давай(те) + Infinitive / First-Person Plural Verb
Proposal with Давай and Давайте
The word давай (informal) or давайте (formal/plural) is the standard way to form the "hortatory imperative"—a suggestion for a group to do something together. It is equivalent to the English "Let's."
How It Works
This construction is the most common way to make friendly suggestions in Russian. It uses the imperative forms of the verb давать (to give), but functions as a particle.
1. Choosing the Form:
- Давай: Use this with one person you address as ты.
- Давайте: Use this with a group or one person you address formally as вы.
2. Types of Proposals:
- Let's (Inclusive): Use давай(те) + imperfective infinitive (for processes) or + perfective first-person plural (for specific results).
- Let me (Offer): Use давай я + first-person singular to offer your own help.
- Negative Suggestions: Use давай(те) не будем + imperfective infinitive to suggest not doing something.
3. Nuances:
Adding давай(те) softens a proposal compared to using a bare imperative. In casual speech, you can add the particle -ка (давай-ка / давайте-ка) to add a playful, encouraging, or conspiratorial tone to the invitation.
Examples (6)
- Давай я помогу тебе с сумкой.
Let me help you with the bag.
Word by Word: Let-give I will-help you with bag.
The construction 'Давай я' + first-person singular is the standard way to offer one's own help or action.
- Давайте не будем спорить.
Let's not argue.
Word by Word: Let-give (formal) not we-will-be to-argue.
To make a negative suggestion, use 'не будем' followed by the imperfective infinitive.
- Давайте-ка обсудим этот план.
Let's just discuss this plan.
Word by Word: Let-give-particle we-will-discuss this plan.
The particle '-ка' can also be added to the formal 'давайте' to make the proposal sound more encouraging or informal.
- Давай пойдём в парк.
Let's go to the park.
Word by Word: Let-give we-will-go to park.
A common informal proposal using the perfective first-person plural verb.
- Давайте пить кофе.
Let's drink coffee.
Word by Word: Let-give (formal) to-drink coffee.
A formal or plural suggestion using the imperfective infinitive to focus on the activity itself.
- Давай я куплю билеты.
Let me buy the tickets.
Word by Word: Let-give I will-buy tickets.
Using the perfective first-person singular to offer a specific completed action.
Common Mistakes
Using a perfective infinitive after давай.
Давай прочитать эту книгу.Давай прочитаем эту книгу.If you want to use a perfective verb (for a completed result), you must conjugate it to the 'we' form (прочитаем). You cannot use a perfective infinitive here.
Address mismatch (informal vs. formal).
Иван Петрович, давай работать.Иван Петрович, давайте работать.When addressing someone formally (using name and patronymic) or addressing a group, you must use 'давайте'.
Adding «мы» after «давай».
Different MeaningДавай мы пойдём домой.Давай пойдём домой.«Давай мы пойдём домой» is correct and common in speech. Adding «мы» stresses 'we two', for example against someone else. The plain «Давай пойдём домой» is shorter.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To form suggestions with 'давай' and 'давайте', you need to know how to conjugate verbs in the first-person plural ('we' form) and how to use the infinitive. Additionally, you must understand the distinction between informal ('ты') and formal/plural ('вы') address to choose the correct form of the particle.
- мы + -ем/-имPresent First-person Plural Verb
The pattern uses the first-person plural verb form to express a suggestion for a completed action (perfective) or a joint activity.
Level 1 - вы + -ете/-итеPresent Second-person Plural or Polite Verb
Understanding the second-person plural/polite conjugation is necessary to distinguish between the informal 'давай' and the formal/plural 'давайте'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- -и/-итеImperative Forms in -и and -ите
This is the standard imperative for commands; 'давай' is a specialized hortatory imperative for suggestions.
Level 2 - -тьInfinitive Ending Ть
The imperfective infinitive is used after 'давай(те)' to suggest starting a process or general activity.
Level 1 - Perfective aspect for completed result
Perfective verbs are used with 'давай(те)' when the proposal focuses on reaching a specific result.
Level 2 - Imperfective aspect for ongoing action
Imperfective verbs are used with 'давай(те)' when the proposal focuses on the activity itself.
Level 2 - дай/дайте; будь/будьтеCommon Irregular Imperatives
These are other common irregular imperative forms; 'давай' itself is the imperative of 'давать'.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice давай(те) + Infinitive / First-Person Plural Verb in Bubblegum
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