Verbs of Motion in Russian: A Practical Guide
Verbs of motion in Russian are special: they come in pairs — 14 pairs in total, a system unique to Slavic languages. One verb is for a single direction or one trip; the other is for round trips, habits, or movement in general. Mastering this distinction is a core CEFR A2–B1 skill and will make your Russian sound much more natural.
- The unidirectional vs multidirectional distinction explained
- The two most important pairs: идти/ходить and ехать/ездить
- When to use which form with a clear comparison table
- Other common motion verb pairs
- Typical mistakes and how to avoid them
The Main Idea: Unidirectional vs Multidirectional
Russian has 14 pairs of motion verbs. Each pair has a unidirectional form (one direction, right now) and a multidirectional form (round trips, habits, general movement). The most important pairs are идти/ходить (on foot) and ехать/ездить (by transport).
- Unidirectional: one direction, one trip, or movement "there" at the moment.
I am going to the shop (right now). - Multidirectional: round trip, repeated trips, or movement in general.
I go to the shop every day. I walk around the park.
The Two Main Pairs
1. On Foot: идти vs ходить
-
идти — to go (on foot), one direction / one trip / now
- Я иду в магазин. (I'm going to the shop.)
- Вчера мы шли в кино. (Yesterday we were going to the cinema.)
-
ходить — to go (on foot), round trip / habit / in general
- Я хожу в спортзал каждый день. (I go to the gym every day.)
- Дети ходят в школу. (Children go to school.)
Want to use идти, ходить, ехать, and ездить correctly in conversation? Book a free trial lesson and practise with a native Russian teacher.
2. By Transport: ехать vs ездить
-
ехать — to go (by transport), one direction / one trip / now
- Я еду на работу. (I'm going to work.)
- Мы ехали в поезде. (We were going by train.)
-
ездить — to go (by transport), round trip / habit / in general
- Я езжу на работу на автобусе. (I go to work by bus.)
- Он часто ездит в Москву. (He often goes to Moscow.)
When to Use Which?
| Situation | Verb to use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Right now, one way | идти / ехать | Я иду домой. Я еду в офис. |
| Habit, repeated | ходить / ездить | Я хожу в библиотеку. Я езжу на метро. |
| Round trip | ходить / ездить | Я сходил в магазин. (I went to the shop and back.) |
| "Can go" / ability | ходить / ездить | Я умею ездить на велосипеде. |
Other Common Motion Verbs
- бежать / бегать — to run
- лететь / летать — to fly
- нести / носить — to carry (on foot)
- вести / водить — to lead, to drive (someone)
Same logic: first = one direction / one time; second = round trip / repeated / general. For a deep dive into ехать/ездить specifically, see Ехать vs Ездить: When to Use Each.
Motion verbs are best learned through conversation practice with a native speaker. Our teachers guide you through real scenarios so the pairs become second nature. Explore our Russian lessons or meet our teachers.
Typical Mistakes
- Using идти for habits:
Я иду в школу каждый день→ Я хожу в школу каждый день. - Using ходить for "I'm going now":
Я хожу в магазин(sounds like habit) → Я иду в магазин. (now) - Mixing transport and foot: ехать/ездить = by transport; идти/ходить = on foot.
When you add prefixes to motion verbs, you get dozens of new verbs — see our guide on Russian verb prefixes to learn the system. Motion verbs also interact with verbal aspect: prefixed motion verbs become perfective.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many verbs of motion are there in Russian?
Russian has 14 standard pairs of motion verbs, covering movement on foot, by transport, by air, by water, carrying, leading, and more. Most learners start with just 2–3 pairs (идти/ходить, ехать/ездить, бежать/бегать) and add others as needed.
Do other languages have verbs of motion like Russian?
This paired system is unique to Slavic languages. English, French, German, and most other European languages use a single verb for "to go" regardless of direction or repetition. That's what makes Russian motion verbs feel unfamiliar at first — but the logic is consistent once you learn the pattern.
When do I use unidirectional vs multidirectional?
Use unidirectional (идти, ехать) when you're describing movement happening right now in one direction: "I'm going to the store." Use multidirectional (ходить, ездить) for habits, round trips, or general ability: "I go to the store every day" or "I can drive."
Practice with Real Conversations
Verbs of motion are best learned by using them in dialogues and real situations. At VividRussian School we practice идти/ходить and ехать/ездить in context. Book a free trial lesson and practice with a native teacher on our home page today.