How to say...
We publish a monthly column in Passport Magazine with a different phrase and examples of how to use it each month. Please send us your comments, we are interested in your feedback and ideas:
I don't have... (much more useful than I have!) - У меня нет...
Now the problem with this construction, is that нет requires the following word to be in the genitive case. This is not supposed to be a grammar lesson so we've put only the very basic endings at the end, the rest you'll need to look up if you're interested.
lack of basic items (feminine):
у меня нет...
... ручки (a pen)
... зажигалки (a lighter)
... кредитной карты (a credit card)
... сдачи (change)
and some masculine ones:
у меня нет...
... платочка (a tissue)
... с собой паспорта (my passport with me)
... его номера телефона (his phone number)
... с собой зонта (an umbrella with me)
... точного адреса (the exact address)
... для неё подарка на день рождения (a birthday present for her)
material goods that may be lacking:
у меня нет...
... очков (my glasses)
... часов (my watch)
... денег на телефоне (any money on my phone)
... ключей от офиса (the keys to the office)
... разрешения на работу (a work permit)
and some figurative ones:
у меня нет...
... времени (time)
... на него времени (time for him)
... сил, я слишком устал (the energy, I'm too tired)
... к вам вопросов (any questions for you)
... возможности позвонить тебе сегодня (the chance to call you today)
... настроения это сделать (I'm not in the mood to do that)
... ни малейшего представления (the slightest idea)