выключать vs выключить

vyklyuchat vs vyklyuchit — turn off repeatedly/in progress vs turn off once

What it really means

Выключа́ть is imperfective and describes switching something off as an ongoing, repeated, or routine action. Выключи́ть is perfective and presents one completed switch-off. The prefix вы- suggests taking something out of an active state.

Choose выключать for a habit or an action currently unfolding. Choose выключить for a one-time instruction or a completed result: "Я выключил свет" (I turned off the light).

Examples in natural speech

Она выключает телевизор.
She is turning off the television.
Всегда выключай свет перед сном.
Always turn off the light before bed.
Выключи телефон.
Turn off the phone.
Я выключил плиту.
I turned off the stove.
Не забудь выключить компьютер.
Do not forget to turn off the computer.

Common mistakes

Do not use выключать to report a single completed switch-off when the result matters. "Он выключил музыку" says the music is now off; "Он выключает музыку" presents the action as happening or repeated.

Memory tip

Выключить takes something out of the on state once; выключать is the routine or unfolding action.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between выключать and выключить?

Выключать is imperfective for turning something off as a process or habit. Выключить is perfective for one completed switch-off.

How do you say turn off the computer in Russian?

Say "Выключи компьютер" as a one-time command. "Выключай компьютер" may refer to a repeated routine or tell someone to start turning it off.

Is выключить the opposite of включить?

Yes, for the switch-on and switch-off meanings: включить means turn on, while выключить means turn off. Their imperfective partners are включать and выключать.

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