Second Conjugation Verbs

In Russian verbs change their endings for person and number. The Second Conjugation is the other main pattern alongside the First Conjugation.

Identifying 2nd Conjugation Verbs:

• Infinitive Ending: Most verbs whose infinitive ends in -ить are 2nd Conjugation.
  • e.g., говорить (to speak), любить (to love), строить (to build).
  • Key exceptions to this "-ить" rule: брить (to shave), стелить (to spread), зиждиться (to be based on) are 1st Conjugation.
• The 11 "Exception" Verbs (Not ending in -ить, but are 2nd Conjugation):
  These must be memorized:
  • Four in -ать: гнать (to chase), дышать (to breathe), держать (to hold), слышать (to hear).
  • Seven in -еть: смотреть (to look), видеть (to see), ненавидеть (to hate), обидеть (to offend), терпеть (to tolerate/suffer), зависеть (to depend), вертеть (to twirl/spin).
• "They" Form (Они): This is the most reliable test. If the 3rd person plural (они) form ends in -ат or -ят, it's 2nd Conjugation.
  • e.g., они говорят (they speak), они дышат (they breathe).

Typical Endings for 2nd Conjugation (Present Tense / Simple Future Tense):

(Stem + ending)

• я (I): -у / -ю (говорю, дышу)
• ты (you sg.): -ишь (говоришь, дышишь)
• он/она/оно (he/she/it): -ит (говорит, дышит)
• мы (we): -им (говорим, дышим)
• вы (you pl./formal): -ите (говорите, дышите)
• они (they): -ат / -ят (говорят, дышат)

Key Characteristics:

• The vowel -и- in most forms (ты, он, мы, вы) is a hallmark.
• The endings -ат/-ят in the "они" form.
• Many 2nd conjugation verbs have a consonant mutation in the "я" (1st person singular) form (e.g., любить: люблю, любишь; видеть: вижу, видишь).

Difficulties for Foreigners:

• Memorizing the 11 "exception" verbs (not ending in -ить).
• Remembering the consonant mutations in the "я" form.
• Distinguishing the vowel "и" in 2nd conjugation endings from "е" in 1st conjugation endings.

 In Russian, second conjugation verbs are the second major conjugation pattern (alongside first conjugation verbs). Mastering their endings and recognizing them is a fundamental step in learning to speak and write Russian correctly. PROMT.One Conjugator is always here to help you. With one click, you can access complete conjugation tables for any Russian verb.