Russian Vocabulary (and Wisdom)

How to say "it" in Russian

This Russian word is one of the top 1000 words in Russian. The complete list of most common Russian words is available here.

это

Meaning: it, it is, this is, that is, these are

Pronunciation: [EH-tuh]

Part of speech: pronoun, particle (this word doesn't change form; don't confuse it with the demonstrative pronoun "этот", which has the same form in neuter singular nominative/accusative)

Rank: #13 (see frequency list)

This is a book.
Photo by brewbooks CC-BY-SA-2.0

Example sentences:

Э́то -- кни́га.
This is a book.
Кто э́то? Э́то мой брат.
Who is that? That is my brother.
Э́то он вы́играл соревнова́ние.
It was him who won the competition.
Как э́то всё случи́лось?
How did it all happen?
Что э́то за живо́тное? Э́то ехи́дна.
What kind of animal is this? This is an echidna.
Э́то о́чень интере́сно!
This is very interesting!
Кто́-нибудь ви́дел как э́то произошло́?
Did anybody see how it happened?
Я зна́ю как э́то ва́жно для тебя́, я бу́ду рад помо́чь.
I know how important it is for you, I'll be glad to help you.
Кто э́то? Я ду́маю, э́то друг Маши.
Who is it? I think it is Masha's friend.
Э́то твой после́дний шанс.
It is your last chance.
Я всегда́ знал, что э́то пра́вда!
I've always known that it is true!
Пожа́луйста, сде́лай му́зыку ти́ше. Э́то о́чень гро́мко.
Please, turn down the music. This is too loud.
Э́то была́ на́ша пе́рвая, но далеко́ не после́дняя пое́здка в э́ту интере́сную страну́.
It was our first, but not our last trip to this interesting country.
literal It was our first, but far not last trip to this interesting country.
Присма́тривать за ма́ленькими детьми́ - э́то о́чень не про́сто.
It is just not easy to look after little children.
literal To look after small children - this is very not easy.
Москва́ - э́то не то́лько столи́ца Росси́и, но и центр делово́й и све́тской жи́зни.
Moscow, it is not only the capital of Russia, but is also the center of business and social life.
Кто э́то? Э́то мой брат.
Who is this? This is my brother.
Э́то твой компью́тер? Да, мой.
Is this your computer? Yes, it's mine.

Idioms and set expressions:

Что э́то с ва́ми? = What is the matter with you?
Что э́то вы? = What’s come over you?
Как э́то мо́жно! = How can you!

Phrase recordings: Copyright(c) 2011 MasterRussian.com. All rights reserved.
Word recordings: Copyright(c) 2006 Streit Goulnara, Streit Eric, Vion Nicolas. Copyright(c) 2007 S. Sakhno, N. Vion. Distributed under CC-BY.

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