Language/Russian/Grammar/Verbs-of-Motion

Russian → Grammar → Verbs of Motion

Introduction

Verbs of motion are a unique feature of the Russian language. They have their own special conjugation patterns, and they can be used in various contexts. To use these verbs correctly, it is important to understand their prefixes and suffixes. In this lesson, we will learn about the verbs of motion in the present and past tenses, as well as the difference between direction of motion and means of transportation.

Prefixes and Suffixes

Verbs of motion typically begin with a prefix that indicates the direction of motion. In some cases, the prefix also changes the meaning of the verb. For example, the prefix "по-" can mean "along" or "by" as in "поездом" (by train) or "по улице" (along the street). The prefix "за-" can mean "behind" or "beyond" as in "за городом" (beyond the city) or "за углом" (around the corner).

The suffix of the verb indicates whether the speaker is going to the location or away from it. The suffix "-ть" is used for motion toward the location, while the suffix "-ти" is used for motion away from it. For example, "ходить" means "to go (there and back)" while "идти" means "to go (away)".

Present Tense Conjugation

The present tense conjugation of verbs of motion follows the same rules as regular verbs. However, it is important to remember that the verb form changes depending on whether the speaker is going to or from the location. Here is a table showing the conjugation of the verb "ходить" (to go):

Person	Singular	Plural
1st Person	хожу	ходим
2nd Person	ходишь	ходите
3rd Person	ходит	ходят

And here is the conjugation of the verb "идти" (to go away):

Person	Singular	Plural
1st Person	иду	идем
2nd Person	идешь	идете
3rd Person	идет	идут

Past Tense Conjugation

The past tense conjugation of verbs of motion is also similar to regular verbs. The suffix "-л" is added to the stem of the verb, and the conjugation changes based on whether the speaker is going to or from the location. Here is the past tense conjugation of the verb "ходить":

Person	Singular	Plural
1st Person	ходил(а)	ходили
2nd Person	ходил(а)	ходили
3rd Person	ходил(а)	ходили

And here is the past tense conjugation of the verb "идти":

Person	Singular	Plural
1st Person	шел(а)	шли
2nd Person	шел(а)	шли
3rd Person	шел(а)	шли

Direction of Motion vs Means of Transportation

In Russian, it is important to distinguish between the direction of motion and the means of transportation. For example, "to walk" and "to travel by foot" are different verbs in Russian. Here are some examples:

• Я хожу в парк (I'm walking to the park)
• Я иду домой (I'm going home)
• Он едет на машине (He's going by car)
• Она едет на поезде (She's going by train)

Notice that the verb used depends on whether the speaker is traveling by foot or using a vehicle. Also, the preposition used in the sentence changes based on the destination.

Conclusion

Learning the verbs of motion is an essential part of mastering the Russian language. By understanding their prefixes and suffixes, and how they are conjugated in the present and past tenses, you will be able to use them correctly in conversation. Remember to pay attention to the direction of motion versus the means of transportation, and you'll be on your way to speaking Russian like a native.

Exercises

Practice your knowledge of verbs of motion with the following exercises:

1. Conjugate the verb "ехать" (to go by vehicle) in the present tense
2. Translate the following sentence to Russian: "I'm going to the store."
3. Use the correct verb of motion to complete the following sentence: "Я ___ на работу" (I'm going to work)
4. Match the Russian word with its English translation

Sources

• <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_verb_conjugation">Russian Verb Conjugation</a>
• <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verbs_of_motion_(Russian)">Verbs of Motion (Russian)</a>

Related Lessons

• Common Mistakes
• Conditional Mood
• Plurals
• Personal Pronouns
• Russian cases
• Dative Case
• 0 to A1 Course
• Introduction to Pronouns
• Порядок слов в русском предложении
• Pronouns

Sources

• Verbs of Motion - Russian Language Lesson 16
• Russian Verbs Of Motion – StoryLearning
• Verbs of Motion - Russian Grammar