это

/[ˈɛtə]/

Russiandetpronparticleintj

Grammatical form

это is the neuter nominative/accusative singular form of э́тот — “Mostly proximal demonstrative determiner. Usually translated as "this"/"these", but can occasionally be translated as "that"/"those" and, in some cases, the English definite article, "the".”.

See the full entry for э́тот →

Definitions

1.
Generic demonstrative pronoun. Translated as "this" or "that" (or their plural forms, "these" or "those"), depending on the context.
- Э́то сто́ит пятьсо́т рубле́й, а вот э́то сто́ит семьсо́т.
  Éto stóit pjatʹsót rubléj, a vot éto stóit semʹsót. — This costs five hundred roubles, and this costs seven hundred.
- Э́то Вене́ра, а вот э́то самолёт.
  Éto Venéra, a vot éto samoljót. — That's Venus, and that's a plane.
- Э́то мои́ рису́нки.
  Éto moí risúnki. — These are my drawings.
2.
Used as a personal pronoun when not referring to a particular noun. Translated as "it".
- Не́которые лю́ди говоря́т на не́скольких языка́х. Э́то позволя́ет им ду́мать и ви́деть мир по-дру́гому. Э́то та́кже мо́жет расши́рить возмо́жности трудоустро́йства.
  Nékotoryje ljúdi govorját na néskolʹkix jazykáx. Éto pozvoljájet im dúmatʹ i vídetʹ mir po-drúgomu. Éto tákže móžet rasšíritʹ vozmóžnosti trudoustrójstva. — Some people can speak several languages. This allows them to think and see the world differently. It can also expand employment opportunities.
- Не хо́чется спать, но э́то, наве́рное, помо́жет мне чу́вствовать себя́ лу́чше.
  Ne xóčetsja spatʹ, no éto, navérnoje, pomóžet mne čúvstvovatʹ sebjá lúčše. — I don't feel like sleeping, but it'll probably help me feel better.
3.
used as a personal pronoun to indicate that something at the centre of a matter at hand is a certain thing; can be translated as "it" or "he", "she", "they", as appropriate
- В смы́сле, э́то мои́ роди́тели, поэ́тому я хочу́ им помо́чь.
  V smýsle, éto moí rodíteli, poétomu ja xočú im pomóčʹ. — I mean, they're my parents, so I want to help them.
4.
Optionally used after a noun to introduce its definition or explanation. In the most formal texts, separated from the noun by an em dash, or (дли́нное) тире́ ((dlínnoje) tirɛ́). In more informal texts, may be separated by a hyphen (дефи́с (defís)), due to typological constraints, or only a space. Often omitted, though usually not when the dash/hyphen is also omitted, to avoid introducing ambiguity.
- Со́евое молоко́ — (э́то) напи́ток, полу́ченный из зёрен со́и.
  Sójevoje molokó — (éto) napítok, polúčennyj iz zjóren sói. — Soy milk is a drink derived from soybeans.
5.
Used to emphasise identity, analogously to English "it's me who" etc.
- Э́то я должна́ проси́ть у вас проще́ния.
  Éto ja dolžná prosítʹ u vas proščénija. — It's me who should ask you for forgiveness.
- Э́то мой оте́ц основа́л компа́нию.
  Éto moj otéc osnovál kompániju. — It's my father who founded the company.
6.
Used to intensify a question concerning an observation.
- Да куда́ э́то вы так спеши́те?
  Da kudá éto vy tak spešíte? — Where are you in such a hurry to?
7.
uh, er, erm, umm (used in hesitant speech)
- Я, э́то, не купи́л ничего́.
  Ja, éto, ne kupíl ničevó. — I, er, I haven't bought anything.