Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| де́лать | délatʹ | imperfective |
| сде́лать | sdélatʹ | perfective |
| занима́ться | zanimátʹsja | imperfective |
| выполня́ть | vypolnjátʹ | imperfective |
| выполни́ть | vypolnítʹ | perfective |
Russian uses different verbs depending on whether you are talking about a general process, a completed result, a formal duty or an activity like a hobby.
What does it mean word for word?
In the perfective form сде́лать, the prefix с- is added to change the meaning from a general process to a completed result.
Which one should you use?
Use де́лать (imperfective) for ongoing, repeated or habitual actions. Use сде́лать (perfective) to describe a single specific result or a completed action. If you mean 'doing' in the sense of engaging in an activity, a hobby or studying, use занима́ться. For tasks, duties or orders, the verbs выполня́ть (imperfective) and выполни́ть (perfective) are used to mean 'to perform' or 'to carry out'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The addition of the prefix с- in сде́лать transforms the verb into its perfective aspect, shifting the focus to the completion of the act.
How do you pronounce it?
délatʹ
Did you know?
- In Russian, the phrase де́лать ви́д literally means 'to do a look' but is used to say someone is 'pretending' or 'feigning' a certain emotion.
- If someone asks Что ты де́лаешь? it can mean 'What are you doing?' or 'What are you making?' Russian uses the same verb for both 'do' and 'make'.
- While занима́ться is used for hobbies, its root занять also means 'to occupy' or 'to take up space'. Essentially, when you do a hobby, you are 'occupying' your time.
Examples in context
- Я сде́лал и́менно то, что ты мне сказа́л сде́лать.I did exactly what you told me to do.This sentence shows how to use сде́лать to express completing a specific instruction.Tatoeba #3234421 by Wayawa, translation #2314833 by CK
- Что вы делаете?What do you do?
- Я делаю работу.I am doing work.
- Он выполняет свою работу очень хорошо.He does his work very well.
- Мы совершаем множество разнообразных действий каждый день.We do a variety of actions every day.
- Что ты делаешь?What are you doing?
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Aleksandr are talking about their household chores.
- Екатерина EkaterinaАлекса́ндр, что ты се́йчас бу́дешь де́лать?Aleksandr, chto ty seychas budesh' delat'?Aleksandr, what are you going to do now?
- Александр AleksandrЯ собира́юсь де́лать уборку в ку́хне.Ya sobirayus' delat' uborku v kukhne.I am going to do the cleaning in the kitchen.
- Екатерина EkaterinaМогу́ я тебе́ помо́чь?Mogu ya tebe pomoch'?Can I help you?
- Александр AleksandrДа, по́жалуйста, помоги́ мне.Da, pozhaluysta, pomogi mne.Yes, please, help me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “do” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
