Breakdown of Эта книга стоит тридцать два рубля.
книга
book
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
два
two
рубль
ruble
стоить
to cost
тридцать
thirty
Questions & Answers about Эта книга стоит тридцать два рубля.
Why is the noun рубля in the singular form when 32 is obviously a plural amount?
In Russian, the case of the noun is determined by the last word of a compound number. Because тридцать два ends in два (two), it follows the rule for 2, 3, and 4, which require the Genitive Singular case (рубля). If the book cost 35 rubles, it would end in 5 and take the Genitive Plural (рублей).
Are both parts of the number тридцать два affected by grammar rules in this sentence?
No, in this sentence you just combine the basic dictionary forms: тридцать (thirty) + два (two). Neither part changes its ending here. When dealing with compound numbers as subjects or direct objects, you only need to worry about changing the noun that comes after them!
Is there a trick to remembering how to spell tens like тридцать?
Yes! Тридцать is literally made by joining три (three) and -дцать, which is a shortened, old form of десять (ten). Just remember to keep the soft sign (ь) at the very end. You will see this exact same pattern in 20 (двадцать).
I remember the word стоит meaning 'stands'. Is this the same word?
They are spelled exactly the same but pronounced differently! When the stress is on the first syllable (стОит), it means 'costs'. When the stress is on the last syllable (стоИт), it means 'stands'. Here, the context of rubles tells you it must be 'costs'.
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