Interrogative pronouns are essential elements of Russian grammar. They allow speakers to inquire about specific information by forming questions. These pronouns stand in place of unknown information, functioning similarly to their English equivalents such as “who,” “what,” “which,” and “whose.” In Russian, interrogative pronouns agree with the nouns or adjectives they replace in gender, number, and case.

Main Interrogative Pronouns in Russian

In this section, we will explore the primary interrogative pronouns of the Russian language, helping students grasp their usage with ease.

Кто (Kto) – Who

“Кто” is the Russian equivalent of “who,” referring to people. It is an invariable pronoun, meaning it does not change its form depending on the case.

Example:
– Кто это? (Kto eto?) – Who is this?

Что (Chto) – What

“Что” is the Russian pronoun for “what” and is generally used to refer to objects or abstract concepts. Like “кто,” it does not alter its form.

Example:
– Что это? (Chto eto?) – What is this?

Какой (Kakoy) – Which/What

As opposed to the more general “что,” “какой” is employed when dealing with a specific set of items and means “which” or “what kind of.” This pronoun changes its form according to gender, number, and case.

Examples:
– Какой фильм тебе нравится? (Kakoy film tebe nravitsya?) – Which movie do you like?
– Какая книга у тебя? (Kakaya kniga u tebya?) – What book do you have?

Case Changes for Interrogative Pronouns

Understanding how Russian interrogative pronouns change according to grammatical cases is crucial for forming clear and accurate questions.

The Nominative Case

Both “кто” and “что” remain unchanged in the nominative case.
– Кто там? (Kto tam?) – Who is there?
– Что случилось? (Chto sluchilos’?) – What happened?

The Genitive Case

Here, “кто” becomes “кого” (kogo) and “что” turns into “чего” (chego). These changes prompt the preposition “у” (u) to be used with them instead of “есть” (est’).

Example:
– У кого есть карандаш? (U kogo yest’ karandash?) – Who has a pencil?

The Dative Case

In the dative case, “кто” changes to “кому” (komu) and “что” becomes “чему” (chemu).

Example:
– Кому подарить этот подарок? (Komu podarit’ etot podarok?) – Who should I give this gift to?

Mastering Interrogative Pronouns for Effective Communication

The proper mastery of interrogative pronouns is crucial for any student of the Russian language. By understanding their forms and variations, learners unlock a greater ability to communicate effectively and ask questions with precision. From gender and number agreements to different case scenarios, interrogative pronouns serve as invaluable tools for students to engage confidently in conversation and develop a strong vocabulary.