Thread: Using "In" for russian

So I was studying for my russian test, and I am confused on how to use B, or why it is put in some sentences.

For example if you were to translate this russian sentence into english.

Гдe он игpaeт в тeнниc?

Where does he play tennis, is what I would want to translate, but then I see the B and if I try to translate it with the B it comes out to be,

In where does he play tennis, and for English that sounds weird. So why does the russian language put the B in and when do you know to put it in and not to?

Dont ask why. Its just what they do. Translate it as, where does he play tennis.

If the answer was Рядом с сестрой. You wouldn't translate it as "Side with sister" you'd say "Next to his sister".

You just have to learn how to use prepositions, its never easy in any language, except, maybe spanish...

Originally Posted by flip

Where does he play tennis, is what I would want to translate, but then I see the B and if I try to translate it with the B it comes out to be,

You attempt to translate words instead of translating their meaning . And that's wrong.

In English, you say "To play tennis, to play football, to play piano, to play guitar" etc.
In Russian, we say "Играть в теннис, играть в футбол, играть на фортепиано, играть на гитаре" etc.

Each language has its own set construction, set ways of using words together. It is not enough to know the words themselfves, you also need to learn how each word is used with others.

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Originally Posted by Dogboy182

Dont ask why. Its just what they do. Translate it as, where does he play tennis.

If the answer was Рядом с сестрой. You wouldn't translate it as "Side with sister" you'd say "Next to his sister".

You just have to learn how to use prepositions, its never easy in any language, except, maybe spanish...

Agreed, Well said comrade! Don't worry, I actually read what you write.

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

Dont ask why. Its just what they do. Translate it as, where does he play tennis.

If the answer was Рядом с сестрой. You wouldn't translate it as "Side with sister" you'd say "Next to his sister".

You just have to learn how to use prepositions, its never easy in any language, except, maybe spanish...

Agreed, Well said comrade! Don't worry, I actually read what you write.

Dogboy182
это уже симптом

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No.

Originally Posted by flip

So I was studying for my russian test, and I am confused on how to use B, or why it is put in some sentences.

For example if you were to translate this russian sentence into english.

Гдe он игpaeт в тeнниc?

Where does he play tennis, is what I would want to translate, but then I see the B and if I try to translate it with the B it comes out to be,

In where does he play tennis, and for English that sounds weird. So why does the russian language put the B in and when do you know to put it in and not to?

C'mon man, When I was a f...ing novice in English, I used to write "He is playing in tennis", and wondered why dont you put in in between playing and tennis.

C'mon man, When I was a f...ing novice in English, I used to write "He is playing in tennis", and wondered why dont you put in in between playing and tennis.

I never thought about it going the other way, but now that you wrote that it opens my eyes to what a person has to change when they learn english.

Thank you for all the help. And I think because of it I have a better understanding of translating.

Not to mention why do we say
The house is on fire?

Actually, isn't the fire on the house? or in the house? Is it a mistranslation of The house is afire?

And what the heck is this
The house burned down.
The house burned up.

Prepositions are the bane of our existence.

Originally Posted by chaika

Not to mention why do we say
The house is on fire?

Actually, isn't the fire on the house? or in the house? Is it a mistranslation of The house is afire?

And what the heck is this
The house burned down.
The house burned up.

Prepositions are the bane of our existence.

I looked on Dictionary.com to see if I could come up with an answer and this is what I found when I searched the word on.

in a state or condition of; in the process of: on strike; The house is on fire!

So for the house is on fire, it is in the process or state of burning down. This why it is said this way.

For the part of the house burned down, when wood which houses have in them or flammable walls catch on fire as we all know it burns into ashes. So well the house burns to the ground which means it is not standing or is not upright anymore because it is in ashes.

For the burned up, flames shot up which is why some people say it this way.

Hope this kind of helped.

Good reply Flip.

Also to throw everyone off, "The house is on fire" could also be slang.

Meaning that you could be at a party and a friend calls and asks how is the party going. If it is going great, they could say "The house is on fire" meaning its a great party, lots of great music, dancing, and drinks etc..
Not that its really on fire and everyone has to evacuate.

Of couse they could say, its "lame" - lol

The roof is on fire, we don't need to water, let that ... thing burn!