Breakdown of Говорят, что артисты живут только ради аплодисментов.
говорить
to speak, to talk
жить
to live
только
only
что
that (conjunction)
Questions & Answers about Говорят, что артисты живут только ради аплодисментов.
Why is ради used here instead of для?
While both can translate to 'for', they have different nuances. для usually points to a recipient or intended use. ради, which is the focus of this lesson, specifically means 'for the sake of'. It shows a deep motivation, sacrifice, or ultimate purpose. Since the performers' lives revolve around applause, ради is the perfect fit. Like для, it requires the Genitive case (аплодисментов).
Does артисты mean 'artists' in the sense of painters?
No, this is a classic 'false friend'. While the English translation says 'artists', the Russian word артист almost always refers to a performing artist, such as an actor, musician, or dancer. A fine artist or painter is a художник. Performers are the ones getting the applause!
'Applause' is an uncountable, singular word in English. Why is аплодисментов plural?
In Russian, the word for applause (аплодисменты) only exists in the plural form. It behaves grammatically like the English words 'scissors' or 'pants'. Because it follows ради, it is put into the Genitive plural, ending in -ов.
Why doesn't the sentence start with Они (They) before говорят?
Dropping the pronoun and just using the third-person plural verb (говорят) is the standard way to express an indefinite or impersonal subject in Russian, equivalent to the English 'They say', 'People say', or 'It is said'. If you added Они, it would mean a specific group of people you previously mentioned are saying this.