Language/Russian/Grammar/Instrumental-Case
Introduction[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we will continue our exploration of Russian grammar by delving into the Instrumental case. The Instrumental case is one of the six cases in the Russian language, and it is used to indicate the means or tool by which an action is performed. For example, if you want to say "I wrote with a pen," you would use the Instrumental case to indicate that the pen was the tool used for writing.
Understanding how to use the Instrumental case correctly is essential for building grammatically correct Russian sentences. Throughout this lesson, we will explore the rules and patterns for forming nouns and adjectives in the Instrumental case, as well as practice using the case in different contexts.
Forming Nouns in the Instrumental Case[edit | edit source]
To form nouns in the Instrumental case, we need to consider the gender and the declension pattern of the noun. As we learned in the previous lessons, Russian nouns have three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. Each gender has its own set of declension patterns, which determine how the noun changes form depending on its case.
Masculine Nouns[edit | edit source]
Masculine nouns in Russian typically end in a consonant. To form the Instrumental case of masculine nouns, we generally add the suffix "-ом" to the nominative form of the noun. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, especially when dealing with nouns ending in "-й" or "-ь". Let's see some examples:
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| стол (stol) | stohl | table |
| ящик (yashchik) | yashcheek | box |
| парк (park) | park | park |
| мужчина (muzhchina) | moozhcheena | man |
Feminine Nouns[edit | edit source]
Feminine nouns in Russian typically end in "-а" or "-я". To form the Instrumental case of feminine nouns, we generally replace the ending "-а" or "-я" with "-ой". However, just like with masculine nouns, there are exceptions to this rule. Let's see some examples:
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| книга (kniga) | kneegah | book |
| машина (mashina) | mashinah | car |
| семья (semya) | semyah | family |
| река (reka) | ryekah | river |
Neuter Nouns[edit | edit source]
Neuter nouns in Russian typically end in "-о" or "-е". To form the Instrumental case of neuter nouns, we generally replace the ending "-о" or "-е" with "-ом". However, there are exceptions to this rule as well. Let's see some examples:
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| окно (okno) | oknoh | window |
| море (more) | moreh | sea |
| дерево (derevo) | derevoh | tree |
| яблоко (yabloko) | yablokoh | apple |
Forming Adjectives in the Instrumental Case[edit | edit source]
Just like nouns, adjectives in Russian also change form depending on the case. To form adjectives in the Instrumental case, we need to consider the gender, number, and declension pattern of the adjective. The declension pattern of the adjective depends on the gender and number of the noun it describes.
Masculine Adjectives[edit | edit source]
Masculine adjectives in Russian typically end in a consonant. To form the Instrumental case of masculine adjectives, we generally add the suffix "-ым" or "-им" to the nominative form of the adjective, depending on the declension pattern. Let's see some examples:
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| новый (novyy) | nohvyh | new |
| высокий (vysokiy) | veehsohkeeh | tall |
| молодой (molodoy) | mahlohdoih | young |
| интересный (interesnyy) | eenhterehsnyh | interesting |
Feminine Adjectives[edit | edit source]
Feminine adjectives in Russian typically end in "-ая" or "-яя". To form the Instrumental case of feminine adjectives, we generally replace the ending "-ая" or "-яя" with "-ой". Let's see some examples:
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| красивая (krasivaya) | krahseevahyah | beautiful |
| умная (umnaya) | oomnahyah | smart |
| сильная (silnaya) | seelnyahyah | strong |
| хорошая (khoroshaya) | khahroshyahyah | good |
Neuter Adjectives[edit | edit source]
Neuter adjectives in Russian typically end in "-ое" or "-ее". To form the Instrumental case of neuter adjectives, we generally replace the ending "-ое" or "-ее" with "-ым" or "-им". Let's see some examples:
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| большое (bolshoe) | bohlsheh | big |
| маленькое (malen'koe) | mahlehn'keh | small |
| холодное (kholodnoe) | kholohdnohheh | cold |
| пустое (pustoe) | poostoeh | empty |
Using the Instrumental Case[edit | edit source]
Now that we've learned how to form nouns and adjectives in the Instrumental case, let's explore how we can use this case in different contexts.
Means or Tool[edit | edit source]
One of the primary uses of the Instrumental case is to indicate the means or tool by which an action is performed. For example:
- Я пишу ручкой. (Ya pishu ruchkoy.) - I write with a pen.
- Он говорит по-русски. (On govorit po-russki.) - He speaks Russian.
In these examples, the noun in the Instrumental case ("ручкой" and "по-русски") indicates the tool or means used for writing and speaking, respectively.
Accompaniment[edit | edit source]
The Instrumental case is also used to indicate accompaniment or being together with someone or something. For example:
- Я иду с другом. (Ya idu s droogom.) - I am going with a friend.
- Она ездит на работу на автобусе. (Ona yezdit na rabotu na avtobuse.) - She goes to work by bus.
In these examples, the noun in the Instrumental case ("другом" and "автобусе") indicates the person or thing someone is accompanied by.
Time[edit | edit source]
The Instrumental case can also be used to express time. For example:
- Я просыпаюсь каждое утро в 7 часов. (Ya prosypayus' kazhdoye utro v sem' chasov.) - I wake up every morning at 7 o'clock.
- Они встречаются раз в неделю. (Oni vstrechayutsya raz v nedelyu.) - They meet once a week.
In these examples, the noun in the Instrumental case ("утро" and "неделю") indicates the time at which an action is performed.
Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now it's time to practice what we've learned! Complete the following exercises by transforming the given nouns and adjectives into the Instrumental case. Remember to consider the gender and declension pattern of each word.
- Transform the noun "кот" (kot) meaning "cat" into the Instrumental case.
- Transform the adjective "хороший" (khoroshiy) meaning "good" into the Instrumental case.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have successfully completed the lesson on the Instrumental case in Russian. You have learned how to form nouns and adjectives in the Instrumental case and how to use this case to indicate means or tool, accompaniment, and time. Keep practicing and exploring the fascinating world of Russian grammar, and soon you will become a master of the language!
Videos[edit | edit source]
Russian Instrumental case - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Basic Russian 4: Instrumental Case Summary: Forms and Uses ...[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
- The Instrumental Case - Russian Grammar
- The Instrumental Case in Russian: Usage and Examples
- The Russian Instrumental Case Made Easy – StoryLearning
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Nominative Case
- Noun Cases Overview
- Negation
- Future Tense
- Personal Pronouns
- А vs Но
- Accusative Case
- Give your Opinion
- Genitive Case
- Dative Case