Prepositions · Lesson 3
к / у / от
к, у, от
People are not в врач. Toward a person is к + dative, being at someone’s is у + genitive, coming from a person is от + genitive.
How it works
People are not в врач. Toward a person is к + dative, being at someone’s is у + genitive, coming from a person is от + genitive.
Then open Tables, Notes, Exceptions, and Examples in that order.
When to use it
- к + dative — motion toward a person or toward a thing treated as a point: Иду к врачу. Подойди к окну.
- у + genitive — at someone’s place, or «someone has»: Я у друга. У меня есть время.
- от + genitive — away from a person, or «from» a source: Иду от врача. Подарок от мамы.
- Do not use в / на for «to the doctor / at the doctor’s» in the person sense.
Pro tip
Person as destination = к. Person as location / owner = у. Person as source = от. Save в/на for places.