Russian Pronouns Usage and Examples

Pronouns in Russian are used in the same way as in English: as a substitution for nouns. In this article, we will look at personal pronouns: I, we, you, he, she, it, and they. Russian Personal Pronouns Russian pronouns are used as a substitution for nouns, just like in English. However, in Russian, personal pronouns can refer both to people and to objects.Just like nouns, pronouns in Russian change according to the case they are in. Russian personal pronouns can be associated both with a person and an object. This is because all Russian nouns have a gender that can be feminine, masculine, or neuter. While in English objects are defined by the pronoun it, in Russian, an object can be of any gender, for example, a book is feminine (Ð ºÃ ½Ã ¸Ã ³Ã ° - KNEEga), a phone is masculine (Ã'‚Ð µÃ »Ã µÃ'„Ð ¾Ã ½ - tyelyeFON), and a ring is neuter (Ð ºÃ ¾Ã »Ã'Å'Ã'†Ð ¾ - kalTSO). When listening to Russian speech, bear this in mind so you dont get confused when an object is referred to as Ð ¾Ã ½ (ohn)—he or Ð ¾Ã ½Ã ° (aNAH)—she. Russian Personal Pronouns Russian English Example Pronunciation Translation Ã'  I Ð ¯ Ð ½Ã µ Ð »Ã'ŽÐ ±Ã »Ã'Ž Ð ¼Ã ¾Ã'€Ð ¾Ã ¶Ã µÃ ½Ã ¾Ã µ ya ny lyubLYU maROzhenaye I don't like ice cream. Ð ¼Ã'‹ we ÐÅ"Ã'‹ Ð µÃ ´Ã µÃ ¼Ã ½Ã ° Ã'‚Ã'€Ð °Ã ¼Ã ²Ã °Ã µ my YEdym ftramVAye We are on a tram. Ã'‚Ã'‹ you (singular/familiar), thou Ð ¢Ã'‹ Ã'…Ð ¾Ã'‡Ð µÃ'ˆÃ'Å' Ã' Ã'…Ð ¾Ã ´Ã ¸Ã'‚Ã'Å' Ð ² Ð ºÃ ¸Ã ½Ã ¾ Ã'  Ð ½Ã °Ã ¼Ã ¸? ty HOchysh skhaDEET' fkeeNOH SNAmee? Do you want to come to the movies with us? Ð ²Ã'‹ you (plural or respectful) Ð’Ã'‹ Ð ¿Ã'€Ð µÃ ºÃ'€Ð °Ã' Ã ½Ã ¾ Ð ²Ã'‹Ð ³Ã »Ã' Ã ´Ã ¸Ã'‚Ð µ vy pryKRASna VYGlyditye You look very well. Ð ¾Ã ½ he ОÐ ½ Ã'Æ'Ð µÃ ·Ã ¶Ã °Ã µÃ'‚ Ð ² ÐÅ"Ð ¾Ã' Ã ºÃ ²Ã'Æ' OHN ooyeZHAyet vmasKVOO He's going to Moscow. Ð ¾Ã ½Ã ° she ОÐ ½Ã ° Ð ¿Ã'€Ð ¸Ã'ˆÐ »Ã ° Ð ´Ã ¾Ã ¼Ã ¾Ã ¹ Ð ¿Ã ¾Ã ·Ã ´Ã ½Ã ¾ aNAH priSHLA daMOY POZna She came home late at night. Ð ¾Ã ½Ã ¸ they Ð §Ã'‚Ð ¾-Ã'‚Ð ¾ Ð ¾Ã ½Ã ¸ Ð ½Ã ¸Ã ºÃ °Ã º Ð ½Ã µ Ð ¸Ã ´Ã'Æ'Ã'‚ SHTOta aNEE niKAK ny eeDOOT They are taking a while to arrive. Ð ¾Ã ½Ã ¾ it ОÐ ½Ã ¾ Ð ½Ã µ Ð ²Ã ºÃ »Ã'ŽÃ'‡Ð °Ã µÃ'‚Ã' Ã'  aNOH ny vklyuCHAytsa It's not switching on. Pronouns and Russian Cases Since pronouns in Russian are used for substituting nouns, and all Russian nouns change according to one of the six declension cases, all pronouns in Russian also change depending on the case that they are in. Below are the personal pronouns in all six cases. Nominative Case (ИÐ ¼Ã µÃ ½Ã ¸Ã'‚Ð µÃ »Ã'Å'Ð ½Ã'‹Ð ¹ Ð ¿Ã °Ã ´Ã µÃ ¶) The nominative case answers the questions Ð ºÃ'‚Ð ¾/Ã'‡Ã'‚Ð ¾ (ktoh/chtoh), meaning who/what, and identifies the subject of a sentence. Pronoun in Russian Translation Pronunciation Example Translation Ã'  I ya Ð ¯ Ð ´Ã °Ã ¶Ã µ Ð ½Ã µ Ð ·Ã ½Ã °Ã'Ž, Ã'‡Ã'‚Ð ¾ Ã'‚Ð µÃ ±Ã µ Ð ¾Ã'‚Ð ²Ã µÃ'‚Ð ¸Ã'‚Ã'Å' (ya DAzhe ny ZNAyu shtoh tyBYE atVYEtit') I don't even know how to respond to you. Ð ¼Ã'‹ we myh ÐÅ"Ã'‹ Ð ¶Ã ¸Ã ²Ã'‘Ð ¼ Ð ² Ð ±Ã ¾Ã »Ã'Å'Ã'ˆÐ ¾Ã ¼ Ð ³Ã ¾Ã'€Ð ¾Ã ´Ã µ (my zhiVYOM vbal'SHOM GOradye) We live in a big city. Ã'‚Ã'‹ you (singular/familiar) tyh Ð ¢Ã'‹ Ð »Ã'ŽÐ ±Ã ¸Ã'ˆÃ'Å' Ð ºÃ °Ã'‚Ð °Ã'‚Ã'Å'Ã' Ã'  Ð ½Ã ° Ð ²Ã µÃ »Ã ¾Ã' Ã ¸Ã ¿Ã µÃ ´Ã µ? (ty LYUbish kaTAT'sa na vylasePYEdy) Do you like to ride a bike? Ð ²Ã'‹ you (plural) vyh Ð’Ã'‹ Ð ½Ã µ Ð ¾Ã ±Ã ¸Ã ¶Ã °Ã ¹Ã'‚Ð µÃ' Ã'Å' (vy ny abiZHAYtys) Don't take offense. Ð ¾Ã ½ he ohn ОÐ ½ Ã'Æ'Ð ¶Ã µ Ð ´Ã °Ã ²Ã ½Ã ¾ Ð ·Ã ´Ã µÃ' Ã'Å' Ð ½Ã µ Ð ¶Ã ¸Ã ²Ã'‘Ã'‚ (on ooZHE davNOH sdyes ny zhiVYOT) He hasn't lived here for a long time. Ð ¾Ã ½Ã ° she aNAH ОÐ ½Ã ° Ð ¼Ã µÃ'‡Ã'‚Ð °Ã µÃ'‚ Ã' Ã'ŠÐ µÃ ·Ã ´Ã ¸Ã'‚Ã'Å' Ð ² ПÐ °Ã'€Ð ¸Ã ¶ (aNAH mychTAyet s YEZdit' fpaREEZH) She dreams of visiting Paris. Ð ¾Ã ½Ã ¸ they aNEE ОÐ ½Ã ¸ Ð ²Ã ¾ Ã' Ã ºÃ ¾Ã »Ã'Å'Ð ºÃ ¾ Ð ¿Ã'€Ð ¸Ã µÃ ´Ã'Æ'Ã'‚? (aNEE va SKOL'ka priYEdoot?) What time will they arrive? Ð ¾Ã ½Ã ¾ it aNOH ОÐ ½Ã ¾ Ã' Ã'€Ð °Ã ±Ã ¾Ã'‚Ð °Ã µÃ'‚ (aNOH sraBOtaet) It will work. Genitive Case (Ð  Ã ¾Ã ´Ã ¸Ã'‚Ð µÃ »Ã'Å'Ð ½Ã'‹Ð ¹ Ð ¿Ã °Ã ´Ã µÃ ¶) The genitive case answers the questions Ð ºÃ ¾Ã ³Ã ¾/Ã'‡Ð µÃ ³Ã ¾ (kaVOH/chyVOH), meaning of. It shows possession, attribution, or absence (who, what, whose, or what/who is absent) and can also answer the question Ð ¾Ã'‚Ð ºÃ'Æ'Ð ´Ã ° (atKOOda)—from where. Pronoun in Russian Translation Pronunciation Example Translation Ð ¼Ã µÃ ½Ã'  of me myNYA ЕÃ' Ã »Ã ¸ Ã' Ã ¿Ã'€Ð ¾Ã' Ã' Ã'‚, Ã'‚Ð ¾ Ð ¼Ã µÃ ½Ã'  Ð ½Ã µÃ'‚ Ð ´Ã ¾Ã ¼Ã ° (YESlee SPROsyat, to myNYA nyet DOma) If they ask, I'm not at home. Ð ½Ã °Ã'  of us nas Ð Ã °Ã'  Ð ¾Ã'‡Ð µÃ ½Ã'Å' Ð ±Ã µÃ' Ã ¿Ã ¾Ã ºÃ ¾Ã ¸Ã'‚ Ã'‚Ð ²Ã ¾Ã µ Ð ¿Ã ¾Ã ²Ã µÃ ´Ã µÃ ½Ã ¸Ã µ (nas Ochyn byspaKOit tvaYO pavyDYEniye) We are very worried about your behavior. Ã'‚Ð µÃ ±Ã'  of you (singular/familiar) tyBYA Ð ¢Ã µÃ ±Ã'  Ã'€Ð °Ã ·Ã ±Ã'Æ'Ð ´Ã ¸Ã'‚Ã'Å' Ã'Æ'Ã'‚Ã'€Ð ¾Ã ¼? (tyBYA razbooDEET' OOTram?) Do you want me/us/someone to wake you up in the morning? Ð ²Ã °Ã'  of you (plural) vas ПÃ'€Ð ¾Ã' Ã'‚Ð ¸Ã'‚Ð µ, Ð ºÃ °Ã º Ð ²Ã °Ã'  Ð ·Ã ¾Ã ²Ã'Æ'Ã'‚? (prasTEEtye, kak vas zaVOOT)? Excuse me, what's your name? Ð µÃ ³Ã ¾ of him/of it yeVOH ЕÐ ³Ã ¾ Ð ²Ã µÃ ·Ã ´Ã µ Ð ¸Ã' Ã ºÃ °Ã »Ã ¸ (yeVOH vyzDYE isKAli) They were looking for him everywhere. Ð µÃ'‘ of her yeYOH Ð §Ã'‚Ð ¾-Ã'‚Ð ¾ Ð µÃ µ Ð ²Ã' Ã'‘ Ð ½Ã µÃ'‚ (shto-ta yeYO vsyo nyet) She's still not here for some reason. Ð ¸Ã'… of them ikh Ð ¯ Ð ¸Ã'… Ð ²Ã' Ã'‚Ã'€Ð µÃ'‡Ã'Æ' Ð ² Ð °Ã µÃ'€Ð ¾Ã ¿Ã ¾Ã'€Ã'‚Ã'Æ' (ya ikh VSTREchu vaeroparTOO) I will meet them at the airport. Dative Case (ДÐ °Ã'‚Ð µÃ »Ã'Å'Ð ½Ã'‹Ð ¹ Ð ¿Ã °Ã ´Ã µÃ ¶) The dative case answers the questions Ð ºÃ ¾Ã ¼Ã'Æ'/Ã'‡Ð µÃ ¼Ã'Æ' (kaMOO/chyMOO)—to whom/(to) what, and shows that something is given or addressed to the object. Pronoun in Russian Translation Pronunciation Example Translation Ð ¼Ã ½Ã µ to me mnye КÐ ¾Ã ³Ã ´Ã ° Ã'‚Ã'‹ Ð ¾Ã'‚Ð ´Ã °Ã'ˆÃ'Å' Ð ¼Ã ½Ã µ Ð ºÃ ½Ã ¸Ã ³Ã'Æ'? (kagDA ty atDASH mnye KNEEgoo) When will you give me back the book? Ð ½Ã °Ã ¼ to us nam Ð Ã °Ã ¼ Ð ¾Ã ±Ã ¾Ã ¸Ã ¼ Ð ±Ã'‹Ð »Ã ¾ Ð ¾Ã'‡Ð µÃ ½Ã'Å' Ð ½Ã µÃ'Æ'Ð ´Ã ¾Ã ±Ã ½Ã ¾ (nam aBOyim BYla Ochyn nyooDOBna) We both felt very awkward. Ã'‚Ð µÃ ±Ã µ to you (singular/familiar) tyBYE Ð ¡Ã ºÃ ¾Ã »Ã'Å'Ð ºÃ ¾ Ã'‚Ð µÃ ±Ã µ Ð »Ã µÃ'‚? (SKOL'ka tyBYE LYET) How old are you? Ð ²Ã °Ã ¼ to you (plural) vam Ð  Ã' Ã'‚Ð ¾ Ð ²Ã °Ã ¼! (a EHta VAM) This is for you. Ð µÃ ¼Ã'Æ' to him yeMOO ЕÐ ¼Ã'Æ' Ð ºÃ °Ã ·Ã °Ã »Ã ¾Ã' Ã'Å', Ã'‡Ã'‚Ð ¾ Ð ²Ã' Ã µ Ð ½Ã ° Ð ½Ã µÃ ³Ã ¾ Ã' Ã ¼Ã ¾Ã'‚Ã'€Ã' Ã'‚ (yeMOO kaZAlas', shtoh VSYE na nyVOH SMOTryat) It seemed to him that everyone was looking at him. Ð µÃ ¹ to her yey ЕÐ ¹ Ã' Ã'‚Ð ¾ Ð ½Ã µ Ð ¿Ã ¾Ã ½Ã'€Ð °Ã ²Ã ¸Ã'‚Ã' Ã'  (YEY EHta ny panRAvitsa) She won't like this. Ð ¸Ã ¼ to them eem ИÐ ¼ Ð ½Ã ° Ð ²Ã' Ã'‘ Ð ½Ã °Ã ¿Ã »Ã µÃ ²Ã °Ã'‚Ã'Å' (EEM na VSYO naplyVAT') They don't care about anything at all. Accusative Case (Ð’Ð ¸Ã ½Ã ¸Ã'‚Ð µÃ »Ã'Å'Ð ½Ã'‹Ð ¹ Ð ¿Ã °Ã ´Ã µÃ ¶) The accusative case answers the questions Ð ºÃ ¾Ã ³Ã ¾/Ã'‡Ã'‚Ð ¾ (kaVOH/CHTO)—whom/what, and Ð ºÃ'Æ'Ð ´Ã ° (kooDAH)—where. Pronoun in Russian Translation Pronunciation Example Translation Ð ¼Ã µÃ ½Ã'  me myNYA Ð §Ã'‚Ð ¾ Ã'‚Ã'‹ Ð ²Ã' Ã'‘ Ð ¼Ã µÃ ½Ã'  Ð ´Ã'‘Ã'€Ð ³Ã °Ã µÃ'ˆÃ'Å'? (shtoh ty VSYO meNYA DYORgayesh) Why are you constantly bothering me? Ð ½Ã °Ã'  us nas Ð  Ð ½Ã °Ã'  Ð ¿Ã'€Ð ¸Ã ³Ã »Ã °Ã' Ã ¸Ã »Ã ¸ Ð ² Ã'‚Ð µÃ °Ã'‚Ã'€! (a NAS priglaSEEli ftyeATR) We have been invited to the theatre! Ã'‚Ð µÃ ±Ã'  you (singular/familiar) tyBYA Ð ¢Ã µÃ ±Ã'  Ã' Ã'‚Ð ¾ Ð ½Ã µ Ð ºÃ °Ã' Ã °Ã µÃ'‚Ã' Ã'  (tyBYA EHta ny kaSAyetsa) This is none of your business. Ð ²Ã °Ã'  you (plural) vas ДÐ °Ã ²Ã ½Ã ¾ Ð ²Ã °Ã'  Ð ½Ã µ Ð ²Ã ¸Ã ´Ã µÃ » (davNO vas ny VEEdel) I haven't seen you for a while. Ð µÃ ³Ã ¾ him yeVOH ЕÐ ³Ã ¾ Ð ´Ã ¾Ã »Ã ³Ã ¾ Ð ¿Ã ¾Ã ·Ã ´Ã'€Ð °Ã ²Ã »Ã' Ã »Ã ¸ (yeVOH DOLga pazdravLYAli) He was congratulated for a long time. Ð µÃ'‘ her yeYOH Ð ¯ Ð ¶Ã µ Ð ³Ã ¾Ã ²Ã ¾Ã'€Ã'Ž Ð ²Ã °Ã ¼, Ã'‡Ã'‚Ð ¾ Ã'Æ' Ð ¼Ã µÃ ½Ã'  Ð µÃ'‘ Ð ½Ã µÃ'‚ (ya zhe gavaRYU vam, shtoh oo myNYA yeYOH NYET) I'm telling you that I don't have it/her. Ð ¸Ã'… them eekh ИÃ'… Ð ·Ã °Ã ±Ã'€Ð °Ã »Ã ¸ Ã'€Ð ¾Ã ´Ã ¸Ã'‚Ð µÃ »Ã ¸ (EEKH zaBRAli raDEEtyli) They were collected by their parents. Instrumental Case (Ð ¢Ã ²Ã ¾Ã'€Ð ¸Ã'‚Ð µÃ »Ã'Å'Ð ½Ã'‹Ð ¹ Ð ¿Ã °Ã ´Ã µÃ ¶) Answers the questions  Ã ºÃ µÃ ¼/Ã'‡Ð µÃ ¼ (kyem/chem)—with whom/with what, and shows which instrument is used to do or make something, or with whom/with the help of what an action is completed. It can also be used to talk about something that you are interested in. Pronoun in Russian Translation Pronunciation Example Translation Ð ¼Ã ½Ã ¾Ã ¹/Ð ¼Ã ½Ã ¾Ã'Ž by me mnoy/MNOyu Ð ¢Ã'‹ Ð ·Ã ° Ð ¼Ã ½Ã ¾Ã ¹ Ð ·Ã °Ã µÃ ´Ã µÃ'ˆÃ'Å'? (ty za MNOY zaYEdysh) Will you come and pick me up? Ð ½Ã °Ã ¼Ã ¸ by us NAmee ПÐ µÃ'€Ð µÃ ´ Ð ½Ã °Ã ¼Ã ¸ Ã'€Ð °Ã' Ã' Ã'‚Ð ¸Ã »Ã °Ã »Ã °Ã' Ã'Å' Ð ´Ã ¾Ã »Ã ¸Ã ½Ã °. (PYEred NAmi rastiLAlas' daLEEna) A valley spread before us. Ã'‚Ð ¾Ã ±Ã ¾Ã ¹/Ã'‚Ð ¾Ã ±Ã ¾Ã'Ž by you (singular/familiar) taBOY/taBOyu Ð ¯ Ã'…Ð ¾Ã'‡Ã'Æ' Ã'  Ã'‚Ð ¾Ã ±Ã ¾Ã ¹ (ya haCHOO staBOY) I want to come with you. Ð ²Ã °Ã ¼Ã ¸ by you (plural) VAmee Ð Ã °Ã ´ Ð ²Ã °Ã ¼Ã ¸ Ð ºÃ °Ã º Ð ¿Ã'€Ð ¾Ã ºÃ »Ã' Ã'‚Ã'Å'Ð µ Ð ºÃ °Ã ºÃ ¾Ã µ-Ã'‚Ð ¾. (nad VAmi kak prakLYATye kaKOye ta) It's as if you have been cursed. Ð ¸Ã ¼ by him eem Ð ­Ã'‚Ð ¾ Ð ±Ã'‹Ð »Ã ¾ Ð ¸Ã ¼ Ð ½Ã °Ã'€Ð ¸Ã' Ã ¾Ã ²Ã °Ã ½Ã ¾. (EHta BYla EEM nariSOvana) This was drawn/painted by him. Ð µÃ'Ž by her YEyu Ð’Ã' Ã'‘ Ð ±Ã'‹Ð »Ã ¾ Ð µÃ'Ž Ã' Ã ´Ã µÃ »Ã °Ã ½Ã ¾ Ð ·Ã °Ã'€Ð °Ã ½Ã µÃ µ (VSYO BYla YEyu SDYElana zaRAnyye) Everything had been prepared by her in advance. Ð ¸Ã ¼Ã ¸ by them EEmee Ð ¡Ã'‚Ð µÃ ½Ã ° Ð ±Ã'‹Ð »Ã ° Ð ¿Ã ¾Ã ºÃ'€Ð °Ã'ˆÐ µÃ ½Ã ° Ð ¸Ã ¼Ã ¸ Ð ·Ã ° Ã'‡Ð °Ã'  (styNA byLA paKRAshyna EEmee za CHAS) The wall was painted by them within an hour. Prepositional Case (ПÃ'€Ð µÃ ´Ã »Ã ¾Ã ¶Ã ½Ã'‹Ð ¹ Ð ¿Ã °Ã ´Ã µÃ ¶) Answers the questions Ð ¾ Ð ºÃ ¾Ã ¼/Ð ¾ Ã'‡Ð µÃ ¼ (ah KOM/ah CHOM)—about whom/about what, and the question Ð ³Ã ´Ã µ (GDYE)—where. Pronoun in Russian Translation Pronunciation Example Translation Ð ¾Ã ±Ã ¾ Ð ¼Ã ½Ã µ about me abaMNYE ОÐ ½ Ã' Ã'‚Ð ¾ Ð ½Ã °Ã ¿Ã ¸Ã' Ã °Ã » Ð ¾Ã ±Ã ¾ Ð ¼Ã ½Ã µ Ð ² Ð ¿Ã'€Ð ¾Ã'ˆÐ »Ã ¾Ã ¼ Ð ³Ã ¾Ã ´Ã'Æ' (OHN EHta napiSAL abaMNYE FPROSHlam gaDOO) He wrote this about me last year. Ð ¾ Ð ½Ã °Ã'  about us aNAS О Ð ½Ã °Ã'  Ð ´Ã °Ã ²Ã ½Ã ¾ Ð ²Ã' Ã µ Ð ·Ã °Ã ±Ã'‹Ð »Ã ¸ (aNAS davNO VSYE zaBYli) Everyone has long since forgotten about us. Ð ¾ Ã'‚Ð µÃ ±Ã µ about you (singular/familiar) atyBYEH О Ã'‚Ð µÃ ±Ã µ Ã'…Ð ¾Ã ´Ã' Ã'‚ Ã' Ã »Ã'Æ'Ã'…Ð ¸ (atyBYEH HOdyat SLOOkhi) There are rumours going round about you. Ð ¾ Ð ²Ã °Ã'  about you (plural) aVAS Ð ¯ Ã' Ã »Ã'‹Ã'ˆÐ °Ã » Ð ¾ Ð ²Ã °Ã' . (ya SLYshal a VAS) I have heard about you. Ð ¾ Ð ½Ã'‘Ð ¼ about him aNYOM О Ð ½Ã'‘Ð ¼ Ð ´Ã ¾Ã »Ã ³Ã ¾ Ð ³Ã ¾Ã ²Ã ¾Ã'€Ð ¸Ã »Ã ¸ (aNYOM DOLga gavaREEli) They were talking about him for a long time. Ð ¾ Ð ½Ã µÃ ¹ about her aNYEY О Ð ½Ã µÃ ¹ Ð ½Ã °Ã ¿Ã ¸Ã' Ã °Ã ½Ã ¾ Ð ¼Ã ½Ã ¾Ã ³Ã ¾ Ð ºÃ ½Ã ¸Ã ³ (aNYEY naPEEsana MNOga KNIG) There are many books (written) about her. Ð ¾ Ð ½Ã ¸Ã'… about them aNEEKH О Ð ½Ã ¸Ã'… Ð ½Ã ¸ Ã' Ã »Ã ¾Ã ²Ã ° (aNEEKH ni SLOva) Not a word about them.