Basic Accusative and Locative (Singular Only)
Let's start with a simplified look at two more cases in the singular. The Accusative case often marks the direct object (who or what receives the action). The Locative case (also called Prepositional) is used for location after prepositions like на (on) or в (in). For now, let's just see how simple singular nouns change (adjectives also change, but we'll keep it very basic here).
Accusative (Singular):
- Masculine Inanimate & Neuter: Look like the Nominative. (e.g., Я вижу стол - I see a table, Я вижу го́род - I see a city)
- Masculine Animate: Look like the Genitive (-а). (e.g., Я вижу отца́ - I see a father)
- Feminine: End in -у. (e.g., Я вижу же́нщину - I see a woman, Я вижу кни́гу - I see a book)
Locative (Prepositional) with 'на/в' (Singular):
- Masculine/Neuter: Ends in -е. (e.g., на столе́ - on a table, в го́роде - in a city, на по́ле - in a field)
- Feminine: Ends in -е or -и (after certain letters). (e.g., на реке́ - on a river, в земле́ - in the earth, в шко́ле - in a school)
Examples: Я чита́ю кни́гу (I am reading a book). Мы сиди́м на столе́ (We are sitting on a table).