Warnings and Prevention (не + Perfective)
Normally, telling someone not to do something (a deliberate prohibition) requires the imperfective aspect. However, when warning someone against doing something accidentally—like slipping, falling, or getting dirty—you must use не followed by the perfective imperative.
Because these are accidental mishaps, many of the verbs you will use on the trail are reflexive, ending in -ся or -сь.
| The rocks here are very slippery, don't slip if you go alone. | Камни здесь очень скользкие, не поскользнись, если пойдёшь один. |
| Don't fall into the ravine and don't get dirty! | Не упади в овраг и не испачкайся! |
Adding "Watch Out!"
To make a warning more explicit, start the sentence with осторожно (careful) or the imperative form of "to look": смотри (informal/singular) or смотрите (formal/plural).
When using смотри or смотрите, ensure the warning verb matches the singular or plural form of the person you are addressing.
| After the rain the road is much worse, watch out, don't slip. | После дождя дорога намного хуже, смотри, не поскользнись. |
| Careful, don't lose your footing when we go down into the ravine. | Осторожно, не оступись, когда мы будем спускаться в овраг. |
| Watch out, don't fall off the cliff, it is much better if you hold each other. | Смотрите, не упадите с обрыва, намного лучше, если вы будете держать друг друга. |
Accidental Actions on Objects
This rule also applies to accidents involving objects, like getting your feet wet or dropping something. The warning verb remains perfective.
| Don't get your feet wet if you go across the stream. | Не промочи ноги, если пойдёшь через ручей. |
| Careful, don't drop anything into the ravine. | Осторожно, не уроните ничего в овраг. |
Tripping and Tearing (The Preposition "о")
When navigating hazards, you might trip over a root or tear your jacket on a branch. To express hitting, tripping, or snagging against an object, Russian uses the preposition о (or об before vowels) followed by the accusative case.
| against (contact) | о |
| The road goes through the forest, watch out, don't trip over a root. | Дорога идёт через лес, смотри, не споткнись о корень. |
| Careful, don't tear your jacket on a branch. | Осторожно, не порви куртку о ветку. |