Breakdown of Нам всё же нужно купить десяток яиц.
мы
we
яйцо
egg
купить
to buy (perfective)
нужно
it is necessary
Questions & Answers about Нам всё же нужно купить десяток яиц.
Why use the noun десяток instead of the number десять here?
Десяток is a numerical noun meaning a group of ten, much like a dozen in English. While десять яиц is grammatically fine, десяток is the standard, everyday way Russians refer to a package of eggs, since they are typically sold in cartons of ten.
What case is the phrase десяток яиц in?
Десяток is the direct object of the verb купить (to buy), so it is in the Accusative case. Because it is an inanimate masculine noun, its Accusative form looks exactly like the Nominative. The noun that follows a grouping noun must be in the Genitive plural, which is why we use яиц.
How does the phrase всё же change the meaning compared to just saying всё ещё?
Всё же translates to nevertheless or after all (often translated simply as still in English). It implies a change of mind or countering a previous thought—perhaps they previously decided not to buy eggs, but realized they actually do need them. Всё ещё means still only in a continuous time sense (like I am still waiting).
Why does the Genitive plural of яйцо (egg) become яиц?