Language/Russian/Grammar/Present-Tense-Conjugations
Introduction[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we will dive into the fascinating world of Russian verb conjugations in the present tense. Verbs are the backbone of any language, and mastering their conjugations is crucial for effective communication. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, allowing you to express yourself accurately in Russian.
Regular Verbs[edit | edit source]
Let's start with regular verbs, which follow predictable patterns in their conjugations. In the present tense, regular verbs in Russian are divided into three main groups based on their infinitive endings: -ать, -еть, and -ить. Let's explore each group in detail.
Group 1: -ать Verbs[edit | edit source]
Verbs in this group typically end in -ать in their infinitive form. To conjugate them, we remove the -ть ending and add the appropriate endings based on the subject. Here is a table that illustrates the conjugation of the verb работать (to work):
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| работаю | ruh-BAH-tah-yoo | I work |
| работаешь | ruh-BAH-tah-yesh | you (informal) work |
| работает | ruh-BAH-tah-yet | he/she/it works |
| работаем | ruh-BAH-tah-yem | we work |
| работаете | ruh-BAH-tah-yet-ye | you (formal/plural) work |
| работают | ruh-BAH-tah-yut | they work |
As you can see, the -ать ending is replaced with -аю, -аешь, -ает, -аем, -аете, and -ают, depending on the subject. Practice conjugating other -ать verbs such as говорить (to speak) and учиться (to study) using the same pattern.
Group 2: -еть Verbs[edit | edit source]
Verbs in this group end in -еть in their infinitive form. To conjugate them, we remove the -ть ending and add the appropriate endings based on the subject. Here is a table that illustrates the conjugation of the verb петь (to sing):
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| пою | POH-yoo | I sing |
| поешь | POH-yesh | you (informal) sing |
| поет | POH-yet | he/she/it sings |
| поём | POH-yom | we sing |
| поете | POH-yet-ye | you (formal/plural) sing |
| поют | POH-yoot | they sing |
In this case, the -еть ending is replaced with -ю, -ешь, -ет, -ём, -ете, and -ют, depending on the subject. Practice conjugating other -еть verbs such as читать (to read) and писать (to write) using the same pattern.
Group 3: -ить Verbs[edit | edit source]
Verbs in this group end in -ить in their infinitive form. To conjugate them, we remove the -ть ending and add the appropriate endings based on the subject. Here is a table that illustrates the conjugation of the verb понимать (to understand):
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| понимаю | pah-nee-MAH-yoo | I understand |
| понимаешь | pah-nee-MAH-yesh | you (informal) understand |
| понимает | pah-nee-MAH-yet | he/she/it understands |
| понимаем | pah-nee-MAH-yem | we understand |
| понимаете | pah-nee-MAH-yet-ye | you (formal/plural) understand |
| понимают | pah-nee-MAH-yoot | they understand |
Similarly, the -ить ending is replaced with -маю, -маешь, -мает, -маем, -маете, and -мают, depending on the subject. Practice conjugating other -ить verbs such as любить (to love) and гулять (to walk) using the same pattern.
Irregular Verbs[edit | edit source]
While regular verbs follow predictable patterns, there are several irregular verbs in Russian that have unique conjugations in the present tense. In this section, we will explore some of the most common irregular verbs and their conjugations.
быть (to be)[edit | edit source]
The verb быть is used to express the state of being or existence. Here is its conjugation in the present tense:
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| есть | YEST' | I am |
| есть | YEST' | you (informal) are |
| есть | YEST' | he/she/it is |
| есть | YEST' | we are |
| есть | YEST' | you (formal/plural) are |
| есть | YEST' | they are |
As you can see, быть only has one form for all subjects in the present tense. It is important to note that the pronoun "я" (I) is often omitted in Russian unless it is necessary for clarification.
идти (to go)[edit | edit source]
The verb идти is used to express the action of going or walking. Here is its conjugation in the present tense:
| Russian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| иду | EE-doo | I go |
| идёшь | EE-dyosh' | you (informal) go |
| идёт | EE-dyot | he/she/it goes |
| идём | EE-dyom | we go |
| идёте | EE-dyet-ye | you (formal/plural) go |
| идут | EE-dooot | they go |
Notice the use of the soft sign "ё" in the second and third person singular forms. This is a pronunciation distinction that is important to maintain. Practice conjugating other irregular verbs such as делать (to do) and знать (to know) using the same pattern.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have reached the end of this comprehensive lesson on Russian present tense conjugations. We covered regular verbs in three different groups based on their infinitive endings (-ать, -еть, and -ить), as well as some common irregular verbs. Remember to practice conjugating verbs regularly to reinforce your knowledge and improve your fluency in Russian. Keep up the good work, and soon you'll be able to express yourself confidently in the present tense!
Videos[edit | edit source]
Do You Use the Verb 'to BE' in the Present Tense in Russian ...[edit | edit source]
Russian conjugation: Present, Past and Future tense - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Learn Russian: The present tense - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Nouns
- Кое То Нибудь
- Present Tense
- Use of the verb быть in the past
- Tricky Adverbs
- 0 to A1 Course
- Introduction to Pronouns
- A vs И
- To and же particles in Russian
- Conditional Mood