Let’s compare the verbs ‘идти’, ‘пойти’ and ‘прийти’. The difference is similar to the verbs ‘ехать’, ‘поехать’ and ‘приехать’, that we compared in Unit 1. 

• ‘идти’ (‘to go’, ‘to be going’)

Used when talking about movement right now or when focus is on the process of going. 

1. Я иду в школу. 
I am going to school (now).

2. Мы шли пешком четыре часа и очень устали.
We were going on foot for four hours and got very tired.

Note! 

‘Идти’ can also be used when talking about plans for the near future. 

Мы в субботу идём на балет.
We are going to the ballet on Saturday.

• пойти (‘to go’, ‘to set off’)

Used while talking about the beginning of movement (start of a trip) or future plans for going somewhere. 

1. Он пошёл домой. 
He went (set off) home.

2. Я хочу пойти в музей.
I want to go to the museum.

• прийти (to arrive, to come)

Used while speaking about the end of the movement, arriving at a place. 

1. Я пришёл в офис в 9 утра. 
I arrived at the office at 9 am.

2. Когда ты придёшь домой? 
When will you arrive (come) home?

Let’s summarize!

When choosing the verb, think like this:

• идти = to be going (the trip is happening)
• пойти = to depart/start а trip or to talk about a future trip
• прийти = to finish the trip, to arrive

Listen to the audio to hear the correct answers

Listen to the audio to hear the correct answers