Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Can't figure out this construction...

  1. #1
    Увлечённый спикер
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Paignton, Devon, England
    Posts
    49
    Rep Power
    12

    Can't figure out this construction...

    I have a translation exercise to do, but I can't figure out exactly how to translate this sentence:

    Катя спросила у Лены, что ей делать?

    I know it's "Katya asked Lena..." but I'm unsure on the second part. Who is 'ей' referring back to, and what does it mean? I'm sure this is rather elementary, but I can't get my head around it.

    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Подающий надежды оратор
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    18
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Can't figure out this construction...

    Hi, Ryan91

    1. "Катя спросила у Лены, что ей делать?" literally means "Katya asked Lena, what she [Katya] should do". Although it doesn't sound English, it gives the following idea
    "Katya asked Lena what was the way out?". It might be more English.

    2. If we say "Катя спросила у Лены, что она собирается делать?" or more exactly "Катя спросила у Лены, что Лена собирается делать", it means that "Katya asked Lena, what Lena should do".

    3. Please compare
    "Катя спросила у Лены, что ей делать?" - "Katya asked Lena, what she [Katya] should do".
    "Катя спросила у Лены, что она собирается делать? - "Katya asked Lena, what Lena should do".
    "Катя спросила у Лены, что Лена собирается делать" - "Katya asked Lena, what Lena should do".

    Sorry for my poor English, if any.

  3. #3
    Почтенный гражданин
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    в моей стойке
    Posts
    566
    Rep Power
    12

    Re: Can't figure out this construction...

    The rule is ( pronoun in the dative case ) + ( infinitive of the verb ) implies what the subject should do, in a sense.
    i.e. - Что ему читать? - What shall/must he read?
    А чё ещё мне сказать?)
    Correct my mistakes and I will give you +1 internets.

  4. #4
    Почтенный гражданин
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    510
    Rep Power
    12

    Re: Can't figure out this construction...

    Quote Originally Posted by msbll
    "Катя спросила у Лены, что Лена собирается делать" - "Katya asked Lena, what Lena should do".

    Sorry for my poor English, if any.
    собирается - rather "is going to do" than "should do"
    Russian is tough, let’s go shopping!

  5. #5
    Почтенный гражданин
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    209
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Can't figure out this construction...

    Katya asked Lena what she was supposed to do.

  6. #6
    Подающий надежды оратор
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    18
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Can't figure out this construction...

    Quote Originally Posted by John_Douglas
    Katya asked Lena what she was supposed to do.
    Да. Katya turned to Lena for help and asked Lena's advice.

  7. #7
    Подающий надежды оратор
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    18
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Can't figure out this construction...

    Quote Originally Posted by John_Douglas
    Katya asked Lena what she was supposed to do.
    Да. katya turned to Lena for help and asked Lena's advice.

Similar Threads

  1. Can't figure it out
    By mikke in forum Translate This!
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: June 22nd, 2009, 09:27 PM
  2. please help me figure out this mystery word
    By SoftPretzel in forum Pronunciation, Speech & Accent
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: March 22nd, 2009, 08:56 PM
  3. An unusual construction
    By Vadim84 in forum Learn English - Грамматика, переводы, словарный запас
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: July 15th, 2006, 09:24 PM
  4. under construction
    By zomby_pengy in forum Translate This!
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: July 7th, 2006, 07:06 PM
  5. Can anyone figure out the lyrics for this song please?
    By Yazeed in forum Translate This!
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: July 9th, 2004, 11:57 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