Understanding Russian verbs is really important if you want to speak the language well. There are two main types of verbs: imperfective and perfective.
Imperfective verbs describe actions that are ongoing, habitual, or repeated.
Perfective verbs show that an action has been completed.
One way to change a verb’s aspect in Russian is by adding prefixes.
In this lesson, we will look at how prefixes work with the verb "делать" (to do) and its perfective version "сделать" (to complete). Learning about these prefixes will help you understand different verb forms and how to use them in context.
First, let’s take a look at the imperfective verb "делать." This verb means to do something over time or on a regular basis. Here’s how you would say it in the present tense:
Now let’s switch to the perfective form "сделать." This form tells us that the action has been finished. By adding the prefix "с-" to the root "делать," we change the meaning to show that something is complete. The prefix "с-" means "completion." Here’s how you would say "сделать" in the future tense:
Understanding how prefixes change verbs helps us understand different actions better. The prefix "с-" can be used with other verbs too. For example, the imperfective verb "строить" (to build) becomes "построить" (to build, completed).
Now let’s look at some other common prefixes that change imperfective verbs into perfective ones:
пo-: This prefix shows that an action has started or been achieved.
Example: "поехать" (to go) is from "ехать."
пeр-: This prefix suggests movement or change.
Example: "переписать" (to rewrite) from "писать."
зa-: This usually means to start or finish something.
Example: "записать" (to record) from "писать."
с-: This prefix can mean the action is done together or completely.
Example: "собрать" (to collect).
у-: This prefix often means to remove or finish something.
Example: "убрать" (to clean) from "брать."
Now that we know how prefixes work, let’s see them in sentences to show the difference between imperfective and perfective forms.
Imperfective Example:
Perfective Example:
Understanding the aspect of a verb helps us know how to express actions in time. Let’s look at a few more examples to make this clearer.
Continuing Actions:
Ongoing vs. Completed Projects:
To practice, you can try these combinations with commonly used prefixes:
Using "при-":
Using "вы-":
Using "дo-":
Practicing these forms will help you become fluent in Russian.
In conclusion, knowing how prefixes change imperfective verbs to perfective ones is very important. By studying these prefixes and their meanings, you will be able to communicate your actions clearly in Russian. Keep practicing, and you will find it gets easier over time!
Understanding Russian verbs is really important if you want to speak the language well. There are two main types of verbs: imperfective and perfective.
Imperfective verbs describe actions that are ongoing, habitual, or repeated.
Perfective verbs show that an action has been completed.
One way to change a verb’s aspect in Russian is by adding prefixes.
In this lesson, we will look at how prefixes work with the verb "делать" (to do) and its perfective version "сделать" (to complete). Learning about these prefixes will help you understand different verb forms and how to use them in context.
First, let’s take a look at the imperfective verb "делать." This verb means to do something over time or on a regular basis. Here’s how you would say it in the present tense:
Now let’s switch to the perfective form "сделать." This form tells us that the action has been finished. By adding the prefix "с-" to the root "делать," we change the meaning to show that something is complete. The prefix "с-" means "completion." Here’s how you would say "сделать" in the future tense:
Understanding how prefixes change verbs helps us understand different actions better. The prefix "с-" can be used with other verbs too. For example, the imperfective verb "строить" (to build) becomes "построить" (to build, completed).
Now let’s look at some other common prefixes that change imperfective verbs into perfective ones:
пo-: This prefix shows that an action has started or been achieved.
Example: "поехать" (to go) is from "ехать."
пeр-: This prefix suggests movement or change.
Example: "переписать" (to rewrite) from "писать."
зa-: This usually means to start or finish something.
Example: "записать" (to record) from "писать."
с-: This prefix can mean the action is done together or completely.
Example: "собрать" (to collect).
у-: This prefix often means to remove or finish something.
Example: "убрать" (to clean) from "брать."
Now that we know how prefixes work, let’s see them in sentences to show the difference between imperfective and perfective forms.
Imperfective Example:
Perfective Example:
Understanding the aspect of a verb helps us know how to express actions in time. Let’s look at a few more examples to make this clearer.
Continuing Actions:
Ongoing vs. Completed Projects:
To practice, you can try these combinations with commonly used prefixes:
Using "при-":
Using "вы-":
Using "дo-":
Practicing these forms will help you become fluent in Russian.
In conclusion, knowing how prefixes change imperfective verbs to perfective ones is very important. By studying these prefixes and their meanings, you will be able to communicate your actions clearly in Russian. Keep practicing, and you will find it gets easier over time!