Needs and company

Say who needs something, how someone feels and who is going with them.

Who needs to act? How old are they?

With нужно and an infinitive, use a dative person: мне нужно идти, ей нужно работать. The same person forms appear with age: мне двадцать лет. Keep the person separate from the action or number.

Мне нужно купить хлеб. Тебе нужно отдохнуть.: I need to buy bread. You need to rest.
Ему нужно идти домой. Ей нужно позвонить маме.: He needs to go home. She needs to call her mother.
Мне двадцать лет, а ему двадцать три года.: I am twenty, and he is twenty-three.

How someone feels

Мне холодно describes how I feel; здесь холодно describes the place. There is no nominative subject in these patterns. A short adjective uses a different pattern: я занят, она занята.

Мне холодно. Я хочу горячий чай.: I am cold. I want hot tea.
Ей жарко. Она открывает окно.: She feels hot. She is opening the window.
— Ты свободна? — Нет, я занята.: “Are you free?” “No, I am busy.”

With someone; with an ingredient

Use с plus instrumental for company: с другом, с сестрой. It also names an accompaniment: чай с молоком. The action decides whether с is needed: вижу друга means I see a friend, not I am with a friend.

Я иду в парк с подругой. Он идёт с братом.: I am going to the park with a female friend. He is going with his brother.
— Ты идёшь со мной? — Да, с тобой.: “Are you coming with me?” “Yes, with you.”
Я беру чай с молоком и бутерброд с сыром.: I am having tea with milk and a cheese sandwich.

Check the difference

Read eight short situations and choose the answer that fits.

Write the word form

Complete five short sentences. Write only the missing word or phrase.

Arrange an afternoon together

Explain your plans and arrange what to bring.

At the café

Order food and drinks in a separate conversation.

Open conversation →