Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Russian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Я записываю новые слова.
Why is the word for words слова here, and what case is it in?
It is in the accusative case because it is the direct object (the thing being written down). For the neuter noun слово, the plural form is слова. Because it is an inanimate object, the accusative plural looks exactly the same as the nominative plural. Be careful not to confuse it with the genitive singular, which is also spelled слова!
How is записывать different from just писать?
Писать is the general verb for to write. Adding the prefix за- to make записывать gives it the specific meaning of to write down, to record, or to make a note of. It is the perfect verb for when you are taking notes to help you study.
Since this is about learning vocabulary, which study verb would I use if I want to say I am memorizing these words?
You would use учить (to memorize). As you saw in this lesson, you use учить for specific things you learn by heart, like words or grammar rules. You would not use изучать here, because that is for deeply studying a broad academic subject, and you would not use учиться because that refers to where or how you are a student.
Why does the adjective новые end in -ые?
Новые is the plural form of новый (new). Adjectives must match their nouns in case, number, and gender. Since слова is accusative plural and inanimate, the adjective новые also takes the inanimate accusative plural form, which happens to look exactly like the basic nominative plural.