Drugoy

Drugoy, transliterated from Russian as другой, is a Russian adjective meaning "other" or "another." It is used to indicate something distinct from what has been mentioned or implied. For example: другой человек (another person), другая книга (another book).

Forms and usage: Drugoy declines to agree with the noun in gender, number, and case. The basic forms are masculine drugoy, feminine drugaya, neuter drugoje, and plural drugie. Examples: один другой вариант (one other option), у меня нет другого варианта (I have no other option). In genitive, masculine nouns typically take другого: другого человека; in nominative plural the form is другие люди. This word commonly appears in everyday speech and writing to distinguish alternatives or differences.

Etymology and cognates: The word comes from the Old East Slavic linguistic lineage and belongs to a family of Slavic adjectives meaning "other." It has cognates in other Slavic languages, such as Ukrainian інший and Polish inny, reflecting a broad semantic field across the language group. While related in form to the noun друг meaning "friend," другой has developed its own distinct sense of contrast or alternation.

Usage notes: Drugoy is a flexible term used across registers, from casual conversation to formal prose. It contrasts with близкий meanings like "this" or "that" (этот, тот) and is often employed to present an alternative or additional option. In compound phrases, it can specify a different instance or kind among a set of possibilities.