Thread: confused!

yet another question, I've always been confused with in which situations you would 'dlja' or 'za' or the dative case -- (like, mne, or tebe, etc).

сделать для кого-то, чего-то (тебя) Genitive
сражаться за кого-то, что-то (мир) Accusative
за нас! - to us! (toast)

"for" (for the sake of) is usually translated as "для" but some verbs will require "за:

You can't get a comprehensive description but you need to check, which verb uses which preposition.

за + Instrumentalis means behind...
за спиной - behind (my) back

that's a good question. I've been working with Russian for 40 years and I still have problems. :0(

But there are specific verbs where you must use 'za' correct?? Like, 'to give' and things like that. Is there anywhere I could find a list of them or something like that??

~jessi

wait a minute....that's not what i meant!! I meant specific verbs that use the dative case.... ignore the 'za' thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by jessi

wait a minute....that's not what i meant!! I meant specific verbs that use the dative case.... ignore the 'za' thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I refer to my previous post - learn verbs and cases, prepositions that are ruled by that verb when you cover them. Learn them as you go, don't try to make lists. You may want to make those lists yourself as you progress. Usually dictionaries provide this information.

Consider Dative as indirect object. Give me (but give this thing to me) the book. The book is the direct object (usually it's Accusative in Russian, me - is an indirect object - usually Dative in Russian) - дай мне (D) книгу (A).

сказать, передать, перевести, дать, подарить, написать - all these verbs can have a direct object - (to say what) and can have an indirect object as well - (to say to whom)
Он сказал мне (Dative) правду (Accusative) - He told me (indirect object) the truth (direct object).

It will become clearer if you read some Grammar books.