Thread: dative + infinitive

what is the english equivalent of dative plus infinitive eg mne idti or mne delat?

The dative here is like an obligation or need. Translation depends on context. You need more words to make it clear what's going on like Мне пора идти (I have to go, it's time I left) or Что мне делать? (what am I going to do?).

what about:

Свет твоей любви
Мне прольётся золотым дождём,

"The light of your love will pour for me like a golden rain."

There is no infinitive. Classic dative - "for me".

Not very intelligible sentence btw, as well as in English.

I am confused now. I always translated "Что мне делать?" as "What should I do?"

If I am not mistaken, "What am I going to do?" should be translated as "Что я собираюсь делать?".

Am I wrong?

Originally Posted by sperk

The dative here is like an obligation or need. Translation depends on context. You need more words to make it clear what's going on like Мне пора идти (I have to go, it's time I left) or Что мне делать? (what am I going to do?).

Originally Posted by Cadenza

I am confused now. I always translated "Что мне делать?" as "What should I do?"

If I am not mistaken, "What am I going to do?" should be translated as "Что я собираюсь делать?".

Am I wrong?

again, context is all important. I consider "What am I going to do?" and "What should I do?" as essentially the same, depending on the context. Suppose your dog ate your homework, you might say "what am I going to do now" or "Mom, what should I do now?" or if your Russian "Что мне делать." As far as собираться делать, it has to deal with planning or intending to do something: Как я собираюсь делать видеоуроки по Твиттеру (how I plan to make video lessons about Twitter.)