Breakdown of Этот гончар делает керамику по-старому.
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
делать
to do
гончар
the potter
керамика
the ceramics
Questions & Answers about Этот гончар делает керамику по-старому.
Why is there a hyphen in по-старому, and how is it formed?
This is a special type of adverb meaning "in the manner of." It is formed from the adjective старый (old) by adding the prefix по- and the dative ending -ому. Whenever you form an adverb with по- and an -ому or -ему ending, you must use a hyphen.
Could I just use the regular adverb старо instead?
Not here. A standard adverb like старо means something is perceived as old or outdated. The по- ... -ому structure specifically means "in the way of" or "according to a certain style." So по-старому means "in the old way" or "like they used to."
English uses the plural "ceramics." Why is керамику singular?
In Russian, керамика is usually a singular, uncountable noun when referring to pottery or the art of making it as a whole. Here, it takes the accusative ending -у because it is the direct object being made.
How would the Russian change if I wanted to say he makes "old ceramics" rather than making them "the old way"?
You would use the standard adjective rather than the adverb. The sentence would become Этот гончар делает старую керамику. The adjective старую agrees with the accusative, feminine singular noun керамику.