How to decline the word "cat"?

How to decline the word "cat"? - briefly

The word "cat" is invariable in English, meaning it does not change form based on case or number. Therefore, regardless of whether you are referring to one cat or multiple cats, the spelling and pronunciation remain consistent.

How to decline the word "cat"? - in detail

The Russian language has a rich system of declensions, which can be quite complex for those unfamiliar with its intricacies. When it comes to the word "кошка" (cat), understanding its declension is crucial for accurate communication. In Russian, nouns are declined according to their gender, number, and case. The word "кошка" is a feminine noun, which means it follows a specific pattern of endings based on these factors.

In the nominative case (именительный падеж), which is used for the subject of a sentence, "кошка" remains unchanged. For example:

  • Кошка сидит на диване. (The cat is sitting on the sofa.)

When declining "кошка," it's important to remember that the endings change based on the case and number. Here are the declensions for both singular and plural forms of "кошка":

  1. Genitive Case (родительный падеж): Used to indicate possession or the object of a verb.

    • Singular: кошки (e.g., я вижу кошку. - I see the cat.)
    • Plural: кошек (e.g., у меня есть две кошки. - I have two cats.)

  2. Dative Case (дательный падеж): Used to indicate the recipient or the object affected by an action.

    • Singular: кошке (e.g., я даю корм кошке. - I give food to the cat.)
    • Plural: кошкам (e.g., я даю корм кошкам. - I give food to the cats.)

  3. Accusative Case (винительный падеж): Used for the direct object of a sentence, typically the same as the genitive case for feminine nouns.

    • Singular: кошку (e.g., я вижу кошку. - I see the cat.)
    • Plural: кошек (e.g., у меня есть две кошки. - I have two cats.)

  4. Instrumental Case (творительный падеж): Used to indicate the means or instrument by which an action is performed.

    • Singular: кошкой (e.g., кошка ловит мышей. - The cat catches mice.)
    • Plural: кошками (e.g., кошки ловят мышей. - The cats catch mice.)

  5. Prepositional Case (предложный падеж): Used with prepositions to indicate location or association.

    • Singular: о кошке (e.g., я говорю о кошке. - I am talking about the cat.)
    • Plural: о кошках (e.g., я говорю о кошках. - I am talking about the cats.)

By mastering these declensions, one can accurately communicate using the word "кошка" in various contexts and grammatical situations. This understanding is essential for achieving fluency and precision in the Russian language.