The Russian relative pronoun kotoryj can be translated as “which,” “that,” or “who.” It is used to join two simple sentences into a complex one. Kotoryj is used to refer both to animate and inanimate objects. It changes according to gender, number, and case. The gender and number of the pronoun kotoryj is determined by the noun it replaces in the first part of the sentence. The case of kotoryj is determined by its position in the second part of the sentence.

Exercise 41: Declining kotoryj

Complete the sentences with the correct form of kotoryj.

1. Vot devushka, zhiviot v moiom pod 'ezde.

2. Vot dom, v ya zhivu.

3. Eto liudi, s my vmeste rabotaem.

4. Vot to kafe, v my vstretilis'.

5. Eto sportsmen, vyigral sorevnovanie.

6. Vot kniga, ia napisal.

7. Eto vrach, ty dolzhen pozvonit'.

8. Eto mashina, vodit moj drug.

Exercise 42: Making Complex Sentences

Join the two sentences into one complex sentence with kotoryj. Remember to use kotoryj in the appropriate gender, number, and case.

1. Po ulitse shiol molodoj chelovek. Etot molodoj chelovek rabotaet v banke.

2. Na stsenu vyshla aktrisa. Eta aktrisa igrala v fil'me “S liogkim parom.”

3. V dver' postuchala sosedka. Eta sosedka zhiviot naprotiv.

4. Mne pozvonil drug. Etot drug zhiviot v Parizhe.

5. Ia napisala knigu. Eta kniga stala izvestnoj.

6. Lena poteriala sumku. Etu sumku ej podarila eio mama.

7. My nashli khoroshee kafe. V etom kafe podaiut otlichnyj chaj s travami.

8. Moj drug napisal roman. Etot roman sdelal ego bogatym.