While we were in Russia, Luisa took the opportunity to learn more Russian. At one point, I figured that she had learned enough verbs that it would be useful to explain the “system” behind them – Russian has a rich system of prefixes, which can be used to form numerous verbs from each verbal root, a bit like the English phrasal verbs (like “run off” or “write up”) but more extensive. I showed her the basic prefixes, explained their common meanings, and the showed how some specific verbal roots can be combined with them. Of the three examples I gave, somehow the variations on the verb to “drink” have become most memorable.



Below are some of the Russian verbs that can be formed from the root “пить” (pit', to drink). Note that “-ся” (‘-sya’) suffix is reflexive (like English “… yourself”) and “-ва-” (‘-va’) suffix signifies habitual or continuous action. (All the verbs below have a habitual or continous form, but I am only including those for which the habitual form has a specific meaning).