спроси́ть
sprosítʹperfective
The Russian phrase for 'ask' is спроси́ть (sprosítʹ). Wiktionary also lists спра́шивать (sprášivatʹ) and задава́ть (zadavátʹ).
Meaning: request an answer (verb)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| спроси́ть | sprosítʹ | perfective |
| спра́шивать | sprášivatʹ | imperfective |
| задава́ть | zadavátʹ | imperfective |
| зада́ть | zadátʹ | perfective |
The verb 'ask' is used to request an answer or information.
Which one should you use?
There are two main ways to express 'ask' depending on your focus. Use спроси́ть (or its imperfective form спра́шивать) when the focus is on the act of requesting information or a specific answer. Use зада́ть (or its imperfective form задава́ть) when the focus is on the act of posing or 'throwing' a question to someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'ask about something', use the preposition о with the prepositional case.
How do you pronounce it?
sprosítʹ
Did you know?
- If you want to 'ask for' an object, such as a salt shaker, you cannot use спроси́ть. You must use the verb проси́ть, which is a completely different root.
- In formal Russian, instead of using the common спроси́ть, one might use the more elevated поинтересова́ться, which literally means 'to become interested'.
- When you use the verb зада́ть, you are literally 'throwing' or 'setting' a question. It comes from the same root as the word for 'to set a pace' or 'to establish' something.
Examples in context
- Я до́лжен спроси́ть разреше́ния у роди́телей.I have to ask my parents for permission.This sentence demonstrates how to use спроси́ть to request permission.Tatoeba #5932173 by fruh, translation #5942713 by nicholas_martin
- Извините, могу я вас попросить поделиться информацией?Excuse me, can I ask you to share some information?
- Мне нужно задать вопрос на конференции.I need to ask a question at the conference.
- Я хотел бы тебя о чем-то спросить.I would like to ask you about something.
- Можно тебя о чем-то попросить?Can I ask you for something?
- Ты не мог бы спроси́ть его о цене?Ty ne mog by sprosit' yego o tsene?Could you ask him about the price?
- Я хочу́ спроси́ть тебя о встре́че.Ya khochu' sprosit' tebya o vstreche.I want to ask you about the meeting.
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Dmitry are at a cafe.
- Екатерина EkaterinaДи́ма, я хочу́ спроси́ть твой сове́т.Dima, ya khochu sprosit tvoy sovet.Dima, I want to ask for your advice.
- Дмитрий DmitryКоне́чно, Ка́тя. Что случи́лось?Konechno, Katya. Chto sluchilos?Of course, Katya. What happened?
- Екатерина EkaterinaКако́й рестора́н лу́чше вы́брать для у́жина?Kakoy restoran luchshe vybrat dlya uzhina?Which restaurant is better to choose for dinner?
- Дмитрий DmitryЯ зна́ю одно́ и́деальное место́.Ya znayu odno idealnoe mesto.I know one perfect place.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ask” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
