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Intermediate

The Accusative Case

Direct object and animacy

The accusative marks the direct object

The thing acted upon.

📊 Accusative endings
Gender / type Rule Example
feminine -а → -у книгу
masc. inanimate = nominative бачу стіл
masc./fem. animate = genitive бачу брата
neuter = nominative бачу вікно
💬 Examples
Я читаю книгу.
Ya chytayu knyhu.
I read a book.
📝 книга → книгу (feminine accusative)
Я люблю музику.
Ya lyublyu muzyku.
I love music.
📝 музика → музику
Feminine -а becomes -у

The most visible accusative change.

💬 Examples
Я бачу машину.
Ya bachu mashynu.
I see a car.
📝 машина → машину
Я п'ю воду.
Ya pyu vodu.
I drink water.
📝 вода → воду
Animate accusative = genitive

Living masculine (and plural) nouns take the genitive form.

💬 Examples
Я бачу брата.
Ya bachu brata.
I see (my) brother.
📝 брат → брата (animate = genitive)
Я бачу стіл.
Ya bachu stil.
I see a table.
📝 Inanimate = nominative (no change)