Breakdown of Врач даёт справку.
врач
doctor
давать
to give (imperfective)
справка
certificate, medical note
Questions & Answers about Врач даёт справку.
Why does the verb даёт look so different from its infinitive давать?
The verb давать (to give) is a bit irregular. Verbs ending in -авать drop the -ва- part when conjugated in the present tense. That is why it becomes он даёт instead of "давает". You will also see this pattern in other common verbs like вставать (to get up), which becomes он встаёт.
Why does the word for certificate end in -у here (справку)?
It is in the accusative case because it is the direct object of the sentence—it is the specific thing being given. The dictionary form is справка, and feminine nouns ending in -а change their ending to -у in the accusative case.
Врач is a masculine word. Does the sentence change if the doctor is a woman?
The noun врач is always grammatically masculine, and in the present tense, the verb даёт does not show gender anyway. However, if you were talking about a female doctor in the past tense, the verb would usually match her actual biological gender: Врач дала справку (The female doctor gave a certificate).
What exactly is a справка? Is it like a diploma or an award?
In Russian, a справка is a formal document that confirms a piece of information. It is not an award. In a medical context, it specifically refers to a doctor's note used to excuse an absence from work or school, or to prove you are medically cleared to use a swimming pool or get a driver's license.
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