касаться + Genitive
Concern or Touch Upon
The verb касаться (imperfective) or коснуться (perfective) is a reflexive verb that governs the Genitive case. It is used to describe physical contact, relevance ('to concern'), or briefly mentioning a topic.
How It Works
1. Physical Meaning
In its literal sense, касаться means to touch something lightly, fleetingly, or accidentally. For deliberate, purposeful handling or touching, Russians primarily use the verb трогать. The construction прикасаться к + Dative is the standard neutral way to express intentional light contact (e.g., Не прикасайтесь к экспонатам).
2. Figurative Meaning (Concern/Relevance)
This is the most common usage in daily life and formal contexts. It indicates that something has relevance to a person or group. The famous phrase Это тебя не касается (It's none of your business) uses this logic. The modern standard introductory construction for shifting topics is Что касается + Genitive (e.g., Что касается этого вопроса...).
3. Figurative Meaning (Mentioning)
In academic or professional speech, the perfective form коснуться is used to say a speaker 'touched upon' or briefly mentioned a specific point without going into detail.
4. Specialized and Archaic Uses
In geometry, this verb describes a line being tangent to a curve. You may also encounter the archaic or highly formal construction что касается до + Genitive, though in modern Russian, the preposition до is usually omitted.
5. Morphology and Aspect
- Imperfective: касаться (used for ongoing concern or general states).
- Perfective: коснуться (used for a single physical touch or a brief mention).
Note the root vowel change: кас- (imperfective) vs кос- (perfective). This follows the orthographic rule where а is written if the suffix -а- follows the root. This same rule applies to the related noun касание (touch/contact).
Examples (5)
- Это распоряжение касается всех сотрудников.
This order concerns all employees.
Word by Word: This order concerns all employees.
Here, 'касается' shows relevance/jurisdiction and governs the Genitive plural 'всех сотрудников'.
- В своём докладе он лишь вскользь коснулся этой проблемы.
In his report, he only briefly touched upon this problem.
Word by Word: In his report he only in-passing touched this problem.
The perfective 'коснулся' indicates a brief, one-time mention of the topic.
- Что касается цен, они останутся прежними.
As for the prices, they will remain the same.
Word by Word: What concerns prices, they will remain former.
This is a standard introductory construction used to switch topics.
- Ветки деревьев касаются окна.
The tree branches are touching the window.
Word by Word: Branches of-trees touch window.
A literal, physical use of the verb in the imperfective aspect.
- Не волнуйся, это тебя не касается.
Don't worry, it doesn't concern you (it's none of your business).
Word by Word: Not worry, this you not concerns.
A very common idiomatic expression using the Genitive form of 'ты' (тебя).
Common Mistakes
Using the Accusative case instead of the Genitive.
Это касается эту тему.Это касается этой темы.Learners often use the Accusative because 'touch' is a direct object verb in English. In Russian, 'касаться' always requires the Genitive.
Adding the preposition 'о' (about).
Он коснулся о политике.Он коснулся политики.Even when the meaning is 'to touch upon a topic', you must use the Genitive directly without the preposition 'о'.
Confusing 'касаться' with 'прикасаться'.
Я коснулся к стене.Я коснулся стены.If you use 'касаться', do not use the preposition 'к'. If you use 'прикасаться', you must use 'к' + Dative.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the pattern 'касаться + родительный', a learner needs to understand how reflexive verbs (ending in -ся) function and be comfortable with the endings of the genitive case, as this verb specifically governs that case to express 'concerning' or 'touching upon' a topic.
- -ся/-сьReflexive Suffix -ся/-сь
The verb 'касаться' is a reflexive verb, so understanding the reflexive suffix is necessary for its conjugation.
Level 2 - Inherent reflexive verbs
This pattern involves an inherent reflexive verb that does not take a direct object in the accusative, but instead governs a specific case.
Level 2 - Genitive of possession or association
The pattern requires knowledge of the genitive case endings, which are first introduced in the context of possession and association.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- Perfective aspect for completed result
The perfective form 'коснуться' is used when the 'touching' or 'mentioning' is viewed as a completed, brief event.
Level 2 - к + DativeDative After К
Often confused with 'касаться', the verb 'прикасаться' (to touch intentionally) requires this Dative construction.
Level 2 - Oblique personal pronouns
Essential for phrases like 'это тебя не касается', where the pronoun must be in the Genitive form.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice касаться + Genitive in Bubblegum
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