забрать vs принести
zabrat vs prinesti — take/pick up from somewhere vs bring to here
Register: neutral
What it really means
Забрать means take, collect, or pick something/someone up from a place and away from it. Принести means bring/carry something to the destination or speaker. Both are perfective and transitive; direction is the key contrast, not aspect.
Examples in natural speech
Забери документы из офиса.
Pick up the documents from the office.
Я забрал ребёнка из школы.
I picked up the child from school.
Принеси мне воды.
Bring me some water.
Она принесла подарок.
She brought a gift.
Я заберу это завтра.
I will take this away tomorrow.
Common mistakes
Do not choose by English “take” alone. Забрать moves something away from where it is; принести moves it toward the destination. The imperfective partners are забирать and приносить.
Memory tip
За- collects and takes away; при- brings toward.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between забрать and принести?
Забрать means take or collect away from a place; принести means bring to a destination.
How do you say pick up a child from school?
Say “забрать ребёнка из школы.”
How do you say bring me water?
Say “Принеси мне воды.”
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