Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| дать | datʹ | [datʲ] (narrow) [dat͡sʲ] (narrow) |
perfective |
| дари́ть | darítʹ | ||
| подари́ть | podarítʹ | ||
| дава́ть | davátʹ | imperfective | |
| дарова́ть | darovátʹ | imperfective, perfective |
In Russian, the choice of verb depends on whether you are talking about the process of giving, a completed action or the act of presenting a gift. While дать is the standard way to describe transferring possession, other verbs like дари́ть and подари́ть are used specifically for giving gifts.
Which one should you use?
The choice between forms often depends on aspect and intent. Use the imperfective дава́ть to describe a habitual action or the ongoing process of giving. Use the perfective дать for a single, completed action of giving. For presenting gifts, use дари́ть or подари́ть. In highly formal, poetic or archaic contexts, such as a monarch bestowing a title or fate granting a blessing, the verb дарова́ть is used to mean bestow or grant.
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperfective form дава́ть is used for habitual actions or the process of giving, while the perfective form дать is used for a single, completed action of giving.
How do you pronounce it?
datʹ
Did you know?
- The Russian verb дать shares a common ancestor with the English words 'donate', 'data', and 'date'.
- In colloquial Russian, дать is used in idioms to describe hitting someone, like 'giving' a slap across the face.
- Russian speakers often use дать to mean 'give' in a way that actually means 'to allow' or 'to let', such as asking for a chance.
Examples in context
- Я хочу дать ей это.I want to give her this.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of дать.Tatoeba #4816666 by odexed, translation #3915950 by CH
- Я хочу дать им это.I want to give them this.Tatoeba #4839365 by odexed, translation #3915948 by CH
- Мне нечего им дать.I don't have anything to give them.Tatoeba #10720358 by marafon, translation #13797201 by rul
- Я могу вам дать информацию о нашей компании?Can I give you information about our company?
- Мы готовы предоставить вам полный отчет о нашей работе.We are ready to provide you with a full report of our work.
- Скинь мне адрес этого ресторана, пожалуйста.Give me the address of this restaurant, please.
- Мама дала мне подарок.Mom gave me a gift.
- Учитель дал студентам задание.The teacher gave the students an assignment.
- Папа дал мне велосипед на день рождения.Dad gave me a bike for my birthday.
- 651 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergei asks Maria for a pen to sign a document.
- Сергей SergeyМария, можешь дать мне ручку?Mariya, mozhesh dat mne ruchku?Maria, can you give me a pen?
- Мария MariaДа, конечно, держи.Da, konechno, derzhi.Yes, of course, here it is.
- Сергей SergeyСпасибо, что решил дать её мне.Spasibo, chto reshil dat eye mne.Thanks for deciding to give it to me.
- Мария MariaНе забудь дать её обратно.Ne zabudat dat eye obratno.Don't forget to give it back.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “give” translations and entries дать, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries дать, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
