Verbs: the present tense you’ll actually use

A practical way to start using verbs without getting stuck in conjugation tables.

What matters most

Start with verbs that let you communicate immediately.

Verbs conjugate by person/number; aspect also matters (imperfective vs perfective).
Begin with one everyday tense (present) and set phrases.
For future, a safe beginner pattern is буду + infinitive (imperfective).

Я работаю.

ya rabotayu

I work / I am working.

Завтра я буду работать.

zavtra ya budu rabotat'

Tomorrow I will work.

Я хочу идти.

ya khochu idti

I want to go.

Я здесь.

ya zdes'

I am here.

Я хочу воду.

ya khochu vodu

I want water.

Я не понимаю.

ya ne ponimayu

I don't understand.

Вы говорите по-английски?

vy govorite po-angliyski

Do you speak English? (formal/plural)

Где туалет?

gde tualet

Where is the toilet?

Это мой друг.

eto moy drug

This is my friend.

Pick 3 verbs you use daily and practice them in one sentence pattern.

Mini-quiz

1/8 • Score: 0

Which sentence matches “I work / I am working.”?