Four verbs for free time
Each verb takes a fixed case after it. A case is the ending that shows a noun’s role in the sentence.
| Verb | Used for | Takes | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| игра́ть вi-GRAT’ v | games, team sports | в + accusative | Мы игра́ем в те́ннис. ▸my i-GRA-yim f TE-nisМыweигра́емplayвinте́ннисtennisWe play tennis. |
| игра́ть наi-GRAT’ na | musical instruments | на + prepositional | Она́ игра́ет на скри́пке. ▸a-NA i-GRA-yit na SKREEP-kyeОна́sheигра́етplaysнаonскри́пкеviolinShe plays the violin. |
| занима́тьсяza-ni-MAT’-sa | sports, regular activities | instrumental | Он занима́ется бо́ксом. ▸on za-ni-MA-yit-sa BOK-samОнheзанима́етсяdoesбо́ксомboxingHe does boxing. |
| увлека́тьсяuv-li-KAT’-sa | passions, keen interests | instrumental | Я увлека́юсь фотогра́фией. ▸ya uv-li-KA-yus’ fa-ta-GRA-fi-yeiЯIувлека́юсьam keen onфотогра́фиейphotographyI’m really into photography. |
Games and team sports: игра́ть в
Each card shows the word and the full phrase with в. Most sport names are masculine and do not change after в; feminine ones in -а change to -у (ша́хматы is plural only).
Individual sports: занима́ться + instrumental
Sports you do on your own use занима́ться, and the sport goes into the instrumental case. Many of these also have a simple verb, shown on the right, which is what people use in everyday speech.
Hobbies
хо́бби (hobby) never changes its ending. For each hobby, the phrase on the card is the most natural way to say you do it.
Talking about free time
A conversation between two new colleagues. Tap a line to hear it.
А́ня chem ty za-ni-MA-ish-sa f sva-BOD-na-ye VRYE-mya Чемwith whatтыyouзанима́ешьсяoccupy yourselfвinсвобо́дноеfreeвре́мяtime What do you do in your free time? чем is the instrumental of что, because занима́ться needs the instrumental.
Бори́с pa vy-khad-NYM ya i-GRA-yu f fud-BOL Поonвыходны́мweekendsяIигра́юplayвinфутбо́лfootball At weekends I play football. по + dative plural: “on weekends” as a habit.
А́ня PRAV-da? a ya za-ni-MA-yus’ YO-gai Пра́вдаreallyАandяIзанима́юсьdoйо́гойyoga Really? I do yoga.
Бори́с SKOL’-ka ras v ni-DYE-lyu Ско́лькоhow manyразtimesвaнеде́люweek How many times a week? в неде́лю: “a week”, with the accusative.
А́ня dva RA-za. i i-SHCHO ya i-GRA-yu na pi-a-NEE-na Дваtwoра́заtimesИandещёalsoяIигра́юplayнаonпиани́ноpiano Twice. And I also play the piano. пиани́но never changes its ending.
Бори́с ZDO-ra-va! u ti-BYA MNO-ga KHO-bi Здо́ровоgreatУatтебя́youмно́гоmanyхо́ббиhobbies Great! You’ve got lots of hobbies. Stress здо́рово on the first syllable for “great!”