In Russian, sentences can be more interesting and detailed when they include extra parts called subordinate clauses. These are added to the main sentence to give more information. One important tool for creating these clauses is using relative pronouns. Learning how these pronouns work can help you make and understand more complicated sentences in Russian.

What Are Relative Pronouns in Russian?

Relative pronouns in Russian help start subordinate clauses. These clauses help explain or add to the meaning of nouns or pronouns in the main part of the sentence. Here are the three most common relative pronouns in Russian:

1. который (kotorый) - which, who, that
2. кто (kto) - who
3. что (chto) - what, that

These pronouns connect ideas and add details without needing a new sentence. They make the meaning clearer and richer.

How Each Pronoun Works

1. Который (kotorый)
The pronoun "который" gives extra information about a noun. It changes based on the noun's gender, number, and case.

• Example:
  • Main clause: Я люблю книгу. (I love the book.)
  • Subordinate clause: Которая написана _____ писателем. (which was written by a writer.)
  • Complete sentence: Я люблю книгу, которая написана известным писателем.
    (I love the book that was written by a famous writer.)

2. Кто (kto)
"Kто" is used for people and adds details about them.

• Example:
  • Main clause: Он встретил человека. (He met a person.)
  • Subordinate clause: Который помог ему. (who helped him.)
  • Complete sentence: Он встретил человека, который помог ему.
    (He met a person who helped him.)

3. Что (chto)
The pronoun "что" introduces a clause that explains something. It often means "that."

• Example:
  • Main clause: Я думаю. (I think.)
  • Subordinate clause: Что ты прав. (that you are right.)
  • Complete sentence: Я думаю, что ты прав.
    (I think that you are right.)

How to Build Complex Sentences

To make sentences with relative pronouns, follow these steps:

1. Find the main clause.

   • Example: Я купил новый дом. (I bought a new house.)

2. Think of extra information you want to add.

   • Information: Этот дом красивый. (This house is beautiful.)

3. Create the subordinate clause using a relative pronoun.

   • Example: который
   • Subordinate clause: который расположен на берегу. (which is located on the shore.)

4. Combine the clauses together.

   • Complete sentence: Я купил новый дом, который расположен на берегу и красивый.
     (I bought a new house that is located by the shore and is beautiful.)

Quick Recap and Practice

Here are some key points to remember:

• Use который to add details about nouns.
• Use кто when talking about people.
• Use что to explain or clarify things.

Try It Out!

Now it's your turn to practice.

1. Choose a main sentence.
2. Think of an extra detail to add using each relative pronoun.
3. Put them together into complex sentences like the examples above.

By practicing with relative pronouns, you'll learn to create more interesting and detailed sentences, which will help you get better at Russian grammar!