Thread: Это or эты?

Hi folks!

I have a question about word "это". Which form is correct in the sentences below?

Добрый, дружеский, искренний - это положительные черты характера.
Добрый, дружеский, искренний - эты положительные черты характера.

Originally Posted by George1992

Hi folks!

I have a question about word "это". Which form is correct in the sentences below?

Добрый, дружеский, искренний - это положительные черты характера.
Добрый, дружеский, искренний - эты положительные черты характера.

"Это" is the correct one there. Plus, if you want to say "these", it will be "эти", not "эты".

Thank you.

I would like to ask more about the meaning of "этo". Does it mean this or it or both in my sentence?

Добрый, дружеский, искренний - это положительные черты характера. = It or this
Добрый, дружеский, искренний - эти положительные черты характера. = These

The irony is, in the above example, it rather means "it" or "these", even though in Russian, "это" sounds way better. "It's all traits of a good personality."/"These are traits of a good personality."

The real irony is that you don't have to use это or эти in those sentences. It still sounds better with them though, but sounds almost as good without them

Originally Posted by George1992

Thank you.

I would like to ask more about the meaning of "этo". Does it mean this or it or both in my sentence?

Добрый, дружеский, искренний - это положительные черты характера. = It or this
Добрый, дружеский, искренний - эти положительные черты характера. = These

In the first sentence it means 'it'. (To use it as 'this' the following example is possible - Мне нравится это небо - I like this sky)

In the 2nd sentence to use эти is incorrect.

Originally Posted by alexsms

In the 2nd sentence to use эти is incorrect.

I think it is correct if you say it like this:

Добрый, дружеский, искренний... эти положительные черты характера.

But yeah, if it's with the "-", it's not correct

Originally Posted by George1992

Thank you.

I would like to ask more about the meaning of "этo". Does it mean this or it or both in my sentence?

Добрый, дружеский, искренний - это положительные черты характера. = It or this
Добрый, дружеский, искренний - эти положительные черты характера. = These

In the first sentence "это" means neither it nor this. However crazy it may sound to you the closest English translation of "это" in the first sentence is "are": "Kind, friendly, frank are positive traits of character".
The second sentence doesn't have a sense. Or at least it demands to be continued. For example:
"Добрый, дружеский, искренний - эти положительные черты характера присущи моему другу Васе.