Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: The meaning of так точно

  1. #1
    Подающий надежды оратор
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    27
    Rep Power
    8

    The meaning of так точно

    This is from the Russian lyrics of Spongebob Squarepants

    - Вы готовы дети?
    - Так точно капитан!

    How does так in так точно function? Is it an intensifier of точно? I'm rather confused on the function of так.

  2. #2
    Завсегдатай Crocodile's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    село Торонтовка Онтарийской губернии
    Posts
    3,057
    Rep Power
    19
    That is a formal military phrase meaning: "Yes". The opposite would be "Никак нет."

    The meaning of "так" in that phrase is "that way" and the entire phrase literary means "Exactly that way".

    Hope that helps.

  3. #3
    Завсегдатай
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Ukraine
    Posts
    5,073
    Rep Power
    25
    Here "Так точно" = "Yes, (sir)!". It's a standard affirmative answer used by military personnel. For negative answer there's a set phrase "Никак нет" (="No, (sir)")

    People sometimes use them instead of "yes" and "no" in everyday life to add humor to the situation.

    PS. Oops. Sorry, I was late.

  4. #4
    Завсегдатай Throbert McGee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Fairfax, VA (Фэйрфэкс, ш. Виргиния, США)
    Posts
    1,591
    Rep Power
    39
    You can also use "Есть!" as a military affirmative, right? (Meaning "Yes sir," not "There is".)

    I'm sure I've heard that in movies.

  5. #5
    Banned
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    904
    Rep Power
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Throbert McGee View Post
    You can also use "Есть!" as a military affirmative, right? (Meaning "Yes sir," not "There is".)

    I'm sure I've heard that in movies.
    it's actually even more common

  6. #6
    Paul G.
    Guest
    There are some nuances which can cause misunderstanding (if someday Americans and Russians will fight together).
    "Есть!" implies that a soldier has got an order from the commander. It sounds like "Aye aye sir!" or "Aye aye captain!".
    "Так точно!" means that a soldier agrees with a commander (or other soldiers), literally it sounds like "Exactly so, sir!" but usually it's translated as "Yes, sir!". "Так точно" doesn't mean that a soldier has got a command, it's just a military version of "Yes" or "I agree".
    Throbert McGee,
    So, there is the difference between "Есть" and "Так точно", don't mix them up.

  7. #7
    Завсегдатай it-ogo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Ukraine
    Posts
    3,048
    Rep Power
    29
    To be brief:

    Есть! - Your order is accepted.
    Так точно! - The answer to your question is "Yes".
    "Россия для русских" - это неправильно. Остальные-то чем лучше?

  8. #8
    Подающий надежды оратор
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    27
    Rep Power
    8
    Wow! Fascinating info.

Similar Threads

  1. Не стиха точно, но....
    By Deborski in forum Говорим по-русски
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: March 27th, 2012, 02:50 AM
  2. Поэтому всё должно быть точно...
    By sperk in forum Grammar and Vocabulary
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: April 14th, 2011, 08:20 AM
  3. точно vs. ровно
    By Laurens in forum Grammar and Vocabulary
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: July 24th, 2010, 10:07 PM
  4. please help with meaning?
    By nice_melons in forum Translate This!
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: February 10th, 2009, 06:12 PM
  5. Я знаю точно текст песни. Игорек
    By Mordan in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: September 27th, 2006, 06:56 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


Russian Lessons                           

Russian Tests and Quizzes            

Russian Vocabulary