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A1 pronoun 12 دقیقه مطالعه

той

The third person masculine singular pronoun, he.

At the A1 level, the pronoun 'той' is introduced as one of the very first vocabulary words, essential for basic communication. It is taught primarily as the direct translation of the English word 'he', used to refer to a male person. Beginners learn to use 'той' in simple, declarative sentences to describe identity, origin, and basic actions. For example, learners practice phrases like 'Той е студент' (He is a student), 'Той е от България' (He is from Bulgaria), and 'Той чете' (He reads). A critical concept introduced at this stage is the conjugation of the verb 'съм' (to be) in the third person singular, which is 'е'. Therefore, the combination 'той е' (he is) becomes a highly frequent and foundational chunk of language. Furthermore, A1 learners are introduced to the concept of grammatical gender. They learn that unlike in English, 'той' is also used for inanimate objects that are grammatically masculine. For instance, a beginner will learn that when pointing to a 'стол' (chair), they must use 'той', saying 'Той е голям' (It is big). This is often a challenging concept initially, but it is crucial for building accurate Bulgarian sentences. Teachers emphasize that 'той' always replaces a masculine noun, whether it is a person (мъж), an animal (куче - wait, dog is neuter, 'вълк' - wolf is masculine), or a thing (телефон). Mastery at the A1 level involves recognizing 'той' in spoken and written texts and producing it correctly in simple subject positions.
As learners progress to the A2 level, their understanding of 'той' deepens to include more complex sentence structures and the introduction of pro-drop mechanics. While A1 learners often over-rely on explicitly stating 'той', A2 learners are taught that Bulgarian is a pro-drop language and that subject pronouns are frequently omitted when the context is clear. They learn to say 'Работи в офис' (Works in an office) instead of always saying 'Той работи в офис'. This shift is crucial for sounding more natural. Additionally, A2 learners begin to encounter 'той' in various tenses, such as the past tense ('Той беше' - He was, 'Той отиде' - He went) and the future tense ('Той ще бъде' - He will be, 'Той ще отиде' - He will go). They learn how 'той' interacts with auxiliary verbs and particles. Another significant milestone at the A2 level is the introduction of object pronouns derived from 'той'. Learners are introduced to the short accusative clitic 'го' (him/it) and the short dative clitic 'му' (to him/to it). They learn that while 'той' is the subject performing the action, 'го' is the object receiving it (e.g., 'Аз го виждам' - I see him). Understanding the relationship between the subject 'той' and its object forms is a major grammatical hurdle at this level. Practice involves reading short narratives and identifying who 'той' refers to, enhancing reading comprehension and contextual awareness.
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At the B1 level, learners are expected to use 'той' with a high degree of fluency and grammatical accuracy, integrating it seamlessly into complex sentences. The focus shifts towards the pragmatic and stylistic uses of the pronoun. Learners understand that explicitly using 'той' when it could be dropped serves a specific purpose: emphasis or contrast. They practice sentences where 'той' is stressed to highlight the subject, such as 'Той трябва да го направи, не аз' (HE has to do it, not me). B1 learners also become comfortable with the full forms of the object pronouns, 'него' (him), used after prepositions (e.g., 'Отивам с него' - I am going with him, 'Това е за него' - This is for him). They learn to distinguish between when to use the short clitic 'го' and the full form 'него'. Furthermore, learners at this level encounter 'той' in relative clauses, understanding how it relates to relative pronouns like 'който' (who/which). For example, they can construct and understand sentences like 'Мъжът, с когото говорих, е той' (The man with whom I spoke is him). The use of 'той' in reported speech and complex conditional sentences is also solidified. By the end of B1, learners should rarely make mistakes regarding the grammatical gender of common nouns when using 'той' as a replacement, demonstrating a solid internalized map of Bulgarian noun genders.
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At the B2 level, the usage of 'той' becomes sophisticated, reflecting a deep understanding of Bulgarian discourse structure and narrative flow. Learners are expected to read extensive texts, such as news articles, essays, and literature, where 'той' is used to maintain cohesion over long paragraphs. They learn how to track the referent of 'той' even when multiple male figures or masculine objects are involved in a story, relying on subtle contextual clues and verb semantics. In their own speaking and writing, B2 learners use 'той' to create cohesive and engaging narratives, knowing exactly when to omit it for flow and when to include it for dramatic effect or clarity. They are also introduced to idiomatic expressions and fixed phrases that involve 'той' or its derived forms. For example, they might learn colloquialisms where 'той' is used almost as a filler or an emphatic particle. At this level, the distinction between formal and informal registers becomes crucial. Learners understand when to replace 'той' with formal titles (e.g., 'господинът') in professional or respectful contexts. They also master the use of 'той' in passive constructions, understanding how the focus of the sentence shifts. The ability to self-correct and recognize subtle nuances in the placement of 'той' within the sentence (e.g., at the beginning vs. at the end for emphasis) is a hallmark of B2 proficiency.
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At the C1 advanced level, learners possess a near-native intuition regarding the pronoun 'той'. The focus is no longer on basic grammar, but on stylistic mastery, rhetorical devices, and sociolinguistic appropriateness. C1 learners can analyze complex literary texts where authors might use 'той' ambiguously for artistic effect, or where the pronoun refers back to abstract masculine concepts rather than concrete entities. They understand the historical and etymological roots of the word, recognizing its connection to other Slavic languages. In spoken Bulgarian, C1 learners effortlessly navigate rapid, colloquial speech where 'той' might be heavily reduced or blended with surrounding words. They can use 'той' in highly specific professional or academic jargon, ensuring precise communication. At this level, learners are also acutely aware of the sociolinguistic implications of pronoun use, such as avoiding overly repetitive 'той' in formal writing by employing a rich vocabulary of synonyms, descriptive phrases, and participial constructions. They can engage in complex debates, using 'той' to sharply contrast arguments or highlight specific actors in a scenario. The mastery of 'той' at C1 is characterized by elegance, precision, and a deep appreciation for the rhythm and structure of the Bulgarian language, allowing for expression that is both grammatically flawless and stylistically rich.
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At the C2 level, the highest level of proficiency, the learner's command of 'той' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. They possess a comprehensive understanding of the pronoun's role in the absolute nuances of Bulgarian syntax, pragmatics, and stylistics. C2 learners can effortlessly produce and comprehend texts of extreme complexity, including archaic literature, highly technical manuals, and dense philosophical treatises, where 'той' might be used in unconventional or historical ways. They are capable of playing with the language, using 'той' in ironic, sarcastic, or poetic contexts to achieve specific rhetorical goals. They understand the subtle dialectal variations in the pronunciation or usage of 'той' across different regions of Bulgaria. At this level, the learner can write academic papers or deliver formal speeches where the tracking of subjects and the use of pronouns like 'той' are executed flawlessly to maintain absolute logical coherence and persuasive power. They are fully capable of explaining the grammatical rules and stylistic guidelines concerning 'той' to native speakers or lower-level learners. The C2 user demonstrates a complete and internalized mastery of the entire grammatical ecosystem surrounding 'той', including all its case forms, clitics, and interactions with every possible verb tense, mood, and voice, reflecting a profound mastery of the Bulgarian language as a whole.
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مثال‌ها
The Bulgarian word 'той' is a third-person singular masculine personal pronoun, directly translating to the English word 'he'. However, its usage in Bulgarian extends far beyond the English equivalent due to the grammatical gender system inherent in the Bulgarian language. In English, 'he' is almost exclusively used to refer to animate beings, specifically male humans or animals whose sex is known. In stark contrast, the Bulgarian language assigns a grammatical gender—masculine, feminine, or neuter—to every single noun, regardless of whether it refers to a living creature, an inanimate object, an abstract concept, or a natural phenomenon. Consequently, 'той' is used to replace any masculine noun in a sentence. This means that when a Bulgarian speaker is talking about a chair (стол), a computer (компютър), a dream (сън), or a city (град), they will use the pronoun 'той' to refer back to it, just as they would when talking about a man (мъж) or a boy (момче). Understanding this fundamental difference is crucial for English speakers learning Bulgarian, as it requires a significant shift in how one conceptualizes objects and pronouns. Furthermore, Bulgarian is a pro-drop language, which means that subject pronouns like 'той' are frequently omitted from sentences because the verb ending already indicates the person and number of the subject. For instance, instead of saying 'Той чете книга' (He reads a book), a native speaker will often simply say 'Чете книга' (Reads a book). The pronoun 'той' is therefore typically used for emphasis, contrast, or clarification. When a speaker explicitly includes 'той', they are often drawing attention to the specific person or object, distinguishing them from someone or something else.
Grammatical Gender
In Bulgarian, all nouns have a gender. 'Той' is used for all masculine nouns, both animate and inanimate.

Къде е компютърът? Той е на масата. (Where is the computer? It is on the table.)

Pro-Drop Nature
Bulgarian verbs conjugate according to the subject, making the pronoun redundant in many cases unless emphasis is needed.

Иван е тук. Той иска да говори с теб. (Ivan is here. He wants to speak with you.)

Emphasis and Contrast
Using 'той' explicitly often means you are contrasting the subject with someone else, e.g., 'He did it, not her.'

Не аз счупих прозореца, той го направи! (I didn't break the window, he did!)

Това е новият ми телефон. Той е много бърз. (This is my new phone. It is very fast.)

Той ли ще дойде или брат му? (Is he going to come, or his brother?)

The usage of 'той' is deeply intertwined with the structure of Bulgarian discourse. When introducing a new masculine entity into a conversation, the noun is stated first. In subsequent sentences, 'той' takes its place to avoid repetition, maintaining the flow of conversation. However, if the topic shifts to another entity and then returns to the original masculine noun, 'той' might be used again, or the noun might be restated for clarity. Mastery of 'той' involves not only knowing its translation but also understanding the rhythm of omission and inclusion that characterizes natural Bulgarian speech. This requires practice and exposure to native dialogue, where the subtle cues of emphasis and reference become clear.
Using 'той' correctly in sentences involves understanding its role as a subject pronoun and how it interacts with the rest of the sentence structure. In standard Bulgarian syntax, which generally follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order, 'той' occupies the initial position when explicitly stated. For example, in 'Той работи в банка' (He works in a bank), 'той' is the subject performing the action. However, because Bulgarian has relatively flexible word order due to its rich inflectional system, 'той' can be moved around to change the nuance or focus of the sentence. Placing 'той' at the end of a sentence, such as 'В банка работи той', places strong emphasis on the pronoun, implying 'It is HE who works in a bank (and not someone else)'. This flexibility allows speakers to convey subtle shades of meaning simply by rearranging words. When 'той' is used with the verb 'съм' (to be) to describe states or identities, it is essential for establishing the subject before the predicate. For instance, 'Той е студент' (He is a student) or 'Той е уморен' (He is tired). In negative sentences, the negation particle 'не' is placed directly before the verb, not before the pronoun: 'Той не знае' (He doesn't know).
Standard SVO Order
The most common placement is at the beginning of the sentence as the active subject.

Той пие кафе всяка сутрин. (He drinks coffee every morning.)

Emphasis and Word Order
Moving 'той' to the end of the clause puts a heavy stress on the fact that HE is the one doing the action.

Това писмо го написа той. (This letter was written by HIM.)

With Auxiliary Verbs
When forming complex tenses like the future or perfect, 'той' remains the subject, interacting with auxiliary particles like 'ще'.

Той ще пътува утре. (He will travel tomorrow.)

Мислиш ли, че той е разбрал? (Do you think that he understood?)

Ако той се обади, кажи му да чака. (If he calls, tell him to wait.)

Another crucial aspect of using 'той' is its transformation in different grammatical cases. While modern Bulgarian has largely lost its noun case system, personal pronouns still retain distinct forms for the accusative (direct object) and dative (indirect object) cases. The full accusative form of 'той' is 'него' (him), and its short clitic form is 'го'. The full dative form is 'нему' (to him, though archaic/formal) and the short clitic is 'му'. Understanding that 'го' and 'му' are direct descendants of 'той' in the sentence structure is vital. For example, 'Аз виждам него' (I see him) is usually expressed with the clitic as 'Аз го виждам'. The subject pronoun 'той' is strictly reserved for the one performing the action or being described, never as the receiver of the action. Mastering these sentence dynamics allows for fluent and accurate communication in Bulgarian.
You will hear the word 'той' in virtually every context where the Bulgarian language is spoken, read, or written. Because it is a fundamental grammatical building block, it is inescapable in daily communication. In casual conversations, you will hear it when people are gossiping, telling stories about friends, or discussing public figures. For instance, friends chatting at a cafe might say, 'Видя ли Иван? Той си е купил нова кола' (Did you see Ivan? He bought himself a new car). In this context, 'той' serves to keep the narrative focused on Ivan without constantly repeating his name. In professional environments, 'той' is used in meetings, emails, and reports when referring to male colleagues, clients, or managers. A manager might state, 'Директорът каза, че той ще одобри проекта' (The director said that he will approve the project). In media and news broadcasting, journalists use 'той' extensively to refer to politicians, athletes, and other newsmakers. A news anchor might report, 'Премиерът заяви, че той стои зад решението' (The Prime Minister stated that he stands behind the decision).
Everyday Storytelling
Used constantly to refer back to male subjects in a narrative to avoid repetitive naming.

Срещнах Петър вчера. Той изглеждаше много добре. (I met Peter yesterday. He looked very well.)

Referring to Inanimate Objects
You will hear 'той' used for everyday objects that are grammatically masculine, which can be surprising for English speakers.

Хладилникът се счупи. Той е много стар. (The fridge broke. It is very old.)

Literature and Poetry
In written texts, 'той' helps maintain the flow of the text, often appearing at the beginning of paragraphs to re-establish the protagonist.

Той вървеше сам в тъмната гора. (He was walking alone in the dark forest.)

Къде е ключът? Той трябва да е тук. (Where is the key? It must be here.)

Вятърът е силен днес. Той събори дървото. (The wind is strong today. It knocked down the tree.)

Furthermore, 'той' is frequently encountered in idiomatic expressions and proverbs. Bulgarian literature is rich with examples where 'той' stands as a universal identifier for a male figure, often representing humanity or a specific archetype. When watching Bulgarian movies or television series, you will notice how actors use 'той' to convey emotion; a sharply spoken 'Той!' can convey accusation or surprise. In sports commentary, the rapid-fire use of 'той' keeps the action moving: 'Той поема топката, той стреля!' (He takes the ball, he shoots!). Ultimately, 'той' is a ubiquitous element of the Bulgarian linguistic landscape, serving as a constant auditory and visual marker in all forms of communication.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning Bulgarian is overusing the pronoun 'той'. Because English is not a pro-drop language, English speakers are accustomed to starting almost every sentence with a subject pronoun ('He went to the store. He bought milk. He came back.'). When translating this directly into Bulgarian, learners often say: 'Той отиде до магазина. Той купи мляко. Той се върна.' While grammatically correct, this sounds unnatural, robotic, and excessively emphatic to native Bulgarian ears. A native speaker would establish the subject once and then drop the pronoun in subsequent clauses: 'Той отиде до магазина, купи мляко и се върна.' The verb endings (-е, -и, -а) clearly indicate the third-person singular subject, rendering the repeated 'той' entirely unnecessary and stylistically clunky. Another major stumbling block is grammatical gender. English speakers naturally associate 'he' exclusively with biological males. In Bulgarian, as previously mentioned, 'той' must be used for any noun that is grammatically masculine. Learners often mistakenly use 'то' (it) for inanimate objects, even if those objects are masculine in Bulgarian. For example, referring to a 'телефон' (telephone, masculine), a beginner might say 'То е скъпо' (using the neuter pronoun and adjective) instead of the correct 'Той е скъп'.
Pronoun Overuse
Repeating 'той' in every sentence of a narrative makes the speech sound unnatural and overly emphatic.

Incorrect/Unnatural: Иван стана. Той се облече. Той излезе.

Gender Confusion for Objects
Using the neuter 'то' (it) instead of 'той' for inanimate masculine nouns like 'стол' (chair) or 'прозорец' (window).

Correct: Къде е столът? Той е там. (Not 'То е там')

Case Confusion
Using the subject pronoun 'той' when the object pronoun 'него' or 'го' is required.

Incorrect: Аз обичам той. (Correct: Аз го обичам / Аз обичам него).

Incorrect: Дай книгата на той. (Correct: Дай книгата на него / Дай му книгата).

Incorrect: Говорих с той. (Correct: Говорих с него).

A lesser-known mistake involves the pronunciation of 'той'. English speakers sometimes pronounce the 'й' (y-short) as a full vowel 'и' (i), making it sound like 'то-и' instead of a single syllable 'toy'. The 'й' is a semivowel, functioning similarly to the 'y' in the English word 'boy'. Pronouncing it as two distinct syllables can cause minor confusion or simply mark the speaker as a foreigner. Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the possessive forms related to 'той'. The possessive pronoun is 'негов' (his), but learners might try to construct awkward phrases like 'на той' (of he) instead of using the proper possessive adjective or the dative clitic 'му' (e.g., 'книгата му' - his book). Overcoming these mistakes requires conscious practice, particularly in internalizing the concept of grammatical gender for inanimate objects and embracing the pro-drop nature of Bulgarian sentence structure.
While 'той' is the standard third-person singular masculine pronoun, there are several alternatives and related words in Bulgarian that serve similar functions or provide more specific nuances. The most direct alternatives are the demonstrative pronouns 'този' (this one) and 'онзи' (that one). These are frequently used in place of 'той' when the speaker wants to point out a specific person or object, often to distinguish them from someone or something else. For example, instead of saying 'Той е добър човек' (He is a good man), one might say 'Този е добър човек' (This one is a good man), which carries a slightly more colloquial or demonstrative tone. Another important set of related words are the pronouns for other genders: 'тя' (she) for feminine nouns and 'то' (it) for neuter nouns. Together with 'той', they form the triad of third-person singular pronouns. In formal or polite contexts, especially when referring to someone of higher status or an elder, Bulgarians might avoid using 'той' entirely and instead use the person's title or respectful address, such as 'господинът' (the gentleman) or 'професорът' (the professor).
Demonstrative Pronouns
'Този' (this) and 'онзи' (that) can replace 'той' to add spatial context or emphasis.

Не питай мен, питай този тук. (Don't ask me, ask this guy here.)

Formal Alternatives
In highly formal writing or speech, titles are preferred over the simple pronoun 'той'.

Господинът желае ли още нещо? (Does the gentleman desire anything else?)

Colloquial and Slang
In street slang, words like 'пичът' (the dude) or 'човекът' (the man) frequently substitute for 'той'.

Пичът каза, че ще дойде. (The dude said he would come.)

Къде е човекът с ключовете? (Where is the guy with the keys?)

Виж онзи там, какво прави? (Look at that guy over there, what is he doing?)

Additionally, Bulgarian frequently uses relative pronouns like 'който' (who/which - masculine) to connect clauses, which inherently carries the gender information of 'той'. For instance, 'Човекът, който дойде...' (The man who came...). Understanding these alternatives enriches a learner's vocabulary and allows for more precise and context-appropriate expression. While 'той' is the foundational word, knowing when to swap it for 'този', a formal title, or a slang term demonstrates a higher level of fluency and cultural awareness. It shows that the speaker understands not just the grammar, but the social dynamics of the Bulgarian language.
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مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

Той е моето братче.

He is my little brother.

Basic subject usage with the verb 'съм' (to be).

2

Той чете книга.

He is reading a book.

Subject pronoun with a present tense verb.

3

Къде е той?

Where is he?

Used in a simple interrogative sentence.

4

Той живее в София.

He lives in Sofia.

Subject pronoun indicating residence.

5

Това е компютърът. Той е нов.

This is the computer. It is new.

Using 'той' for an inanimate masculine noun.

6

Той не знае.

He doesn't know.

Negative sentence structure with 'не'.

7

Той е много висок.

He is very tall.

Used with an adjective to describe physical appearance.

8

Иван е тук. Той пие вода.

Ivan is here. He is drinking water.

Replacing a proper noun in the subsequent sentence.

1

Вчера той отиде на кино.

Yesterday he went to the cinema.

Used with the aorist past tense.

2

Той ще пътува утре сутринта.

He will travel tomorrow morning.

Used with the future tense particle 'ще'.

3

Познаваш ли го? Да, той е мой приятел.

Do you know him? Yes, he is my friend.

Contrasting the object clitic 'го' with the subject 'той'.

4

Той винаги помага на хората.

He always helps people.

Used with an adverb of frequency.

5

Столът е счупен. Той трябва да се поправи.

The chair is broken. It must be fixed.

Using 'той' for a masculine object in a modal construction.

6

Той каза, че няма време.

He said that he doesn't have time.

Used in a complex sentence with a 'че' (that) clause.

7

Не той, а брат му дойде.

Not him, but his brother came.

Used for contrast and emphasis.

8

Той обича да слуша музика.

He loves to listen to music.

Used with a verb followed by a 'да' construction (infinitive-like).

1

Въпреки че беше болен, той отиде на работа.

Even though he was sick, he went to work.

Used in a concessive clause.

2

Той е човекът, който ми помогна вчера.

He is the man who helped me yesterday.

Used in conjunction with a relative pronoun 'който'.

3

Ако той се обади, кажи му, че ме няма.

If he calls, tell him I'm not here.

Used in a conditional sentence.

4

Той се интересува от история и география.

He is interested in history and geography.

Used with a reflexive verb 'интересува се'.

5

Проектът беше завършен от него, а не от нея.

The project was finished by him, not by her.

Using the full object form 'него' after a preposition for emphasis.

6

Той си мислеше, че никой не го гледа.

He thought to himself that no one was watching him.

Used in reported thought with a reflexive pronoun 'си'.

7

Точно той ли трябваше да спечели?

Did it have to be exactly him who won?

Emphatic use with 'точно' (exactly).

8

Той вече беше прочел книгата, когато я купих.

He had already read the book when I bought it.

Used with the past perfect tense (плусквамперфект).

1

Колкото и да се опитваше, той не успя да ги убеди.

No matter how hard he tried, he failed to convince them.

Used in a complex concessive structure.

2

Говори се, че той ще бъде следващият директор.

Rumor has it that he will be the next director.

Used in an impersonal passive construction.

3

Той надали би се съгласил на подобни условия.

He would hardly agree to such conditions.

Used with the conditional mood 'би се съгласил'.

4

Именно той беше в основата на целия скандал.

It was precisely he who was at the root of the whole scandal.

Strong emphasis using 'именно' (precisely).

5

За разлика от колегите си, той предпочете да замълчи.

Unlike his colleagues, he preferred to remain silent.

Used to draw a contrast in a complex sentence.

6

Той се оказа много по-надежден, отколкото очаквахме.

He turned out to be much more reliable than we expected.

Used with the verb 'оказвам се' (to turn out to be).

7

Макар да не го показваше, той беше дълбоко наранен.

Although he didn't show it, he was deeply hurt.

Used in a subordinate clause of concession.

8

Той е от онези хора, които никога не се предават.

He is one of those people who never give up.

Used in a descriptive phrase characterizing a type of person.

1

Дали той ще приеме предложението, остава загадка.

Whether he will accept the offer remains a mystery.

Used as the subject of a subordinate clause acting as the main subject.

2

Той сякаш предчувстваше надвисналата буря.

He seemed to have a premonition of the impending storm.

Used with 'сякаш' (as if) for literary description.

3

Не стига че закъсня, ами и той започна да се оплаква.

Not only was he late, but he also started complaining.

Used in a complex coordinate structure 'не стига че... ами и'.

4

Приписват му заслуги, които той реално не притежава.

They attribute merits to him which he does not actually possess.

Contrasting the dative clitic 'му' with the active subject 'той'.

5

Той, бидейки най-възрастният, пое отговорността.

He, being the eldest, took the responsibility.

Used with a present active participle 'бидейки'.

6

В негово лице той видя сериозен опонент.

In him, he saw a serious opponent.

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