Question 1

Why do we use чтобы here instead of just the infinitive like in the English "too proud to ask"?

Accepted Answer

In Russian, the structure "too [adjective] to [do something]" translates to слишком [adjective], чтобы [infinitive]. You cannot attach the infinitive directly to the adjective like you do in English; you must use чтобы (in order to) to bridge the two ideas: "He is too proud, in order to ask..."

Question 2

Why use просить and not спросить? Don't they both mean "to ask"?

Accepted Answer

They do, but they are used differently! Спросить means "to ask a question" or "to inquire" (like asking for the time or someone's name). Просить means "to ask for something" or "to request" (like asking for help, money, or a favor). Since he is requesting help here, we must use просить.

Question 3

Why is помощи in the genitive case? Doesn't the verb просить take the accusative case?

Accepted Answer

Просить does take the accusative for specific, concrete objects (like a pen or a book). However, when asking for something abstract—like помощь (help), совет (advice), or внимание (attention)—Russian requires the genitive case. So, помощь becomes помощи.

Question 4

Could I use the short adjective горд instead of the long form гордый in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you absolutely can. Using the long form гордый implies that being proud is a permanent personality trait (he is generally a proud person). If you used the short form горд, it would sound a bit more literary and might emphasize his state of pride in this specific situation, though both sound very natural here.

Он слишком гордый, чтобы просить помощи.

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