Thread: про и о

Is there a difference in using these terms in the sense of "about smth. or regarding smth. ?"

Originally Posted by Бармалей

Is there a difference in using these terms in the sense of "about smth. or regarding smth. ?"

As far as I can judge, there is no difference. You should only consider that "про" requires a noun in the accusative, but "о/об" in the prepositional.

There is some stylistic difference. "Про" is more colloquial. E.g. you can title your scientific paper "К вопросу о сравнительных характеристиках ерундукторов и фуфлекторов". In this case, "К вопросу про сравнительные характеристики" just won't do: it is not pompous enough .

Originally Posted by translations.nm.ru

There is some stylistic difference. "Про" is more colloquial. E.g. you can title your scientific paper "К вопросу о сравнительных характеристиках ерундукторов и фуфлекторов". In this case, "К вопросу про сравнительные характеристики" just won't do: it is not pompous enough .

Well...I'd guess that 'к вопросу о' is a common expression in Russian. Kind of fixed one.

I have a theory here, yet I'm not sure if it's correct or comprehensive.

The use of "o" ("об" before some vowels) is more neutral, and you use it when talking about objects, events or actions that you don't really care about.

"мы говорили о его автомобиле" (we were just talking generally, about nothing in particular)

"мы говорили про его автомобиль" (discussed certain specifics, how good-looking it is, how badly broken it is etc.)

Maybe someone would want to elaborate or correct this.

Your theory intrigues me. How about it, native speakers: is Adoc on to something or has Harper's recognition of a Quebec "nation" driven him insane?

Так вот почему говорят "про ЭТО", а не "об ЭТОМ"!

Вот нашла на gramota.ru :

"Скажите, какой предлог правильнее использовать -- "про" или "о": "про погоду" или "о погоде", "про любовь" или "о любви", "про Пушкина" или "о Пушкине"?
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Ответ справочной службы русского языка
Общеупотребимый предлог -- о. Предлог про несёт разговорный характер. "

Вопрос 205601

Originally Posted by adoc

I have a theory here, yet I'm not sure if it's correct or comprehensive.

The use of "o" ("об" before some vowels) is more neutral, and you use it when talking about objects, events or actions that you don't really care about.

"мы говорили о его автомобиле" (we were just talking generally, about nothing in particular)

"мы говорили про его автомобиль" (discussed certain specifics, how good-looking it is, how badly broken it is etc.)

Maybe someone would want to elaborate or correct this.

To tell the truth, I'm finding it pretty hard to grasp your explanation. I think both sentences of yours are interchangeable. If we delve more deeply into theory, your explanation will most likely prove a strong one but in practice - that is to say, in real life, it's hard to distinguish between о and про. What we could do is probably make an attempt to think of phrases where only one preposition is possible to use.

- Молодой человек, вы читаете очень громко, вы не могли бы читать про себя?
- Я бы с удовольствием, но про меня здесь ничего не написано.

Originally Posted by mishau_

- Молодой человек, вы читаете очень громко, вы не могли бы читать про себя?
- Я бы с удовольствием, но про меня здесь ничего не написано.

В английском мы назывались бы его "умного козла..."

Originally Posted by Бармалей

В английском (or "по-английски") мы называли_ бы его "умным козлом..."

Originally Posted by adoc

I have a theory here, yet I'm not sure if it's correct or comprehensive.

The use of "o" ("об" before some vowels) is more neutral, and you use it when talking about objects, events or actions that you don't really care about.

"мы говорили о его автомобиле" (we were just talking generally, about nothing in particular)

"мы говорили про его автомобиль" (discussed certain specifics, how good-looking it is, how badly broken it is etc.)

Maybe someone would want to elaborate or correct this.

That's what I theorized to my friend. I use pro in my daily speech though =)