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Questions & Answers about Мы жарим курицу.
Why does the word for chicken end in -у here instead of -а?
In Russian, the direct object of an action takes the Accusative case. Since курица (chicken) is a feminine noun ending in -а, it changes to курицу when it is the thing being fried.
Is there a difference in Russian between 'we fry' and 'we are frying'?
No, Russian does not have a separate continuous tense like English does with 'are frying'. The present tense verb жарим covers both 'we fry' (as a habit) and 'we are frying' (right now). You rely on context to know which one is meant.
What is the infinitive of жарим and why does it use an -им ending?
The infinitive is жарить (to fry). Because it ends in -ить, it follows the second conjugation pattern. This means the 'we' form takes the ending -им instead of the -ем ending used in first conjugation verbs.
Can жарить mean other ways of cooking besides frying?
Yes! While it often means frying in a pan, жарить is a broad term for cooking with fat or dry heat. It can also mean to roast, grill, or broil. жарим курицу is the standard way to say you are cooking a chicken using these methods.