Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| класть | klastʹ | [kɫasʲtʲ] (narrow) | imperfective |
| положи́ть | položítʹ | perfective | |
| укла́дывать | ukládyvatʹ | imperfective | |
| уложи́ть | uložítʹ | perfective |
The primary verbs used for laying something down in a position of rest are all transitive, meaning they require a direct object. For example, you would need to specify what you are laying, such as a рука (hand) or an object on a стол (table).
Which one should you use?
Russian uses different verb forms depending on the nature of the action. класть is the imperfective form, used for the process of laying something down or for habitual actions. In contrast, положи́ть is the perfective form, used for a completed action. If the sense of laying implies arranging things in a specific order, such as packing a suitcase or laying out clothes, use the imperfective verb укла́дывать or its perfective counterpart уложи́ть.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
klastʹ
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using ложить as a base form. In standard Russian, the correct imperfective infinitive is класть.
Did you know?
- The verb уложить can also be used colloquially to mean 'to defeat' someone, such as in a sports match or a fight.
- The verb уложить is used not just for placing objects, but also for the common phrase уложить ребёнка, meaning 'to put a child to bed'.
- The English word 'lade' (as in 'to lade a ship') is a distant relative of the Russian класть, even though they do not share the same English ancestor 'load'.
Examples in context
- Пожалуйста, положите книгу на стол.Please, lay the book on the table.
- Куда мне класть эти вещи?Kuda mne klast' eti veshchi?Where should I lay these things?
Example conversation
A man and a woman are unpacking groceries in the kitchen.
- Анастасия AnastasiaАндрей, куда мне класть хлеб?Andrey, kuda mne klast' khleb?Andrey, where should I lay the bread?
- Андрей AndreyКласть его можно на стол.Klast' yego mozhno na stol.You can lay it on the table.
- Анастасия AnastasiaХорошо, я кладу его туда.Khorosho, ya kladu yego tuda.Okay, I am laying it there.
- Андрей AndreyСпасибо, Анастасия.Spasibo, Anastasiya.Thank you, Anastasia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lay” translations and entries класть, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries класть, CC BY-SA 4.0.
