Question 1

Why are there dashes in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

In Russian, the present tense of the verb 'to be' (is/are) is usually left out. When a sentence is structured with a distinct pause where 'is' would normally go, we often use an em dash in writing to replace it. Here, the dash stands in for the missing 'is' between the direction and the building.

Question 2

I thought налево meant 'to the left' (direction) and слева meant 'on the left' (location). Why does this sentence use налево?

Accepted Answer

Strictly speaking, you are right: слева means 'on the left' answering the question где? (where?), and налево means 'to the left' answering куда? (where to?). However, in everyday spoken Russian, people often use налево and направо to point out locations, as if saying 'Look to the left—there is a school.'

Question 3

Could I change the word order and say Школа — налево?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but it changes the focus. Russian usually puts the new or most important information at the end of the sentence. Налево — школа is used when you are pointing out what exists in a specific direction. If you said Школа налево, you would be answering the question 'Where is the school?'

Question 4

How do we know to translate this as 'the school' and 'the shop' instead of 'a school' and 'a shop'?

Accepted Answer

Russian does not have articles like 'a' or 'the', so it depends entirely on context. Because these buildings are placed at the end of the phrase, they are the new information being introduced. You could perfectly well translate this as 'On the left is a school, on the right a shop.' The provided translation just assumes you are pointing out specific landmarks in your town.

Налево — школа, направо — магазин.

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