In Russian grammar, it’s very important to know the difference between perfective and imperfective verbs. This is especially true when you talk about actions that are finished.
What Are Perfective and Imperfective Verbs?
Perfective Verbs: These verbs show that an action is complete. They often answer the question, "What has happened?"
Imperfective Verbs: These verbs show that an action is still happening, happens regularly, or is repeated. They answer questions like "What is happening?" or "What happens a lot?"
Completion: They show that an action is fully finished.
Single Occurrence: They usually describe an action that happens once, not many times.
Let’s look at some examples of perfective verbs in action:
"Я прочитал книгу." (Ya prochital knigu.)
Translation: "I read (have read) the book."
"Она написала письмо." (Ona napisala pismo.)
Translation: "She wrote the letter."
"Мы сделали упражнения." (My sdělali uprajneniya.)
Translation: "We completed the exercises."
"Ты купил машину." (Ty kupil mashinu.)
Translation: "You bought the car."
To get better at using perfective verbs, try making your own sentences with these verbs:
Приготовить (prigotovit’) - to prepare
Example: "Я приготовила ужин." (I prepared dinner.)
Завершить (zavershit’) - to complete
Example: "Он завершил проект." (He completed the project.)
Построить (postroit’) - to build
Example: "Они построили дом." (They built a house.)
By learning about perfective verbs, you can clearly express finished actions in Russian. Practice making sentences with these and compare them to imperfective verbs. This will help you understand both types better!
In Russian grammar, it’s very important to know the difference between perfective and imperfective verbs. This is especially true when you talk about actions that are finished.
What Are Perfective and Imperfective Verbs?
Perfective Verbs: These verbs show that an action is complete. They often answer the question, "What has happened?"
Imperfective Verbs: These verbs show that an action is still happening, happens regularly, or is repeated. They answer questions like "What is happening?" or "What happens a lot?"
Completion: They show that an action is fully finished.
Single Occurrence: They usually describe an action that happens once, not many times.
Let’s look at some examples of perfective verbs in action:
"Я прочитал книгу." (Ya prochital knigu.)
Translation: "I read (have read) the book."
"Она написала письмо." (Ona napisala pismo.)
Translation: "She wrote the letter."
"Мы сделали упражнения." (My sdělali uprajneniya.)
Translation: "We completed the exercises."
"Ты купил машину." (Ty kupil mashinu.)
Translation: "You bought the car."
To get better at using perfective verbs, try making your own sentences with these verbs:
Приготовить (prigotovit’) - to prepare
Example: "Я приготовила ужин." (I prepared dinner.)
Завершить (zavershit’) - to complete
Example: "Он завершил проект." (He completed the project.)
Построить (postroit’) - to build
Example: "Они построили дом." (They built a house.)
By learning about perfective verbs, you can clearly express finished actions in Russian. Practice making sentences with these and compare them to imperfective verbs. This will help you understand both types better!