Destination (куда, в, на)

Answering "Where to?"

To state your destination, answer the question куда (where to) using a preposition of direction and the Accusative case:

  • в (to/into): used for enclosed spaces and buildings.
  • на (to/onto): used for open areas, events, and specific traditional places (like a post office or train station).

Masculine and Neuter Destinations

For masculine inanimate nouns (ending in a consonant) and neuter nouns (ending in or ), the Accusative form is identical to the dictionary form.

I am going to the train station.
Я иду на вокзал.
In the evening we are going to the cinema.
Вечером мы идём в кино.

A stadium (стадион) is an open space and a concert (концерт) is an event. Both take на:

Where are we going? To the stadium!
Куда мы идём? На стадион!
In the evening I am going to the concert.
Вечером я иду на концерт.

Feminine Destinations

For feminine nouns ending in , the Accusative case changes the ending to .

A hospital (больница) and a library (библиотека) are buildings, so they take в:

The doctor is hurrying to the hospital.
Врач спешит в больницу.
Where is the teacher hurrying? To the library.
Куда спешит учитель? В библиотеку.

A post office (почта) traditionally takes на, as do events like an exhibition (выставка) or a meeting (встреча):

Where is she going? To the post office.
Куда она идёт? На почту.
The student is going to the exhibition.
Студент идёт на выставку.
Where are you hurrying? To a meeting.
Куда ты спешишь? На встречу.

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