In Russian, adjectives (words that describe nouns) need to match the nouns they go with. This means they should agree on gender (if they are male, female, or neutral), number (singular or plural), and case (the role the noun plays in a sentence). Following these rules will help you sound more natural when speaking Russian. Let’s break it down step by step.

Noun Gender

Russian nouns come in three genders:

1. Masculine: These nouns usually end with a consonant or "-й."

   • For example, "стул" (stool) means chair.

2. Feminine: These nouns often end with "-а" or "-я."

   • For example, "книга" (book) is feminine.

3. Neuter: These nouns typically end with "-о" or "-е."

   • For example, "окно" (window) means window.

Adjective Endings by Gender

• For Masculine Nouns: The adjective ends in "-ый" or "-ой."
  • Example: "большой стол" means big table.
• For Feminine Nouns: The adjective ends in "-ая."
  • Example: "большая книга" means big book.
• For Neuter Nouns: The adjective ends in "-ое."
  • Example: "большое окно" means big window.

Noun Number

Nouns can be singular (one) or plural (more than one). Adjectives must match the noun in number too.

• Singular:
  • Example: "новый дом" means new house (masculine).
• Plural:
  • Adjectives usually end in "-ые" or "-ие."
  • Example: "новые дома" means new houses.

Cases

The Russian language uses six different grammatical cases. The adjectives need to agree with the noun in case. Here are some common cases:

• Nominative Case: This is used for the subject of the sentence.
  • Example: "Это хороший фильм." (This is a good movie.)
• Accusative Case: This case is used for the direct object, especially for living masculine nouns, where adjectives change too.
  • Example: "Я вижу хорошего человека." (I see a good person.)

Applying the Rules

To use these rules, follow these simple steps:

1. First, find out the gender of the noun.
2. Next, check if the noun is singular or plural.
3. Then, look at the case (usually nominative or accusative when you're starting).
4. Finally, choose the right ending for the adjective based on these factors.

Examples in Sentences

• Masculine: "Синий мяч" (blue ball) is in nominative case.
• Feminine: "Красная машина" (red car) is in nominative case.
• Neuter: "Жёлтое яйцо" (yellow egg) is in nominative case.
• In accusative (for living things): "Я вижу синего медведя" (I see a blue bear).

By learning these rules about how adjectives agree with nouns, you can make better sentences in Russian. This will help you have more enjoyable conversations and understand the language much better!