Basic Verbs

1. Идти

   Id-ti

   To go

   Usage

   The key motion verb; combine it with a destination

   Grammar Note

   The imperfective "идти" is the headword; its perfective pair is "пойти". Use "ехать" for going by vehicle and "ходить" for round trips.

2. Приходить

   Pri-kho-dit'

   To come

   Usage

   Used when a person or a vehicle arrives

3. Есть

   Yest'

   To eat

   Usage

   The basic verb for anything about meals

   Grammar Note

   Imperfective "есть" pairs with perfective "съесть". Note it is spelled the same as "есть" meaning "there is".

4. Пить

   Pit'

   To drink

   Usage

   For ordering or declining drinks

5. Покупать

   Po-ku-pat'

   To buy

   Usage

   Shopping verb; pair it with the item name

   Grammar Note

   Imperfective "покупать" pairs with perfective "купить"; use the perfective for a single completed purchase.

6. Смотреть

   Smot-ret'

   To look / to watch

   Usage

   For sightseeing, and for asking to be shown an item

7. Ждать

   Zhdat'

   To wait

   Usage

   For queues and for explaining a meeting arrangement

8. Я хочу пойти

   Ya kho-chu poy-ti

   I want to go

   Usage

   The standard way to state a destination; add a place name

9. Я хочу есть

   Ya kho-chu yest'

   I want to eat

   Usage

   State what you feel like eating; add the dish name

10. Я хочу это

    Ya kho-chu e-to

    I want it

    Usage

    Point at an item and say you would like it

11. Мне это не нужно

    Mne e-to ne nuzh-no

    I don't need it

    Usage

    Decline a bag, a receipt, or anything else you do not need

12. Я ищу

    Ya i-shchu

    I'm looking for it

    Usage

    Say what you are trying to find, place or object

13. У меня есть

    U me-nya yest'

    I have it

    Usage

    States possession; used to confirm tickets or bookings

    Grammar Note

    Russian has no everyday verb "to have"; possession is expressed as "у меня есть" (at me there is).

14. У меня нет

    U me-nya net

    I don't have it

    Usage

    States you do not have it, e.g. no cash on you

15. Я хочу снять деньги

    Ya kho-chu snyat' den'-gi

    I want to withdraw money

    Usage

    State your intent at an ATM or a bank

16. Я хочу забронировать

    Ya kho-chu zab-ro-ni-ro-vat'

    I want to make a reservation

    Usage

    For booking a table or a room

17. Помогите мне, пожалуйста

    Po-mo-gi-te mne, po-zha-luy-sta

    Please help me

    Usage

    Ask for concrete help: carrying a bag, working a machine

18. Скажите мне, пожалуйста

    Ska-zhi-te mne, po-zha-luy-sta

    Please tell me

    Usage

    Prefaces a question when you want information

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