такой

Forms

тако́й (takój) m^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Old East Slavic такъ (takŭ, “such”), from Proto-Slavic *takъ (“such”).^[1][2][3] The modern form continues the long (definite) adjective *takъjь, made from it, and какой is formed in the same way.^[2] The other Slavic languages have Ukrainian такий (takyj), Old Church Slavonic такъ (takŭ), Czech taký, Slovak taký, Polish taki, Upper Sorbian tajki and Lower Sorbian taki.^[2]

The Proto-Slavic word is related to the demonstrative *tъ (see тот), and the adverb так is made from it.^[4][1] Its cognates are Lithuanian tóks (“such”) and, further, Latin tālis (“such”).^[2][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Izbornik of 1076 has „Обрѣтохъ недостоинъ сы такъ даръ” “unworthy as I am, I have found such a gift”.^[5] The Archangel Gospel of 1092 has „такъ гль” “such a word” for Greek “so”.^[5]

Semantic evolution

The pronoun points to something named before or after, as in the 1649 law code's „за такое дѣло казнити смертию” “for such a deed punish with death”.^[5] The long form такыи is listed in a dictionary of 1704, the phrase не бывало на мне такого страху “I have never had such fear” in 1731, and такой itself from 1802.^[3]

The modern pronoun also intensifies a quality (такой красивый “so beautiful”) and, colloquially, introduces someone not yet known (есть такой Петров “there is a certain Petrov”).^[6][3]

Timeline

• 1076 – такъ даръ “such a gift” in the Izbornik of 1076.^[5]
• 1092 – такъ гль in the Archangel Gospel.^[5]
• 1649 – за такое дѣло “for such a deed” in the law code.^[5]
• 1704 – такыи, такий in a dictionary.^[3]
• 1802 – такой in a dictionary.^[3]

Meanings

Pronoun

1. such, this kind of: like the one just mentioned or shown, as in мне нужен такой нож “I need a knife like that”.^[6][7]
2. (with an adjective or noun) So, such a: она такая умная “she is so clever”.^[6]
3. (colloquial) A certain: someone or something about to be described.^[6][3]
4. (colloquial, with a negative) Usual, normal: ты сегодня какой-то не такой “you're not yourself today”.^[6]
5. (colloquial, такое) Something unusual or bad: здесь такое было!.^[6][3]

Word family

• такой-то
• такой-сякой

Related words

• так
• там
• тогда
• тот
• туда
• тут
• какой
• Old East Slavic такъ (takŭ)

Usage notes

Таким образом means both “in this way” and “consequently”;^[8] кто такой? asks who someone is.^[6]

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d Vasmer, Max (1964–1973), Ètimologičeskij slovar' russkogo jazyka, transl. and suppl. by O. N. Trubačev, 4 vols., Moskva: Progress, p. 4, 13
3. ^ a b c d e f g Shaposhnikov, A. K. (2010), Ètimologičeskij slovar' sovremennogo russkogo jazyka [Этимологический словарь современного русского языка], 2 vols., Moskva: Flinta / Nauka, p. 2, 403
4. ^ a b Vasmer, Max (1964–1973), Ètimologičeskij slovar' russkogo jazyka, transl. and suppl. by O. N. Trubačev, 4 vols., Moskva: Progress, p. 4, 12
5. ^ a b c d e f Barkhudarov, S. G. et al. (eds.) (1975–), Slovar' russkogo jazyka XI–XVII vv. [Словарь русского языка XI–XVII вв.], vols. 1–31, Moskva: Nauka / Azbukovnik / Lexrus, p. 29, 206
6. ^ a b c d e f g Ozhegov, S. I.; Shvedova, N. Yu. (1997), Tolkovyj slovar' russkogo jazyka [Толковый словарь русского языка], 4th ed., Moskva: Azbukovnik, p. s.v. такой
7. ^ Evgen'eva, A. P. (ed.) (1981–1984), Slovar' russkogo jazyka v četyrex tomax [Словарь русского языка в 4 тт.] (MAS), 2nd ed., Moskva: Russkij jazyk, p. s.v. такой
8. ^ Vasmer, Max (1964–1973), Ètimologičeskij slovar' russkogo jazyka, transl. and suppl. by O. N. Trubačev, 4 vols., Moskva: Progress, p. 1, 281