домой vs дома

domóy vs dóma — homeward/to home vs at home

What it really means

"Домой" means toward home or to home — it answers "where are you going?" "Дома" means at home — it answers "where are you?" These are adverbs of motion and location, so they do not use the normal в + noun pattern.

The contrast is especially useful with идти and быть: "Я иду домой" (I am going home), but "Я дома" (I am at home). "Домой" can also mean back home after being away.

Examples in natural speech

Я иду домой.
I am going home.
Ты уже дома?
Are you home already?
После работы он едет домой.
After work he goes/drives home.
Сегодня я работаю дома.
Today I am working at home.
Позвони, когда придёшь домой.
Call when you get home.

Common mistakes

Do not confuse destination with location: "Я дома" means I am at home, while "Я иду домой" means I am going home. "Я иду дома" would mean I am walking around inside the house, not going home.

Memory tip

"Домой" has motion built in — homeward. "Дома" is a place where you already are.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between домой and дома in Russian?

"Домой" means to/toward home and answers where are you going? "Дома" means at home and answers where are you? "Я иду домой" = I am going home; "Я дома" = I am at home.

How do you say I am going home in Russian?

Say "Я иду домой." Use домой for the destination, not дома.

How do you say at home in Russian?

Say "дома": "Я сейчас дома" means "I am at home now." This is the location form, not the motion form домой.

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