Question 1

Why is the translation "and then", but the Russian uses а instead of и for "and"?

Accepted Answer

In Russian, и simply links things together, but а implies a slight shift or contrast. When giving directions with sequential steps (do this, and then do something else), а потом is the natural phrase because you are shifting your focus from one action to the next.

Question 2

Why does this sentence use идите instead of иди?

Accepted Answer

Идите is the formal or plural command form of идти (to go on foot). You would use this when giving directions to a stranger on the street, which is a formal situation, or to a group of people. If you were giving directions to a single close friend or family member, you would use the informal иди.

Question 3

I always mix up "straight" and "right" because the words sound similar. How do I keep them apart?

Accepted Answer

This is a very common mix-up! Прямо means "straight ahead". It can be confusing because it shares some sounds with the Russian root for "right" (прав-). You can see that root in направо (to the right) and справа (on the right). Remember that прямо (straight) stands alone, while the words for "right" almost always contain that -прав- chunk.

Question 4

Could I use справа instead of направо at the end of this sentence?

Accepted Answer

No, because they are used for entirely different situations. Направо answers the question "to where?" (куда?) and indicates the direction of your movement (turning to the right). Справа answers the question "where?" (где?) and describes a fixed location (like a building standing on the right). Since you are telling someone where to move, you need the directional word направо.

Идите прямо, а потом направо.

Breakdown of Идите прямо, а потом направо.

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