Grammar guide The rule
Russian verbs of motion: идти vs ходить, ехать vs ездить
Russian has two verbs for each kind of motion. One is for a single trip in one direction, the other for round trips, habits and moving around. Prefixes then add where the motion goes.
How to choose the verb
Ask whether this is one trip in one direction, or something repeated or back and forth.
- One direction
- идти, ехать, лететь A single trip, in one direction, at a specific moment. Сейчас я иду в школу.
- Many directions
- ходить, ездить, летать Habits, round trips and moving around. Каждый день я хожу в школу. · Вчера я ходил в кино.
- On foot or riding
- идти or ехать идти and ходить on foot; ехать and ездить when you ride in something. Я еду на работу на автобусе.
- Prefixes
- Where the motion goes при- arriving, у- leaving, вы- going out, в- going in, пере- crossing. Я вышел из дома рано. · Он пришёл домой.
Typical mistakes on this topic
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