что

The word что is a foundational element of Russian. To become proficient in its use, you must understand its primary roles:

• As a Question Word ('What'): Use it to identify inanimate objects or actions. For example, Что это? (What is this?) or Что ты читаешь? (What are you reading?). Remember that for animate nouns (people and animals), you must use кто (who) instead.
• As a Conjunction ('That'): Use it to connect a main clause to a subordinate clause, often after verbs of speaking or thinking. For example: Я знаю, что он дома. (I know that he is home). Dropping 'что': In formal and written Russian, 'что' is required to connect clauses (and always preceded by a comma). However, dropping it is a standard feature of everyday conversational Russian, especially after verbs of perception, feeling, and speech (e.g., Я знаю, он дома.). While not as universally droppable as 'that' in English, it is very common in spoken language. As a beginner, using 'что' is always a safe default. In compound phrases like потому что (because), the comma usually goes before the whole phrase. However, the comma must split the phrase (потому, что) if there is a negative particle, an emphasizing word, or logical stress placed on the reason (e.g., Я пришёл только потому, что ты просил - I came only because you asked).
• The 'That' Trap (Relative Clauses): English speakers often use 'что' to modify nouns (e.g., 'The book that I am reading'). While 'что' can sometimes be used this way in literature or colloquial speech, the safest default for learners is the relative pronoun который: Книга, которую я читаю. Using 'который' is the neutral standard.
• The 'то, что' Construction: This construction is the standard way to say 'that which' or 'what' in a general sense (e.g., То, что ты сказал, — правда - What you said is true). It is also mandatory when connecting clauses where the main verb requires a preposition; the preposition attaches to the pronoun 'то', not directly to the 'что' clause. For example: Я думаю о том, что ты сказал (I am thinking about what you said).
• Declension: While you start with 'что', be aware that this word changes its form based on grammatical cases (e.g., чего, чему, чем, о чём). Because 'что' is inanimate, its Accusative form is identical to the Nominative ('что').
• Pronunciation: In the word что, the 'ч' is pronounced like 'ш'. Say shto, not chto. This 'ш' sound also applies to derivative words like чтобы (shtoby) and ничто (nishto). However, the word нечто (something) is an exception and is pronounced with a 'ч' (nechto). In its declined forms (чего, чему, чем, о чём), the 'ч' is pronounced normally as 'ch'. Additionally, in the form чего, the 'г' is pronounced as 'в' (chevo).
• Stress and Intonation: In spoken Russian, there is a distinction between the question word and the conjunction. As a question word, что is stressed and retains its full 'o' sound. As a conjunction, it is unstressed and the 'o' is often reduced in rapid speech.
• Facts vs. Wishes: Use что for reporting facts. If you are expressing a wish, command, or goal, you will need чтобы instead. English speakers often fall into the trap of translating phrases like 'I want him to come' literally using 'что'. In Russian, this requires 'чтобы' (Я хочу, чтобы он пришёл). Crucially, 'чтобы' must be followed by either the past tense or an infinitive. Remember to contrast these connectors: use что for facts, который for modifying nouns (relative clauses), and чтобы for desires and purposes.
• Colloquial 'Why': In everyday speech, 'что' is frequently used instead of почему to mean 'why'. For example: Что ты такой грустный? (Why are you so sad?).
• The 'что за' Construction: A foundational phrase for beginners is что за, meaning 'What kind of...?' or 'What is...?'. For example: Что это за книга? (What kind of book is this?).