In Unit 11, we learned the difference between the verbs ‘идти’ (to go on foot) and ‘ехать’ (to go by transport). Now, we will take a closer look at ‘идти’ and compare it to another important verb – ‘ходить’.

Both verbs are imprefective and mean ‘to go’ or ‘to walk’,  but they are used in different situations.

‘Идти’ is unidirectional. It describes movement in one direction. Often, it is used for one-time actions or something happening in real time. For example:

1. Я сейчас иду в магазин.
I am going to the store now. (in one direction, in real time)

2. Завтра я иду в кино.
Tomorrow, I’m going to the cinema. (in one direction, a future time)

‘Ходить’ is multidirectional. It is used: 

• to express repeated or habitual movement
• to describe movement without any defined direction or in different directions
• to express the idea of movement in general (including walking as a ability)
• to describe return journeys in the past tense

1. Я хожу в магазин каждый день. 
I go to the store every day. (repeating action)

2. Вчера студенты целый день ходили по Москве.
Yesterday, students walked around Moscow all day. (in different directions)

3. Наш малыш уже ходит.
Our baby is already walking. (general ability)

4. Вчера я ходил в кино. 
Yesterday, I went to the cinema. (implies a round trip)

Here is the conjugation of the verb ‘ходить’:

Listen to the audio to hear the correct answers

Listen to the audio to hear the correct answers

Listen to the audio to hear the correct answers