When to use the prepositional case in Russian time descriptions?

In Russian, we often use the prepositional case in phrases that answer the question когда? (transcribed kagDA, meaning “when?”). For example, if someone asked you when you would be home, you might say:

In other time phrases though, you might see other cases, particularly the accusative, instead:

In this post we’ll talk about when you will and won’t use the prepositional case to describe when something happened in Russian, and we’ll go through some examples of each use. Let’s have a look!

In Russian, to say that something happened during a particular week, month, year, or century, you’ll need to use the prepositional case.

• To say “next week” or “last week” in Russian, you need the preposition на (transcribed na, meaning “on”) + the prepositional case.

  на (transcribed na, meaning “on”)

  

  prepositional case

  Мы заняты на этой неделе, давайте встретимся на следующей.

  Transcription: my ZAnity na Etay niDYElye daVAYtye FSTRYEtimsya na SLYEdooshchey

  Translation: We are busy this week, let’s meet next week.

• To say that something happened during a particular month, year, or century, you need the preposition в (transcribed v, meaning “in”) before the name of the time period (in prepositional case).

  в (transcribed v, meaning “in”)

  

  month, year, century

  (prepositional case)

  В августе он был в Греции, а в декабре планирует поехать в Мексику.

  Transcription: v AVgoostye on byl v GRYEtsii a v dikabRYE plaNEErooyet paYEkhat v MYEKsikoo

  Translation: In August, he was in Greece, and, in December, he’s planning to go to Mexico.

  В России дважды проводились Олимпийские игры: в 1980 году в Москве и в 2014 году в Сочи.

  Transcription: v raSEEi DVAZHdy pravaDEElis alimPEEYskiye EEGry f TYsicha diviTSOT vasmidiSYAtam gaDOO v maskVYE i v dvye TYsichi chiTYRnatsatam gaDOO f SOchi

  Translation: The Olympic games were held in Russia twice: in 1980 in Moscow, and in 2014 in Sochi.

  В XX веке человечество пережило несколько глобальных войн.

  Transcription: V dvaTSAtam VYEkye chilaVYEchistva piriZHEEla NYEskalka glaBALnykh voyn

  Translation: In the XX century, humanity survived several global wars.

We most often give the time of day using the accusative case, but you can give the time of day using the prepositional case as well, if you are estimating the time. Generally this is done when we are answering the questions below:

These questions ask for an estimate of the hour during which something happens, rather than for a specific time, and they are answered using the formula below:

If, however, you are answering more specific questions, like Во сколько? (transcribed va SKOLka, meaning “What time?”) or Когда? (transcribed kagDA, meaning “When?”), you’ll need to use the accusative case instead. Compare:

Check out our post on the accusative of time in Russian to learn more about this use. Or, if you want to read more about the Russian clock in general, read our article on telling time in Russian.

If you want to say that something is “five minutes away” or “a five-minute walk from here” in Russian, you’ll need to use the prepositional case. We use this case whenever we use an amount of time to measure a distance. Follow the formula below:

We use the prepositional case after the preposition по (transcribed pa) when it means “after (a certain event)” or “upon (some moment).” This use of the prepositional case is most common in fairly formal or official situations. For example:

Here are the most frequently used phrases with по (transcribed pa, meaning “after/upon”) + prepositional case:

There are two ways you can use the prepositional case with the preposition при (transcribed pree, meaning “under, during”):

1. When it means “under someone’s rule,” when при is followed by the name of the ruler in the prepositional case. For example:

   prepositional case

   При Хрущёве в СССР начали массово строить городское жильё.

   Transcription: pree khrooSHCHOvye v eseseSER NAchili MAsava STROit garatsKOye zhilYO

   Translation: Under Khruschev in the USSR, mass construction of urban housing started.

2. When it means “when/while” or “during,” mostly with nouns meaning action or in announcements. For instance:

   prepositional case

   Будьте внимательны при переходе через дорогу.

   Transcription: BOOtye vniMAtilny pree piriKHOdye CHEryes daROgoo

   Translation: Use caution while crossing the road.

   При пожаре звоните 112 или 101.

   Transcription: pri paZHArye zvaNEEtye sto dviNAtsat EEli sto aDEEN

   Translation: In case of fire, call 112 or 101.

There are a number of fixed phrases with the prepositional case that refer to a certain time or period. Here are some of them:

In this post, we have looked at how you can use the prepositional case to talk about time. Now, you have the whole tool set to answer the question Когда? (transcribed kagDA, meaning “When?”)...

• Using weeks, months, years, and centuries

• By telling approximate time

• By referring to time it will take to cover some distance

• By saying what happened after an event

• By referring to a period of time under someone’s rule

• Using set phrases

Now, if you’re ready to practice, check out the downloadable prepositional case of time exercises below! Happy learning!