Question 1

Why is it раза instead of раз in the phrase в четыре раза ниже?

Accepted Answer

The structure for "X times [comparative]" is в + Accusative number + раз/раза. Because the word раз is inanimate, the accusative form of "four" is just четыре. Following standard Russian number rules, the numbers 2, 3, and 4 require the following noun to be in the genitive singular. Therefore, раз becomes раза. If it were five times lower, it would be в пять раз ниже, using the genitive plural.

Question 2

Why do we use the reflexive verb снизился instead of just снизил?

Accepted Answer

The non-reflexive verb снизить is transitive, meaning an active agent lowers a direct object (e.g., a company lowers prices). Adding the -ся ending makes it intransitive. Here, the demand (спрос) decreased on its own, so we need the reflexive form снизился to show that the subject simply underwent a change in state.

Question 3

Does the word показатель (indicator) come from the verb показать (to show)?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Показать means "to show," and the suffix -тель is often used to create nouns that perform an action (similar to "-er" or "-or" in English). So, a показатель is literally "something that shows" a result—an indicator, metric, or index.

Question 4

Could we use меньше (smaller/less) instead of ниже (lower) in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

While English speakers often say a number or metric gets "smaller," Russian typically treats metrics (показатель), rates, and prices as physical levels that move up and down. Because of this, ниже (lower) is the natural and correct choice here.

Когда спрос снизился, наш главный показатель стал в четыре раза ниже.

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