Questions & Answers about Это старое бревно очень грязное.
If I want to say 'I am sitting down on this old log' using the verbs from this lesson, do the endings of это старое бревно change?
No, they stay exactly the same! The verb садиться (to sit down) takes на + Accusative. Because бревно (log) is a neuter inanimate noun, its Accusative form is identical to the Nominative form you see here. You would just say: Я сажусь на это старое бревно.
Why is the word for 'this' это instead of этот?
Бревно is a neuter noun because it ends in -о. Therefore, the demonstrative word 'this' must be the neuter это, and the adjectives describing the log must also take neuter endings (старое, грязное).
In this sentence, does это mean 'this' or 'this is'?
Here, it just means 'this' and attaches directly to the noun phrase to mean 'this old log'. Russian doesn't use a word for 'is' in the present tense, so the 'is' is simply understood right before очень грязное. If you instead wanted to say 'This is an old log', the structure is slightly different and usually written with a dash: Это — старое бревно.
What is the root noun for the adjective грязное?
It comes from the noun грязь (dirt or mud). It is a very useful feminine noun to know, especially when you are talking about sitting down outdoors!
Learn Это старое бревно очень грязное and more in Russian
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free