Understanding Russian Verbs with Prefixes

In Russian, you can change the meaning of verbs just by adding prefixes. These prefixes help show small differences in meaning and make it easier to learn new words. In this lesson, we'll check out some common prefixes, explain what they mean, and see how they change the main verb's meaning.

1. What Are Verb Prefixes?

Prefixes in Russian can show different meanings. They can indicate:

• Direction
• Completing an action
• Doing something again
• Making something stronger

The main part of the verb, called the root, stays the same, but adding a prefix changes it a bit.

2. Common Prefixes and Their Meanings

Here are some prefixes you will see a lot, along with examples:

• по-: This prefix shows the start of an action or movement in a certain direction.

  • Examples:
    • бегать (to run) → побегать (to run around).
    • плавать (to swim) → поплавать (to swim a bit).

• за-: This means moving toward something or reaching a goal.

  • Examples:
    • ехать (to go by vehicle) → заехать (to stop by).
    • говорить (to speak) → заговорить (to start talking).

• вы-: This usually means going out or moving outward.

  • Examples:
    • носить (to carry) → вынести (to carry out).
    • крикнуть (to shout) → выкрикнуть (to shout out).

• при-: This often shows arriving or attaching something.

  • Examples:
    • быть (to be) → прийти (to arrive).
    • нести (to bring) → принести (to bring over).

• с-: This typically means to gather or finish an action.

  • Examples:
    • кружить (to swirl) → скружить (to swirl away completely).
    • бирать (to take) → собрать (to collect).

• раз-: This means separating or spreading out.

  • Examples:
    • делать (to do) → разделать (to finish completely).
    • бежать (to run) → разбежать (to separate and run).

• под-: This means a first step or closeness.

  • Examples:
    • писать (to write) → подписать (to sign).
    • ходить (to walk) → подойти (to approach).

3. The Change in Meaning

When you add a prefix to a verb, it can change its meaning in important ways. Russian verbs usually have two main types:

• Imperfective Aspect: These are actions that are ongoing or repeated without a clear end.
• Perfective Aspect: These show completed actions or those with a clear result.

Some prefixes can turn an imperfective verb into a perfective one, meaning the action is finished.

Examples:

• пить (to drink, imperfective) → выпить (to drink up, perfective).
• купить (to buy) means the action is done, while покупать (to purchase) shows it's ongoing.

4. Practice Activity

To help you learn about prefixes and how they change verb meanings, try matching the base verbs with their prefixed forms:

1. писать (to write) → __________ (to sign)
2. вести (to lead) → __________ (to conduct)
3. брать (to take) → __________ (to gather)
4. ролять (to roll) → __________ (to unwind)

When you're done, go back and see how each prefix changes the meaning of the verb.

By learning about these prefixes, you'll get better at understanding and using Russian verbs. This will help you express yourself more clearly in the language!