Breakdown of Ритм виолончели быстрее ритма скрипки.
быстрый
fast, quick
скрипка
violin
виолончель
cello
ритм
rhythm
Questions & Answers about Ритм виолончели быстрее ритма скрипки.
Why is ритма in the genitive case here instead of using чем (than)?
In Russian, comparisons can be made either with the conjunction чем followed by the nominative case (быстрее, чем ритм) or by simply putting the compared noun in the genitive case, as seen here with ритма. This genitive of comparison is very common and concise.
Both виолончели and скрипки are in the genitive case, but for different reasons than ритма, right?
Exactly! The words виолончели and скрипки are in the genitive to show possession, translating to 'of the cello' and 'of the violin.' However, ритма is in the genitive specifically to act as the standard of comparison, meaning 'than the rhythm.'
Our current lesson covers подобно + Dative. Why isn't it used in this sentence to compare the two rhythms?
The word подобно is used to show similarity (meaning 'like' or 'similar to'), which requires the dative case. This sentence highlights a difference ('faster than'), so it uses a comparative adjective (быстрее) followed by the genitive case. If you wanted to say they are similar, you could say Ритм виолончели подобен ритму скрипки.
Why isn't there a linking verb like 'is' between the subject and the comparative adjective?
As is standard in Russian present-tense sentences, the verb 'to be' (is/are) is omitted. The subject (ритм виолончели) connects directly to the comparative adjective (быстрее) without needing an explicit verb.
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