Verb Aspect (Вид глагола)
Almost every Russian verb comes in a pair: an imperfective verb (process, repetition, "in general") and a perfective verb (one finished action with a result). делать / сделать, говорить / сказать, видеть / увидеть. In the dictionary they are two words. In a learner's head they are one verb with two faces. In everyday speech the two are used about equally, so you need both from the start.
Measured in spoken Russian
Every Russian verb is one of two aspects: 42% of verb uses are perfective (one finished action), 58% imperfective.
What each aspect means
- Imperfective: the action in progress, a habit, a repeated action, or just naming the action. Я читаю. Я часто звоню маме.
- Perfective: one complete action, usually with a result or a moment of change. Я прочитал. Я позвоню тебе завтра.
How the pairs are made
Most pairs follow one of three patterns. The rest you learn as pairs.
- A prefix makes the perfective: делать → сделать, писать → написать, видеть → увидеть
- The imperfective has a longer stem: давать → дать, открывать → открыть, понимать → понять
- Two different words: говорить → сказать, брать → взять, искать → найти (to look for / to find)
Aspect decides the tenses
An imperfective verb has three tenses: делаю (present), делал (past), буду делать (future). A perfective verb has only two: сделал (past) and сделаю (future). A perfective verb with present endings always means the future.
Я делаю.
I'm doing it.
imperfective present
Я сделаю.
I'll do it.
perfective: future
Я буду делать.
I'll be doing it.
imperfective future
Requests and "don't"
For one request, use the perfective: Скажи мне! (Tell me!). For "don't", use the imperfective: Не говори! (Don't say it!). For an invitation, the imperfective sounds warmer: Садитесь! (Please sit down.)
Подожди!
Wait!
perfective request
Не жди меня.
Don't wait for me.
imperfective after не
Examples
Я тебе позвоню.
I'll call you.
Я тебе каждый день звоню.
I call you every day.
Ты понял?
Did you get it?
Я не понимаю.
I don't understand.
| Imperfective (process) | Perfective (result) | English |
|---|---|---|
| делать | сделать | to do, to make |
| говорить | сказать | to say, to tell |
| видеть | увидеть | to see |
| понимать | понять | to understand |
| давать | дать | to give |
| брать | взять | to take |
| звонить | позвонить | to call |
| ждать | подождать | to wait |
Common mistakes
- ✗ Я буду сделать. → ✓ Я сделаю. or Я буду делать. (буду only goes with an imperfective verb)
- ✗ Я сейчас сделаю домашку (meaning "I am doing it now"). This means "I'll do it in a moment". For now, say Я сейчас делаю домашку.
- ✗ Не скажи! → ✓ Не говори! (a "don't" request takes the imperfective)
Lookup tips
- Learn every new verb as a pair: делать / сделать.
- Ask one question: is this about the process, or about the result? Process: imperfective. Result: perfective.
- A dictionary marks aspect as нсв / несов. (imperfective) and св / сов. (perfective).
Frequently asked questions
Is aspect like a tense?
No. Aspect is a second choice next to tense. Each verb is either perfective or imperfective, and that decides which tenses it has.
Which aspect is more common?
In spoken Russian they are close to even. The perfective past (сказал, понял, случилось) and the imperfective present (знаю, хочу, думаю) are the two biggest groups.
Can a prefix always make the perfective?
No. Each verb has its own prefix (сделать, написать, увидеть, прочитать), and some pairs are different words (говорить / сказать). Learn the pairs as they come.