My Slavic Studies

Nom.

Gen.

Dat.

Acc.

Inst.

Prep.

The prepositional case, предложный падеж, is the final of the six Russian cases. It answers the following questions: о ком? and о чём? And often the question где?

This case is called prepositional for a reason – it is only ever used with prepositions. Yes, only prepositions trigger the need for this case.

Having learned that, let’s delve deeper into this case and learn more of its usages.

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The prepositional case is used…

to indicate location with the prepositions в [in, at] and на [in, at, on] [answering the question где?]

Светлана учится в Минске. Svetlana goes to school in Minsk.	Где она учится? Where does she go to school?
Я стою в очереди. I stand in line.	Где я стою? Where do I stand?
Есть ли жинзь на Марсе? Is there life on Mars?	Где есть жизнь? Where is there life?

to express to wear [at the moment] with the help of в

Павел в рубашке и джинсах. Pavel is wearing a shirt and jeans.	В чём он? What’s he wearing?
Она в обалденном, голубом платье.	В чём она? What’s she wearing?

To express to wear [regularly], use either носить + acc. or ходить в + prep. В университете преподаватели носят костюмы. Instructors wear suits at the university. Летом я хожу в лёгкой одежде. I wear light clothing in summer.

with some other prepositions: о(бо) [about], при [in the presence of, during the time of]

Она думает только об исскустве. She thinks only about art.	О чём она думает? What is she thinking about?
При Сталине экономика была хуше. During Stalin’s time the economy was worse.	При ком была экономика хуше? During whose time was the economy worse?

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I hope you found this post to be helpful. 🙂