добрый
dobryy
The English word "kind" translates to Russian as добрый (dobryy).
добрый is used to describe someone who is benevolent, courteous, friendly or generous. It is also found in the standard greeting доброе утро, which means "good morning".
Meaning: benevolent, courteous, friendly, generous (adj)
Which one should you use?
While добрый describes a person's benevolent nature, the word милый is often used to mean "kind" in the sense of being "sweet" or "lovely".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes: добрая is the feminine form, доброе is the neuter form and добрые is the plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
dobryy
Did you know?
- The Russian adjective добрый shares an ancestral root with the English words 'deft' and 'daft', tracing back to a Proto-Slavic origin that related to being 'fit' or 'ready'.
- In Russian, the word for 'kindness' is also found in the word сдоба, which refers to 'bread rolls' or 'baked goods'.
- While добрый means 'kind', the word добро refers to 'goodness' or 'wealth', and can even be used as a noun to mean 'property' or 'goods'.
Examples in context
- Том добрый мужчина.Tom is a kind man.This sentence is useful for describing a man using добрый.Tatoeba #4955734 by odexed, translation #3670247 by Shereen
- Почему ты такой добрый?Why are you so kind?This sentence is useful for asking someone why they are so добрый.Tatoeba #4987568 by sharptoothed, translation #11151637 by ddnktr
- Что это ты такой добрый?Why are you being so kind?This sentence is useful for asking why someone is being so добрый.Tatoeba #13744453 by marafon, translation #2883029 by CK
- Вы очень добрыYou are very kind.
- Он великодушный человекHe is a kind person.
- Ты такой добрый!You are so kind!
- Это так мило!This is so kind/cute!
- Ты очень душевный человекYou are a very kind-hearted person.
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Olga and Aleksandr are talking about a mutual friend.
- Ольга OlgaМаксим очень добрый человек.Maksim ochen' dobryy chelovek.Maksim is a very kind person.
- Александр AleksandrДа, он всегда помогает всем.Da, on vsegda pomogayet vsem.Yes, he always helps everyone.
- Ольга OlgaОн был так добрый сегодня.On byl tak dobryy segodnya.He was so kind today.
- Александр AleksandrОн всегда такой с людьми.On vsegda takoy s lyud'mi.He is always like that with people.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries добрый, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
