как ты думаешь?
kak ty dumayesh'?
In Russian, "what do you think?" is expressed as как ты думаешь? (kak ty dumayesh'?)
This phrase is used to ask for someone's opinion or thoughts regarding a particular matter.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase как ты думаешь? literally translates to "how do you think?"
Which one should you use?
While как ты думаешь? asks for an opinion, the phrase что ты думаешь? is more often used to ask what specific subject or thoughts are currently on someone's mind.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use the form как ты думаешь? when addressing one person with whom you are on familiar terms. Use the form как вы думаете? when addressing someone formally or when addressing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
kak ty dumayesh'?
Did you know?
- The word ты in как ты думаешь? is a cognate of the English 'thee', which was the familiar form of 'you' in Early Modern English.
- When asking for a quick opinion in a slangy, informal way, a Russian might use the word как тебе? which literally translates to 'how is it to you?'
- While как ты думаешь? asks for an opinion, Russian uses the same verb думать to describe the act of missing someone, such as saying 'I am thinking of you'.
Examples in context
- Здравствуйте! Что вы думаете о последней новости?Hello! What do you think about the latest news?
- Привет! Что ты думаешь о новом фильме?Hi! What do you think about the new movie?
Example conversation
Anastasia and Dmitry are choosing a movie to watch.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДавай посмотрим этот фильм. Как ты думаешь?Davay posmotrim etot fil'm. Kak ty dumaesh'?Let's watch this movie. What do you think?
- Дмитрий DmitryМне кажется, он слишком длинный.Mne kazhetsya, on slishkom dlinnyy.I think it is too long.
- Анастасия AnastasiaА как насчёт этого короткого фильма?A kak naschët etogo korotkogo fil'ma?What about this short movie?
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, этот вариант мне нравится больше.Da, etot variant mne nravitsya bol'she.Yes, I like this option more.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries как, ты, CC BY-SA 4.0.
