Understanding Tag Questions in Russian

If you want to get better at speaking Russian, it’s really important to understand tag questions.

Tag questions are just short questions that you add at the end of a statement. They help you check if someone agrees with you or if you want more information.

What Are Tag Questions?

Tag questions are like mini-questions that finish your sentences. They help you confirm something or get someone to agree with you.

• For example:
  • "Он говорит по-русски, не так ли?"
    (He speaks Russian, doesn’t he?)

How to Make Tag Questions in Russian

1. Basic Setup:
   In Russian, a tag question starts with a statement and then adds a little question at the end. This question matches the main sentence.

2. Using "правда" and "не так ли":
   You can use the words “правда?” (isn’t that true?) or “не так ли?” (isn’t that so?) at the end of a positive statement.

   • Here are some examples:
     • "Это твоя книга, правда?"
       (This is your book, right?)
     • "Вы пришли на праздник, не так ли?"
       (You came to the party, didn’t you?)

3. Tone of Voice:
   How you say the tag question matters too. If your voice goes up at the end, it shows you’re not sure. If it goes down, it means you expect the other person to agree.

Examples of Tag Questions

1. Positive Statements:

   • "Ты учишь русский язык, не так ли?"
     (You are studying Russian, right?)
   • "Он хороший певец, правда?"
     (He is a good singer, isn’t he?)

2. Negative Statements:

   • "Она не пришла, правда?"
     (She didn’t come, did she?)
   • "Мы не будем отдыхать в этом году, не так ли?"
     (We are not going to rest this year, are we?)

Practice Time!

To get better at using tag questions, try making your own:

• Change these sentences into tag questions:
  1. Это интересный фильм.
  2. Ты часто читаешь книги.

Possible answers:

• "Это интересный фильм, правда?"
  (This is an interesting movie, isn’t it?)
• "Ты часто читаешь книги, не так ли?"
  (You often read books, don’t you?)

By practicing tag questions, you'll get better at chatting with others. This will help you confirm things and get responses in a more natural way. Keep listening to native speakers and use tag questions when you talk!