Russian Verb Conjugation: Understanding Tenses and Aspects

Russian verb conjugation can be tricky for non-native speakers due to its system of tenses and aspects. Unlike English, Russian verbs are not only conjugated for tense but also for aspect, which determines whether the action is completed or ongoing. In this article, we’ll break down the system of verb conjugation and offer tips on how to get comfortable with it.

Verb Aspects:

In Russian, verbs come in two aspects: imperfective and perfective.

Imperfective verbs refer to actions that are habitual, ongoing, or incomplete.
Perfective verbs refer to actions that are completed or have a definite result.

Tenses in Russian:

Russian verbs are conjugated in three tenses: present, past, and future.

Present Tense: Used for actions happening now or regularly.
Past Tense: Describes actions that have already happened.
Future Tense: Can be either perfective (completed) or imperfective (ongoing).

Tips for Learning Russian Verbs:

Learn Verbs in Pairs: Since Russian verbs often come in pairs (imperfective and perfective), learn them together to understand their meanings and usage.
Practice Conjugating Regular Verbs First: Focus on regular verb conjugations before moving on to irregular ones.
Use Verb Conjugation Charts: Refer to charts that show how verbs change in different tenses and persons.