Verbs · Lesson 2
Видовые пары
Aspect pairs
Learn verbs as pairs, not as lone infinitives. Prefixes, suffixes, and a few totally different roots all build the same imperfective ↔ perfective relationship.
How it works
Learn verbs as pairs, not as lone infinitives. Prefixes, suffixes, and a few totally different roots all build the same imperfective ↔ perfective relationship.
Then open Tables, Notes, Exceptions, and Examples in that order.
When to use it
- Memorize the pair with a tiny story: делать is the work, сделать is the finished job.
- Prefix pairs: читать → прочитать, писать → написать, видеть → увидеть.
- Suffix pairs: покупать → купить, решать → решить, получать → получить.
- Suppletive pairs (different roots): говорить / сказать, брать / взять, класть / положить.
Pro tip
When you add a verb to your bank, add its partner in the same breath: писать / написать, not just писать.