Breakdown of Поезд отходит от платформы в южном направлении.
в
in / to (direction)
поезд
train
от
from
южный
southern
Questions & Answers about Поезд отходит от платформы в южном направлении.
Why do we use отходит here instead of a regular verb of motion like идёт?
The prefix от- adds the meaning of stepping away or departing from a starting point. When talking about trains, buses, or ships leaving a station, отходить (imperfective) or отойти (perfective) are the standard verbs to use for 'departing'.
Why is the word от repeated right after the verb?
Russian frequently doubles up prefixes and prepositions. With verbs of motion, the prefix от- (moving away) strongly expects the preposition от (from) right after it to introduce the exact starting point that is being left behind.
Why does платформа change to платформы?
The preposition от always takes the genitive case. Because платформа is a feminine noun, its -а ending changes to -ы to show that it is the specific point of departure.
Since the train is moving, shouldn't в южном направлении use the accusative case for direction?
Usually, yes! Movement toward a destination takes the accusative case. However, the specific fixed phrase в ... направлении (in the ... direction) is an exception that always takes the prepositional case. That is why both the adjective южном and the neuter noun направлении take prepositional endings here.