Уро́к 7
7.2 Grammar: Идти́ and Verbs of Motion
Люби́мая Грамма́тика
So how does one indicate they are going some right now? Ходи́ть, as you well know by now is only used for describing going somewhere regularly or making round trips.
The verb идти́, however, is used to describe either motion in progress or one side of a trip. It is also knows as a uni-directional verb, whereas ходи́ть is a multi-directional verb. Both verbs are verbs of motion.
What does this mean? Before getting into the rules for Russian, watch this video:
[VIDEO]
Let’s look at the difference between how we ask and answer questions about location and destination in English. In order to ascertain the location of someone or something we ask ‘Where are you? Where is it?’ By saying ‘I am at work’ or ‘It’s on the couch’ you indicate a certain location, or static position.
In English, we also use ‘Where?’ to ask about destination, as in ‘Where are you going?’ Naturally, the answer would be something, like ‘(to) work’, ‘(to) a meeting’, etc.
The distinction between location/position and destination is crucial for Russian language. Even ‘where’ translates in two different ways, depending on whether you are asking about a location (Где?) vs destination (Куда́?). The grammar in the answer, of course, depends on the question.
Где ты?
Where are you?
Я на рабо́те.
I am at work.
Я на уро́ке.
I am in class.
Я в рестора́не.
I am at restaurant.
Я в о́фисе.
I am at the office.
Я до́ма.
I am at home
You might notice that to talk about static location we use the Prepositional case with prepositions “на” and “в”. Only “дома” acts differently.
However, if you are inquiring about somebody’s destination – where someone is going or goes, both the question and the answer use different words and constructions in Russian:
Куда ты?
‘Where are you (going)?’
Я иду́ на рабо́ту.
‘I am going / on my way to work.’
Я иду́ на уро́к.
‘I am going to / on my way to class.’
Я иду́ на встре́чу .
I am going to / on my way to a meeting.’
Я иду́ в рестора́н.
‘I am going to / on my way to the restaurant.’
Я иду́ на у́лицу.
I am going outside.’
Я иду́ в о́фис.
‘I am going to / on my way to the office.’
Я иду домо́й.
‘I am going / on my way home.’
Do you recognize the case used for the destination words? Accusative! Every time you talk about your destination, use Accusative after the prepositions “в” or “на”. Notice again that ‘home’ is different. There is no preposition and the ending is fixed.
Now watch the following slideshow video for more on the rules:
[VIDEO]
