Breakdown of Основной вопрос — это деньги.
это
this / it is
деньги
money
вопрос
question
основной
main, basic
Questions & Answers about Основной вопрос — это деньги.
Why do we need the dash and это instead of just saying Основной вопрос деньги?
When both the subject (вопрос) and the predicate (деньги) are nouns in the nominative case, Russian usually connects them with a dash (—) to replace the dropped present tense of the verb 'to be'. Adding это after the dash is optional but very common; it emphasizes the equivalence, like saying 'The main question, it is money.'
Why is the singular вопрос linked to the plural деньги?
In Russian, a singular subject can be equated to a plural predicate noun without any grammatical issue. Keep in mind that деньги (money) is an only-plural noun in Russian. The linking word это doesn't change form here; it acts purely as the 'equals sign' between the two concepts, regardless of their gender or number.
Could I use главный instead of основной here?
Yes, главный вопрос is also perfectly natural and means almost exactly the same thing. Основной comes from основа (foundation or base) and implies 'fundamental', whereas главный means 'chief' or 'most important'. In this specific context, they are completely interchangeable.