Anyone who is studying Russian knows one of the biggest challenges is mastering verbs. Russian verbs pose a number of difficulties, which is not to say that Russian grammar is impossibly complicated, but it does require quite a bit of dedication, perseverance, and hard work on the part of the learner. Of course, there are first and second conjugations to get down, the concept of verbal aspects (imperfective and perfective) and how to use them, not to mention countless irregular or unpredictable forms. But when I started learning Russian, I found that several common verbs which resemble other verbs continued to trip me up… and sometimes still do. These pairs of verbs have similar sound patterns, but distinct conjugations and meanings. Let’s take a look at some of these odd couples.

The verbs listed below are imperfective. The present tense forms are given in the tables; the past tense forms are also given when they also pose confusions.

1. стоить (to cost, to be worth) vs. стоять (to stand)

The conjugated forms are identical in writing, but not in speech. Notice which syllable the stress lies in for each verb. 

2. платить (to pay) vs. плакать (to cry)

The only easily confused words here are the first-person forms. Notice the stress. 

3. писать (to write) vs. писать (to pee)

Be sure to use the irregular present-tense conjugation for ‘write’. Be sure to stress the correct syllable in the infinitive and in past tense forms. Otherwise, you might get a few laughs!

4. ходить (to go) vs. хотеть (to want)

5. иметь (to have, to possess)  vs. уметь (to be able to)

6. возить (to transport, to carry) vs. водить (to drive, to lead)

These verbs are both multi-directional verbs of motion. 

7. везти (to transport, to carry) vs. вести (to drive, to lead)

These verbs are both uni-directional equivalents of the verbs in section 6. 

8. мечтать (to dream) vs. мешать (to bother, to mix)

9. обещать (to promise) vs. объяснять (to explain)

10. делать (to do) vs. делить (to divide)