Reaching a Limit: The Prefix до-
When expressing that you reached a specific physical destination or boundary, Russian uses verbs of motion with the prefix до-.
These verbs are followed by the preposition до (as far as, up to) and the Genitive case.
| as far as, up to | до |
Arriving on Foot (доходить / дойти)
To say you are reaching a place on foot, use the pair доходить (imperfective) and дойти (perfective).
Because the destination follows до, it must take the Genitive case: вершина (peak) becomes до вершины, and водопад (waterfall) becomes до водопада.
| It usually takes us a long time to reach the peak. | Мы обычно долго доходим до вершины. |
| Tomorrow we will reach the waterfall. | Завтра мы дойдём до водопада. |
| This path does not reach the cliff. | Эта тропинка не доходит до скалы. |
The preposition до + Genitive can also set time limits, meaning "before" or "until." You can even use it twice in the same sentence to express a physical limit and a time limit!
| You must reach the hill before evening. | Ты должен дойти до холма до вечера. |
Arriving by Vehicle (доезжать / доехать)
If the journey involves driving or riding, use the pair доезжать (imperfective) and доехать (perfective).
| Our bus only goes as far as the stream. | Наш автобус доезжает только до ручья. |
| We will reach the valley only in the evening. | Мы доедем до долины только вечером. |
| Cars don't go as far as the valley. | Машины не доезжают до долины. |
You can also use the infinitive form of these verbs to ask for directions or talk about obligations.
| How do we get to the waterfall? | Как доехать до водопада? |
