Dec. 13th, 2010

[identity profile] david-us.livejournal.com
How would a Russian say, "Do you have a dictionary?"

The context of the question is that you have unexpectedly run across a word you need to look up - so you are asking somebody if they have a dictionary, any dictionary. The emphasis is whether they even have one.

Would it be "У тебя есть словарь?"

Now, let's say you have been sharing a dictionary with another student. You have both been using it. You need it again but you can't find it. You ask the person "Do you have the dictionary?"

The context of the question is that there is a clear understanding that there is a dictionary. You even know which dictionary you're talking about. You're simply wondering if they have that dictionary.

Again, would it be "У тебя есть словарь?"

If so, then how do Russians convey the idea of specificity with regards to such questions as we can in English?

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

Profile

learn_russian: (Default)
For non-native speakers of Russian who want to study this language

May 2017

S M T W T F S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21 222324252627
28293031   

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jul. 28th, 2025 01:47 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios