Difference between revisions of "Language/Russian/Grammar/А-vs-Но"

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There are many conjunctions in the Russian language but the most difficult ones for foreigners to use are following: «А», «Но». There are difficult because it’s very hard to decide which one to use in the appropriate situation, it depends on what speaker wants to say or express. Despite the fact that there’s a big difference between these two, Russian learners always face a great deal of problems when picking up which one to use. This is why we’ve made this wiki-lesson. 
[[File:A versus OH in Russian.png||thumb]].  
Hello everybody,


Let’s talk about ‘A’ and ‘Но’ as the most difficult and meaningful conjunctions.  
In today's lesson you will learn when to use <code>A</code> or <code>HO</code> in Russian.


Feel free to edit this wiki page if needed.
Happy learning! 😃
__TOC__
There are many conjunctions in the Russian language but the most difficult ones for foreigners to use are following: "А", "Но".
They are difficult because it’s very hard to decide which one to use in the appropriate situation, it depends on what speaker wants to say or express.
Despite the fact that there’s a big difference between these two, Russian learners always face a great deal of problems when picking up which one to use.
This is why we’ve made this wiki-lesson. 
Let’s talk about "A" and "Но" as the most difficult and meaningful conjunctions.
Having gained a solid foundation in this subject matter, you may be curious about these related fields of study: [[Language/Russian/Grammar/Genitive-Case|Russian Grammar → Russian Nouns and Gender → Genitive Case ...]], [[Language/Russian/Grammar/Use-of-the-verb-%D0%B1%D1%8B%D1%82%D1%8C-in-the-past|Use of the verb быть in the past]], [[Language/Russian/Grammar/Past-Tense|Past Tense]] & [[Language/Russian/Grammar/Present-Tense|Present Tense]].
=="Но"==
When choosing a conjunction remember the following statements:
When choosing a conjunction remember the following statements:
# '''‘Но’''' means that something has occurred is different from the things we expected to happen.  For example:
'''''I called him, but he didn't answer - Я позвонил ему, но он не ответил.'''''


So you expected that he would respond, but he did not. In English they use '''<nowiki/>'but'''' to express this meaning. The Russian use '''‘Но’''' to express contradiction as in example:
'''‘Но’''' means something that has occurred is different from the things we expected to happen.  
 
'''Examples:'''
* Я позвонил ему, но он не ответил
<blockquote>I called him, but he didn't answer</blockquote>
 
So you expected that he would respond, but he did not. In English they use "but" to express this meaning. The Russian use '''‘Но’''' to express contradiction as in example:


'''''My car is very old, but good.'''''  – Моя машина очень старая, но хорошая.
*Моя машина очень старая, но хорошая.
<blockquote>My car is very old, but good</blockquote>So despite the fact that it’s old, it’s still good. When we say that a car is old we expect it to be bad, but it’s still good, so we use ‘Но’ in this case.  In the next example:
* У меня есть машина, но нет компьютера
<blockquote>I have a car, but not a computer</blockquote>


So despite the fact that it’s old, it’s still good. When
Again, this is contradiction: I have THIS, but not THAT.  
we say that a car is old we expect it to be bad, but it’s still good, so we use
‘Но’ in this case.  In the next example:


'''''I have a car, but not a computer - У меня есть машина, но нет компьютера.'''''
Another example:
*У неё маленькая зарплата, но она любит свою работу.
<blockquote>Her salary is low but she likes her job</blockquote>


Again, this is contradiction: I have THIS, but not THAT. Another example:
Her salary is low, so we expect her to hate her job, but she does not hate it, quite the opposite!


'''''Her salary is low but she likes her job'''''               '''''У неё маленькая зарплата,  но она любит свою работу.'''''
<code>'''➡ To sum it up, the main meaning of "Но" is a contradiction to expectations.'''</code>


So her salary is low and we expect her to hate her job due to the fact but she does not hate it, but loves it!  
Now, we use the "А" conjunction in the comparison constructions like Я изучаю русский, а ты английский


''To sum it up, the main
*Меня зовут Борис, а тебя Саша.
meaning of ‘Но’ is a contradiction to expectations.''
<blockquote>I study Russian and you study English</blockquote>
*Меня зовут Борис, а тебя Саша.
<blockquote>My name is Boris and your name is Sasha</blockquote>
*Меня зовут Борис, а тебя?
<blockquote>My name is Boris, and what’s your name?</blockquote>


Now, we use the ‘А’ conjunction in the comparison constructions like
=="A"==


'''''I study Russian and you study English                        Я изучаю русский, а ты английский'''''
The "A" conjunction always tells us some new or something different from the things were mentioned before.


'''''My name is Boris and your name is Sasha'''''                  '''''Меня зовут Борис, а тебя Саша.'''''
Another way of using ‘A’ is to add some new information, let’s say in purpose to change the subject:
*А, кстати, сколько сейчас времени? Я опаздываю!
<blockquote>Oh, by the way, what time is it, I am late!</blockquote>Remember also that in negative constructions like:
*Это дом, а не машина
<blockquote>This is a house, not a car</blockquote>


'''''My name is Boris, and what’s your name?                 –Меня зовут Борис, а тебя?'''''
➡ We have to use "A" conjunction.


The ‘A’ conjunction always
So the main difference between ‘A’ and ‘Ho’ is that ‘A’ is not a contradiction, it simply adds some new information into the conversation, whereas ‘Ho’ is a contradiction to expectations.
tells us some new or something different from the things were mentioned before.


Another way of using ‘A’ is to add some new information, let’s say in purpose to change the subject:
==Exercises==


'''''Oh, by the way, what time is
Great. Now let’s have a look at some exercises to train our skills. Let’s do a small quiz.
it, I am late!                   А, кстати, сколько сейчас времени? Я опаздываю!'''''


Remember also that in negative constructions like:
'''А или НО'''


'''''‘This is a house, not a car’                                          Это дом, а не машина'''''
#У меня есть машина, (1) нет дома
#Это мой друг, (2) это мой враг.
#У меня высокая зарплата, (3) я не люблю свою работу
#У тебя есть брат, (4) у меня есть сестра
#Я позвонил президенту, (5)  он сказал, что он больше не президент.
#Я хотел купить учебник, (6) забыл деньги дома.
#Эта машина очень старая, (7) ездит прекрасно
#Этот поезд выезжает в 10, (8) тот в 12.
#У меня нет учебника, (9) у тебя есть.
#Этот кинотеатр хороший, (10) очень дорогой.


''We have to use ‘A’ conjunction.''
So, in this small lesson we’ve discussed two very important conjunctions in the Russian Language.  Complete the exercise above and leave your comments if you have any questions about that or any other topic. Thank you for your attention!


So the main difference
== Examples of use==
between ‘A’ and ‘Ho’ is that ‘A’ is not a contradiction, it simply adds some
{| class="wikitable sortable"
new information into the conversation, whereas ‘Ho’ is a contradiction to expectations.
|-
!'''<big>ENGLISH</big>'''
!'''<big>PRONUNCIATION</big>'''
'''<big>ENGLISH</big>'''
!'''<big>RUSSIAN</big>'''
|-
|'''I CALLED HIM, BUT''' 


Great. Now let’s have a look
'''HE DIDN´T ANSWER'''
at some exercises to train our skills. Let’s do a small quiz.
|'''''yah pahs vah nihl ih mou, noh ohn nyeh'''''
'''''aht vyeh tihl'''''
|'''<big>Я ПОЗВОНИЛ ЕМУ,</big>'''
'''<big>НО ОН НЕ ОТВЕТИЛ</big>'''
|-
|'''MY CAR IS VERY'''


'''А или НО'''
'''OLD, BUT GOOD'''
|'''''mah yah mah shih nah oh chihn stah rah yah, noh hah roh shah yah'''''
|'''<big>МОЯ МАШИНА ОЧЕНЬ СТАРАЯ, НО ХОРОШАЯ</big>'''
|-
|'''I HAVE A CAR, BUT'''  


1.     У меня есть машина, (1) нет дома
'''NOT A COMPUTER'''
|'''''ou mih nyah yehst mah shih nah, noh nyeht kahm pih you tih rah'''''
|'''<big>У МЕНЯ ЕСТЬ МАШИНА, НО НЕТ КОМПЬЮТЕРА</big>'''
|-
|'''HER SALARY IS LOW'''


2.     Это мой друг, (2) мой враг.
'''BUT SHE LIKES HER JOB'''
|'''''ou nee yoh mah lyeh kah yah'''''


3.     У меня высокая зарплата, (3) я не люблю свою работу
'''''zahr plah tah, noh ah nah lih you beet svah you rah boh tou'''''
|'''<big>У НЕЁ МАЛЕНЬКАЯ ЗАРПЛАТА, НО ОНА ЛЮБИТ СВОЮ РАБОТУ</big>'''
|-
|'''I STUDY RUSSIAN AND'''


4.     У тебя есть брат, (4) у меня есть сестра
'''YOU STUDY ENGLISH'''
|'''''yah ih zou chah you roos kee, ah tuh ahn glees kee'''''
|'''<big>Я ИЗУЧАЮ РУССКИЙ,</big>'''


5.     Я позвонил президенту, (5)  он сказал, что
'''<big>А ТЫ АНГЛИЙСКИЙ</big>'''
он больше не президент.
|-
|'''MY NAME IS BORIS AND'''


6.     Я хотел купить учебник, (6) забыл деньги дома.
'''YOUR NAME IS SASHA'''
|'''''mih nyah zah voot boh rihs,'''''
'''''ah tih byah sah shah'''''
|'''<big>МЕНЯ ЗОВУТ БОРИС,</big>'''


7.     Эта машина очень старая, (7) ездит прекрасно
'''<big>А ТЕБЯ САША</big>'''
|-
|'''MY NAME IS BORIS, AND'''


8.     Этот поезд выезжает в 10, (8) тот в 12.
'''WHAT´S YOUR NAME ?'''
|'''''mih nyah zah voot boh rihs, ah tih byah ?'''''
|'''<big>МЕНЯ ЗОВУТ БОРИС,</big>'''


9.     У меня нет учебника, (9) у тебя есть.
'''<big>А ТЕБЯ ?</big>'''
|-
|'''OH, BY THE WAY, WHAT TIME IS IT ? I´M LATE'''
|'''''ah kihs tah tih, skohl kah sih chahs vrih mih nih ?'''''
'''''yah ah pahs duh vah you'''''
|'''<big>А, КСТАТИ, СКОЛЬКО СЕЙЧАС ВРЕМЕНИ ?</big>'''
'''<big>Я ОПАЗДЫВАЮ</big>'''
|-
|'''THIS IS A HOUSE,'''


10.  Этот кинотеатр хороший, (10) очень дорогой.
'''NOT A CAR'''
|'''''eh tah dohm, ah nyeh'''''
'''''mah shih nah'''''
|'''<big>ЭТО ДОМ, А НЕ</big>'''
'''<big>МАШИНА</big>'''
|}


So, in this small lesson we’ve discussed two very important conjunctions in the Russian Language.  Complete the exercise above and leave your comments if you have any questions about that or any other topic. Thank you for your attention!
==Other Lessons==
* [[Language/Russian/Grammar/The-verb-to-have|The verb to have]]
* [[Language/Russian/Grammar/Personal-Pronouns|Personal Pronouns]]
* [[Language/Russian/Grammar/Порядок-слов-в-русском-предложении|Порядок слов в русском предложении]]
* [[Language/Russian/Grammar/Pronouns|Pronouns]]
* [[Language/Russian/Grammar/Plurals|Plurals]]
* [[Language/Russian/Grammar/Very-important-rules|Very important rules]]
* [[Language/Russian/Grammar/Russian-cases|Russian cases]]
* [[Language/Russian/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have|How to Use Have]]
* [[Language/Russian/Grammar/Punctuation|Punctuation]]
* [[Language/Russian/Grammar/Use-of-the-verb-быть-in-the-past|Use of the verb быть in the past]]
<span links></span>

Latest revision as of 06:22, 18 July 2023

A versus OH in Russian.png

.

Hello everybody,

In today's lesson you will learn when to use A or HO in Russian.

Feel free to edit this wiki page if needed.

Happy learning! 😃

There are many conjunctions in the Russian language but the most difficult ones for foreigners to use are following: "А", "Но".

They are difficult because it’s very hard to decide which one to use in the appropriate situation, it depends on what speaker wants to say or express.

Despite the fact that there’s a big difference between these two, Russian learners always face a great deal of problems when picking up which one to use.

This is why we’ve made this wiki-lesson. 

Let’s talk about "A" and "Но" as the most difficult and meaningful conjunctions.

Having gained a solid foundation in this subject matter, you may be curious about these related fields of study: Russian Grammar → Russian Nouns and Gender → Genitive Case ..., Use of the verb быть in the past, Past Tense & Present Tense.

"Но"[edit | edit source]

When choosing a conjunction remember the following statements:

‘Но’ means something that has occurred is different from the things we expected to happen.  

Examples:

  • Я позвонил ему, но он не ответил

I called him, but he didn't answer

So you expected that he would respond, but he did not. In English they use "but" to express this meaning. The Russian use ‘Но’ to express contradiction as in example:

  • Моя машина очень старая, но хорошая.

My car is very old, but good

So despite the fact that it’s old, it’s still good. When we say that a car is old we expect it to be bad, but it’s still good, so we use ‘Но’ in this case.  In the next example:

  • У меня есть машина, но нет компьютера

I have a car, but not a computer

Again, this is contradiction: I have THIS, but not THAT.

Another example:

  • У неё маленькая зарплата, но она любит свою работу.

Her salary is low but she likes her job

Her salary is low, so we expect her to hate her job, but she does not hate it, quite the opposite!

➡ To sum it up, the main meaning of "Но" is a contradiction to expectations.

Now, we use the "А" conjunction in the comparison constructions like Я изучаю русский, а ты английский

  • Меня зовут Борис, а тебя Саша.

I study Russian and you study English

  • Меня зовут Борис, а тебя Саша.

My name is Boris and your name is Sasha

  • Меня зовут Борис, а тебя?

My name is Boris, and what’s your name?

"A"[edit | edit source]

The "A" conjunction always tells us some new or something different from the things were mentioned before.

Another way of using ‘A’ is to add some new information, let’s say in purpose to change the subject:

  • А, кстати, сколько сейчас времени? Я опаздываю!

Oh, by the way, what time is it, I am late!

Remember also that in negative constructions like:

  • Это дом, а не машина

This is a house, not a car

➡ We have to use "A" conjunction.

So the main difference between ‘A’ and ‘Ho’ is that ‘A’ is not a contradiction, it simply adds some new information into the conversation, whereas ‘Ho’ is a contradiction to expectations.

Exercises[edit | edit source]

Great. Now let’s have a look at some exercises to train our skills. Let’s do a small quiz.

А или НО

  1. У меня есть машина, (1) нет дома
  2. Это мой друг, (2) это мой враг.
  3. У меня высокая зарплата, (3) я не люблю свою работу
  4. У тебя есть брат, (4) у меня есть сестра
  5. Я позвонил президенту, (5)  он сказал, что он больше не президент.
  6. Я хотел купить учебник, (6) забыл деньги дома.
  7. Эта машина очень старая, (7) ездит прекрасно
  8. Этот поезд выезжает в 10, (8) тот в 12.
  9. У меня нет учебника, (9) у тебя есть.
  10. Этот кинотеатр хороший, (10) очень дорогой.

So, in this small lesson we’ve discussed two very important conjunctions in the Russian Language.  Complete the exercise above and leave your comments if you have any questions about that or any other topic. Thank you for your attention!

Examples of use[edit | edit source]

ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION

ENGLISH

RUSSIAN
I CALLED HIM, BUT

HE DIDN´T ANSWER

yah pahs vah nihl ih mou, noh ohn nyeh

aht vyeh tihl

Я ПОЗВОНИЛ ЕМУ,

НО ОН НЕ ОТВЕТИЛ

MY CAR IS VERY

OLD, BUT GOOD

mah yah mah shih nah oh chihn stah rah yah, noh hah roh shah yah МОЯ МАШИНА ОЧЕНЬ СТАРАЯ, НО ХОРОШАЯ
I HAVE A CAR, BUT

NOT A COMPUTER

ou mih nyah yehst mah shih nah, noh nyeht kahm pih you tih rah У МЕНЯ ЕСТЬ МАШИНА, НО НЕТ КОМПЬЮТЕРА
HER SALARY IS LOW

BUT SHE LIKES HER JOB

ou nee yoh mah lyeh kah yah

zahr plah tah, noh ah nah lih you beet svah you rah boh tou

У НЕЁ МАЛЕНЬКАЯ ЗАРПЛАТА, НО ОНА ЛЮБИТ СВОЮ РАБОТУ
I STUDY RUSSIAN AND

YOU STUDY ENGLISH

yah ih zou chah you roos kee, ah tuh ahn glees kee Я ИЗУЧАЮ РУССКИЙ,

А ТЫ АНГЛИЙСКИЙ

MY NAME IS BORIS AND

YOUR NAME IS SASHA

mih nyah zah voot boh rihs,

ah tih byah sah shah

МЕНЯ ЗОВУТ БОРИС,

А ТЕБЯ САША

MY NAME IS BORIS, AND

WHAT´S YOUR NAME ?

mih nyah zah voot boh rihs, ah tih byah ? МЕНЯ ЗОВУТ БОРИС,

А ТЕБЯ ?

OH, BY THE WAY, WHAT TIME IS IT ? I´M LATE ah kihs tah tih, skohl kah sih chahs vrih mih nih ?

yah ah pahs duh vah you

А, КСТАТИ, СКОЛЬКО СЕЙЧАС ВРЕМЕНИ ?

Я ОПАЗДЫВАЮ

THIS IS A HOUSE,

NOT A CAR

eh tah dohm, ah nyeh

mah shih nah

ЭТО ДОМ, А НЕ

МАШИНА

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]

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