How to use Russian infinitives?

The infinitive in Russian is the basic, dictionary form of a verb. It is parallel to the “to verb” form in English. Here are some examples:

• искать

  Transcription: isKAT

  Translation: to look for
• найти

  Transcription: nayTEE

  Translation: to find
• лечь

  Transcription: lyech

  Translation: to lie down
• учиться

  Transcription: ooCHEEtsa

  Translation: to study

In this post, we’ll talk about how to recognize infinitive verbs in Russian, and how to use them in Russian sentences. Want to have a look? Let’s dive in!

You can recognize a Russian infinitive verb by looking for one of the infinitive endings (or “suffixes”).

The most common infinitive ending is -ть:

• быть

  Transcription: byt

  Translation: to give
• давать

  Transcription: nayTEEdaVAT

  Translation: to give
• купить

  Transcription: kooPEET

  Translation: to buy

But, some verbs have the infinitive suffixes -ти (always stressed) or -чь:

• идти

  Transcription: iTEE

  Translation: to go
• расти

  Transcription: rasTEE

  Translation: to grow
• печь

  Transcription: pyech

  Translation: to bake
• стричь

  Transcription: streech

  Translation: to cut (hair/grass)

These suffixes are usually found right at the end of an infinitive, but on reflexive verbs an additional suffix, -ся/-сь, will follow the infinitive marking. For example:

• общаться

  Transcription: apSHCHAtsa

  Translation: to interact/to socialize
• развестись

  Transcription: razvisTEES

  Translation: to get divorced
• обжечься

  Transcription: abZHECHsya

  Translation: to burn oneself

Yes, in fact, most Russian verbs have two different infinitive forms: a perfective and an imperfective form. Why is that? Because infinitives, as well as other verb forms, are characterized by an aspect.

The aspect of a verb is a permanent characteristic which shows how the action is related to time. There are two aspects in Russian.

1. The perfective aspect is used when the action is completed and the focus is on its result.

2. The imperfective aspect refers to actions in progress, or repeated actions.

Most Russian verbs come in aspectual pairs — two verbs with the same lexical meaning, but different aspects. Normally aspect pairs have the same stem/root, but different prefixes or suffixes, but the patterns that relate the two aren’t completely predictable or regular. Therefore, usually, when you are looking for a Russian translation of an English verb, you will find two infinitives — one perfective and one imperfective. For example:

Check out our post dedicated to aspect pairs in Russian to learn about some of the common patterns that relate the imperfective and perfective stems!

Infinitives have many uses in the Russian language. Because of their unique characteristics, they can actually be any part of a sentence: a subject, an object, and a verb/predicate. Let’s see how it works exactly.

• Infinitives as the subject

  In a Russian sentence, an infinitive can play the role of a subject. In such situations, the infinitive is usually located at the beginning of a clause and is followed by a linking verb, such as быть (transcribed byt, meaning “to be”) or стать (transcribed stat, meaning “to become”). Remember that быть is omitted and replaced with a dash in the present tense! For example:

  infinitive

  Найти работу рядом с домом — большая удача.

  Transcription: nayTEE raBOtoo RYAdam z DOmam balSHAya ooDAcha.

  Translation: To find a job near one’s home is a great piece of luck.

  Если цены вырастут, строить дом станет дорого.

  Transcription: YESli TSEny VYrastoot STROit dom STAnyet DOraga.

  Translation: If prices go up, building a house will become expensive.

  Просить прощения ей было труднее всего.

  Transcription: praSEET praSHCHEniya yey BYla troodNYEye fsiVO.

  Translation: Asking for forgiveness was the hardest for her.

• Infinitives as the predicate

  An infinitive can be the predicate in a sentence when it comes after the subject and a linking word. Often the subject in such sentences is an infinitive too. For example:

  infinitive

  Счастье — это проснуться позже обычного и почувствовать запах свежесваренного кофе и булочек.

  Transcription: SHCHAstye Eta prasNOOtsa POzhe aBYCHnava i paCHOOstvavat ZApakh svyezheSVArinava KOfye i BOOlachek.

  Translation: Happiness is to wake up later than usual and smell freshly brewed coffee and rolls.

  Учёного учить — только портить.

  Transcription: ooCHOnava ooCHEET TOlka PORtit.

  Translation: Don’t teach the dog to bark.

  Literally: lit. To teach an expert is only to do damage.

  Учить иностранный язык — значит тренировать мозг мыслить иначе.

  Transcription: ooCHEET inaSTRAnyi yiZYK ZNAchit triniraVAT mosk MYSlit iNAche.

  Translation: To learn a foreign language means to train the brain to think differently.

  Some common linking verbs and phrases in sentences like this are:

  • это (transcribed Eta, meaning “is”)

  • и есть (transcribed i YEST, meaning “is”)

  • значит (transcribed ZNAchit, meaning “means”)

  • означает (transcribed aznaCHAyet, meaning “means”)

  • называется (transcribed nazyVAyetsa, meaning “is called”)

  • всё равно, что (transcribed fsyo ravNO shto, meaning “is the same as”)

  • то же самое, что (transcribed to zhe SAmaye shto, meaning “is the same as”)

  • это как (transcribed Eta kak, meaning “[it] is like”)

• Infinitives in the future tense

  The imperfective future verb forms in Russian consist of two elements: the verb быть (transcribed byt, meaning “to be”), roughly an equivalent to “will” or “will be” in English, and imperfective infinitive:

  быть

  

  imperfective infinitive

  While the infinitive is unchangeable, the verb быть changes its endings depending on person and number, for example:

  бытьimperfective infinitive

  Вы будете обедать?

  Transcription: vy BOOditye aBYEdat?

  Translation: Are you going to have lunch?

  This often means an offer “Would you like to have lunch?”

  Мы будем часто приезжать к тебе.

  Transcription: my CHASta BOOdim k tiBYE priiZHAT.

  Translation: We will visit you often.

  Я буду завтра готовиться к экзамену.

  Transcription: ya BOOdoo ZAFTra gaTOvitsa k ygZAminoo.

  Translation: I will be preparing for a test tomorrow.

• Infinitives after other verbs

  There are many verbs in Russian that can be followed by an infinitive. They can be divided into different groups according to their meaning, so infinitives can be used:

  1. With verbs describing stages of the action, like…

     • начать (transcribed naCHAT, meaning “to begin”)

     • продолжить (transcribed praDOLzhyt, meaning “to continue”)

     • закончить (transcribed zaKONchit, meaning “to finish”)

     • перестать (transcribed pyeriSTAT, meaning “to stop”)

     • бросить (transcribed BROsit, meaning “to give up”)

  2. With verbs or modal verbs describing ability or desire, like…

     • мочь (transcribed moch, meaning “can”)

     • хотеть (transcribed khaTYET, meaning “to want”)

     • уметь (transcribed ooMYET, meaning “can/be able to”)

     • мечтать (transcribed michTAT, meaning “to dream”)

     For example:

     infinitive

     Она мечтает работать кондитером, но пока умеет печь только печенье.

     Transcription: aNA michTAyet raBOtat kanDEEtiram no paKA ooMYEyet pyech TOLka piCHENye.

     Translation: She’s dreaming (of) working as a pastry chef but at the moment is able to bake only cookies.

  3. With verbs of movement, like…

     • идти (transcribed iTEE, meaning “to go”)

     • пойти (transcribed payTEE, meaning “to go”)

     • прийти (transcribed priyTEE, meaning “to come”)

     • сесть (transcribed syest, meaning “to sit”)

     • уехать (transcribed ooYEkhat, meaning “to leave”)

     Infinitives used after these verbs describe the purpose of movement. For example:

     infinitive

     Они ушли кататься на лыжах, но скоро уже наверное придут обедать.

     Transcription: aNEE ooSHLEE kaTAtsa na LYzhakh no SKOra ooZHE naVYERnaye priDOOT aBYEdat.

     Translation: They went skiing but should probably be back soon to have lunch.

     Literally: lit. They went to ski, but soon will probably come back to have lunch).

  4. With verbs of causation, like…

     • просить (transcribed praSEET, meaning “to ask”)

     • помогать (transcribed pamaGAT, meaning “to help”)

     • разрешать (transcribed razriSHAT, meaning “to allow”)

     • заставлять (transcribed zastavLYAT, meaning “to force”)

     For example:

     infinitive

     Мальчик помог маме убраться, и она разрешила ему погулять подольше.

     Transcription: MALchik paMOK MAmye oobRAtsa i aNA razriSHYla yiMOO pagooLYAT paDOLshe.

     Translation: The boy helped his mom clean up, and she let him play outside longer.

  There are also verbs that are often used with an infinitive but do not fall into any of the categories described above, like…

  • привыкать (transcribed privyKAT, meaning “to get used to”)

  • бояться (transcribed baYAtsa, meaning “to be afraid”)

  • забыть (transcribed zaBYT, meaning “to forget”)

  • обещать (transcribed abiSHCHAT, meaning “to promise”)

  • любить (transcribed lyuBEET, meaning “to love / to like”)

  • пробовать (transcribed PRObavat, meaning “to try”)

  For example:

  infinitive

  Он привык поздно вставать и боялся проспать.

  Transcription: on priVYK POzna fstaVAT i baYALsya praSPAT.

  Translation: He was used to getting up late and was afraid to oversleep.

• Infinitives after adjectives and adverbs

  Like in English, infinitives in Russian can come after adjectives, participles, and adverbs as their object. Usually it happens when there is no other verb in a sentence, or only a linking verb быть (transcribed byt, meaning “to be”), and in impersonal sentences. For example:

  infinitive

  Я была так рада увидеться!

  Transcription: ya byLA tak RAda ooVEEditsa!

  Translation: I was so happy to see (you)!

  Они готовы сделать скидку.

  Transcription: aNEE gaTOvy ZDYElat SKEETkoo.

  Translation: They are ready to give a discount.

  Мы были вынуждены продать дом.

  Transcription: my BYli VYnoozhdiny praDAT dom.

  Translation: We were forced to sell the house.

  Интересно будет посмотреть , как он справится с новыми обязанностями.

  Transcription: intiRYESna BOOdit pasmaTRYET kak on SPRAvitsa s NOvymi aBYAzanastimi.

  Translation: It will be interesting to see how he will manage his new responsibilities.

  Странно этого не знать.

  Transcription: STRAna Etava nye znat.

  Translation: It’s strange not to know this.

• Infinitives after nouns

  You can use infinitives after nouns when you want to describe what that noun does or is used to do. For example:

  infinitive

  Грех осуждать её, она в отчаянии.

  Transcription: gryekh asooZHDAT yiYO aNA v aCHAinyi.

  Translation: It’s a sin to judge her, she is desperate.

  Умение общаться играет ключевую роль в профессии продавца.

  Transcription: ooMYEniye apSHCHAtsa iGRAyet klyuchiVOOyu rol f praFYEsii pradafTSA.

  Translation: Communication skills play a key role in a job of a salesperson.

  Какой смысл ремонтировать машину, если есть возможность купить новую?

  Transcription: kaKOY smysl rimanTEERavat maSHYnoo YESli yest vazMOZHnast kooPEET NOvooyu?

  Translation: What’s the point of fixing the car if there’s an opportunity to buy a new one?

• Infinitives after negative pronouns

  Infinitives can be used after negative pronouns in Russian, for example:

  negative pronouninfinitive

  Нам было негде остановиться и не к кому обратиться за помощью.

  Transcription: nam BYlo BYEgdye astanaVEEtsa i NYE k kamoo abraTEEtsa za POmashchyu.

  Translation: We had nowhere to stay and nobody to ask for help.

• Infinitives after conjunctions

  It is possible in Russian to use an infinitive directly after some conjunctions, the most popular ones are:

  • если (transcribed YESli, meaning “if”)

  • чтобы (transcribed SHTOby, meaning “to, in order to”)

  • лишь бы не (transcribed leesh by nye, meaning “just not to, to avoid”)

  • прежде чем (transcribed PRYEZHdye chem, meaning “before”)

  • перед тем как (transcribed PYErit tyem kak, meaning “before”)

  For example:

  conjunctioninfinitive

  Если уж открывать ресторан, то в центре города.

  Transcription: YESli oosh atkryVAT ristaRAN to f TSENTrye GOrada.

  Translation: If (we are) to open a restaurant, then (it should be) downtown.

  Я выехал пораньше, чтобы не опоздать.

  Transcription: ya VYikhal paRANshe SHTOby ni apaZDAT.

  Translation: I left earlier in order not to be late.

  Он готов был прикинуться больным, лишь бы не участвовать в соревнованиях.

  Transcription: on gaTOF byl priKEEnootsa balNYM leesh by ni ooCHAstvavat f sarivnaVAniyakh.

  Translation: He was ready to fake sickness to avoid taking part in the competition.

  Он всегда звонит, перед тем как прийти.

  Transcription: on fsigDA zvaNEET PYErit tyem kak priyTEE.

  Translation: He always calls before coming.

• Infinitives in linking phrases

  Like in English, Russian infinitives may be parts of linking phrases, or “discourse markers,” which are used to connect sentences into a paragraph or a text. Some of the most common ones are:

  • как сказать (transcribed kak skaZAT, meaning “how to put this…”)

  • может быть (transcribed mozhet byt, meaning “maybe”)

  • делать нечего (transcribed DYElat NYEchiva, meaning “it can’t be helped”)

  • интересно знать (transcribed intiRYESna znat, meaning “I’m curious to know”)

  • так сказать (transcribed tak skaZAT, meaning “kind of”)

  Have a look at this longer list of Russian discourse markers containing infinitives to learn more!

• Independent infinitives

  In Russian, there are a few cases where you can use an infinitive on its own, so that it isn’t dependent on any other word or phrase in the sentence. Here are the main cases where you’ll use an independent infinitive in Russian:

  1. To describe a suddenly started action in the past, with an emotional component to it:

     In this meaning, an infinitive is used with a subject in the nominative case and often with particles давай (transcribed daVAY) or ну (transcribed noo), for example:

     infinitive

     Я к вам со всей душой, а вы ругаться?

     Transcription: ya k vam sa fsyey dooSHOY a vy rooGAtsa?

     Translation: I (have been talking) to you with all my heart, and you (have begun) to argue?

     Марина хотела схватить его за руку, а он давай бежать!

     Transcription: maREEna khaTYEla skhvaTEET yiVO ZA rookoo a on daVAY biZHAT!

     Translation: Marina wanted to grab his hand, but he (started) to run!

  2. To give an order or command:

     In this meaning, an infinitive is close to an imperative, but stronger. It can be used in a wide range of contexts, from military commands to recipes.

     infinitive

     Встать! Суд идёт!

     Transcription: fstat soot iDYOT!

     Translation: All rise, court is now in session!

     Лук мелко нарезать и обжарить.

     Transcription: look MYELka naRYEzat i abZHArit.

     Translation: Chop the onion finely and sauté it.

     If you want to say who should obey the command, that person should be in the dative case, for example:

     dative caseinfinitive

     Всем сотрудникам пройти медосмотр до 1 октября.

     Transcription: fsyem saTROODnikam prayTEE myedaSMOTR da PYERvava aktibRYA.

     Translation: All staff members (are) to undergo a medical examination before October 1.

  3. For a need or necessity in the future:

     An imperfective infinitive is used to convey the meaning of “must” or “have to” in the future, and it’s also used with the dative case for the subject, for example:

     dative caseinfinitive

     Мне завтра с утра идти к врачу.

     Transcription: mnye ZAFTra s ootRA iTEE k vraCHOO.

     Translation: I (have) to go to a doctor tomorrow.

     Отцу в понедельник ехать в Москву.

     Transcription: aTSOO f paniDYELnik YEkhat v maskVOO.

     Translation: Dad (must) go to Moscow on Monday.

  4. For an impossibility:

     Perfective infinitives can be used with a negative particle не (transcribed nye, meaning “not”) to describe impossibilities, for example:

     infinitive

     Нам без тебя не справиться.

     Transcription: nam byes tiBYA nye SPRAvitsa.

     Translation: We won’t manage without you.

     Весной эту реку не переплыть.

     Transcription: visNOY Etoo RYEkoo nye pyeriPLYT.

     Translation: In spring, it’s impossible to swim across this river.

     Не поступить ему в университет с такими оценками.

     Transcription: nye pastooPEET yiMOO v oonivyersiTYET s taKEEmi aTSENkami.

     Translation: He won’t be able to enter the university with such SAT results.

The infinitive plays a vital role in the Russian language. Not only is it the “basic” verb form found in the dictionaries, it is literally the base for many other verb forms. Now you know that…

• Infinitives end in -ть, -ти, or -чь (except reflexive, which have an addition suffix after the infinitive ending).

• Most Russian verbs have two different infinitive forms: a perfective infinitive and an imperfective infinitive.

• Infinitives can be subjects, main verbs, or objects in a sentence.

• Infinitives can be used after certain conjunctions, in linking phrases, or independently.

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