в/във

In and to with В

Level 1Sounds Like v/vʺv

в = in, at, into: в София (in Sofia), в училище (at school). Before в or ф it becomes във: във Варна, във фабрика.

How It Works

Where you are and where you go:

  • Cities and countries: в София, в Германия, във Франция.
  • Buildings and rooms: в банката (in the bank), в стаята (in the room).
  • Some institutions without the article: в училище (at school). "At home" is the single word вкъщи.
  • Movement into: Влез в стаята! (Come into the room!)

Time: days of the week and clock times: в понеделник (on Monday), във вторник (on Tuesday), в пет часа (at five o'clock). See дни, месеци и дати.

В or във? Use във when the next word begins with the sound в or ф: във Варна, във вторник, във фабриката, във Франция. Everywhere else write в. The only other use of във is rare: when the preposition itself is stressed for contrast.

Many places and events take на instead: на работа (at work), на море (at the seaside), на концерт (at a concert). A similar rule turns с into със before с or з; see с/със.

In speech, в often sounds like ф before a voiceless consonant: в стаята sounds like "fstayata".

Examples (6)

  1. Живея в София.

    I live in Sofia.

    Word by Word: (I) live in Sofia.

  2. Децата са в училище.

    The children are at school.

    Word by Word: Children-the are in school.

    Училище takes no article after в when it means the institution.

  3. Утре съм във Варна.

    I will be in Varna tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Tomorrow (I) am in Varna.

    Варна starts with в, so the preposition becomes във.

  4. Работя във фабрика.

    I work in a factory.

    Word by Word: (I) work in factory.

    Фабрика starts with ф, so във is used.

  5. Влез в стаята!

    Come into the room!

    Word by Word: Enter into room-the!

    Here в shows movement into a place.

  6. Ще се видим във вторник.

    We will see each other on Tuesday.

    Word by Word: Will (ourselves) see on Tuesday.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping в before a word that starts with в or ф.

    Живея в Варна.
    Живея във Варна.

    Before the sounds в and ф the preposition is written and said във.

  • Using на for a city.

    Живея на София.
    Живея в София.

    Cities and countries take в. На is for places like на работа or на море.

  • Using в for going to work.

    Отивам в работа.
    Отивам на работа.

    Работа as a place you go to takes на: на работа (to work, at work).

How It Connects

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в/въвLevel 1In and to with В

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