Breakdown of Пусть этот компьютер часто барахлит, но он всё же работает.
он
he / it (for a masculine noun) / it (for a neuter noun)
компьютер
computer
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
работать
to work
часто
often
но
but
пусть
let
барахлить
to act up (of machines, devices)
всё же
still
Questions & Answers about Пусть этот компьютер часто барахлит, но он всё же работает.
How is пусть being used here? Doesn't it usually mean 'let'?
While пусть often means 'let', here it introduces a concession, meaning 'even if' or 'granted that.' When used this way, it is followed by a normal indicative verb (here, the present tense барахлит) and pairs with но (but) or всё же (still) in the second clause.
What kind of word is барахлит?
It is a colloquial but extremely common verb meaning 'to act up', 'to glitch', or 'to work poorly.' It is usually applied to electronics, engines, or even health (like a bad heart). It is related to the noun барахло, which means 'junk' or 'old stuff.'
Are both но and всё же required in the second half of the sentence?
You could technically use just но (but) or just всё же (still / nevertheless), but combining them is very natural in Russian. The full frame Пусть ..., но ... всё же strongly emphasizes the contrast, translating perfectly to 'Even though X is true, Y is nevertheless still the case.'
Why is the verb барахлит in the present tense instead of a hypothetical conditional?
Because this sentence states a fact, not a hypothetical. When пусть means 'granted that', it takes the indicative mood (regular past, present, or future). If you wanted to describe a hypothetical 'Even if it were to act up', you would have to use a different structure entirely, such as даже если бы.
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