решать vs решить

reshat vs reshit — solve/decide as a process vs solve/decide once

What it really means

Реша́ть is imperfective and describes solving a problem, making decisions, or dealing with tasks as an ongoing or repeated activity. Реши́ть is perfective and presents one problem as solved or one decision as made. This is a lexical aspectual pair rather than a transparent prefix pair: the shared реш- root is not a productive Russian prefix.

Use решать for what you are working on now or what you do regularly. Use решить when the problem has a completed answer or the decision has been reached.

Examples in natural speech

Я решаю задачу.
I am solving the problem.
Она быстро решает сложные вопросы.
She solves difficult issues quickly.
Нужно решить эту задачу сегодня.
We need to solve this problem today.
Мы решили купить билеты.
We decided to buy the tickets.
Он ещё не решил, что делать.
He has not decided what to do yet.

Common mistakes

Do not use решить when you are only describing the work in progress: "Я решаю задачу" means I am solving it. Решить is appropriate when the answer or decision is reached, even if the work took a long time.

Memory tip

Решать is working through the problem; решить is reaching the solution or decision.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between решать and решить?

Решать is imperfective for solving or deciding as a process, habit, or unfinished activity. Решить is perfective for reaching one solution or decision.

Can решить mean decide?

Yes. Решить can mean decide to do something: "Мы решили остаться" means we decided to stay.

How do you say I am solving a problem in Russian?

Say "Я решаю задачу." The imperfective form is used because the solving is in progress.

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