In Russian, asking yes or no questions is super important for good communication. To ask these questions correctly, there are a few easy rules to follow. Let’s go over them!

1. Basic Sentence Structure

When you ask a yes or no question in Russian, you change a normal statement into a question. For example:

• Statement: Ты читаешь книгу. (You are reading a book.)
• Yes/No Question: Ты читаешь книгу? (Are you reading a book?)

2. Word Order

In Russian, the word order in a question stays the same as in a statement. This is different from English, where we often change the order of words.

Examples:

• Он готовит ужин. (He is cooking dinner.)
• Он готовит ужин? (Is he cooking dinner?)

3. Using Particles

Sometimes, Russian speakers use a word like "ли" to make the question sound more formal. This is usually found in writing or when talking formally.

• Statement: Она поедет в Москву. (She will go to Moscow.)
• Yes/No Question: Она поедет в Москву ли? (Will she go to Moscow?)

Using "ли" can help make things clearer, but it's not always necessary when you are speaking casually.

4. Adding Emphasis

If you want to show you are not sure or want someone to confirm something, you can add extra phrases before or after your question.

Examples:

• Надеюсь, ты пришёл? (I hope you came?)
• Ты не знаешь, правда? (You don’t know, right?)

5. Intonation

One of the most important parts of making yes or no questions in Russian is how you say it. You need to raise your voice at the end of the sentence to show you’re asking a question.

Practice Sentences

Now, let’s practice turning these statements into questions:

1. Мы идём в кино. (We are going to the cinema.)
2. Она изучает русский язык. (She is studying Russian.)
3. Вы знаете ответ. (You know the answer.)

The questions would be:

1. Мы идём в кино?
2. Она изучает русский язык?
3. Вы знаете ответ?

Practicing these changes will help you get better at asking yes or no questions in Russian!