что до + Genitive

Literary Topicalizer “As for”

Level 6Sounds Like čto do + roditelʹnyj

The construction что до + родительный падеж (genitive case) is a formal way to isolate a topic. It is often followed by the particle то to introduce the comment about that topic.

How It Works

The construction что до is a classic example of Russian literary style (книжный стиль). It is used to set the stage for a specific piece of information.

1. Grammatical Structure:
The preposition до strictly requires the genitive case. The full structure often looks like this:
Что до [Noun/Pronoun in Genitive], то [Main Clause].
In this structure, the particle то acts as a correlative marker, balancing the sentence and signaling the start of the main information.

2. Stylistic Nuance:
Unlike the neutral что касается, что до sounds sophisticated. It is common in 19th-century literature, modern essays, and formal debates. It is rarely used in casual texting or street speech unless one is being intentionally ironic or formal.

3. Contrastive Function:
It is most effective when you have been talking about a group or a general situation and now want to single out one element. A very common variation is А что до..., where the conjunction а introduces the contrast even more sharply. For example: «Все были в восторге от фильма. А что до меня, то мне было скучно».

Examples (4)

  1. Что до меня, то я совершенно не согласен с этим решением.

    As for me, I completely disagree with this decision.

    Word by Word: What up-to me, then I completely not agree with this decision.

    Here, the speaker uses 'что до меня' to contrast their personal opinion with a previously mentioned context.

  2. Что до подробностей плана, они будут изложены в следующем отчёте.

    As for the details of the plan, they will be outlined in the next report.

    Word by Word: What up-to details of-plan, they will-be outlined in next report.

    The topic (details) is put in the genitive case (подробностей) following the preposition 'до'.

  3. Что до денег, вопрос этот пока остаётся открытым.

    As for the money, this question remains open for now.

    Word by Word: What up-to money, question this for-now remains open.

    This demonstrates a shift in focus to a specific logistical point (money) within a larger discussion.

  4. Что до его таланта, в нём никто не сомневался.

    As for his talent, no one doubted it.

    Word by Word: What up-to his talent, in him no-one not doubted.

    The construction isolates 'talent' as the theme of the sentence.

Common Mistakes

  • Mixing 'что до' with 'что касается' (The Hybrid Error).

    Что до меня касается, я не пойду.
    Что до меня, я не пойду. / Что касается меня, я не пойду.

    Learners often combine the two patterns. You must choose one: either 'Что до + Genitive' or 'Что касается + Genitive'. Combining them is a stylistic error.

  • Using the Nominative case instead of the Genitive.

    Что до этот план, он плохой.
    Что до этого плана, он плохой.

    The preposition 'до' always requires the genitive case. 'Этот план' must change to 'этого плана'.

  • Using the pattern in very casual conversation.

    Мам, что до супа, я его не хочу.
    Мам, насчёт супа — я его не хочу.

    Using 'что до' with your mother about soup sounds unnaturally stiff or pretentious. Use 'насчёт' or 'про' in casual settings.

How It Connects

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что до + GenitiveLevel 6Literary Topicalizer “As for”

Learn This First

To learn the literary topicalizer 'что до + родительный', a learner must first be comfortable with the genitive case (specifically after the preposition 'до') and understand the basic function of the particle 'что'. Additionally, since this pattern serves to explicitly mark the topic of a sentence, familiarity with Russian topic-focus word order is necessary to use it in the correct discourse context.

Words in This Pattern