Learn Hardcore Russian: Подойди ближе к столу.

Imperatives often use the perfective to request a single, completed result (end up closer to the table). Подойди focuses on achieving that result. The imperfective подходи would sound like “keep approaching/come closer (as an ongoing or repeated action),” which fits instructions or a step-by-step process.

What’s the difference between подойди and подходи?

Подойди (perfective): “Come up (once), get closer (and be closer).”
Подходи (imperfective): “Approach/keep coming closer.” For example, a photographer might say Подходи ближе… ещё… ещё…

Could I use иди or пойди instead?

Иди к столу = “Go to the table (start walking there).”
Иди ближе к столу is possible and understandable, but подойди (ближе) is more idiomatic for “come closer/approach.”
Пойди к столу (perfective) suggests “go (once), set off to the table.” For “come up/approach,” подойди is the natural choice.

What does the prefix под- add in подойти?

With motion verbs, под- often means “approach/come closer (up to).” Идти = to go; подойти = to come up/approach.

Why is it к столу and not something else? What case is used?

The preposition к (“to/towards, up to”) requires the dative case. Стол (table) in the dative singular is столу. Hence: к столу.

How does стол decline (singular), and what is its dative?

Singular of стол (masc., inanimate):

Nom: стол
Gen: стола
Dat: столу
Acc: стол
Instr: столом
Prep: столе

How is к different from в, на, за, or у with places like a table?

к столу: to/towards the table (ending up next to it).
на стол: onto the table (movement to the top surface).
в стол: into the table (rare; usually not used).
за стол: to the table to sit or take a seat there (literally “behind the table”).
у стола: by/near the table (location, not motion).

Could I say до стола instead of к столу?

Different nuance:

Подойти к столу = approach to the table (to its vicinity).
Дойти до стола = reach the table (emphasis on reaching the endpoint). You wouldn’t say подойти до стола.

What does ближе mean here? Is there a difference between ближе, поближе, and более близко?

Ближе is the comparative of близко (“closer”) and is the most natural here.
Поближе adds a softening/degree nuance: “a bit closer” or “come a little closer.”
Более близко is grammatical but stylistically heavier; in everyday speech you’d use ближе/поближе.

Can I change the word order? For example, Подойди к столу ближе?

Yes, but Подойди ближе к столу sounds most natural. Подойди к столу ближе is understandable yet less idiomatic. You can also say Подойди поближе к столу or Подойди к столу поближе.

When do I use ко instead of к? Is ко столу possible?

Ко is used before certain consonant clusters for euphony, commonly with words beginning in в-, ф-, мн-, and some set phrases: ко мне, ко всем, ко входу, ко вторнику, ко времени. With стол the normal form is к столу; ко столу would sound poetic/archaic or odd in everyday speech.

How do I pronounce the sentence naturally?

Подойди: pa-dai-DEE (stress on the last syllable).
ближе: BLI-zhe (stress on BLI; ж like the s in “measure”).
к столу: k sta-LOO (stress on -LOO). The cluster к с flows as [ks], so you’ll hear something like [kstə'lu].

How can I make it more polite or softer?

Add пожалуйста: Подойдите, пожалуйста, ближе к столу.
Use softeners like поближе or давайте: Давайте подойдём поближе к столу.
Avoid barking orders; a friendly tone matters a lot.

Can I omit к столу and just say Подойди ближе?

Yes, if it’s clear from context what you should approach. К столу specifies the target; without it, it’s a general “come closer.”

Are there synonyms for подойди here?

Приблизься к столу: approach the table (more formal/literary).
Подвинься ближе к столу: move yourself closer (e.g., scoot your chair).
Сделай шаг к столу: take a step toward the table (instructional).

How would I say “Don’t come too close to the table”?

Не подходи слишком близко к столу. (to one person, informal)
Не подходите слишком близко к столу. (plural/formal)