как у меня
kak u menya
The English phrase "like mine" is translated into Russian as как у меня (kak u menya).
This phrase is used to compare the possession or state of something to the speaker's own, rather than comparing the physical appearance of the objects directly.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of как (as/like), у (at/by) and меня (me), literally meaning "as [it is] at me".
How do you pronounce it?
kak u menya
Did you know?
- Because the phrase как у меня refers to possession, a Russian speaker would use it to compare anything from a physical object to a personality trait or a medical symptom.
- The word у is a remnant of an ancient system where possession was viewed as something being in a person's immediate vicinity or orbit.
- The word меня is not just a simple 'me', but a specific grammatical transformation. It is a result of an ancient linguistic blending of the Old East Slavic forms мене and мѧ.
Examples in context
- Моя сестра готовит так, как я.My sister cooks like me.
- У тебя машина как у меня.U tebya mashina kak u menya.Your car is like mine.
- Этот телефон как у меня.Etot telefon kak u menya.This phone is like mine.
- Твоя сумка выглядит как у меня.Tvoya sumka vyglyadit kak u menya.Your bag looks like mine.
Example conversation
Sergey and Olga are looking at a new cafe's menu.
- Сергей SergeyЭтот кофе вкусный?Etot kofe vkusnyy?Is this coffee tasty?
- Ольга OlgaДа, он как у меня.Da, on kak u menya.Yes, it's like mine.
- Сергей SergeyТы часто здесь бываешь?Ty chasto zdes' byvayesh'?Do you come here often?
- Ольга OlgaНет, я здесь впервые.Net, ya zdes' vpervyye.No, it's my first time here.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries как, меня, у, CC BY-SA 4.0.
