russian.tools Verb Prefix Explorer

The activity of speaking. Сказать can express a single statement, but is not a prefix added to говорить.

Мы говорили о погоде.

We were talking about the weather.

До- marks finishing what was already being said. Without -ся, this does not mean reaching an agreement.

Дай мне договорить мысль.

Let me finish my thought.

За- marks the beginning of speech here. Заговаривать can describe repeatedly starting a conversation.

После паузы она заговорила о работе.

After a pause, she started talking about work.

По- bounds the activity in time. Говорить describes the activity, but is not presented here as an exact aspect partner.

Мы поговорили после урока.

We had a conversation after the lesson.

A new lexical meaning: persuasion. Use кого + an infinitive for the person and action.

Я уговорил друга остаться.

I persuaded my friend to stay.

The opposite direction of persuasion to уговорить: talk someone out of an action.

Она отговорила меня от покупки.

She talked me out of the purchase.

The reflexive -ся changes the meaning. Compare договорить: finish saying, договориться: reach an agreement.

Мы договорились встретиться в шесть.

We agreed to meet at six.