класть vs положить

klast vs polozhit — put/place repeatedly or generally vs put once

What it really means

Класть is an imperfective verb meaning to put or place something, viewed as an ongoing, repeated, or general action. Положить is its common perfective counterpart for placing something in a particular spot once, with the result that it is there: "Положи книгу на стол" (Put the book on the table).

Класть has an irregular present-tense conjugation: кладу́, кладёшь, кладут. Do not create the nonstandard form ложить by itself. The prefix по- creates the correct perfective verb положить.

Examples in natural speech

Я кладу ключи на полку каждый вечер.
I put the keys on the shelf every evening.
Куда ты кладёшь телефон?
Where are you putting the phone?
Положи книгу на стол.
Put the book on the table.
Она положила письмо в конверт.
She put the letter in the envelope.
Не клади сумку на пол.
Don't put the bag on the floor.
Я положу документы сюда.
I will put the documents here.

Common mistakes

The biggest mistake is using ложить as a standalone verb. Say класть for imperfective meaning and положить for a completed placement. Also remember that положить is perfective, so its present-looking forms refer to future actions: я положу means I will put.

Memory tip

Класть is the general/repeated placing verb; положить is to put something down once and achieve the result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between класть and положить in Russian?

Класть is imperfective and describes putting as a general, ongoing, or repeated action. Положить is perfective and describes placing something once in a particular spot.

Is ложить a correct Russian verb?

Not as a standard standalone verb in modern literary Russian. Use класть for the imperfective form and положить for the perfective form: класть книгу, положить книгу.

How do you say put it on the table in Russian?

Say "Положи это на стол." The imperative положи presents one completed placement. Use "клади" when giving a general or repeated instruction, such as "Клади ключи сюда каждый раз."

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