Breakdown of В случае затруднения попросите подсказку.
попросить
to ask (to request)
в случае
in case of
затруднение
difficulty (complication or hindrance)
подсказка
hint (direct help or clue)
Questions & Answers about В случае затруднения попросите подсказку.
Why is затруднения in the genitive case here?
The phrase в случае (in case of) functions as a compound preposition. Whenever you use it directly before a noun, that noun must be in the genitive case. Here, the neuter noun затруднение becomes затруднения.
How would I say this using the в случае, если structure from this lesson?
You would need to expand the condition into a full clause with a verb. Because в случае + noun is so concise, using если here feels a bit wordier. You would have to say something like: В случае, если у вас возникнет затруднение, попросите подсказку (In case a difficulty arises for you, ask for a hint).
What is the difference between затруднение and the more common word трудность?
While both translate to "difficulty", трудность usually refers to a broader hardship or a general difficult situation. Затруднение refers to a specific, often temporary complication or snag, like getting stuck on a puzzle. Since the solution here is just a hint (подсказка), затруднение is the most natural fit.
English uses "ask for". Why is there no preposition before подсказку?
The Russian verb попросить (to ask, to request) takes a direct object in the accusative case for the thing being requested. Adding a preposition would be a direct translation from English and is grammatically incorrect in Russian. You simply "request a hint" (попросите подсказку).
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