In Russian, prepositions of manner introduce phrases that indicate how an action is performed (i.e. the manner in which something is done). It’s one of the ways to describe how something happened. For example:
You probably have already noticed that all of the phrases with the prepositions of manner answer the question Как? transcribed kakmeaning how.
Learning prepositions is a long journey. In this post, we will talk about prepositions of manner and how they are used in Russian. Please join me in this journey!
What is a preposition of manner?
A preposition of manner is a word that comes before a noun to create a phrase that describes how something happened.
But phrases that start with a preposition of manner are only one of many ways you can answer the question Как? transcribed kakmeaning How? in Russian. Let’s look at some examples below so you can see which specific types of words we’ll cover in this post.
| Prepositions of manner | preposition noun Они танцевали с уверенностью, с задором. Transcription: aNEE tantsyVAli s ooVYErinastyu i zaDOram. Translation: They were dancing with confidence, with vigor. Он ехал на огромной скорости. Transcription: on YEkhal na agROMnay SKOrasti. Translation: He was driving at a huge speed. |
|---|---|
| Manner clauses | conjunction clause Они танцевали так, как будто это было в последний раз. Transcription: aNEE tantsyVAli tak kak BOOta Eta BYla v pasLYEDniy ras. Translation: They were dancing as if it was the last time. Он ехал так быстро, что не заметил знак "Стоп". Transcription: on YEkhal tak BYStra shto ni zaMYEtil znak “stop.” Translation: He was driving so fast that he didn't notice the stop sign. |
| Manner adverbs | a single word Они танцевали уверенно и задорно. Transcription: aNEE tantsyVAli ooVYErina i zaDORna. Translation: They were dancing confidently and vigorously. Он ехал быстро. Transcription: on YEkhal BYStra. Translation: He was driving fast. |
What are the most frequent prepositions of manner in Russian?
There are many prepositions of manner in the Russian language — в(о) transcribed v(a)meaning in/on/at, на transcribed nameaning on/at/for, без transcribed byesmeaning without, and по transcribed pameaning on/via/at are the most frequent of them.
How to use в(о) as a preposition of manner?
As a preposition of manner, you will likely translate the preposition в(о) transcribed v(a) as “in.” The noun that follows в(о) in this context is usually in the accusative case.
We also use в(о) as a preposition of manner in several different set phrases, like:
How to use the preposition of manner без (byes)?
The preposition без transcribed byes means “without” and it always comes before a noun in the genitive case. Let’s read some examples.
This preposition is also used in a couple different set phrases, like…
How to use на as a preposition of manner?
In Russian the preposition на transcribed na is used as a preposition of manner for a few different restricted functions:
на + means of transportation → to express how someone travels:
prepositional caseОбычно мы ездим на работу на машине.Transcription: aBYCHna my YEZdim na raBOtoo na maSHYni.Translation: We usually go to work by car.на + language → to describe the language something was written/spoken in
prepositional caseОн написал письмо на английском.Transcription: on napiSAL pisMO na anGLEEYskam.Translation: He wrote a letter in English.And in a number of common phrases which, while they all describe the manner in which something was done, aren’t easily captured by a single description:
- accusative caseМы все поверили ему на слово.Transcription: my fsye paVYErili iMOO NA slava.Translation: We all took him at his word.
- prepositional caseна самом делеTranscription: na SAmam DYEliTranslation: in fact
- prepositional caseна всех парахTranscription: na fsyekh paRAKHTranslation: at full speed
- accusative caseна вкус и цвет товарищей нетTranscription: na fkoos i tsvyet taVArishchiy nyetTranslation: to every man, his own tasteLiterally: there is no friend in taste and color
Notice that when acting as a preposition of manner, на is usually either followed by the prepositional case or the accusative case.
How to use по (pa) as a preposition of manner?
The preposition по transcribed pa is not easily translated into English. Its meaning is perhaps best captured as “according to,” as it tends to denote that you are following some guideline, but depending on the context it will more often be translated using another preposition like “on,” “by,” or “in.”
Some good news, though, is that, as a preposition of manner, it will only require the dative case.
Here are some examples of set phrases that use по as a preposition of manner:
- разговор по душамTranscription: razgaVOR pa dooSHAMTranslation: a heart-to-heart talkLiterally: a talk on souls
- влюбиться по ушиTranscription: vlyuBEEtsya PO ooshyTranslation: fall head over heels in loveto fall in love on the ears
- по полнойTranscription: pa POLnayTranslation: in full
- по стопам отцаTranscription: pa staPAM aTSATranslation: follow in father’s footsteps
How to use с (s) as a preposition of manner?
The preposition с transcribed s means “with,” and it is very often used as a preposition of manner much like you would use “with” in English. As a preposition of manner, it is followed by the instrumental case. See examples provided below:
Here are some set phrases in which с is used as a preposition of manner:
- с первого взглядаTranscription: s PYERvava VZGLYAdaTranslation: at first sight
- с удовольствиемTranscription: s oodaVOLstviyemTranslation: with pleasure
- сойти с рукTranscription: sayTEE s rookTranslation: get away with
- с ног на головуTranscription: s nok NA galavooTranslation: upside downLiterally: lit: with legs to head
How to use за (za) as a preposition of manner?
When we use за transcribed za as a preposition of manner, it comes before a noun describing how you paid for something, and so it is usually translated as “for” or “with.” With this meaning, за takes the accusative case.
Here are some set phrases with this use of за:
- за гроши / за копейкиTranscription: za graSHY / za kaPYEYkiTranslation: for pennies
- принимать всё за чистую монетуTranscription: priniMAT fsyo za CHEEStooyu maNYEtooTranslation: accept everything at face value
Summary
When using prepositions of manner in Russian, keep in mind that…
Prepositions of manner introduce a noun that us used to describe how a thing or action happened.
The most common prepositions of manner in Russian are:
без transcribed byesmeaning without
в transcribed vmeaning without
на transcribed nameaning on/at/for
по transcribed pameaning on/via/around
с meaning with/since
за transcribed zameaning for
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