заходить vs зайти

zakhodít' vs zaytí — go in/drop by regularly vs go in/drop by once

What it really means

Заходить means to enter or call in as a repeated, habitual, or ongoing action. Зайти is perfective and refers to one completed entry or one brief visit; it also means “set” when speaking about the sun.

Examples in natural speech

Я захожу в магазин после работы.
I go into the shop after work.
Зайди ко мне вечером.
Drop by this evening.
Он часто заходит без звонка.
He often drops in without calling.
Мы зашли в кафе по дороге домой.
We went into a café on the way home.
Солнце заходит поздно.
The sun sets late.

Common mistakes

Use заходить for a recurring stop: Я захожу в аптеку по пятницам. Use зайти for one visit or entry with a result; *зайди в магазин каждый день is only possible as an instruction to make a separate one-time visit each day.

Memory tip

Заходить is a door used as part of a routine; зайти is one step across its threshold, after which the visitor is inside.

Frequently asked questions

Which preposition is used for visiting a person?

Use к + dative: зайти к другу, заходить к врачу. For entering a place, use в + accusative: зайти в магазин.

Can «зайти» mean a very short visit?

Yes. Зайти на минуту or зайти по дороге often implies a brief call rather than a long stay, though the exact length depends on context.

Why is «солнце заходит» not about a visit?

Заходить also means “to set” for the sun. The imperfective is used for a regular fact or the unfolding sunset; солнце зашло reports one completed sunset.

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