Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| вести́ себя́ пра́вильно | vestí sebjá právilʹno | imperfective |
| вести́ себя́ хорошо́ | vestí sebjá xorošó | imperfective |
Both phrases mean to act in a polite or proper way. The core phrase вести́ себя́ can be used alone to mean 'to behave', often implying a general sense of behaving oneself, but it is most commonly modified by an adverb to specify how one is acting.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase вести́ себя́ literally means 'to lead oneself'.
Which one should you use?
The choice between the two forms depends on what you want to emphasize. вести́ себя́ пра́вильно emphasizes following specific rules or social norms (to behave correctly/properly). In contrast, вести́ себя́ хорошо́ emphasizes being 'good' or well-behaved. Because of this, вести́ себя́ хорошо́ is the more common way to tell a child to behave well.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb вести́ is used in the imperfective aspect in these phrases to describe an ongoing process or a general habit of behaving.
How do you pronounce it?
vestí sebjá právilʹno
Did you know?
- The verb вести́ in вести́ себя́ is the same word used for 'to lead' a horse or 'to conduct' an orchestra. This frames behavior as a process of guiding your own actions through a space.
- Russian has a specific word воспитанность (well-bredness) to describe the trait of someone who always behaves, rooted in the word for 'education' or 'upbringing'.
- While вести́ себя́ is used for people, Russians use the verb держа́ться (to hold oneself) to describe a person's general poise or how they carry themselves in a social setting.
Examples in context
- Как следует вести себя на важном собрании?How should one behave at an important meeting?
- Не веди себя плохоDon't behave badly
- Веди себя хорошо, когда мы встречаемся с родственниками.Behave well when we meet with relatives.
- Пожалуйста, не веди себя плохо на вечеринке.Please, don't behave badly at the party.
- вести себя хорошо!Behave well!
- Он всегда старается вести́ себя́ пра́вильно.On vsegda starayetsya vestí sebyá právil'no.He always tries to behave properly.
- Дети должны вести́ себя́ пра́вильно в школе.Deti dolzhny vestí sebyá právil'no v shkole.Children must behave properly at school.
- Важно вести́ себя́ пра́вильно на приёме.Vazhno vestí sebyá právil'no na priyóme.It is important to behave properly at the reception.
Example conversation
A mother and father are talking about their son's school behavior.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДмитрий, наш сын должен вести́ себя́ пра́вильно.Dmitriy, nash syn dolzhen vestí sebyá právil'no.Dmitry, our son must behave properly.
- Дмитрий DmitryЯ согласен, Анастасия. Он уже подрос.Ya soglasen, Anastasiya. On uzhe podros.I agree, Anastasia. He has grown up already.
- Анастасия AnastasiaНо он всё ещё учится вести́ себя́ пра́вильно.No on vsyo eshchyo uchitsya vestí sebyá právil'no.But he is still learning to behave properly.
- Дмитрий DmitryМы поможем ему с этим.My pomozhem yemu s etim.We will help him with that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “behave” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
