How to say “FOR” in Russian
English preposition FOR can be translated in many ways in Russian, but the first translation students learn is ДЛЯ, so they stick to it and use it all the time. Remember these rules, so not to make mistakes in the future.
English preposition FOR can be translated in many ways in Russian, but the first translation students learn is ДЛЯ, so they stick to it and use it all the time. Remember these rules, so not to make mistakes in the future.
1. ДЛЯ is the most logical analogue of English FOR that shows a purpose or a person the action is kind of directed to
Для + кого? чего? (Gen. case)-
for whom?
Для меня это странно - For me it’s weird.
Я купила подарок для подруги - I bought a present for a friend.
-
for what? (purpose)
Этот компьютер для работы - This computer is for work.
Для чего ты изучаешь русский язык? - Why (for what purpose) are you learning Russian?
2. ЗА is used, when you make an exchange: you give money and receive a product, or as an exchange to help you say “thank you”.
За + кого? что? (Accus. case)
-
спасибо за… (помощь, подарок) - thank you for help / gift
-
купить за + сколько?, платить за + что?
Я плачу много денег за учёбу - I pay much money for studies.
3. НА is mostly used with events.
На + что? (Accus. case)
Я приглашаю тебя на кофе - I invite you for a coffee.
На Новый год мы приготовили много еды - We cooked a lot of food for the New year celebration.
4. No preposition
When you say for how long you’ve been doing sth, don’t use any prepositions.
Я живу в России уже 5 лет - I’ve been living in Russia for 5 year already.
Any questions? Just leave them in a comment.
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