быть vs бывать

byt' vs byvát' — to be vs be/occur regularly

What it really means

Быть states existence, presence, or a particular stay. Бывать means to be somewhere repeatedly, from time to time, or to happen; it normally cannot describe where someone is right now.

Examples in natural speech

Я был дома вчера.
I was at home yesterday.
Я часто бываю дома по вечерам.
I am often at home in the evenings.
Он будет в офисе завтра.
He will be in the office tomorrow.
Мы бываем в Петербурге каждую весну.
We are in St Petersburg every spring.
Такое бывает.
That happens.

Common mistakes

Do not use бывать for a present location: Я сейчас дома needs быть. Use бывать only when visits or events recur.

Memory tip

Picture быть as one pin on a map and бывать as pins appearing there again and again.

Frequently asked questions

Why is «Я сейчас бываю дома» wrong?

A current location is a single state, so say Я сейчас дома or Я сейчас нахожусь дома.

What does «Такое бывает» imply?

It reassures the listener that an event happens sometimes and is not extraordinary.

Can бывать describe people?

Yes: Мы бываем у бабушки means that we visit or are at Grandma's place from time to time.

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