просить vs попросить
prosít' vs poprosít' — ask/request generally vs make a specific request
Register: neutral
What it really means
Просить is imperfective: it describes asking as a process, a repeated action, or a general plea. Попросить is perfective and presents one request as made; it is common for a polite request about a future action.
Examples in natural speech
Я прошу вас о помощи.
I am asking you for help.
Я попрошу его помочь.
I will ask him to help.
Дети часто просят сладости.
Children often ask for sweets.
Она попросила стакан воды.
She asked for a glass of water.
Не проси меня объяснять всё сначала.
Do not ask me to explain everything from the beginning.
Common mistakes
Do not use попросить for a continuing plea or a habitual request: Дети просят сладости describes what they regularly do. Conversely, Я попрошу вас завтра presents one request that the speaker will make tomorrow, not the whole process of asking.
Memory tip
Просить leaves the request open like an outstretched hand; по- in попросить marks one hand-off of a request.
Frequently asked questions
Which case follows «просить о чём-то»?
Use о + prepositional for an abstract request: просить о помощи, о разрешении, о встрече. For an object, Russian often uses the accusative: попросить стакан воды.
Can попросить be followed by an infinitive?
Yes. Попросить друга позвонить means ask a friend to call. The person asked is in the accusative, followed by the infinitive.
Why is «прошу прощения» imperfective?
It is a fixed polite formula meaning “excuse me” or “I beg your pardon.” The imperfective form functions as the conventional act of requesting forgiveness.
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