{"id":246,"date":"2009-01-31T06:25:44","date_gmt":"2009-01-31T10:25:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/?p=246"},"modified":"2014-07-16T19:00:28","modified_gmt":"2014-07-16T19:00:28","slug":"why-oh-why-%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%87%d0%b5%d0%bc%d1%83-%d0%b0%d1%85-%d0%b7%d0%b0%d1%87%d0%b5%d0%bc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/why-oh-why-%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%87%d0%b5%d0%bc%d1%83-%d0%b0%d1%85-%d0%b7%d0%b0%d1%87%d0%b5%d0%bc\/","title":{"rendered":"Why, oh Why? [\u041f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443, \u0430\u0445, \u0417\u0430\u0447\u0435\u043c?]"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u0414\u0430!<\/strong> Yes! Today is the day! Today is the day for the long-awaited post about the difference between \u00ab\u043f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [why] and \u00ab\u0437\u0430\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043c\u00bb<\/strong> [why; what for]. As you probably notice I’ve taken my time to figure out this, but I think I get it now (\u043d\u0430\u043a\u043e\u043d\u0435<\/span>\u0446-\u0442\u043e<\/strong>! [at last, finally]). For a long time I have asked Russians the question Why?<\/em> in all the wrong ways you possibly could, but now I’m ready to share my freshly acquired wisdom in this area with all of you. And as a way to spice up the discussion I’m throwing in \u00ab\u043e\u0442\u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u00bb <\/strong>[why] and \u00ab\u0441 \u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u00bb <\/strong>[\u2018from what’; why] also. I want to thank all of you who contributed with comments on the two past post, and especially to Natasha (she’s my boss!), who finally cleared up my favorite expression \u00ab\u0441 \u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span> \u0431\u044b \u044d<\/span>\u0442\u043e?\u00bb<\/strong> [‘why did this happen?’] in which \u00ab\u0441 \u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> can only be confused with \u00ab\u043f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> and \u00ab\u0437\u0430\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043c\u00bb<\/strong> as it is an idiomatic expression, like for example \u00ab\u0441 \u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e \u0442\u044b \u044d\u0442\u043e \u0432\u0437\u044f\u043b?\u00bb<\/strong> [‘why do you think so?’], in which it is a synonym of \u00ab\u0441 \u043a\u0430\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u0439 \u0441\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u0438?\u00bb<\/strong> [what for?]. The usage of it in idiomatic expressions should not be confused with it in a sentence like \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441<\/strong>\u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span><\/strong>\u043d\u0430\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c<\/strong>?\u00bb<\/strong> [where to begin? from what to begin?], because here it has literal meaning. Got it? Let’s move on then, \u0434\u0430<\/span>\u043c\u044b<\/strong>\u0438<\/strong>\u0433\u043e\u0441\u043f\u043e\u0434\u0430<\/span><\/strong>[ladies and gentlemen]! To get some order in my head with these \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0432\u0430<\/strong>\u0432\u043e\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0441\u0438<\/span>\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044b\u0445<\/strong>\u0441\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0430<\/span><\/strong>\u00bb <\/strong>[two interrogative words] I turned to my old faithful, to my trusted and beloved \u00ab<\/strong>\u0422\u043e\u043b\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u044b\u0439<\/strong>\u0441\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u044c<\/strong>\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e<\/strong>\u044f\u0437\u044b\u043a\u0430<\/span><\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong> [Explanatory dictionary of Russian language] and here’s what I found out…<\/p>\n

The first interrogative word of today is \u00ab\u043f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [why]. It can have three different meanings: the first being \u00ab\u043f\u043e \u043a\u0430\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u0439 \u043f\u0440\u0438\u0447\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u0435, \u0432\u0441\u043b\u0435<\/span>\u0434\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0438\u0435 \u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span>?\u00bb <\/strong>[because of what; for what reason; in consequence of what; owing to what?], in sentences like these:<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u041f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span> \u0442\u044b \u043c\u043d\u0435 \u043d\u0435 \u043f\u0438<\/span>\u0448\u0435\u0448\u044c?\u00bb<\/strong> [Why don’t you write to me?]<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u041d\u0435 \u043f\u043e\u043d\u0438\u043c\u0430<\/span>\u044e, \u043f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span> \u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span> \u043d\u0435 \u043d\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0432\u0438\u0442\u0441\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [I don’t why he doesn’t like it].<\/p>\n

In the second meaning it can also have the function of a conjunction in colloquial speech with the meaning \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u0441\u043b\u0435<\/span>\u0434\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0438\u0435<\/strong>\u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span><\/strong>, <\/strong>\u043f\u043e<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438\u0447\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u0435<\/strong>\u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span><\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong> [in consequence of; owing to; because of; for the reason of]. An example of this is:<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u041f\u0440\u043e\u0441\u043f\u0430\u043b\u0430<\/span>, \u043f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span> \u043e\u043f\u043e\u0437\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u0430 \u043d\u0430 \u043b\u0435<\/span>\u043a\u0446\u0438\u044e\u00bb<\/strong> [I overslept and that’s why I was late for the lecture].<\/p>\n

In its third meaning it can be used as an affirmative answer to a question that contains some form of \u2018haven’t you’<\/em> or \u2018don’t you’<\/em> question, or as a kind of objection (once again it’s used in colloquial speech). Here are two mini-dialogues to illustrate:<\/p>\n

\u00ab- \u0422\u044b \u043d\u0435 \u043e\u0431\u0435<\/span>\u0434\u0430\u043b?\u00bb<\/strong> [- Haven’t you had lunch?]<\/p>\n

\u00ab- \u041f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span>, \u043e\u0431\u0435\u0434\u0430\u043b.\u00bb<\/strong> [- \u2018<\/em>Why<\/em>‘<\/em>, of course I had lunch.]<\/p>\n

\u00ab- \u0422\u044b \u043c\u0435\u043d\u044f<\/span> \u043d\u0435 \u043b\u044e<\/span>\u0431\u0438\u0448\u044c?\u00bb<\/strong> [- Don’t you love me?]<\/p>\n

\u00ab- <\/strong>\u041f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span><\/strong>, <\/strong>\u043b\u044e\u0431\u043b\u044e<\/span><\/strong>.\u00bb<\/strong> [- ‘Why’<\/em>, of course I love you.]<\/p>\n

And there’s also the much valuable expression \u00ab<\/strong>\u041f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span><\/strong> (<\/strong>\u0431\u044b<\/strong>\u0438<\/strong>) <\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0442<\/strong>?\u00bb<\/strong>, which is an answer meaning \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u0435<\/span><\/strong>\u0432\u043e\u0437\u043c\u043e<\/span>\u0436\u043d\u043e<\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong> [quite possibly] or \u00ab<\/strong>\u043e<\/span><\/strong>\u0447\u0435\u043d\u044c<\/strong>\u043c\u043e<\/span>\u0436\u0435\u0442<\/strong>\u0431\u044b\u0442\u044c<\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong> [very likely].<\/p>\n

The second interrogative word of today is the mysterious \u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043c<\/strong>\u00bb <\/strong>which can be a synonym of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e<\/strong>\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span><\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong> when it’s translated as [why], but it is also a question asking [what for?]. \u00a0It is used when you ask \u00ab<\/strong>\u0421<\/strong>\u043a\u0430\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u0439<\/strong>\u0446\u0435<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u044e<\/strong>?\u00bb [<\/strong>With what purpose; aim; goal; object?]. You can also keep in mind the Russian question \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u043b\u044f<\/strong>\u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span><\/strong>?\u00bb<\/strong> [for what?; what for?] The meaning is clearly seen in that \u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043c<\/strong>–<\/strong>\u0442\u043e<\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong> means \u2018<\/em>for<\/em>some<\/em>reason<\/em>or<\/em>other’<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0417\u0430\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043c<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438\u0448\u0451<\/span>\u043b<\/strong>?\u00bb<\/strong> [What for did you\/he come?]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0423\u0437\u043d\u0430\u0439<\/strong>, <\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043c<\/strong>\u043e\u043d\u0430<\/span><\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438\u0445\u043e\u0434\u0438<\/span>\u043b\u0430<\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong> [Find out for what reason she came by.]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u041e\u043d\u0438<\/span><\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043c<\/strong>–<\/strong>\u0442\u043e<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u043f\u043e\u0447\u0438\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u044e\u0442<\/strong>\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u043e\u0434<\/strong>\u0434\u0435\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u0432\u043d\u0435<\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong> [For some reason or other they prefer the city to the village.]<\/p>\n

The third word today is \u00ab<\/strong>\u043e\u0442\u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span><\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong> [why] and can in many ways be seen as a synonym of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span><\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong>, both because it is an older version of word, and as it is used for questions like \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e<\/strong>\u043a\u0430\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u0439<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438\u0447\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u0435<\/strong>?\u00bb <\/strong>[because of what reason?]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u041e\u0442\u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span><\/strong>\u043e\u043d<\/strong>\u043d\u0435<\/strong>\u0437\u0432\u043e\u043d\u0438<\/span>\u0442<\/strong>?\u00bb<\/strong> [Why doesn’t he call?]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u041d\u0435<\/strong>\u0437\u043d\u0430<\/span>\u044e<\/strong>, <\/strong>\u043e\u0442\u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span><\/strong>\u044d<\/span><\/strong>\u0442\u043e<\/strong>\u0441\u043b\u0443\u0447\u0438<\/span>\u043b\u043e\u0441\u044c<\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong> [I don’t know why (because of what<\/em>) it happened.]<\/p>\n

Being the big brother (or older relative) of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span><\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong> it can also be used as a conjunction showing why something happened, because of what, what the reason was in a sentence like this one:<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u0423\u043b\u044b\u0431\u043d\u0443<\/span>\u043b\u0441\u044f, \u043e\u0442\u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span> \u043b\u0438\u0446\u043e<\/span> \u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span> \u0441\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u043e \u043a\u0440\u0430\u0441\u0438<\/span>\u0432\u044b\u043c.\u00bb<\/strong> [He smiled and that’s why (because of that<\/em>) his face became beautiful.]<\/p>\n

Thus today’s lesson for me as well as (I hope!) you is that when asking someone \u00ab<\/strong>\u041f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/span><\/strong>\u0442\u044b<\/strong>\u0438\u0437\u0443\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u0435\u0448\u044c<\/strong>\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439<\/strong>\u044f\u0437\u044b<\/span>\u043a<\/strong>?\u00bb <\/strong>you want to know the reason that got them to start study the Russian language, whereas the question \u00ab<\/strong>\u0417\u0430\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043c<\/strong>\u0438\u0437\u0443\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c<\/strong>\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439<\/strong>\u044f\u0437\u044b<\/span>\u043a<\/strong>?\u00bb<\/strong> is used when you want to know what to do with knowledge of Russian language. And yes, there’s a Russian expression \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0430<\/strong>\u043e\u0448\u0438<\/span>\u0431\u043a\u0430\u0445<\/strong>\u0443<\/span><\/strong>\u0447\u0430\u0442\u0441\u044f<\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong> [you learn from your mistakes] that is very fitting right now for finishing off this post… (even though the slang version nowadays is \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0430<\/strong>\u043f\u044c\u044f<\/span>\u043d\u043a\u0430\u0445<\/strong>\u0443<\/span><\/strong>\u0447\u0430\u0442\u0441\u044f<\/strong>\u00bb<\/strong> [you learn from your drunken parties]).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

\u0414\u0430! Yes! Today is the day! Today is the day for the long-awaited post about the difference between \u00ab\u043f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443\u00bb [why] and \u00ab\u0437\u0430\u0447\u0435\u043c\u00bb [why; what for]. As you probably notice I’ve taken my time to figure out this, but I think I get it now (\u043d\u0430\u043a\u043e\u043d\u0435\u0446-\u0442\u043e! [at last, finally]). For a long time I have asked…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":247,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[1393,1478,1539,1625,1650,1705],"class_list":["post-246","post","type-post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language","tag-why","tag-1478","tag-1539","tag-1625","tag-1650","tag-1705"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=246"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6114,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246\/revisions\/6114"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/247"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}