Breakdown of Дедушка получил два ордена за свои заслуги.
два
two
дедушка
grandfather
свой
one's own
получить
to receive (perfective)
за
for (in exchange for)
орден
medal / order (award)
заслуга
merit
Questions & Answers about Дедушка получил два ордена за свои заслуги.
The lesson is about nouns with two plural meanings. How does this apply to the word орден?
The noun орден has two distinct nominative plural forms. When it means state decorations or medals (as in this context), the plural is ордена́. When it refers to historical, religious, or secret societies (like the Templar Order), the plural is о́рдены.
If the plural for medals is ордена, is the word ордена in this sentence in the plural form?
No, because it follows the number два, it is actually in the genitive singular form. The genitive singular is pronounced о́рдена (stress on the first syllable). The nominative plural for medals is pronounced ордена́ (stress on the last syllable). Paying attention to stress helps distinguish these grammatical forms!
Why must we use свои instead of его for "his" merits here?
The reflexive possessive свой is used to refer back to the subject of the sentence (Дедушка). If you said за его заслуги, it would grammatically mean he received the medals for some other man's merits, since его points to a non-subject third party.
Why is за свои заслуги in the accusative case?
The preposition за takes the accusative case when it expresses a reward, exchange, or reason (e.g., getting a medal for your merits, paying for dinner, or thanking someone for their help). Because заслуги is an inanimate noun, its accusative plural form looks identical to its nominative plural.
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