Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'go'

English Word: go

Key Russian Translations:

• идти /ˈidʲ.tʲi/ - [Informal, for walking or general movement on foot]
• ехать /jɪˈxatʲ/ - [Informal, for traveling by vehicle or transport]
• ходить /xɐˈdʲitʲ/ - [Informal, habitual or repeated going, often on foot]

Frequency: High (The verb "go" is one of the most common English words, and its Russian equivalents like "идти" and "ехать" appear frequently in everyday Russian speech and writing.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - The verb forms involve complex conjugations and context-dependent choices between translations, making it challenging for beginners but manageable for intermediate learners. For "идти" and "ходить", difficulty is B1; for "ехать", it remains B1 due to aspectual nuances.

Pronunciation (Russian):

идти: /ˈidʲ.tʲi/ (The stress is on the first syllable; note the palatalized 'd' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.)

ехать: /jɪˈxatʲ/ (The initial 'ye' sound is soft; stress on the second syllable.)

ходить: /xɐˈdʲitʲ/ (Stress on the last syllable; the 'kh' sound is guttural, similar to the Scottish 'loch'.)

Note on идти: This verb often has vowel reductions in casual speech, e.g., /ˈidʲ.tʲi/ might sound like /ˈidʲ.tʲə/ in unstressed positions.

Note on ехать: Be cautious with the perfective aspect; it pairs with "поехать" for completed actions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To move from one place to another (e.g., walking or traveling)

Translation(s) & Context:

• "идти" - Used in contexts involving walking or general locomotion, such as daily routines or directions. (Informal, everyday speech)
• "ехать" - Used for journeys involving vehicles, like buses or trains. (Informal, travel-related scenarios)

Usage Examples:

• Я иду в парк. (I am going to the park.)

  This example shows "идти" in the present tense for a simple, ongoing action on foot.

• Мы едем в Москву на поезде. (We are going to Moscow by train.)

  Here, "ехать" is used for travel by vehicle, highlighting mode of transportation.

• Он ходит в школу пешком каждый день. (He goes to school on foot every day.)

  This demonstrates "ходить" for habitual actions, emphasizing repetition.

• Давай пойдём в кафе! (Let's go to the cafe!)

  The imperative form "пойдём" (from "идти") is used in informal invitations.

• Я езжу в деревню летом. (I go to the village in the summer.)

  This uses "езжу" (imperfective of "ехать") for repeated seasonal travel.

Meaning 2: To function or operate (e.g., a machine or event)

Translation(s) & Context:

• "работать" - Used metaphorically for things that "go" as in operate or function. (Neutral, technical or everyday contexts)

Usage Examples:

• Машина не работает. (The car doesn't go / isn't working.)

  This illustrates "работать" in a mechanical context, common in troubleshooting scenarios.

• Партия идёт хорошо. (The party is going well.)

  Here, "идёт" is used idiomatically to mean "proceeding smoothly" in social events.

• Часы работают без перебоев. (The clock goes without interruptions.)

  This shows "работать" for consistent operation, emphasizing reliability.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These verbs are irregular or follow specific patterns in Russian. "Идти" and "ходить" are motion verbs with aspectual pairs, while "ехать" has its own conjugations. Below is a table for "идти" as an example; similar patterns apply to others with variations.

For "ехать", it is imperfective and conjugates similarly but with perfective "поехать". Unchanging forms: None; these verbs inflect based on tense, aspect, and person.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бежать (to run, faster than идти)
  • спешить (to hurry, with a sense of urgency)
  • Note: "бежать" implies speed and is often used in athletic or emergency contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • остановиться (to stop)
  • прибыть (to arrive, the opposite of ongoing motion)

Related Phrases:

• Идти пешком - To go on foot; a common phrase for walking as a mode of transport.
• Ехать на метро - To go by subway; used in urban commuting contexts.
• Ходить в гости - To go visiting; implies social visits to friends or family.

Usage Notes:

Russian translations of "go" depend heavily on context: use "идти" for pedestrian movement, "ехать" for vehicular travel, and "ходить" for routines. English speakers should note the aspect system—imperfective for ongoing actions (e.g., "идти") and perfective for completed ones (e.g., "пойти"). In formal settings, opt for more precise verbs to avoid ambiguity. When choosing between translations, consider the mode of transport and whether the action is habitual.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "идти" for all types of movement, e.g., saying "Я иду на самолёте" (I go by plane) instead of "Я лечу на самолёте".
  Correct: "Я лечу на самолёте" (I am flying by plane). Explanation: "Идти" is for walking; "лететь" is for flying to match the context accurately.
• Error: Neglecting verb aspects, e.g., using "идти" where a perfective like "пойти" is needed for a completed action.
  Correct: Instead of "Я иду в магазин" for a one-time trip, say "Я пойду в магазин" for future completion. Explanation: This ensures the sentence reflects the action's endpoint, which is crucial in Russian grammar.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "идти в гости" (going to visit) often imply a warm, communal tradition, such as bringing gifts or sharing meals, reflecting the importance of hospitality in Russian social life. Historically, verbs of motion like these were influenced by Russia's vast geography, emphasizing endurance and travel across distances.

Related Concepts:

• двигаться (to move)
• путешествовать (to travel)
• приходить (to arrive)