Learn Russian: Это спорный вопрос, так как дискуссия продолжается. - This is a controversial question, since the discussion is continuing.

Это спорный вопрос, так как дискуссия продолжается.

This is a controversial question, since the discussion is continuing.

Breakdown of Это спорный вопрос, так как дискуссия продолжается.

to continue, to go on

так как

since, as

Questions & Answers about Это спорный вопрос, так как дискуссия продолжается.

Can I use потому что instead of так как in this sentence?

Yes, they both mean "because" or "since." However, так как is often translated as "since" or "as" and is slightly more formal. We use так как when the reason might already be known to the listener, or to sound a bit more logical and structured. You can also start a sentence with так как (Since the discussion is continuing...), whereas starting a sentence with потому что is generally avoided in Russian.

Is the adjective спорный related to the noun спор?

Exactly! Спор means "argument," "dispute," or "debate." By adding the adjective suffix -н- and the masculine ending -ый to match the masculine noun вопрос, we get спорный, which means "controversial," "debatable," or "disputed."

Does вопрос just mean a literal question ending with a question mark?

Not necessarily. Just like the English word "question," вопрос can also mean "issue," "matter," or "problem." In the phrase спорный вопрос, it usually translates to "a controversial issue" or "a matter of debate."

Why does продолжается have the reflexive -ся ending?