Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| позвони́ть | pozvonítʹ | perfective |
| звони́ть | zvonítʹ | imperfective |
The verb is used to describe contacting someone by telephone. While the neutral and common verb for the process is звони́ть, the form позвони́ть is used to specifically emphasize the act of making a phone call. If you want to refer specifically to the physical act of dialing a phone number, you can use the phrase набра́ть номе́р.
Which one should you use?
Russian distinguishes between the imperfective and perfective aspects of calling. Use the imperfective звони́ть for habitual actions or ongoing processes, such as 'I call every day' or 'I am calling'. Use the perfective позвони́ть for a single, completed action, such as 'I will call you once'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb позвони́ть requires the dative case for the person being called. Instead of the accusative case used in English, you must use the dative form (кому́-то) to indicate the recipient of the call.
How do you pronounce it?
pozvonítʹ
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the accusative case to indicate the person being called, such as звони́ть кого́-то, as this is incorrect. You must use the dative case instead.
Did you know?
- If you use the accusative case to say you are calling someone, like звони́ть кого́-то, a Russian speaker will think you are literally ringing a person's body like a doorbell.
- The root of звони́ть comes from the word for 'bell', as the first phones used bells to alert the user. This means that when a Russian speaks of calling, they are linguistically 'ringing' someone.
- In slang, Russian speakers might use набрать to mean 'to call', which literally means 'to gather' or 'to accumulate'. It refers to the act of gathering the digits of a phone number.
Examples in context
- Здравствуйте, мне нужно позвонить в офис.Hello, I need to make a call to the office.
- Прости, что беспокою, но можешь позвонить мне позже?Sorry for bothering you, but can you call me later?
- Вчера я попросил его позвонить мне, но он забыл.Yesterday, I asked him to call me, but he forgot.
- Пожалуйста, позвоните мне через час.Please call me in an hour.
- Я хотел бы позвонить вам, чтобы обсудить этот вопрос.I would like to call you to discuss this matter.
- Позвони, когда закончишь работу.Call me when you finish work.
- Можешь позвонить маме и сказать, что я опоздаю?Can you call Mom and tell her I'll be late?
- Ты можешь мне позвони́ть завтра?Ty mozhesh' mne pozvonit' zavtra?Can you call me tomorrow?
Example conversation
A woman is talking to a man on the street before he leaves for a trip.
- Мария MariaНе забудь позвони́ть мне в аэропорту.Ne zabud' pozvonit' mne v aeroportu.Don't forget to call me at the airport.
- Сергей SergeyХорошо, Мария, я обязательно позвоню́.Khorosho, Mariya, ya obyazatel'no pozvonyu.Okay, Maria, I will definitely call.
- Мария MariaТы пришлёшь мне сообщение после звонка?Ty prisylyosh' mne soobshcheniye posle zvonka?Will you send me a message after the call?
- Сергей SergeyДа, я напишу́ тебе сразу.Da, ya napishu tebe srazu.Yes, I will write to you immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “call” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
