вести vs вестись
vesti vs vestis' — lead/conduct vs be conducted/behave
Register: neutral
What it really means
Вести means lead, drive, conduct, keep, or manage: вести ребёнка, вести машину, вести разговор. Вестись is reflexive and can mean be conducted (переговоры ведутся), behave (вести себя), or fall for something (вестись на обещания). Meanings depend strongly on context.
Examples in natural speech
Он ведёт ребёнка в школу.
He is leading the child to school.
Она ведёт машину.
She is driving.
Мы ведём переговоры.
We are conducting negotiations.
Переговоры ведутся онлайн.
Negotiations are conducted online.
Не ведись на рекламу.
Do not fall for the advertising.
Common mistakes
Вести себя is fixed for behave; do not use вести without себя. Вестись на means be taken in by, often colloquially.
Memory tip
Вести directs something; -ся often removes the director or changes to “fall for.”
Frequently asked questions
What means behave?
Вести себя.
What means drive?
Вести машину.
What means fall for?
Вестись на что-то.
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