In Russian, we use two main types of verbs: perfective and imperfective.

Choosing between these two types affects how we describe time and actions.

Understanding the difference is very important, especially with verbs like "играть" (to play) and "поиграть" (to play for a while). Here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Perfective Aspect

• What it means: This describes actions that are finished. It shows that the action has a clear ending.
• Example: "Я поиграл в шахматы" (I played chess for a while). This means the speaker played chess for some time and then stopped.

2. Imperfective Aspect

• What it means: This talks about ongoing actions or things that happen regularly. It doesn’t focus on whether the action is finished.
• Example: "Я играю в шахматы" (I am playing chess). This means the person is currently playing chess or does it often, without thinking about when it ends.

3. When to Use Each Aspect

• Use "поиграть" when you want to talk about a short or temporary action. You might say "поиграть немного," which means "to play a little."
• Use "играть" for actions you do often or in general. For example, "Я играю каждый день" (I play every day) means that playing chess is a regular part of their life, and there’s no set ending.

4. Quick Recap

• Perfective: Shows completed actions (поиграть).
• Imperfective: Shows ongoing or repeated actions (играть).

By learning these aspects, students can share their thoughts more clearly in speaking and writing.