лете́ть vs полете́ть

letet vs poletet — be flying vs set off/fly

What it really means

Лете́ть is the one-direction or currently developing verb for flying through the air. It describes a person or aircraft already in flight and heading along a route: самолёт лете́т в Москву́. It can also describe an object falling or moving through the air, as long as the focus is on the ongoing trajectory.

Полете́ть is perfective and means to set off by air, begin flying, or fly away toward a destination. It presents the departure or launch as a completed event: самолёт полете́л в семь ча́сов. Use лете́ть for flight in progress or one route viewed from within it; use полететь for the start of a flight or a completed decision to go by air.

Examples in natural speech

Самолёт лете́т над о́зером.
The airplane is flying over the lake.
Мы лети́м в Санкт-Петербу́рг.
We are flying to Saint Petersburg.
Наш рейс полете́л ра́но у́тром.
Our flight set off early in the morning.
Пти́ца полете́ла к де́реву.
The bird flew off toward the tree.
Когда́ ты полети́шь домо́й?
When will you fly home?

Common mistakes

Do not use полететь simply because English says “flew” if the sentence describes flight in progress; use лете́ть for the ongoing route. Полете́ть highlights departure or the beginning of flying. For regular or repeated air travel, use лета́ть, not either of these one-direction forms.

Memory tip

Лете́ть is already in the air; полете́ть is taking off or setting out.

Frequently asked questions

What is the habitual counterpart of лететь?

Лета́ть describes flying regularly, repeatedly, or in different directions: я ча́сто лета́ю по рабо́те.

Can полететь mean “decide to go”?

Yes, conversationally it can mark setting off by air: ну что, полети́м? means “shall we fly/go?”

How is лететь different from ехать?

Лете́ть is travel through the air, usually by plane or as a flying creature; е́хать is one-direction travel by ground vehicle.

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