Tag Archives: russian verbs
Open and Closed: Verbs With -крыть in Russian Posted by Maria on Mar 27, 2017
Открыть (to open) is one of the first Russian verbs we learn. In fact, its conjugation was covered extensively on this blog. There are many related verbs with the -кры- root whose meaning has to do with opening or closing something. I will be listing the imperfective and perfective form for each verb. Открывать/открыть The…
A Sight to Behold: “Vision” Words with ‑з(о)р‑ in Russian Posted by Maria on Mar 20, 2017
Many readers have commented they enjoy learning related words in “families.” Today, we will look at a group of words with the root -зр-/-зор-, all having to do with seeing. Зрение — Vision The most basic word in this family is зрение (vision, eyesight). This refers to the physiological ability to perceive things with your…
Not Just Swimming: 3 Main Senses of Плавать in Russian Posted by Maria on Dec 15, 2016
Плавать is a verb that means either swim or sail in Russian. It is interesting in many ways. As a verb of motion, it has two distinct imperfective aspect forms. In addition, it has useful metaphorical applications. 1. Water Travel You may remember that verbs of motion have not one but two imperfective forms. Плыть/плавать…
Changing Your Ways – Variations of Менять Posted by Maria on Sep 17, 2015
We have looked at expanding your vocabulary by adding prefixes to verb roots. Now I would like to suggest looking at variations of a very popular verb – меня́ть. This verb means to change (perfective – поменять). Из-за плохо́го поведе́ния ему́ за во́семь лет пришло́сь меня́ть шко́лу 11 раз. (Because of his poor behavior…
Russian Verb Conjugations: Oh, Brother!.. Posted by Jenya on Mar 19, 2014
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…
Day of Rest and Volunteering Posted by yelena on Aug 29, 2013
In Russia, calendar week starts в понедельник (on Monday). So вторник (Tuesday) is the second day of the week. Can you guess what day of the week is субботник? Ok, so that was a trick question. Субботник is not a day of the week, but a concept. Суббота (Saturday) is the sixth day of the…
Eat me! Drink me! Off with his head! Posted by Rob on Apr 26, 2013
As we all know, shortly after the inquisitive Alice falls вниз по кроличьей норе, she discovers a little glass table with a tiny golden key on top of it, along with an enticing bottle of something that turns out to be shrinking potion: К бутылке была привязана бумажка, а на бумажке крупными красивыми буквами…