Aspect Pairs With a Suffix
Some aspect pairs differ in the ending, not in a prefix: kupovať / kúpiť (buy), dávať / dať (give), vstávať / vstať (get up). The longer verb is usually the imperfective one.
How It Works
A different kind of pair. In prefix pairs the perfective is longer: písať / napísať. In suffix pairs it is usually the other way round: the imperfective has a longer suffix.
- -ovať: kupovať / kúpiť (buy), rozhodovať sa / rozhodnúť sa (decide)
- -ávať / -ievať: dávať / dať (give), vstávať / vstať (get up), predávať / predať (sell), zohrievať / zohriať (warm up)
- -ať, often with a sound change: otvárať / otvoriť (open), zatvárať / zatvoriť (close), vracať sa / vrátiť sa (return), posielať / poslať (send), pomáhať / pomôcť (help), zabúdať / zabudnúť (forget)
How to use them. The imperfective describes a habit or a process: Každé ráno vstávam o šiestej. (I get up at six every morning.) The perfective describes one completed action, and its present form has a future meaning: Zajtra vstanem skôr. (I'll get up earlier tomorrow.) See perfective verbs for the future.
Learn them as pairs. The stems can change: vrátiť → vracať, pustiť → púšťať. A few very common pairs use two different words: brať / vziať (take) and hovoriť / povedať (say). A dictionary lists each verb's partner.
Prefixed perfectives also form new imperfectives this way, as in prepísať / prepisovať. See imperfectives from prefixed verbs.
Examples (6)
- Chlieb kupujem každý deň, ale dnes som kúpil aj koláč.
I buy bread every day, but today I also bought a cake.
Word by Word: Bread I-buy every day, but today I-have bought also cake.
Kupujem is a habit; kúpil is one completed purchase.
- Každé ráno vstávam o šiestej.
I get up at six every morning.
Word by Word: Every morning I-get-up at six.
- Zajtra vstanem skôr.
I'll get up earlier tomorrow.
Word by Word: Tomorrow I-will-get-up earlier.
The present form of the perfective vstať refers to the future.
- Daj mi to, prosím.
Give it to me, please.
Word by Word: Give me it, please.
A single action, so the perfective dať.
- Obchody sa otvárajú o ôsmej.
The shops open at eight.
Word by Word: Shops self open at eight.
A regular event, so the imperfective otvárať.
- Pošlem ti to zajtra.
I'll send it to you tomorrow.
Word by Word: I-will-send you it tomorrow.
Common Mistakes
Using budem with a perfective verb.
Zajtra budem kúpiť lístky.Zajtra kúpim lístky.Kúpiť is perfective, so its present form kúpim already means the future. Budem goes only with imperfective verbs.
Using the perfective for a simple habit (intended meaning: I buy bread every day).
Každý deň kúpim chlieb.Každý deň kupujem chlieb.Každý deň describes a repeated action, which needs the imperfective kupovať. On its own, kúpim means I will buy.
Keeping the long vowel of kúpiť in the imperfective.
Často kúpujem ovocie na trhu.Často kupujem ovocie na trhu.The imperfective has a short u: kupovať, kupujem. Only the perfective kúpiť has ú.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Aspect Pairs With a Suffix, learn Aspect Pairs With a Prefix. Suffix pairs are the second main way aspect partners are formed.
Related Patterns
- Imperfective and Perfective Aspect
Introduces what the two aspects mean.
Level 2 - Perfective Verbs for the Future
Explains why kúpim and vstanem refer to the future.
Level 2 - Aspect in the Past
Shows how kupoval and kúpil differ in the past.
Level 3 - Imperfectives From Prefixed Verbs
The same suffixes build imperfectives from prefixed perfectives.
Level 4 - prísť / prichádzať, odísť / odchádzaťArriving and Leaving
Motion verbs form suffix pairs in the same way.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Aspect Pairs With a Suffix in Bubblegum
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