Verbs of Motion
Russian verbs of motion are special verbs that express movement and direction. They include two main types: unidirectional and multidirectional verbs. Additionally, prefixes can change the meaning of these verbs by adding direction or aspect nuances.
Notes
Verbs of motion are irregular and essential in Russian. Their meaning depends on direction, repetition, and aspect. Prefixes often turn imperfective verbs into perfective ones and add directional meaning.
Learn directional verbs and the effect of prefixes in Russian.
Examples of Verbs of Motion with Prefixes
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb of motion and prefix:
Prefixes and Their Effects
Adding prefixes to verbs of motion changes their meaning by specifying direction, completion, or other nuances.
| Prefix | Meaning/Effect | Example Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| при- | arrival, coming to a place | приходить | Он приходит домой в шесть. (He comes home at six.) |
| у- | departure, leaving a place | уходить | Она уходит из офиса. (She is leaving the office.) |
| в- | entering, going into | входить | Мы входим в комнату. (We enter the room.) |
| вы- | exiting, going out | выходить | Они выходят из дома. (They go out of the house.) |
| до- | movement up to a point | доходить | Я дохожу до парка. (I go up to the park.) |
| от- | movement away from a point | отходить | Поезд отходит от станции. (The train leaves the station.) |
| за- | short visit, going behind or around | зайти | Я зайду к тебе позже. (I'll drop by your place later.) |
| пере- | crossing, transferring | переходить | Мы переходим дорогу. (We are crossing the road.) |
Types of Verbs of Motion
Unidirectional verbs describe movement in one direction, usually continuous or one-time, while multidirectional verbs describe repeated, habitual, or multidirectional movement.
| Type | Meaning | Example Verbs | Example Sentences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unidirectional | Movement in one direction, often continuous or one-time | идти (to go on foot), ехать (to go by vehicle) | Я иду в школу. (I am going to school [one direction]). |
| Multidirectional | Repeated, habitual, or multidirectional movement | ходить (to go on foot habitually), ездить (to go by vehicle habitually) | Я хожу в школу каждый день. (I go to school every day [habitual]). |