Breakdown of Началась метель, так что наш рейс задержали.
наш
our (наш, наша, наше)
рейс
flight (scheduled trip or route)
задержать
to delay (pf)
начаться
to start (perfective)
метель
blizzard
так что
so / with the result that (conjunction)
Questions & Answers about Началась метель, так что наш рейс задержали.
What is the difference between using так что and поэтому to say "so" in this sentence?
Both words express a consequence, but grammatically they are different. Поэтому (therefore) is an adverb and often starts a completely new independent sentence. Так что (so / with the result that) is a conjunction specifically used to attach a subordinate result clause to a main clause. In casual speech they are often interchangeable, but так что weaves the cause and effect into a single, smooth thought. Note that the comma always goes before the whole phrase так что, never splitting it.
Why does the verb началась come before the subject метель?
In Russian, placing the verb before the subject is the standard way to introduce a new event or state of nature into the scene. It translates functionally to "There began a blizzard." If you said Метель началась, it would sound like you are giving an update on a specific blizzard the listener already knows about, similar to "The blizzard began."
The translation says "was delayed", but isn't задержали an active verb meaning "they delayed"?
Yes, it literally means "they delayed." Using a third-person plural verb without the pronoun они (they) is the most natural way to express a passive action in Russian when it doesn't matter exactly who did it (in this case, the airport authorities). While you could use a true passive like рейс был задержан, this indefinite-personal construction is much more common in spoken Russian.
Is наш рейс the subject of the second clause?
No, it is the direct object of the verb задержали. It is in the accusative case because the implied "they" delayed it. Because рейс (flight) is an inanimate masculine noun, its accusative form looks exactly the same as its nominative form, which can sometimes trick learners into thinking it is the subject.
Learn Началась метель, так что наш рейс задержали and more in Russian
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free