Lesson 92: Russian - A Language Journey: Russian for English Speakers, word by word
Come (приходить/прийти) - to arrive, to come
Introduction
The English word "come" corresponds to two main Russian verbs: приходить (prikhodit') - the imperfective aspect, and прийти (priyti) - the perfective aspect. This fundamental verb of motion expresses movement toward the speaker or a specified location. In Russian, the concept of "coming" is more complex than in English due to the aspectual system and the distinction between unidirectional and multidirectional motion.
Definition: To move toward or arrive at a place where the speaker is, was, or will be; to approach or reach a destination.
FAQ Schema
Q: What does "come" mean in Russian? A: The word "come" in Russian is primarily expressed as "приходить" (prikhodit') for ongoing or repeated actions, and "прийти" (priyti) for completed actions. Russian makes a distinction between the process of coming and the completed act of arrival.
How This Topic Word Will Be Used
In this lesson, we'll explore various uses of "come" in Russian through 15 carefully constructed examples. You'll learn how Russian expresses different nuances of coming through aspectual pairs, prefixes, and contextual usage. The examples will demonstrate coming in various tenses, with different subjects, and in diverse situations from daily life to more formal contexts.
Educational Schema
Course: Russian for English Speakers
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Lesson Number: 92
Topic: Verbs of Motion - "Come"
Learning Objective: Master the use of приходить/прийти and related expressions
Key Takeaways
Russian uses two main verbs for "come": приходить (imperfective) and прийти (perfective)
The choice between aspects depends on whether the action is completed or ongoing
Russian verbs of motion follow special conjugation patterns
Context and prefix additions can change the meaning significantly
Time expressions often determine which aspect to use
Section A (Granular Russian-English Interlinear Text)
92.1 Он he приходит comes домой home каждый every день day в at шесть six часов hours
92.2 Приди come ко to мне me завтра tomorrow утром morning
92.3 Мама mama пришла came с from работы work рано early
92.4 Гости guests приходят come на to ужин dinner сегодня today
92.5 Когда when ты you придёшь will-come на to встречу meeting?
92.6 Дети children пришли came из from школы school усталые tired
92.7 Почтальон postman приходит comes три three раза times в in неделю week
92.8 Пожалуйста please, приходите come к to нам us в on воскресенье Sunday
92.9 Весна spring пришла came в to наш our город city поздно late
92.10 Врач doctor придёт will-come осмотреть to-examine больного patient вечером evening
92.11 Они they часто often приходят come в to театр theatre вместе together
92.12 Письмо letter пришло came вчера yesterday после after обеда lunch
92.13 Не not приходи come слишком too поздно late на to работу work
92.14 Успех success приходит comes к to тем those, кто who работает work
92.15 Зима winter придёт will-come скоро soon, и and выпадет will-fall снег snow
Summary Box: What is "come" in Russian?
"Come" in Russian is expressed through the verb pair приходить/прийти. The imperfective приходить describes the process of coming, repeated actions, or general statements. The perfective прийти indicates a completed arrival or a single future event. Russian distinguishes between coming on foot (приходить/прийти) and coming by transport (приезжать/приехать). The verb conjugates differently based on person, number, and tense.
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Section B (Complete Russian Sentences with English Translation)
92.1 Он приходит домой каждый день в шесть часов. He comes home every day at six o'clock.
92.2 Приди ко мне завтра утром. Come to me tomorrow morning.
92.3 Мама пришла с работы рано. Mom came home from work early.
92.4 Гости приходят на ужин сегодня. The guests are coming for dinner today.
92.5 Когда ты придёшь на встречу? When will you come to the meeting?
92.6 Дети пришли из школы усталые. The children came from school tired.
92.7 Почтальон приходит три раза в неделю. The postman comes three times a week.
92.8 Пожалуйста, приходите к нам в воскресенье. Please come to our place on Sunday.
92.9 Весна пришла в наш город поздно. Spring came to our city late.
92.10 Врач придёт осмотреть больного вечером. The doctor will come to examine the patient in the evening.
92.11 Они часто приходят в театр вместе. They often come to the theatre together.
92.12 Письмо пришло вчера после обеда. The letter came yesterday after lunch.
92.13 Не приходи слишком поздно на работу. Don't come to work too late.
92.14 Успех приходит к тем, кто работает. Success comes to those who work.
92.15 Зима придёт скоро, и выпадет снег. Winter will come soon, and snow will fall.
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Section C (Russian Text Only)
92.1 Он приходит домой каждый день в шесть часов.
92.2 Приди ко мне завтра утром.
92.3 Мама пришла с работы рано.
92.4 Гости приходят на ужин сегодня.
92.5 Когда ты придёшь на встречу?
92.6 Дети пришли из школы усталые.
92.7 Почтальон приходит три раза в неделю.
92.8 Пожалуйста, приходите к нам в воскресенье.
92.9 Весна пришла в наш город поздно.
92.10 Врач придёт осмотреть больного вечером.
92.11 Они часто приходят в театр вместе.
92.12 Письмо пришло вчера после обеда.
92.13 Не приходи слишком поздно на работу.
92.14 Успех приходит к тем, кто работает.
92.15 Зима придёт скоро, и выпадет снег.
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Section D (Grammar Explanation for English Speakers)
Grammar Rules for "Come" (приходить/прийти)
Russian verbs of motion are among the most challenging aspects of the language for English speakers. The verb "come" exemplifies this complexity through its aspectual pairs and special conjugation patterns.
Aspect Distinction
Imperfective (приходить):
Describes ongoing, repeated, or habitual actions
Used for general statements
Indicates the process of coming without focus on completion
Perfective (прийти):
Indicates completed action
Used for single, concrete events
Shows that arrival has been or will be achieved
Conjugation Patterns
Present Tense (only imperfective приходить):
я прихожу (I come)
ты приходишь (you come)
он/она/оно приходит (he/she/it comes)
мы приходим (we come)
вы приходите (you plural/formal come)
они приходят (they come)
Past Tense: Imperfective (приходить):
приходил (masculine)
приходила (feminine)
приходило (neuter)
приходили (plural)
Perfective (прийти):
пришёл (masculine)
пришла (feminine)
пришло (neuter)
пришли (plural)
Future Tense: Imperfective: буду приходить, будешь приходить, etc. Perfective: приду, придёшь, придёт, придём, придёте, придут
Imperative: Imperfective: приходи/приходите Perfective: приди/придите
Common Mistakes
Using the wrong aspect: English speakers often struggle with choosing between приходить and прийти. Remember: use imperfective for repeated actions, perfective for single completed actions.
Incorrect stress in пришёл: The stress is on the ending (пришёл), not on the stem.
Confusing приходить/прийти with приезжать/приехать: Use приходить/прийти for coming on foot, приезжать/приехать for coming by transport.
Forgetting consonant mutations: Note the д→ж change in я прихожу.
Using present tense of perfective: Remember that perfective verbs have no present tense form.
Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Right Form
Identify the time frame: Is it past, present, or future?
Determine completion: Is the action completed or ongoing?
Check for frequency markers: Words like "often," "usually," "every day" signal imperfective
Look for result focus: If the result of arrival is important, use perfective
Consider context: Single events typically use perfective, descriptions use imperfective
Comparison with English
Unlike English, which uses auxiliary verbs and context to show aspect (comes vs. is coming vs. has come), Russian encodes this information directly in the verb form. English "come" can translate to multiple Russian verbs depending on:
Mode of transportation (on foot vs. by vehicle)
Direction (coming vs. going)
Completion (arriving vs. being in the process)
Grammatical Summary
The verb приходить/прийти belongs to the irregular verbs of motion category. Key features:
Stem changes in conjugation
Distinct aspectual pairs with different stems
Special past tense formation for perfective
Prefixes can be added to create new meanings (уходить - leave, выходить - exit, etc.)
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Section E (Cultural Context)
Cultural Significance of "Coming" in Russian Society
In Russian culture, the concept of "coming" extends beyond mere physical movement. The verbs приходить/прийти carry cultural weight in social interactions and etiquette. When Russians say "Приходите к нам" (Come to our place), it's often a genuine invitation reflecting the importance of hospitality (гостеприимство) in Russian culture.
The phrase "Приходите в гости" (Come visit us) is central to Russian social life. Unlike some Western cultures where visits might require extensive planning, Russian culture traditionally values spontaneous visits from friends and family, though this is changing in urban areas.
Time expressions with "come" reflect Russian punctuality concepts. While "приходить вовремя" (to come on time) is valued in professional settings, social gatherings often operate on "русское время" (Russian time), where arriving 15-30 minutes late is acceptable and sometimes expected.
The metaphorical uses of "come" in Russian reveal cultural values. "Успех приходит" (success comes) reflects a somewhat fatalistic worldview where good things arrive in their own time. Similarly, "весна пришла" (spring has come) demonstrates the Russian connection to seasonal changes and their profound impact on daily life.
In Russian literature and folklore, "coming" often symbolizes change, destiny, or revelation. Characters who "come from afar" (приходить издалека) often bring important news or represent fate itself. This literary tradition influences how Russians perceive arrivals and departures in real life.
Understanding these cultural nuances helps English speakers use приходить/прийти not just grammatically correctly, but also culturally appropriately, enhancing communication with Russian speakers.
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Section F (Literary Citation)
Source: "Евгений Онегин" (Eugene Onegin) by Alexander Pushkin, Chapter 4, Stanza 40
Original Russian Text: "Придёт ли час моей свободы? Пора, пора! — взываю к ней; Брожу над морем, жду погоды, Маню ветрила кораблей. Под ризой бурь, с волнами споря, По вольному распутью моря Когда ж начну я вольный бег?"
Part F-A (Interlinear Analysis for Beginners)
Придёт will-come ли [question particle] час hour моей my свободы freedom? Пора it's-time, пора it's-time! — взываю I-call к to ней her; Брожу I-wander над over морем sea, жду I-wait погоды weather, Маню I-beckon ветрила sails кораблей ships.
Part F-B (Complete Text with Translation)
"Придёт ли час моей свободы? Пора, пора! — взываю к ней; Брожу над морем, жду погоды, Маню ветрила кораблей. Под ризой бурь, с волнами споря, По вольному распутью моря Когда ж начну я вольный бег?"
"Will the hour of my freedom come? It's time, it's time! — I call to her; I wander by the sea, await fair weather, I beckon to the sails of ships. Beneath the mantle of storms, arguing with waves, Along the free expanse of sea When shall I begin my free flight?"
Part F-C (Original Russian Text)
Придёт ли час моей свободы? Пора, пора! — взываю к ней; Брожу над морем, жду погоды, Маню ветрила кораблей. Под ризой бурь, с волнами споря, По вольному распутью моря Когда ж начну я вольный бег?
Part F-D (Literary Analysis and Grammar Notes)
This excerpt from Pushkin's masterpiece demonstrates the perfective future form "придёт" in a deeply philosophical context. The verb appears in a rhetorical question that sets the tone for the entire passage about longing for freedom.
Grammatical Analysis:
"Придёт" - 3rd person singular future perfective of прийти
The particle "ли" creates an interrogative construction
"Час" (hour/time) is the subject, making this an impersonal construction common in Russian
Literary Significance: Pushkin uses "придёт" metaphorically - freedom doesn't physically "come" but rather arrives as a moment in time. This personification of abstract concepts with verbs of motion is characteristic of Russian poetry. The question "Придёт ли час...?" became a cultural touchstone for expressing anticipation of change or liberation.
Cultural Note for English Speakers: While English might say "When will my time come?" Russian more naturally uses "come" with "hour" (час). This reflects the Russian tendency to view time as an active agent rather than a passive dimension.
The passage exemplifies how "come" in Russian literature often carries existential weight, marking pivotal moments of transformation or realization. For language learners, this shows how mastering приходить/прийти opens doors not just to everyday communication but to understanding Russian literary and philosophical expression.
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Genre Section: Business Correspondence
Section A (Granular Russian-English Interlinear Text)
92.16 Прошу I-request Вас you прийти to-come на to собрание meeting акционеров shareholders которое which состоится will-take-place в on пятницу Friday
92.17 Наш our представитель representative придёт will-come к to вам you в to офис office для for подписания signing контракта contract
92.18 Просим we-request прийти to-come на to презентацию presentation нового new продукта product в at конференц-зал conference-hall
92.19 Директор director не not сможет will-be-able прийти to-come на to переговоры negotiations из-за because-of командировки business-trip
92.20 Приходите come в to наш our банк bank для for оформления processing кредита loan в in любое any удобное convenient время time
92.21 Курьер courier придёт will-come за for документами documents завтра tomorrow в at десять ten утра morning
92.22 Приглашаем we-invite Вас you прийти to-come на to открытие opening нашего our нового new филиала branch
92.23 Аудиторы auditors приходят come каждый every квартал quarter для for проверки inspection финансовой financial отчётности reporting
92.24 Пожалуйста please приходите come на to собеседование interview в on понедельник Monday к at девяти nine часам hours
92.25 Консультант consultant придёт will-come обсудить to-discuss условия terms сотрудничества cooperation после after обеда lunch
92.26 Не not приходите come без without предварительной preliminary записи appointment к to генеральному general директору director
92.27 Партнёры partners из from Германии Germany приходят are-coming на for эту this неделю week обсудить to-discuss инвестиции investments
92.28 Приходите come на to тренинг training по on продажам sales который which начнётся will-begin в in среду Wednesday
92.29 Клиенты clients могут can приходить come в to офис office с from девяти nine до until шести six вечера evening
92.30 Налоговый tax инспектор inspector придёт will-come с with проверкой inspection в in следующем next месяце month
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Section B (Complete Russian Sentences with English Translation)
92.16 Прошу Вас прийти на собрание акционеров, которое состоится в пятницу. I request you to come to the shareholders' meeting which will take place on Friday.
92.17 Наш представитель придёт к вам в офис для подписания контракта. Our representative will come to your office for contract signing.
92.18 Просим прийти на презентацию нового продукта в конференц-зал. We request you to come to the new product presentation in the conference hall.
92.19 Директор не сможет прийти на переговоры из-за командировки. The director won't be able to come to the negotiations due to a business trip.
92.20 Приходите в наш банк для оформления кредита в любое удобное время. Come to our bank for loan processing at any convenient time.
92.21 Курьер придёт за документами завтра в десять утра. The courier will come for the documents tomorrow at ten in the morning.
92.22 Приглашаем Вас прийти на открытие нашего нового филиала. We invite you to come to the opening of our new branch.
92.23 Аудиторы приходят каждый квартал для проверки финансовой отчётности. The auditors come every quarter for financial reporting inspection.
92.24 Пожалуйста, приходите на собеседование в понедельник к девяти часам. Please come to the interview on Monday at nine o'clock.
92.25 Консультант придёт обсудить условия сотрудничества после обеда. The consultant will come to discuss cooperation terms after lunch.
92.26 Не приходите без предварительной записи к генеральному директору. Don't come without a preliminary appointment to the general director.
92.27 Партнёры из Германии приходят на эту неделю обсудить инвестиции. Partners from Germany are coming this week to discuss investments.
92.28 Приходите на тренинг по продажам, который начнётся в среду. Come to the sales training which will begin on Wednesday.
92.29 Клиенты могут приходить в офис с девяти до шести вечера. Clients can come to the office from nine until six in the evening.
92.30 Налоговый инспектор придёт с проверкой в следующем месяце. The tax inspector will come with an inspection next month.
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Section C (Russian Text Only)
92.16 Прошу Вас прийти на собрание акционеров, которое состоится в пятницу.
92.17 Наш представитель придёт к вам в офис для подписания контракта.
92.18 Просим прийти на презентацию нового продукта в конференц-зал.
92.19 Директор не сможет прийти на переговоры из-за командировки.
92.20 Приходите в наш банк для оформления кредита в любое удобное время.
92.21 Курьер придёт за документами завтра в десять утра.
92.22 Приглашаем Вас прийти на открытие нашего нового филиала.
92.23 Аудиторы приходят каждый квартал для проверки финансовой отчётности.
92.24 Пожалуйста, приходите на собеседование в понедельник к девяти часам.
92.25 Консультант придёт обсудить условия сотрудничества после обеда.
92.26 Не приходите без предварительной записи к генеральному директору.
92.27 Партнёры из Германии приходят на эту неделю обсудить инвестиции.
92.28 Приходите на тренинг по продажам, который начнётся в среду.
92.29 Клиенты могут приходить в офис с девяти до шести вечера.
92.30 Налоговый инспектор придёт с проверкой в следующем месяце.
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Section D (Grammar Notes for Business Correspondence)
Business Russian Usage of "Come"
In business correspondence, the verbs приходить/прийти take on formal characteristics that differ from casual usage. Understanding these nuances is crucial for professional communication.
Formal Address and Politeness
Capitalized Вы/Вас/Вам: In business writing, always capitalize the formal "you" and its forms
Softening requests: Use "Прошу" (I request) or "Просим" (we request) before asking someone to come
Invitation formulas: "Приглашаем Вас прийти" is more formal than simply "приходите"
Common Business Constructions
Purpose expressions with "come":
прийти для + genitive (to come for...)
прийти на + accusative (to come to an event)
прийти к + dative (to come to a person)
прийти за + instrumental (to come to pick up)
Time specifications:
прийти в понедельник (to come on Monday)
прийти к девяти часам (to come by nine o'clock)
приходить с... до... (to come from... until...)
Modal Constructions
Business Russian frequently combines "come" with modal expressions:
может прийти (can come)
должен прийти (must come)
сможет прийти (will be able to come)
не сможет прийти (won't be able to come)
Aspect Choice in Business Context
Use Perfective (прийти) for:
Specific appointments
One-time meetings
Invitations to events
Future scheduled visits
Use Imperfective (приходить) for:
Regular schedules
Office hours
Repeated visits
General ability or permission
Common Business Phrases
"Приходите в любое удобное время" - Come at any convenient time
"Прошу прийти на собрание" - I request you to come to the meeting
"Не сможет прийти из-за..." - Won't be able to come due to...
"Приходите без предварительной записи" - Come without an appointment
Formal vs. Informal Register
Business correspondence requires maintaining formal register:
Avoid diminutives or casual forms
Use full forms of words (понедельник not пн.)
Include courtesy phrases (пожалуйста, будьте добры)
Maintain professional distance with formal constructions
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About This Course
This lesson is part of the innovative language learning series developed by the Latinum Institute, drawing on methodologies refined since 2006. These lessons employ the "construed text" method, a pedagogical approach that has proven highly effective for autodidacts seeking to master foreign languages independently.
The method, as detailed at latinum.substack.com, breaks down authentic texts into their smallest meaningful components, allowing learners to build understanding systematically. Each lesson follows a structured format:
Interlinear glossing for vocabulary acquisition
Complete sentences for contextual understanding
Target language immersion sections
Comprehensive grammar explanations tailored for English speakers
Cultural context to enhance practical usage
Literary examples demonstrating authentic language use
Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), curator of these materials, has been pioneering online language education since 2006. His work with the Latinum Institute has helped thousands of self-directed learners achieve fluency in classical and modern languages. The institute's approach emphasizes:
Direct engagement with authentic texts
Systematic progression from basic to complex structures
Cultural and literary integration
Practical application through varied genres
These lessons are specifically designed for autodidacts who prefer structured self-study over traditional classroom instruction. The method respects the learner's intelligence while providing comprehensive support for independent progress.
For more information about the Latinum Institute and Evan der Millner's educational philosophy, visit latinum.substack.com. The institute continues to develop materials for Latin, Greek, and modern languages, maintaining its commitment to accessible, high-quality language education for self-directed learners worldwide.
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