делать
délatʹ[ˈdʲeɫətʲ]
The English phrase 'doing' is translated into Russian as делать (délatʹ).
Which one should you use?
While делать refers to the ongoing process of doing, the perfective counterpart сделать refers to the completion of an action.
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular present form of делать is делаю. The second-person singular present form of делать is делаешь. The third-person singular present form of делать is делает. The first-person plural present form of делать is делаем. The second-person plural present form of делать is делаете. The third-person plural present form of делать is делают.
How do you pronounce it?
délatʹ
Did you know?
- The Russian verb делать shares a common ancestor with the English word 'deal', both originating from the concept of dividing or distributing something.
- The verb делать is often used in the idiom делать вид, which means 'to pretend' or 'to make an appearance', rather than literally 'to make a view'.
- The word делаю can be used alone as a response to a question about your current state, implying 'I am busy' or 'I am working' without needing to name the specific task.
Examples in context
- Я выполняю свою домашнюю работуI am doing my homework
- Мы делаем все возможное, чтобы найти решениеWe are doing our best to find a solution
- Она занимается йогойShe is doing yoga
- Он занимается фокусамиHe is doing magic tricks
- Я делаю домашнюю работуI am doing homework
- Я закончил делать домашнюю работуI have finished doing my homework
- Я не знаю, что делать.Ya ne znayu, chto delat'.I don't know what to do.
Example conversation
Olga finds Dmitry in the kitchen.
- Ольга OlgaДмитрий, что ты делаешь?Dmitriy, chto ty delayesh?Dmitry, what are you doing?
- Дмитрий DmitryЯ готовлю ужин.Ya gotovlyu uzhin.I am cooking dinner.
- Ольга OlgaМожно мне помочь?Mozhno mne pomoch?Can I help?
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, помоги мне делать салат.Da, pomogi mne delat salat.Yes, help me make the salad.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry делать, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries делать, CC BY-SA 4.0.
