Questions & Answers about Подойди ближе к столу.
What form is the word in Подойди ближе к столу, and what is its infinitive?
Подойди is the 2nd-person singular imperative of the perfective verb подойти. It’s a command addressed to one person (ты). Stress: подойди́.
How do I say this politely or to more than one person?
Use the plural/formal imperative: Подойдите ближе к столу. You can add пожалуйста for politeness: Подойдите, пожалуйста, ближе к столу.
Why is the perfective подойти used here instead of imperfective?
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?