это русский
eto russkiy
In Russian, the phrase for "this is russian" is это русский (eto russkiy).
This phrase can be used to identify a language or a person as being Russian. Depending on the context, it can mean both "this is Russian" (referring to the language) and "this is a Russian (man)".
Which one should you use?
While это русский is common, it can be ambiguous because it can refer to the language or to a Russian man. To be grammatically precise and avoid this ambiguity when referring to the language, it is better to use это русский язык.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase это русский uses the masculine form of the adjective to refer to the Russian language in a colloquial or shorthand manner.
How do you pronounce it?
eto russkiy
Did you know?
- The word русский only describes people of ethnic Russian origin. To refer to a citizen of the Russian Federation regardless of ethnicity, speakers use the word россиянин.
- The word русский is built from the root Русь, which refers to the ancient polity of the Rus'.
- The suffix -ский in русский is a classic adjectival marker found in many Slavic languages to denote belonging or origin.
Examples in context
- Это русский язык.Eto russkiy yazyk.This is the Russian language.
- Это русский человек.Eto russkiy chelovek.This is a Russian person.
Example conversation
Maria and Dmitry are looking at a book in a library.
- Мария MariaЧто это за книга, Дмитрий?Shto eto za kniga, Dmitriy?What kind of book is this, Dmitry?
- Дмитрий DmitryЭто русский словарь.Eto russkiy slovar'.This is a Russian dictionary.
- Мария MariaЯ не понимаю эти слова.Ya ne ponimayu eti slova.I don't understand these words.
- Дмитрий DmitryКонечно, ведь это русский.Konechno, ved' eto russkiy.Of course, after all, this is Russian.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries русский, CC BY-SA 4.0.
