Numbers · Lesson 1
Один, два, пять
1 / 2–4 / 5+
After a number, the noun’s case is not «always genitive». 1 takes nominative singular, 2–4 take genitive singular, 5+ take genitive plural — and teens 11–14 break the last-digit rule.
How it works
After a number, the noun’s case is not «always genitive». 1 takes nominative singular, 2–4 take genitive singular, 5+ take genitive plural — and teens 11–14 break the last-digit rule.
Then open Tables, Notes, Exceptions, and Examples in that order.
When to use it
- 1, 21, 31, 101… (not 11) → nominative singular: один стол, одна книга, одно окно.
- 2, 3, 4, 22, 23, 24… (not 12–14) → genitive singular: два стола, три книги, четыре окна.
- 0, 5–20, 25–30… including 11–14 → genitive plural: пять столов, одиннадцать книг.
- Look at the last word of the number: двадцать один год vs двадцать пять лет.
Pro tip
Cover the last word of the number. If you see один → nom sg. два/три/четыре → gen sg. Anything else, including 11–14 → gen pl.