Learn Russian: Это просто спор между братьями. - This is just an argument between the brothers.

Это просто спор между братьями.

This is just an argument between the brothers.

Breakdown of Это просто спор между братьями.

Questions & Answers about Это просто спор между братьями.

Why is the word братьями in the Instrumental case here?

The preposition между (between or among) requires the noun that follows it to be in the Instrumental case. Since this lesson covers prepositions of location, remember that между always triggers the Instrumental case for the parties involved in the location or relationship.

I remember the plural of the word for brother is irregular. How do we get the ending in братьями?

You are right! The noun брат has an irregular plural stem: братья. When you put this plural form into the Instrumental case to go with между, you add the standard plural ending -ми, resulting in братьями.

Does между mean between (two people) or among (many people)?

It can mean both! Unlike English, which usually uses between for two things and among for three or more, Russian uses между for both situations. Here, it could refer to two brothers or several.

Does спор imply a physical fight or just a verbal argument?

The word спор specifically means a verbal argument, dispute, or debate. If the brothers were having a physical fight, you would use a word like драка instead.