from the genitive case. Since a musician is a living person, музыкант adds an -а to become музыканта.
Why did the word for "this" change to этого?
Words like "this" (этот) have to match the gender, case, and "living/non-living" status of the noun they describe. Because музыканта is a living, masculine noun in the accusative case, этот must also change to its living accusative form, which is этого.
Can I just use the basic word это and say "Я знаю это музыканта"?
No. The word это by itself usually means "this is" or "that is" (for example, Это музыкант means "This is a musician"). When you want to say "this specific person or thing," you have to use the pointing word этот, which changes its ending to match the noun it sits next to.
Learn Я знаю этого музыканта and more in Russian
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free