The Prefix за- and Dropping In
Adding the prefix за- to a verb of motion means to deviate from your route to make a quick stop, run an errand, or drop in somewhere on your way.
For stopping by on foot, use заходить (imperfective) or зайти (perfective). For destinations like a bakery or supermarket, use the prepositions в or на + the Accusative case.
| We often drop in to this bakery in the morning. | Утром мы часто заходим в эту пекарню. |
| Tomorrow I will drop in to the supermarket and meet a friend there. | Завтра я зайду в супермаркет и встречу там друга. |
Running Errands: заодно
Use the adverb заодно (at the same time / while at it) to describe taking care of an extra errand during a detour.
| I will drop in to the pharmacy and buy something while I am at it. | Я зайду в аптеку и заодно куплю что-нибудь. |
Dropping In by Vehicle
If you are traveling by vehicle, use заезжать (imperfective) or заехать (perfective).
| On the way home he always drops in to the gas station. | По дороге домой он всегда заезжает на заправку. |
Dropping In on People
If your destination is a person rather than a place, use the preposition к + the Dative case.
This translates to "dropping in on" or "stopping by to see" someone.
| My brother and I dropped in on Anna yesterday. | Вчера мы с братом заехали к Анне. |
| Did anyone drop in on you today? | К тебе сегодня кто-нибудь заходил? |
Short Visits: ненадолго
Since the за- prefix naturally implies a quick detour, these verbs pair perfectly with the adverb ненадолго (for a short time).
| She dropped in to the dry cleaner for a short time. | Она ненадолго зашла в химчистку. |
| Every month they drop in on us for a short time. | Каждый месяц они ненадолго заезжают к нам. |
