Breakdown of Они медленно приподнимают ковёр.
они
they
медленно
slowly
ковёр
rug
приподнимать
to lift slightly (imperfective)
Questions & Answers about Они медленно приподнимают ковёр.
How does the prefix при- change the meaning of the verb поднимать in this sentence?
The base verb поднимать means to lift or raise. The prefix при- adds an attenuative meaning, showing that the action is done only slightly, incompletely, or for a short time. Therefore, приподнимают means they are lifting the rug a little bit, rather than picking it entirely off the floor.
Does the verb приподнимают have two prefixes?
Yes! The verb is built on a root for taking or catching, with the prefix под- (under/up) already giving us поднимать (to lift). By adding при- in front of it, Russian stacks the prefixes to create a highly specific meaning: to lift slightly. Stacking prefixes to fine-tune a verb's meaning is a very common word-building tool you will see at this level.
Since this lesson is about Aktionsarten (modes of action), what aspect is приподнимают?
It is imperfective, which is why it can be used in the present tense to mean they are slowly lifting it right now. The perfective equivalent is приподнять, which you would use if they completed the action of lifting the rug a little.
Why doesn't the ending of ковёр change if it is the direct object being lifted?
As the direct object, ковёр is in the accusative case. However, because it is a masculine inanimate noun, its accusative form is exactly the same as its dictionary (nominative) form. If they were lifting a feminine object like a bag (сумка), the ending would change to сумку.
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