заниматься + Instrumental
Instrumental with Заниматься
The verb заниматься (to occupy oneself with) is the standard way to say you 'do' a hobby, 'study' a subject, or 'handle' a task. It usually requires the instrumental case without a preposition, though it uses с + instrumental when meaning 'to tutor' or 'to work with' someone.
How It Works
The verb заниматься is a reflexive verb that governs the instrumental case (answering the question Чем?). It is used in four primary contexts:
- Sports and Hobbies: When you practice an activity regularly. Я занимаюсь йогой (I do yoga).
- Academic Study: When you are actively working on a subject or doing homework. Он занимается химией (He is studying chemistry).
- Professional/Daily Tasks: When you are dealing with specific responsibilities. Она занимается маркетингом (She handles marketing).
- Tutoring/Working with others: When used with the preposition с, it means to tutor or work with a student/client. Репетитор занимается с ребёнком (The tutor is working with the child).
Aspect: The imperfective заниматься describes the process or habit, while the perfective partner заняться (conjugated as займусь, займёшься) is used for starting an activity or focusing on a specific task.
Morphology: The noun following the verb must take instrumental endings:
Singular:
- Masculine/Neuter: -ом / -ем (бизнесом, искусством)
- Feminine: -ой / -ей / -ю (йогой, химией, любовью)
Plural:
- All genders: -ами / -ями (делами, танцами, языками).
Examples (6)
- Чем вы занимаетесь в свободное время?
What do you do in your free time?
Word by Word: With what you occupy yourself in free time?
This is the standard way to ask about someone's hobbies or general activities.
- Мой брат уже три года занимается боксом.
My brother has been doing boxing for three years already.
Word by Word: My brother already three years occupies himself with boxing.
The noun 'бокс' changes to the instrumental 'боксом'.
- Сейчас студенты занимаются в библиотеке.
The students are studying in the library right now.
Word by Word: Now students occupy themselves in library.
When used without an object, it specifically means the act of studying or doing homework.
- В этой компании я занимаюсь продажами.
In this company, I handle sales.
Word by Word: In this company I occupy myself with sales.
Here, the verb describes professional duties and responsibilities.
- Учитель занимается с учеником после уроков.
The teacher is tutoring the student after lessons.
Word by Word: Teacher occupies himself with student after lessons.
When used with the preposition 'с', the verb means to tutor or work one-on-one with someone.
- Нам нужно заняться этим вопросом.
We need to deal with this issue.
Word by Word: To us necessary to occupy ourselves with this question.
This uses the perfective form 'заняться' to indicate starting or focusing on a specific task.
Common Mistakes
Using the Accusative case instead of the Instrumental.
Я занимаюсь музыку.Я занимаюсь музыкой.Learners often treat 'заниматься' like a standard transitive verb, but it must always take the instrumental case.
Adding the preposition 'с' (with).
Он занимается с теннисом.Он занимается теннисом.Although the instrumental case often translates to 'with', this verb requires the 'bare' instrumental without any preposition.
Following the verb with an infinitive.
Я занимаюсь плавать.Я занимаюсь плаванием.You cannot follow 'заниматься' with a verb; you must use a noun (often a verbal noun like 'плавание').
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'заниматься' with the instrumental case, you first need to be familiar with the reflexive suffix -ся, as this is a reflexive verb. You also need a basic understanding of the instrumental case endings and how to conjugate regular verbs in the present tense.
- -ся/-сьReflexive Suffix -ся/-сь
The verb 'заниматься' is a reflexive verb, so the learner must understand how the -ся/-сь suffix functions.
Level 2 - Instrumental of means
Understanding the basic endings and function of the instrumental case is necessary before applying it to specific verbs like 'заниматься'.
Level 2 - он/она + -ет/-итPresent Third-person Singular Verb
The learner needs to know how to conjugate verbs in the present tense to use 'заниматься' in sentences.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- интересоваться + InstrumentalInstrumental with Интересоваться
Both verbs govern the instrumental case to describe personal interests and engagement.
Level 3 - пользоваться + InstrumentalInstrumental with Пользоваться
Another common verb that requires the instrumental case without a preposition.
Level 3 - работать + InstrumentalInstrumental Profession After Работать
Similar to describing what you 'do' (заниматься), the instrumental is used to describe your job role after 'работать'.
Level 2 - -ся (возвратное действие)Direct Reflexive Action
Заниматься is a reflexive verb, and understanding the -ся suffix is key to conjugating it correctly.
Level 2 - -тьInfinitive Ending Ть
The dictionary form of the verb ends in -ться, which follows the standard infinitive patterns.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice заниматься + Instrumental in Bubblegum
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