Breakdown of Не стойте здесь, перейдите улицу!
не
not
здесь
here
улица
street
перейти
to cross
стоять
to stand
Questions & Answers about Не стойте здесь, перейдите улицу!
Why does "don't stand" use the imperfective verb стойте, but "cross" uses the perfective verb перейдите?
This follows a very common rule for commands! When telling someone not to do something (a negative prohibition), you almost always use the imperfective aspect, like не стойте (don't stand). But when you are telling someone to do a specific action and want a completed result, you normally use the perfective aspect, like перейдите (cross).
Why do both of the verbs in this sentence end in -те?
The -те ending shows that these commands are either plural (speaking to more than one person) or formal (speaking to someone you address as вы). If you were talking informally to one friend, you would drop the -те and say: Не стой здесь, перейди улицу!
How is the verb перейдите formed?
It comes from a verb of motion. The prefix пере- adds the meaning of "across" to an action. When attached to the root for going on foot, it creates the perfective verb перейти (to cross on foot). The command form of this verb is перейди, plus the formal/plural -те.
Why is the word for street spelled улицу instead of улица?
The street is the direct object of the verb "cross"—it is the thing being crossed. Because of this, the feminine noun улица must be in the accusative case, which means changing its -а ending to -у to become улицу.
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