We all know that the way we learn our native tongue is very different from the way we learn a second language. A lot of research has been done in an attempt to make foreign language learning feel more natural, more enjoyable. The reason I am telling you this, as we approach the subject of Russian verb conjugations, is because this topic, much like most other topics that have to do with memorization of rules, is anything but enjoyable.

So, here is what I suggest you do: familiarize yourself with conjugation rules, study the provided examples, and then watch a Russian movie or two (feel free to use my suggestions at the bottom). While you are watching, try to pick out the verbs; even if you don’t know what they mean, your ear will gradually get used to the endings. Immerse yourself in the language, that really is the best way to learn!

Here is what I suggest you don’t do: get frustrated with the fact that it is hard to understand or memorize and skip over the topic all together.

A few words from my personal experience… I have an eight-year-old who I am trying to teach Russian. Naturally, English is his first language. Granted, one can always do better in almost any endeavor, and I am no exception. Nevertheless, I do not teach him rules but rather try to expose him to the language naturally, by talking to him in Russian here and there, and finding ENGAGING content for him in Russian, plus occasional trips to Russia, of course. He frequently makes all the typical mistakes, such as conjugating the verbs wrong, but I always know what he means! I understand him. The rest comes after. Get to the point where you can express your thought first, even if it is expressed in broken Russian, then work on perfecting the rules. This is the mistake so many schools are still making by focusing on the wrong thing! They produce people who can say a 100 sentences right but are paranoid about taking a step to the right or left for fear of saying things wrong. Have no fear! And don’t underestimate continuous exposure to the language!

Now, let’s get down to the boring stuff.

Спряжение – Conjugation: the way a verb changes form to show number, person, tense, etc.; the way the verb is conjugated.

Depending on the ending,

all verbs in the Russian language belong to either I or II conjugation.

Местоимение(pronoun)	Лицо и число(person & number)	Возможные окончания I спряжение (possible endings I conjugation)	Возможные окончания II спряжение (possible endings II conjugation)
я (I)	1 лицо ед. число	-у, -ю	-у, -ю
ты (you)	2 лицо ед. число	-ешь	-ишь
он, она, оно(he, she, it)	3 лицо ед. число	-ет	-ит
мы (we)	1 лицо мн. число	-ем	-им
вы (you)	2 лицо мн. число	-ете	-ите
они (they)	3 лицо мн. число	-ут, -ют	-ат, -ят

VERBS THAT BELONG TO THE FIRST CONJUGATION

• Many verbs ending in -еть и -ать (-ять)

• All verbs inding in -овать

• Two verbs inding in -ить: брить и стелить

EXAMPLE:

Verbs: читать (to read) & писать (to write)

Я	читаю	пишу
Ты	читаешь	пишешь
Он	читает	пишет
Мы	читаем	пишем
Вы	читаете	пишете
Они	читают	пишут

(red letters indicate stress position)

VERBS THAT BELONG TO THE SECOND CONJUGATION

• All verbs ending in -ить, кроме брить и стелить

• Seven verbs ending in -еть, and four ending in -ать (look for the rhyme below)

• Some other verbs with -ать (-ять), where the ending is stressed, for example лежать – он лежит, стоять – мы стоим

EXAMPLE:

Verbs: говорить (to talk) & лежать (to lie, as in “I like to lie down after dinner.”)

Я	говорю	лежу
Ты	говоришь	лежишь
Он	говорит	лежит
Мы	говорим	лежим
Вы	говорите	лежите
Они	говорят	лежат

(orange letters indicate stress position)

The rhyme below conveniently arranges the verb exceptions that belong to the first conjugation (брить, стелить) and second conjugation (смотреть, обидеть, слышать, видеть, ненавидеть, гнать, дышать, держать, терпеть, зависеть, вертеть) despite their endings (red letters indicate the position of the stress).

Ко второму же спряженью
Отнесём мы без сомненья
Все глаголы, что на “-ить”,
Кроме слов “стелить” и “брить”.
А ещё: “смотреть”, “обидеть”,
“Слышать”, “видеть”, “ненавидеть”,
“Гнать”, “дышать”, “держать”, “терпеть”
И “зависеть” и “вертеть”.

Let’s conjugate a few of the exceptions:

• видеть:
  я вижу – он видит – они видят

• слышать:
  я слышу – он слышит – они слышат

• ненавидеть:
  я ненавижу – он ненавидит – они ненавидят

• дышать:
  я дышу – он дышит – они дышат

• держать:
  я держу – он держит – они держат

• обидеть:
  я обижу – он обидит – они обидят

• терпеть:
  я терплю – он терпит – они терпят

• зависеть:
  я завишу – он зависит – они зависят 

Aside from I and II conjugations and their exceptions, there are also special cases (разноспрягаемые глаголы). I bet I know what you are thinking 🙂

Special cases are verbs that take on endings of I and II conjugations depending on the person/number. For example, the verb хотеть (to want) has I conjugation endings in singular form (all persons) and II conjugation endings in plural form (all persons).

Я	хочу
Ты	хочешь
Он	хочет
Мы	хотим
Вы	хотите
Они	хотят

Вы устали? (Are you tired?) Вы хотите сделать перерыв? (Would you like to take a break?) Хорошо, давайте прервемся. (OK, let’s take a break.)

I was fortunate to find the site below a little while ago. It has a decent collection of Russian movies by this particular movie studio (MOSFILM). I am giving you the link to the subtitled movie selection; to expand the selection list, click “показать еще” at the bottom of the page, pick a movie & click “смотреть.” Watch something…and listen for those verbs:-)

Mosfilm’s subtitled movie selection

One of my personal favorites (A Cruel Romance)

Sometimes the subtitles don’t work right away. Make sure you click CC, pick English, and then push ON.

I found this Russian documentary (with subtitles)  pretty fascinating (it takes you through a day in Dalai Lama’s life). You can watch it here or find it on Netflix (Sunrise/Sunset).

Всего хорошего!