Dative Case: Declension of Singular Nouns
The declension of singular nouns with dative is quite easy. Masculine and neuter nouns have a “у” or “ю” ending according if their endings are hard (consonnant) or soft (“ь” or “й”). Feminine nouns ending “а” and “я” will be changed to “е” and the ones ending “ия” to “ии”.
Let’s have a look at the table below:
Nominative Кто? (Who?) Что? (What?) | Dative Кому? (To whom?) Чему? (Which?) | Ending | |
| Masculine | друг, преподаватель, Андрей | другу, преподавателю, Андрею | – у – ю |
| Neuter | письмо, море, здание | письму, морю, зданию | – у – ю |
| Feminine | подруга, Катя, Мария | подруге, Кате, Марии | – е – и |
!! ATTENTION !!
| Nominative | Dative |
| Мать | Матери |
| Дочь | Дочери |
Examples
Папа дал книгу Вадиму. (Dad gave a book to Vadim.)
Маша позвонила подруге. (Masha called her friend.)
Родители купили подарок брату. (The parents bought a present for my brother.)
Я готовлю папе ужин. (I prepare dinner for dad.)
Дети подарили учительнице цветы. (The children offered flowers to their teacher.)
