выходить vs выйти

vykhodit vs vyyti — go out regularly/in progress vs go out once

What it really means

Выходи́ть is imperfective and describes going out as a process, a repeated action, or a regular route. Вы́йти is perfective and presents one exit or departure as completed. The prefix вы- means out of, so the pair contrasts an open-ended action with one completed movement out.

Use выходить for routines such as leaving the house at a certain time. Use выйти when someone has gone out once, steps out of a vehicle, or exits a building or account.

Examples in natural speech

Я выхожу из дома в семь.
I leave the house at seven.
Она выходит из автобуса.
She is getting off the bus.
Выйди на минуту.
Step outside for a minute.
Мы вышли из метро.
We came out of the metro.
Он вышел из чата.
He left the chat.

Common mistakes

Do not assume выходить only means exit physically. It can mean come out, be published, or appear regularly. Выйти can also mean marry, graduate, or be released; the surrounding noun and context determine the sense.

Memory tip

Вы- points outward; выходить is going out as a route or process, выйти is getting out once.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between выходить and выйти?

Выходить is imperfective for going out as a process, routine, or repeated action. Выйти is perfective for one completed exit.

How do you say get off the bus in Russian?

Use "выйти из автобуса." The perfective выйти describes completing the movement out of the bus; in the past, "Он вышел из автобуса" means he got off the bus.

Can выйти mean be released or published?

Yes. Книга вышла means the book came out or was published, and фильм вышел means the film was released. These are extended meanings of coming out.

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