ты
ty[tɨ]
In Russian, "are you" is expressed using the second person singular pronoun ты (ty).
The word ты is the pronoun used to refer to the person being spoken to in a singular context.
Which one should you use?
While ты is used for a single person in informal settings, you should use вы when addressing someone formally or when addressing more than one person.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ты changes depending on its role in a sentence. It becomes тебя when it is the object of a verb or preposition, such as in "I see you". It changes to тебе when used with verbs like "to give" or "to say" (e.g., "I give to you"). Additionally, it becomes тобой when used with certain prepositions like с (with) or под (under).
How do you pronounce it?
ty
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use ты with strangers or superiors, which can be perceived as disrespectful or overly familiar.
Did you know?
- The pronoun ты is a direct distant relative of the English word 'thou', which was once used in English but is now considered archaic.
- The transition from the formal вы to the informal ты is often treated as a formal social ceremony known as 'perekhod na ty'.
- In certain religious contexts, ты is used to address God, regardless of the speaker's status, to signify a direct and intimate spiritual relationship.
Examples in context
- Ты не в духе?Are you in a bad mood?This sentence shows how to use ты to ask about someone's mood.Tatoeba #2493891 by paul_lingvo, translation #2120756 by LanguageExpert
- С кем ты там?Who are you there with?This sentence demonstrates using ты to ask who someone is with.Tatoeba #3014842 by marafon, translation #2892855 by CK
- С кем ты ешь?Who are you eating with?This sentence uses ты to ask who someone is eating with.Tatoeba #5249437 by marafon, translation #13191926 by frpzzd
- Вы готовы?Are you ready?
- Вы говорите по-английски?Do you speak English?
- Вы все понимаете?Do you understand everything?
- Вы проживаете здесь?Do you live here?
- Вы готовы приступить к работе?Are you ready to start working?
- Ты готов пойти в кино?Are you ready to go to the movies?
- Ты понимаешь, о чем я говорю?Do you understand what I'm talking about?
- 7007 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Olga and Andrey are talking at home.
- Ольга OlgaТы готов идти?Ty gotov idti?Are you ready to go?
- Андрей AndreyДа, я уже одет.Da, ya uzhe odet.Yes, I am already dressed.
- Ольга OlgaТы взял ключи?Ty vzyal klyuchi?Did you take the keys?
- Андрей AndreyОй, я забыл их.Oy, ya zabyl ikh.Oh, I forgot them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ты, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ты, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
