The Present for Scheduled Future

Level 3Sounds Like segašno vreme za bʺdeŝe

For fixed plans and timetables, Bulgarian often uses the present: Утре заминавам за Варна (I am leaving for Varna tomorrow).

How It Works

1. Arranged plans. When something is already decided, the present sounds natural:

  • Довечера ходим на театър. (We are going to the theatre tonight.)
  • В събота се местим. (We are moving on Saturday.)
  • Какво правиш в събота? (What are you doing on Saturday?)

2. Timetables and schedules.

  • Влакът тръгва в осем и петнайсет. (The train leaves at a quarter past eight.)
  • Курсът започва през октомври. (The course starts in October.)
  • Магазинът отваря в девет. (The shop opens at nine.)

3. Imperfective only. A perfective verb in the present cannot stand alone (see the perfective present). So say Утре купувам билетите or Утре ще купя билетите, but not Утре купя билетите. See perfective and imperfective aspect.

4. When to use ще. Use the future with ще for guesses (Утре ще вали, It will rain tomorrow), promises and offers (Ще ти помогна, I'll help you), and decisions made on the spot (Добре, ще дойда, OK, I'll come). The future with ще is always correct for plans too; the present just makes a plan sound settled.

Examples (6)

  1. Утре заминавам за Варна.

    I am leaving for Varna tomorrow.

    Утре shows the future; the present shows the trip is already planned.

  2. Влакът тръгва в осем и петнайсет.

    The train leaves at a quarter past eight.

  3. Какво правиш в събота?

    What are you doing on Saturday?

  4. Довечера ходим на театър.

    We are going to the theatre tonight.

  5. Курсът започва през октомври.

    The course starts in October.

  6. Кога се връщаш?

    When are you coming back?

Common Mistakes

  • Using a perfective verb in the present on its own.

    Утре купя билетите.
    Утре купувам билетите.

    Купя is perfective, and a perfective present cannot stand alone. Use the imperfective купувам, or say Утре ще купя билетите.

  • Asking about a plan with a perfective present.

    Кога се върнеш?
    Кога се връщаш?

    Върнеш is perfective, so it cannot stand alone. To ask about a plan, use the imperfective present: Кога се връщаш? You can also say Кога ще се върнеш?

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

The Present for Scheduled FutureLevel 3

Learn This First

The present for the future contrasts with ще.