Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond
Russian uses simple adverbs to set the timeframe of a sentence. Like all adverbs, their form never changes.
- сегодня (today) — Notice that the г is pronounced like a в
- вчера (yesterday)
- завтра (tomorrow)
- послезавтра (the day after tomorrow)
| Yesterday we were there, and today we are here. | Вчера мы были там, а сегодня мы здесь. |
| Today I am working at home. | Сегодня я работаю дома. |
Russian often uses the present tense to talk about planned events in the near future:
| Tomorrow we are going to a restaurant. | Завтра мы идём в ресторан. |
| The day after tomorrow they are driving to the city. | Послезавтра они едут в город. |
Ordering Events
To sequence actions, use сначала (first / at first) and потом (then / afterwards).
| First we have breakfast. | Сначала мы завтракаем. |
These words are often used together to show clear chronological order:
| First we read the text, and then we answer. | Сначала мы читаем текст, а потом отвечаем. |
| Tomorrow we are going to the park, and then home. | Завтра мы идём в парк, а потом домой. |
Previously and Soon
To talk about things that used to happen, use раньше (previously / earlier) with a past tense verb:
| Previously he worked at a plant. | Раньше он работал на заводе. |
To talk about things that are about to happen, use скоро (soon). You can use a present tense verb for immediate future plans:
| We are having lunch soon. | Мы скоро обедаем. |
Beginnings and Ends
When referring to the parts of an event, a story, or a timeline, use the nouns начало (beginning) and конец (end).
| Where is the beginning, and where is the end? | Где начало, а где конец? |
| This is not the end, this is only the beginning. | Это не конец, это только начало. |
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