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How do you translate into English sentences that in Russian start with Надо or нужно, so that the subject is not specified? eg. Надо сделамь покупки.
Would it be One needs to fo the shopping, or what?
I can't seem to be able to arrive at a correct version. :(
Depends on the context. Usually there's someone who 'must' do whatever. Just because you don't really need to name them in Russian doesn't mean they don't exist.
So
Надо сделамь покупки
Could be "I have to.../ you have to.../ he has to.../ she has to/ dad has to.../ Johnny has to... / whatever", depending.
The only time one would ( :) ) translate it as "One must..." (which sounds really archaic and stilted btw), is when you have a general, context-free instruction or piece of advice.
Sometimes English uses an abstract "You" which isn't actually referring to the person you are talking to.
Not only "to have to and must", but also "to be to, should" It depends on the context.
For example:
1. I and my frient arranged to meet at the bus stop. therefore I am to go to the bus stop
2. I was taken on a work. I have to go to the work every day.
3. I see that a man was knocked down by a car. I should call 911
4. I've caught a cold. I must go to doctor and obtain a sick-list for my work
Maybe, I made some mistakes...
Also there is no difference between "Надо" and "Нужно" I and my friends were talking about it, and noone gave any clear explanations, and I decided that "Надо = Нужно"
Надо сделать покупки.
oh yeah, my bad, messed up the letter :)Quote:
Originally Posted by flowforever
anyway, the thing is, I'm not given any context. I have some sentences in Polish that I have to translate to English. Polish, just like Russian, in the case of Надо etc doesn't give any person, and I was just wondering if there is such way to do it in english, or I actually have to create a person. :)
I guess I got it cleared up now, thanks to you :)
As for the difference between Надо and Нужно, we were taught that Нужно is a stronger word, like you absolutely must do it, whereas with Надо, you just should do it, or are expected to do it, whatever. :?:
Maybe you're right, but take it easy.. In collocual speech noone feels any difference between them.Quote:
Originally Posted by kamka
Мне нужно(надо) пойти в туалет
Ему нужно (надо) помыться
Ей нужно (надо) застрелиться
I dont see any difference
"Надо" более разговорное, чем "нужно".
С "надо" есть много устойчивых выражений:
Это ж надо!
Оно мне надо?
Надо, Вася, надо!
Так ему и надо!
Надо полагать, что ...
Парень что надо!"
I see. So it pretty much depends on the speaker, which variant to choose? Now, that sort of rules I like!!! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuvak
Anyway, according to the post you made about correcting mistakes, I hope it's ok of me to draw your attention to the fact that "colloquial" is spelt with "q", and "no one" is spelt seperately. :)
Just make sure you choose the same variant as your teacher chooses. :roll:Quote:
Originally Posted by kamka
Yeah; in this case people should really say "one", but most people don't. Can be very confusing when you're talking about what people have to/can do if you use "you", though. Stupid language :D.Quote:
Originally Posted by TATY
Это точно!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Lampada
Надо Федя, надо
Спасибо!!! :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by kamka
No it's not, it's hyphenated by most people: "no-one".Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuvak
As far as I know both of variants are possible. "no one", and "no-one".Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh-Monkey
Probably because they don't want to sound like the Queen.Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh-Monkey
Greetings from Moscow! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by kamka
may I ask you? you learn the Russian language???
my mother tongue the Russian - you apparently English!
we may help with each other! :wink:
What do you think? :roll:
Hi :)Quote:
Originally Posted by irin@
I'm learning Russian, but my native language is not English. I'm Polish, so in case you ever needed help with this one, I'd be more than glad to help you, but as far as English is concerned - I'm no authority, as I'm still just a student of it.
oh!Quote:
Originally Posted by kamka
it is a shame :cry:
excuse me! :(
i bad understand English-here and type i scarcely :cry:
Please, Correct my correction!Quote:
Originally Posted by irin@
worry not, you can find plenty of native English speakers in here, I bet someone will be up to helping you. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by irin@
Quote:
Originally Posted by kamka
I do not understand English (very) well and I can barely type.Quote:
i understand English badly-here and i can hardly type
"Fear not" is a little more common. They're not very... modern, though.Quote:
Originally Posted by kamka
Я рекомендую тебе сказать 'don't worry'. Это самый популярный вариант, но 'worry not' тоже правильно, хотя устарело звучит.
Thank you, Chuvak, Seventh Monkey and Basurero :)
Most people? O.o. I think it is the other way around. Most people spell it separately. Granted, it may be a UK vs American thingie...Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh-Monkey