The dative meaning network
Dative commonly profiles an endpoint in the human or conceptual domain: a recipient, target, experiencer, or entity toward which something is oriented.
- Case is relational: Dative does not simply translate English 'to'. The governing verb, preposition, or construction selects the role.
| Role | Construction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| recipient | give/send something to | дать бра́ту кни́гу |
| communication target | write/call/say to | написа́ть А́нне |
| beneficiary/affected person | help/advise | помога́ть студе́нту |
| experiencer | state/liking | А́нне хо́лодно |
| age/necessity | predicative construction | ребёнку пять лет |
| goal/standard | к / по | к врачу́; по пла́ну |
Mini-check
1. Identify the dative: А́нна даёт бра́ту кни́гу. 2. Name two non-recipient dative roles.
Apply this next
- Retrieve the rule without looking, then continue to the next lesson.