это + Nominative
Identification with Это
Это + Noun (Nominative) = Identification (This is... / These are...)
How It Works
The pattern это + именительный (nominative) is the most basic way to introduce or identify a subject in Russian.
1. The Invariant 'Это'
When identifying an object ('This is a book') rather than describing a specific one ('This book is good'), the word это remains unchanged. It does not matter if the noun is masculine, feminine, neuter, or plural.
2. The Nominative Case
The noun that follows это must always be in the nominative case (the dictionary form). This is because you are stating the identity of the subject.
3. The Omitted Verb
In the present tense, Russian does not use a word for 'is' or 'are'. The structure is simply это + the noun. In writing, you may sometimes see an em-dash (—) used for emphasis (e.g., Это — мой дом), but it is not required in casual speech.
4. Identification vs. Description
It is important to distinguish this from demonstrative adjectives (этот, эта, это, эти). Use the fixed это to answer 'What is this?' (Что это?) or 'Who is this?' (Кто это?). Use the changing forms to point to a specific item ('This book', 'That car').
Examples (5)
- Это мой папа.
This is my dad.
Word by Word: This my dad.
Even though 'папа' is masculine, we use the invariant 'это' to identify him.
- Что это? Это Москва.
What is this? This is Moscow.
Word by Word: What this? This Moscow.
A classic identification of a place using the nominative case.
- Это новые книги.
These are new books.
Word by Word: This new books.
Notice that 'это' does not change to a plural form; it remains 'это' even for multiple objects.
- Это моя мама.
This is my mom.
Word by Word: This my mom.
Even though 'мама' is feminine, we use 'это' (not 'эта') for identification.
- Это окно.
This is a window.
Word by Word: This window.
A simple identification of a neuter noun.
Common Mistakes
Changing 'это' to match the gender of the noun during identification.
Эта мама.Это мама.Learners often think 'Mom is feminine, so I must use the feminine эта.' However, for the sentence 'This IS mom,' you must use the invariant particle 'это'.
Using the Accusative case instead of the Nominative.
Это книгу.Это книга.Because 'это' feels like it's pointing at an object, learners sometimes use the accusative. Identification always requires the nominative case.
Using 'это' to refer back to a noun instead of a personal pronoun.
Где мой чай? Это на столе.Где мой чай? Он на столе.Once an object has been identified, you should use personal pronouns (он, она, оно) to refer to it, rather than repeating 'это'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To identify objects using 'это', a learner must first understand the demonstrative particle itself, the basic nominative case for nouns, and the concept that Russian does not use a present-tense verb 'to be' in simple identification sentences.
Related Patterns
- этот/тот + NounDemonstrative Pronoun Agreement
These are the demonstrative adjectives that DO change for gender and number to describe a specific noun (e.g., 'this book' vs 'this is a book').
Level 2 - Nominative subject
The noun following 'это' must be in this case, which is the basic dictionary form.
Level 1 - ктоWho Question
Used to ask 'Who is this?' (Кто это?) when identifying people.
Level 1 - чтоWhat Question
Used to ask 'What is this?' (Что это?) when identifying objects.
Level 1 - Nominal predicate without present copula
Explains why the verb 'to be' (is/are) is omitted in the present tense in this pattern.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice это + Nominative in Bubblegum
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