The full chart
Every alternation in everyday Russian is in this table. The left consonant is the one in the dictionary form; the right one replaces it. The changed letter is red throughout this page; tap any word to hear it.
| Swap | Example 1 | Example 2 |
|---|---|---|
| г → ж | ||
| к → ч | ||
| х → ш | ||
| д → ж | ||
| т → ч | ||
| з → ж | ||
| с → ш | ||
| ст → щ | ||
| ск → щ | ||
| т → щ | ||
| д → жд | ||
| б п в м ф → + л |
-ить verbs: only the я form changes
In verbs of the second conjugation (most verbs in -ить, and some in -еть), the swap happens in the я form of the present or future and nowhere else. Every other person goes back to the original consonant. See the present tense.
| Infinitive | я | ты | они́ |
|---|---|---|---|
| ходи́тьto go (on foot) | |||
| ви́детьto see | |||
| плати́тьto pay | |||
| спроси́тьto ask (pf.) | |||
| вози́тьto carry (by vehicle) | |||
| чи́ститьto clean | |||
| люби́тьto love | |||
| спатьto sleep |
Other verbs: every present form changes
In some first-conjugation verbs (the е-type), mostly in -ать, the new consonant runs through the whole present or future tense. The infinitive and the past keep the original. Once you know the я form, you know them all.
мочь, печь, бере́чь: back and forth
A small group of verbs with infinitives in -чь swap in the middle of the present tense: the я and они́ forms keep г or к; ты, он, мы and вы take ж or ч. The pattern is a square: first and last the same, the middle four the same.
Comparatives: -е with a swap
Adjectives whose stem ends in г, к, х, д, т or ст form a short comparative (“more …”) with the ending -е, and the consonant swaps at the same time. Full details in comparatives.
New words built with suffixes
When a suffix like -к-, -ок, -ник or -б- is added to a root, the last consonant often swaps, which can make the family link hard to spot. Once you know the chart, you can see the root again. More in word formation and diminutives.
Aspect pairs and participles
When a perfective verb in -ить (a completed action) has an imperfective partner in -ать or -ять (an ongoing one), the partner often carries the swapped consonant. The same swap appears in the short passive participle. Recognising it is key from B2. See verb aspect and the passive.
| Perfective | Imperfective | Passive participle | Swap |
|---|---|---|---|
| отве́титьto answer | т → ч | ||
| пригласи́тьto invite | с → ш | ||
| встре́титьto meet | т → ч | ||
| купи́тьto buy | п → пл | ||
| прости́тьto forgive | ст → щ | ||
| роди́тьсяto be born | д → жд |
Check yourself
Give the form asked for, with the right consonant. Say it out loud, then reveal it.