Why "minya" and not "ya"?

[TechHeavy]

In Newbie lesson 5 when Anna and Eric are chatting prior to ordering their meal, they both make reference to what they like to eat. They both use the phrase, "minya nravitsa...". Doesn't minya mean, "me" or, "my"? So, "Me like..." (whatever). Why wouldn't it be, "Ya nravitsa...", or, "I like...."?

Spaciba

[super_user]

Hi TechHeavy,

Good question. Menya, Ya, and Mnye are all forms of "I" in English but the difference is the cases, or grammar, used in each situation.

For example:

YA lublyu tebya. - I love you.

Ty lubesh MENYA? - Do you love ME.

MNYE nravitsa pizza. - I like pizza (literally, TO ME pleased pizza or pizza is favorable TO ME) Think of the Spanish language, as it operates in this instance in a similar fashion.... me gusta pizza - I like pizza or litterally "me enjoy pizza or pizza is enjoyed by me." There is not a one to one relation when translating in this instance from one language to the other.

Hope that helps

[TechHeavy]

It does help. Thanks for the reply.

[freaktwa]

[quote="super_user"]Hi TechHeavy,

Good question. Menya, Ya, and Mnye are all forms of "I" in English but the difference is the cases, or grammar, used in each situation.

For example:

YA lublyu tebya. - I love you.

Ty lubesh MENYA? - Do you love ME.

(end quote)

But how do we know when to use all of these different "I" phrases? Do we find out beyond lesson 5? (Because I would like to know in advance)

Please respond,
Freaktwa.

[Erik]

hello freaktwa,

yes - the beginner series does cover the basics of the cases, i.e. prepositional, accusative, and so on. you should be able to start teasing apart the differences between the cases after the 25 beginner lessons in series one.

of course, if you have any particular questions about language in use, or about the form or meaning of words and phrases, please don't hesitate to ask. if there is something you're not sure about, i'm sure many other listeners have the same concern and would benefit from the Q&A

regards,

erik

[freaktwa]

Thank you.